How does one reach this new generation with the truth of Christianity? We discuss with authors Daniel and Michael Blackaby. 

https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/09/13/how-u-s-religious-composition-has-changed-in-recent-decades/

https://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/406544/slowdown-rise-religious-nones.aspx

https://religionunplugged.com/news/2023/10/24/the-great-dechurching-a-must-read-game-changer-on-church-decline

Nihilism is arguably the most influential philosophy today. But what is it? And what are its strengths and weaknesses? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.

Definition of nihilism: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nihilism

History of nihilsim: https://iep.utm.edu/nihilism/

Dan Harmon on the meaning of life: https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/rick-and-morty-creator-dan-harmon-questions-the-meaning-of-life/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2MMiknhSIg8TtWV-1oAZdbIXpEpCTcTj1cj_EV47Keo4DNuxrCMDr4ltc_aem_AedPUaHDe4f2treHXcTmknQ_2xXCOdlxJJrNyqrf9gxfci9xB08OawZpTPA8sCIKQsEEmO4o10L7DKdrJDme73BH

“"Do I agree with Rick that nothing means anything? No I do not," Harmon said. "Because the knowledge that nothing matters, while accurate, gets you nowhere. The planet is dying, the sun is exploding, the universe is cooling, nothing's gonna matter; the further back you pull the more that truth will endure. But when you zoom in on Earth, when you zoom in to a family, when you zoom into a human brain and a childhood and experience, you see all these things that matter."

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes invite Producer and theologian Lou Giovino back on the show to discuss whether people are fundamentally good or evil, and what that means.

Pope Francis Interview: https://x.com/60Minutes/status/1792337978313802225

Pope Francis Controversy: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/may/20/pope-francis-tells-cbs-norah-odonnell-that-all-peo/

Are we born evil or good controversy: https://bigthink.com/thinking/are-we-born-evil/

Richard Dawkins on awfulness of original sin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QkZ8_mLCoA&ab_channel=AlexO%27Connor

Richard Trembly on violence of two-year-old males: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjUnWvP0A2E&ab_channel=JordanBPetersonClips

Psychology of serial killers: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/10/what-makes-a-serial-killer

Does mental illness not exist like some people suggest? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss why some people think mental illness is a myth and how to best love people in your life who struggle with mental health problems. 

Links to resources for further overthinking: 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mental%20illness(definition)

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2019/05/mental-health-survey

https://www.christianpost.com/news/john-macarthur-criticized-for-claiming-mental-illness-isnt-real.html (John McCarthur Story)

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

(Percentage of people struggling with mental illness.)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4409431/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7310534/ (scuicide ideation remains same across religious and non, but not attempts) 

https://religionunplugged.com/news/2024/1/8/political-ideology-religious-attendance-and-mental-illness  (rates of mental illness between religious/non conservative/liberal)

What is the right balance between self sacrifice and self care? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss:

Links to further reading:

https://medium.com/@treadmilltreats/sacrificing-your-own-happiness-for-another-person-cc7abdc6907f

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/202012/how-much-are-you-willing-sacrifice-your-relationship

Why is the literary group started by CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien--The Inklings--still so popular to this day? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with celebrated artist and author John Hendrix.

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk to author and speaker Aimee Byrd about how a religious person can be hurt by their religious community and still retain their faith.

Link to Aimee's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Our-Scars-Underground-Disillusionment-ebook/dp/B0CKMV7KSZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Y78GY0Y0Q6CM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2g9EJek-Lr6o71G4nskD35Fh3mv78ZGrP0rWYtwp7fU.f5rU7fPTwkQfLTiNNrck414wBv_zljkMZX_KPVr6akk&dib_tag=se&keywords=aimee+byrd+the+hope+in+our+scars&qid=1715572564&sprefix=aimee+byrd%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-1

https://www.npr.org/2024/01/24/1226371734/religious-nones-are-now-the-largest-single-group-in-the-u-s

https://www.breakpoint.org/why-conservative-christian-men-make-good-husbands/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/does-religion-make-people-more-ethical-11650468288

https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/church-religion-mental-health-479d612a

Is it ever good to be patriotic? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite on Biblical Scholar, author, and podcast host, Dr. Preston Sprinkle to discuss when patriotism crosses the line into harm.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/patriotism-sociology

https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/07/patriotism-nationalism-happiness/619325/

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2024/march-web-only/politics-bible-based-preston-sprinkle-exiles-review.html

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes tackle the topic of celebrity crushes. Are they harmless? Or potentially bad for you?

It's our 200th episode! We bring both Nathans back together to discuss how you can make (and keep) friends as an adult.

Links for more info:

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/americans-fewer-friends-survey-b1890794.html

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/researchers-find-strong-relationships-protect-long-term-health-and-happiness#:~:text=But%20the%20longest%20running%20study,healthy%20in%20the%20long%20term.

https://fortune.com/well/2023/06/15/loneliness-comparable-to-smoking-up-to-15-cigarettes-a-day/