The Overthinkers

Why is it important for all of us--but particularly Christians--to forgive others? And how do we do it without allowing evil to triumph? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with author and educator Yana Jenay Conner, unpacking lessons from her book: Living Beyond Offense: Doing the Hard Work of Forgiveness God’s Way.

References and resources

Forgiveness definitions: 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgive

https://www.apa.org/topics/forgiveness

Websites

The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: https://linktr.ee/JosephHolmes
Yana Jenay Conner: https://www.yanajenay.com/

What does it really mean to love our enemies? And how do we do it without allowing evil? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with author, apologist, and theoretical chemist Dr. Neil Shenvi.

References and resources:

Rabbi Shai Held on Christianity’s Loving Enemies: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2024/3/26/book-review-judaism-is-about-love-shatters-stereotypes-about-the-hebrew-bible

Nietzsche on “slave morality” in Christ’s teachings: https://bigthink.com/personal-growth/the-master-and-slave-moralities-what-nietzsche-really-meant/

Early Church Fathers on Nonviolence: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/nonviolence-in-the-ancient-church-and-christian-obedience/

New Advent: Augustine on will to love our enemies to change them to friends: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/170208.htm

Martin Luther King Jr. on Loving Your Enemies: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/life/forgiveness/love-your-enemies

Websites

The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.com
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
Neil Shenvi: https://shenviapologetics.com/

Neil Shenvi's new book: "Post Woke: Asserting a Christian Vision of Race, Gender, and Sexuality"

Nathan Clarkson's new book: "I'm the Worst: How Freedom is Found in Admitting Our Faults"

Joseph Holmes's new film: "Jim vs the Future"

It's a new year, and everyone wants to make positive life changes. So how do you make real ones that last? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss their own experience and the research on the topic.

References and resources

Americans are becoming less satisfied with their lives - record low of 44%: https://news.gallup.com/poll/655493/new-low-satisfied-personal-life.aspx

30% of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/29/new-years-resolutions-who-makes-them-and-why/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Only 10% of Americans keep their resolutions: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-years-resolutions-tips-why-they-fail/

New years resolutions are global and historical: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/history-of-new-years-resolutions

How to stick with your resolutions. Actionable steps + accountability. https://fisher.osu.edu/blogs/leadreadtoday/why-most-new-years-resolutions-fail

Small steps - knowing why you’re doing it: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/arthur-brooks-new-years-resolutions-happiness/

Fantasize about process, not results: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/09/manifestation-positive-thinking-happiness/679695/

Websites

Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.com
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmes

Why do so many people choose to be religious? What draws people to embrace belief? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with filmmaker Rian Johnson, his new film "Wake Up Dead Man" and the themes of faith his movie brings up.

References and resources

Global religious population: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/06/09/how-the-global-religious-landscape-changed-from-2010-to-2020/

American religious population: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2025/12/8/us-religious-decline-stalls-as-new-pew-data-shows-stabilization-even-among-young-adults

Jon Stewart on faith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSmrEVjQdG8

Arthur Brooks on faith: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/public-leadership-management/happiness-may-be-decline-we-can-all

Websites

The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmestudios.com
Rian Johnson: https://x.com/rianjohnson

The Bible--and the wider culture--agree: "It's better to give than to receive". But is that what the data says? And why would that be? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with insights from Dallas Jenkins, who discusses the DVD release of his film "The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever". 

References and resources:

What happens to your brain when you give vs receive: https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health/brain-gift-giving

Websites

The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
Dallas Jenkins: https://www.instagram.com/dallas.jenkins/?hl=en