Transhumanism is a growing topic of conversation and concern in the culture. But what exactly is it? And why is it so controversial? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarson discuss.

Transhumanism Defintion: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/transhumanism

Transhumanism History: https://www.britannica.com/topic/transhumanism

Douthot/Tiel Convo: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/opinion/peter-thiel-antichrist-ross-douthat.html

Deus Ex (video game)

Abolition of Man (Book)

That Hideous Strength (Book)

Bless/curse 

Fallout 4 (video game)

Curse

Mickey 17

Midnight Mass

Summer is a time of rest. But what is rest and how do we rest well? When is too much rest and when is not enough? 

The trend toward valuing rest more:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/01/05/brain-rest-breaks-vacation-benefits/

Benefits of rest:

https://hbr.org/2023/08/why-we-glorify-overwork-and-refuse-to-rest

https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2021/01/15/the-benefits-of-resting-and-how-to-unplug-in-a-busy-world/

https://time.com/6969761/how-to-rest-more-effectively/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-awesome-career/202306/the-critical-need-for-intentional-rest

Millennials and Gen Z love authenticity. But is authenticity all it's cracked up to be? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson investigate and give their takes.

References and resources:

Definition and history: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/authenticity/

Present debates about authenticity: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/authenticity

Is authenticity overrated? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/return-stillness/201909/is-authenticity-overrated

When do people feel most authentic? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656618302964

Why are superheroes seemingly always so popular? And is that a good thing? We discuss with screenwriter, professor, and author Sean Gaffney.

References and resources

Superheroes aren’t cinema: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/opinion/martin-scorsese-marvel.html

My reply to Scorsese: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/16/opinion/letters/martin-scorsese-movies.html

Superheroes as modern gods: https://www.wired.com/2011/07/grant-morrison-supergods/

Superheroes as Chivalric Romance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPH9K0x5fY4&ab_channel=PilgrimsPass

Superheroes as worship: https://anunexpectedjournal.com/superhero-movies-are-worship-not-theme-parks/

Websites

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

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.

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