The Overthinkers

Has there been a vibe shift in American culture where we're tired of cynical stories and want more optimistic ones? Are we tired of deconstructing the culture and want to start repairing it? If so, why, and what do we do about it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with cultural theologian and author Paul Anleitner his new book: "Based on a True Story: Vibe Shifts, the End of Deconstruction, and the Reboot of Meaning"

Websites

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

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes talk about their experiences of traveling and what they think its benefits are--and where it can go wrong.

References and resources

Travel and tourism are growing: https://wttc.org/news/global-travel-tourism-growth-to-outpace-wider-economy-by-1-5-times-over-the-next-decade

https://www.aei.org/commentary/passport-to-springfield/

American demographics of tourism: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/12/06/americans-who-have-traveled-internationally-stand-out-in-their-views-and-knowledge-of-foreign-affairs/

 

History of tourism: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479723019114?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

Travel builds empathy:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-empathy/202210/pack-your-bags-and-travel-its-good-for-you

https://www.aei.org/commentary/passport-to-springfield/

https://qz.com/763433/want-your-children-to-grow-into-more-empathetic-adults-travel-with-them

 

Overtourism explained: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479723019114

Travel creates memories (particularly with others) and therefore more lasting happiness than possessions: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00472875211064631

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/buy-experiences-instead-of-possessions-to-build-social-connection

 

Instagramification of travel: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2025/05/10/tourism-in-the-age-of-tiktok-and-instagram-how-social-media-has-transformed-vacations_6741113_19.html

Wendell Berry on problems with travel: https://aleteia.org/2025/07/27/wendell-berry-and-what-it-means-to-love-a-place

Websites

The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes

Why is there so much controversy about whether to use AI to make art--whether that's movies, images, or music? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with author and educator Dr. Kelsey Kramer McGinnes the benefits and drawbacks of using AI in or outside of the creative process.

References and resources

What is Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

https://academic.oup.com/nsr/article/12/5/nwaf050/8029900

Generative AI controversy in Christian music: 

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/solomon-ray-ai-christian-music-soul-singer/

Generative AI controversy in film:

https://religionunplugged.com/news/2026/6/11/the-old-stories-moses-groundbreaking-ai-filmmaking-is-artistically-underwhelming

Websites

The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes
Kelsey Kramer McGinnes: https://www.kkramermcginnis.com

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes bring actor, producer, and health and fitness advocate Joshua Murray on the show to discuss the new phenomenon of "looksmaxxing". What is it? What makes it different from other health trends? And what is wrong with it? Nathan, Joseph, and Josh discuss, along with Josh's new film "Gym Rat".

References and resources

Looksmaxxing definitions and analysis:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/looksmaxxing

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240326-inside-looksmaxxing-the-extreme-cosmetic-social-media-trend

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/looksmaxxing-may-point-to-deeper-body-image-issues-in-young-men-mental-health-expert-says

Social media causes looksmaxxing https://www.freyaindia.co.uk/p/how-social-media-feminised-us-all

Men falling behind drives looksmaxxing: https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/braden-eric-peters-clavicular-manosphere-looksmaxxing-masculine-ick-0h7hzhf0s

Websites

The Overthinkers.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes
Josh Murray: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3394219/

Millennials and Gen Z often feel more behind in life than previous generations did. They call this "milestone anxiety". But should we? And what should we do about it? Millennials Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss the ways they have--and continue to--feel behind and how they deal with it.

References and resources

Milestone anxiety: https://www.relate.org.uk/get-help/milestone-anxiety-rise-among-millennials-and-gen-z

Late bloomers: https://www.vox.com/advice/492291/late-bloomer-envy-milestones

Gen Z putting off milestones to buy a home:  https://fortune.com/2025/11/10/gen-z-delaying-milestones-housing-affordability-crisis-no-single-fix

Religious and conservatives way more likely to be married and have kids: https://ifstudies.org/report-brief/the-ideological-fertility-divide

https://ifstudies.org/blog/americas-growing-religious-secular-fertility-divide

Websites

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