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 List of billion dollar superhero movies: https://deadline.com/gallery/highest-grossing-movies-all-time/mcdjuwo-uv042/ Superhero dominance of the 2010s: https://www.statsignificant.com/p/the-rise-and-fall-of-superhero-movies

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 The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Sean Gaffney: https://gaffneyinkwell.com/

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