Our society seems to be tearing itself apart. One potential culprit is identity politics. But what is identity politics? Sociologist Dr. George Yancey joins to talk about his new book "Identity Politics in the United States: An Exploration of Identity in Red, White, and Blue". He explains the movements' history, what's wrong with it, and what we can do instead. References and resources: Identity politics definition: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/identity-politics/

Ibram X Kendi on antiracism: https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/articles/ibram-x-kendi-definition-of-antiracist

Mark lila on problems with identity politics: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/dec/21/mark-lilla-identity-politics-liberals

Review/Summary of Stephen Wolf’s Book: https://shenviapologetics.com/of-gods-and-men-a-long-review-of-wolfes-case-for-christian-nationalism-part-i-book-summary/

https://shenviapologetics.com/of-gods-and-men-a-long-review-of-wolfes-case-for-christian-nationalism-part-iii-objections/ Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmes Dr. George Yancey: www.georgeyancey.com

Is indulging in fantasy books and movies keeping us children? Or is it something good for us that we need? Overthinkers producer Nathan Sherrer (Nathan A) joins Nathan Clarkson (Nathan 1) and Joseph Holmes (just Joseph) to discuss. References and resources Fantasy definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fantasy Criticisms of Lord of the Rings: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20151215-did-tolkien-write-juvenile-trash Arthur Brooks on fantasy: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/09/manifestation-positive-thinking-happiness/679695/ Beth Web defends fantasy: https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2007/apr/23/bridgingthegapswhyweneed Fantasy builds empathy: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9714674/ Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmes

Does the Bible prohibit women from any leadership positions in the church? The question has divided Christians for a long time, so Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes invite Bible scholar Dr. Preston Sprinkle to discuss. References and resources:

Catholic view of female priests: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/why-the-church-doesnt-ordain-women

Evangelical views of women in leadership (Piper Keller): https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/should-we-call-female-leaders-pastors https://times12.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GenderEldersTimKathyKeller.pdf NT Wright on women in leadership: https://ntwrightpage.com/2016/07/12/womens-service-in-the-church-the-biblical-basis/ Websites: The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmes Preston Sprinkle: prestonsprinkle.com

With the Oscars on the horizon, everyone's talking about awards. But should we try to win awards? Or are they a distraction from what our true priorities should be? Spencer Folmar of Hard Faith Films and the Hard Faith Film Festival joins Nathan and Joseph to discuss.

Definition of award: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/award Christian artist Forrest Frank no longer accepting awards: https://cbn.com/news/entertainment/forrest-frank-says-he-will-no-longer-participate-awards-shows-shares-conviction Hollywood actorTimothy Challamet wants to be great: https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65146405/ Why awards are meaningless: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2023/2/23/23610516/awards-oscars-grammys-best-business-media Actors who say awards don’t matter are lying: https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64429244/?ref_=hm_nw_tp_4 Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmes Spencer Folmar: hardfaith.org

More and more people are defining themselves as "Spiritual But Not Religious". But what does that mean? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes interview academic and author Dr King-Ho Leung for answers. References and resources

Spiritual definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiritual Spirit definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirit Number of Americans spiritual but not religious: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/12/07/who-are-spiritual-but-not-religious-americans/ Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmes Dr. King Ho-Leung: www.kcl.ac.uk/people/king-ho-leung

How do you raise your kids such that they stay in your faith? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with celebrated author and speaker Sally Clarkson--who raised four children who all stayed Christian, including Nathan--what she did and what other religious parents can do. References and resources

The rise of the nones: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/the-nones-have-hit-a-ceiling People who stay in vs leave their childhood faith: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/12/15/why-do-some-americans-leave-their-religion-while-others-stay/ Majority of kids check out of their faith by 8th and 10th grades: https://ifstudies.org/blog/secularization-begins-at-home Authoritative parenting vs authoritarian and permissive: https://ifstudies.org/blog/parenting-is-the-key-to-adolescent-mental-health Fathers especially mattering for faith transmission: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/01/us/book-explores-ways-faith-is-kept-or-lost-over-generations.html?_r=0 Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson. nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmes Sally Clarkson: sallyclarkson.com

One of the biggest reasons people aren't getting married is that they can't find the right person. But how do you find the right person? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with sociologist and researcher Dr. Wendy Wang. References and resources:

Marriage rates dropping: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/america-marriage-decline/681518/ Is having a boyfriend embarassing? https://www.vogue.com/article/is-having-a-boyfriend-embarrassing-now Majority want to marry but can’t find the right person: https://ifstudies.org/blog/why-americans-arent-getting-married-and-having-kids-and-how-to-fix-that Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: https://linktr.ee/JosephHolmes Wendy Wang: https://ifstudies.org/about-us/wendy-wang

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