Millennials and Gen Z love authenticity. But is authenticity all it's cracked up to be? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson investigate and give their takes.
References and resources:
Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authentic
Definition and history: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/authenticity/
Present debates about authenticity: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/authenticity
Is authenticity overrated? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/return-stillness/201909/is-authenticity-overrated
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2022/11/22/authenticity-is-overrated-building-a-more-effective-leadership-style/
When do people feel most authentic? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656618302964
Blesses
We Are Not as Strong as We Think We Are (Song)
Ragamuffin (Movie)
The Life of Chuck (Movie)
Curses
Materialists (Movie)
How to Be Single (Movie)
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49:09
Why Do We Love Superheroes? (With Sean Gaffney)
Why are superheroes seemingly always so popular? And is that a good thing? We discuss with screenwriter, professor, and author Sean Gaffney.
References and resources
List of billion dollar superhero movies: https://deadline.com/gallery/highest-grossing-movies-all-time/mcdjuwo-uv042/
Superhero dominance of the 2010s: https://www.statsignificant.com/p/the-rise-and-fall-of-superhero-movies
Superheroes aren’t cinema: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/opinion/martin-scorsese-marvel.html
My reply to Scorsese: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/16/opinion/letters/martin-scorsese-movies.html
Superheroes as modern gods: https://www.wired.com/2011/07/grant-morrison-supergods/
Superheroes as Chivalric Romance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPH9K0x5fY4&ab_channel=PilgrimsPass
Superheroes as worship: https://anunexpectedjournal.com/superhero-movies-are-worship-not-theme-parks/
Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
Sean Gaffney: https://gaffneyinkwell.com/
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1:06:37
How Do We Build Community? (With Gov. John Kasich)
Why is it so hard to build community today and how do we do it anyway? We discuss with author and former governor John Kasich on our latest episode.
Resources and further reading
Rise in loneliness: https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/americans-no-friends/
Health costs of loneliness: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/loneliness-poses-health-risks-as-deadly-as-smoking-u-s-surgeon-general-says#:~:text=How%20do%20we%20design%20technology,15%20cigarettes%20daily%2C%20not%2012.
Interview with Ryan Burge: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/is-religion-in-decline-with-ryan-burge/id1510271421?i=1000705236657
Interview with Brad Wilcox: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/are-married-people-happier-with-dr-brad-wilcox/id1510271421?i=1000644150680
AI friends as a solution: https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/meta-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-wants-you-to-make-ai-friends/491349#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,the%20idea%20of%20AI%20friends.
Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
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50:45
What is the Secret to Happiness?
Everyone wants to be happy. But for so many, it seems so out of reach. What's the secret? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss on our latest episode.
References and resources
Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happiness
Less than half of Americans are happy: https://news.gallup.com/poll/610133/less-half-americans-satisfied-own-lives.aspx
Philosophers on happiness: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2016/06/13-great-philosophers-on-the-secret-of-happiness/
Scientists on happiness: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/magazine/happiness-research-studies-relationships.html
Americans say career over committed relationship: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/02/14/more-than-half-of-americans-say-marriage-is-important-but-not-essential-to-leading-a-fulfilling-life/
Americans spending less time with friends: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/02/america-decline-hanging-out/677451/
Mental state or well-being: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/happiness/#MeaHap
Macronutrients of happiness: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/20/arthur-c-brooks-the-3-macronutrients-of-happiness.html
Global Flourishing Study: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/05/global-flourishing-study-good-life/
Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
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54:38
How Do You Deal with FOMO?
How do you deal with FOMO (the fear of missing out)? Why is this such a modern phenomenon, and what steps can you take to overcome it? Nathan and Joseph discuss their experiences on the latest episode.
References and resources:
FOMO definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/FOMO
History and review of literature: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8283615/
Understanding of FOMO and advice for dealing with it: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/understanding-fomo
Understanding JOMO: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/what-happened-to-fomo
Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
A place where you can have fun thinking deeply about all the big and beautiful questions of life complete with cutaways. Hosts Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson explore subjects of art, faith, philosophy, culture, and more with some of today’s leading and most influential minds and figures. So put your thinking caps and your laughing socks on and come on in!
Ireland