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.

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/

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

What is a victim mentality? How do you know you have it and how do you overcome it? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Doctor Sleep (Movie)

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

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

Blesses

Conclave (Movie)

Curses

What is shame? And how do we overcome it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with celebrated author Aimee Byrd her book "Saving Face" about her own journey of shame and healing.

Shame definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shame

Shame vs guilt: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/shame#:~:text=Shame%20can%20breed%20feelings%20of,can%20erode%20trust%20over%20time.

Is shame bad? https://brenebrown.com/articles/2013/01/15/shame-v-guilt/

Is shame good? https://www.vox.com/first-person/2019/4/18/18308346/shame-toxic-productive

Overcoming shame: https://www.gottman.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-shame/#:~:text=Instead%20of%20%E2%80%9Cbeing%20shame%2C%E2%80%9D,vulnerable%20stories%20in%20safe%20environments.

The Soul of Shame (Book)

The Mule (Movie)

White Lotus Season 3 (TV Show)

Is religion in decline or are we headed for a revival? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with America's leading political scientist Ryan Burge.

Why do people beome (and stay) Christians or any religion whatsoever? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome Nathan Sherrer on the show to discuss their testimonies and what they think that says about faith and belief in the world. 

Links to more resources:

Reasons why people believe in God

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-apes/201808/why-do-people-believe-in-god

Intellectuals returning to faith:

https://www.thefp.com/p/how-intellectuals-found-god-ayaan-hirsi-ali-peter-thiel-jordan-peterson

Blesses

Mob Psycho 100 (Anime)

All Fired Up (Song)

Evidence for Chrisitanity (Book)

Mere Christianity (Book)

Blue Like Jazz (Book)

On Guard (Book)

Curses

Facing the Giants (Movie)

The Eternals (Movie)

Law of Attraction (Book)

The God Delusion (Book)