The Overthinkers

Why are romance novels so popular? Particularly with women? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes ask actress and author Keelia Clarkson why they resonate, ahead of her own upcoming romance novel "Chapter One Again". 

Romance movie’s popularity with women

https://oxfordre.com/literature/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190201098.001.0001/acrefore-9780190201098-e-415

https://www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/10/romance-fiction-genre-open-elite-popularity/684445/

https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=5002#m67973

Websites

The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
Keelia Clarkson: keelia.me
Chapter One Again (Avila Falls Series): https://www.amazon.com/dp/151401372X

Is thinking we're good people or inherently sinful better for us? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss Nathan's new book "I'm the Worst: How Freedom is Found in Admitting Our Faults".

Sin - The Bible Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNOZ7ocLD74

Original Sin - BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/originalsin_1.shtml

Doctrine of Sin - Roman Catholic Cathecism: https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_three/section_one/chapter_one/article_8/ii_the_definition_of_sin.html

Doctrine of Sin - Mockingbird: https://mbird.com/theology/hiding-in-plain-sight-the-lost-doctrine-of-sin/

Definition of sin - Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/what-is-sin-the-essence-and-root-of-all-sinning

Richard Dawkins thinks the doctrine of sin is “hideous”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f6Lar8Qp0E

Albert Ellis critiquing the doctrine of sin: https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0%2C33009%2C865989-2%2C00.html

Authoritative parenting vs authoritarian and permissive: https://ifstudies.org/blog/parenting-is-the-key-to-adolescent-mental-health

https://ifstudies.org/blog/do-your-political-beliefs-affect-your-parenting-

Serial killers are unmade, not made: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/10/what-makes-a-serial-killer

Most aggressive people are males at the age of two: https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/16/terrible-twos-who-stay-terrible/

Websites

The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

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