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
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50:23
Do We Need Experts?
Today lots of people are turning against experts. But is this wise? What are the problems with relying on experts and what are the problems with rejecting them? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.
References and resources
Expert definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expert
Trust in science has gone down: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2023/11/14/americans-trust-in-scientists-positive-views-of-science-continue-to-decline/#:~:text=As%20trust%20in%20scientists%20has,in%20ratings%20of%20scientists%20generally.
Why Americans don’t trust experts: https://www.vox.com/vox-conversations-podcast/23030205/vox-conversations-michael-lewis-against-the-rules-experts
Reasons not to trust the experts: https://medium.com/@theo.seeds/5-reasons-why-trusting-the-experts-is-dumb-b2faaed734f2
Blesses
The Actor's Handbook (Book)
Moneyball (Movie)
Curses
Jordan Peterson's Biblical Series (TV Series)
Sully (Movie)
Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
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55:09
What is Victim Mentality?
What is a victim mentality? How do you know you have it and how do you overcome it? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss.
References and resources
Victim mentality definition:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victim%20mentality
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-a-victim-mentality
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/putting-psyche-back-into-psychotherapy/202401/the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-victimhood
Why victim mentality is growing
https://www.afterbabel.com/p/mental-health-liberal-girls
Why victim mindset is a myth
https://medium.com/@mirawriter/why-victim-mindset-is-a-myth-655abf07f3aa
Victimhood defines our politics
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260124000169
Blesses
Thunderbolts (Movie)
Drop (Movie)
Curses
Self-diagnosis (Phenomenon)
Shadow of God (Movie)
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