We hear a lot about the importance of pursuing your dreams. But which dreams? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.

Pew research: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/09/14/what-makes-for-a-fulfilling-life/#:~:text=When%20asked%20what%20it%20takes,Gender

Marriage matters more for happiness than career: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/17/opinion/marriage-happiness-career.html

Fantasizing about dreams kills goals, fantasizing about process helps achieve them: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/09/manifestation-positive-thinking-happiness/679695/

Most people do not achieve their goals: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2980864/

The changing definitions of “calling”: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/how-do-we-know-our-calling-with-dr-william-klein/id1510271421?i=1000684667698

Should we try to convert others to our beliefs? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome American film director Justin Lin (director of multiple Fast and Furious movies) to discuss his new film "Last Days" about the 26-year-old Christian missionary John Chau, who died trying to convert the North Sentinel Island people.

https://www.oed.com/dictionary/conversion_n#8281191

What are the Medieval virtues? How are they related to the seven deadly sins? And how can they help us today? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by scholar and author Dr. Grace Hamman to answer these very questions.

References and resources:

https://www.britannica.com/event/Middle-Ages

Websites

What are real-life exorcisms like? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson interview real-life exorcist Reverend Dan Todd on our latest episode. 

https://www.history.com/articles/exorcisms-christianity-gospels-movie

https://bigthink.com/thinking/history-of-exorcism/

Vampires have been a part of our mythology and pop culture for centuries. But why do they remain so popular? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.

References and resources:

Do monsters, cryptids, and urban legends like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster exist? If so, how would we know for certain? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with hosts of the Campfire Files podcast: Colin Blackburn and Kara Russo.

References and resources

History of Bigfoot: https://www.history.com/articles/bigfoot-legend-newspaper

Everyone's talking about AI nowadays. Should we be scared of it? If so, what exactly should we be scared of? We bring on culture and social critic Boze Herrington to discuss. 

References and resources

Plato’s Argument against writing: https://fs.blog/an-old-argument-against-writing/

AI is making us dumber

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dimitarmixmihov/2025/02/11/ai-is-making-you-dumber-microsoft-researchers-say/

Websites

It seems like today we're more afraid than ever. So how do we handle these fears? And how do we help our children handle fears? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with legendary singer and filmmaker Steven Taylor--who's new scary family film "Sketch" has brought such questions into the spotlight.

References and resources

How to overcome fear:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unpacking-anxiety/202312/facing-your-fears

Why anxiety is rising:

“Sketch” controversy:

https://religionunplugged.com/news/2025/8/28/on-religion-angel-studios-sparks-debate-with-scary-faith-film

https://lawliberty.org/book-review/what-the-smartphone-hath-wrought/

Most people feel like there's something wrong with our modern world. But what exactly is it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with writer and thinker Paul Kingsnorth, unpacking his new book "Against the Machine".

How cell phones made life worse:

https://news.gallup.com/poll/647303/confidence-institutions-mostly-flat-police.aspx

Time Out of Joint (Book)

Curses

Idiocracy (Movie)

What does it mean to be disenchanted? And why are so many people talking about the need to re-enchant the world? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with special returning guest, author, editor, and culture writer Dr. Joy Clarkson.

References and resources:

Websites