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

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

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

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)

Everyone who has ambitious goals has probably at some point dealt with impostor syndrome. So what is it? And how do we overcome it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with best-selling author, podcast host, and sought-after business coach Mary Marantz. Further Reading

Imposter Syndrome definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impostor%20syndrome

Imposter Syndrome history: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neuroscience-in-everyday-life/202308/the-history-of-imposter-syndrome Blesses The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Movie) 16 Personalities (Website) Dear Evan Hansen (Broadway) How to Train Your Dragon (Animated Movie) Shrinking (TV Show) Curses Neon Demon (Movie) Hitman (Movie) 1923 (TV Show) Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Mary Marantz: https://marymarantz.com/

Most people have either struggled with an addiction or know someone who has. So how does one overcome addiction? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, and Episcopal priest Ian Morgan Cron to bring insight and empathy to this important topic. Further reading

Addiction definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addiction

National Institute on Drug Abuse data: https://nida.nih.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/budget-information/fiscal-year-2024-budget-information-congressional-justification-national-institute-drug-abuse/ic-fact-sheet-2024

https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/12/reported-drug-use-among-adolescents-continued-to-hold-below-pre-pandemic-levels-in-2023 Blesses The Ragamuffin Gospel (Book) The Fighter (Movie) Unapologetic (Book) Curse Requiem For a Dream (Movie)

Doctor Sleep (Movie) Succession (TV Show) Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarksson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Ian Cron: https://ianmorgancron.com/

What is beauty? Does it matter? If so, why? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with bestselling author and podcaster Andew Klavan. Further reading

Beauty definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beauty

Philosophers on beauty: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/beauty/

Modern people on beauty: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/07/opinion/andre-aciman-why-is-beauty-important.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/03/well/live/awe-wonder-dacher-keltner.html Websites Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josepholmesstudios.com Andrew Klavan: andrewklavan.com