Meaningless Problems

What happens when every married woman on earth wakes up with the desire to divorce her husband?    Something to consider when reading/listening:    Where do your desires come from?    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  Fiction that makes you think  Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  John Wyndham  Spur of the moment decisions Marriages Divorces  Talking about free will Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry  Thank you to Kirsten Callaghan for performing the episode. Kirsten is an actor, writer and musician best known for playing the lead role in award-winning feature film Vindication Swim which is currently available on Prime Video. You can follow Kirsten on Instagram at kirstenscallaghan  Thanks very much for listening! Don’t forget to follow/subscribe in your podcast app.   And you can join the mailing list here: meaninglessproblems.substack.com    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at Craig@loveyourwork.uk (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two)     Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com / Loveyourwork.uk    Credits:   Written by Doe Wilmann   Performed by Kirsten Callaghan and Doe Wilmann    Thanks to Katie Empett and Kirsten Callaghan for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2025

He’s given his daughter an imaginary friend and she’s become quite attached. Does this make him a bad dad?   Something to consider when reading/listening:    Do you think there’s any harm in kids having an imaginary friend?    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  Fiction that makes you think  Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  Imaginary friends Kids Swings Roundabouts  Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry    Thanks very much for listening!    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at Craig@loveyourwork.uk (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two)     Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com / Loveyourwork.uk    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2025

Jerry’s new boyfriend appears to be perfect in every way. But he has a dark secret at the bottom of his garden.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    Can an argument be logically correct but still ultimately wrong?    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  Fiction that makes you think  Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  Carl Jung  Cows Sheds  Veganism  Morality  Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry    Thanks very much for listening!    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at Craig@loveyourwork.uk (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two)     Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com / Loveyourwork.uk    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2025

This is a story about two people called Brian. One is spiritually enlightened. The other is depressed. But do they have more in common than they realise?    Something to consider when reading/listening:    What are the two different versions of you? And do they ever have differing interpretations of the same event?    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  Fiction that makes you think  Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  Spiritual Enlightenment  Depression  People called Brian  Beards  Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry    Thanks very much for listening!    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at Craig@loveyourwork.uk (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two)     Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com / Loveyourwork.uk    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2025

Some theories about the existence of god are silly. This one is literally… silly.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    What other qualities would a maximally great god have?    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  God Atheism Stephen Fry Christopher Hitchens  Alan Watts Fiction that makes you think  Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  Jokes Skin cancer in children  Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry    Thanks very much for listening!    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2025

In the near future, it is widely agreed that children would be better off if they never learnt how to speak.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    Would you sacrifice your ability to speak if it meant never having another negative or stressful thought?    Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2024   You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  Sam Harris’ ‘Making Sense’ podcast  Alan Watts Fiction that makes you think  Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  Silence Children Silent children  Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry 

If life is a game, Harvey Rain is determined to win. But what does winning actually look like? And what does this mean for the other players?   Something to consider when reading/listening: Is it true that the only thing worse than not getting what you want is getting it?   You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman Sam Harris’ ‘Making Sense’ podcast Alan Watts Fiction that makes you think Philosophical fiction Speculative fiction Chicken farming Lab grown meat World domination Contemplating the meaning of life Any form of philosophical enquiry   Thank you for listening. Please follow the podcast to stay up to date with the latest episodes. Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com  Website: Meaninglessproblems.com  Thanks for listening  Credits: Written and performed by Doe Wilmann Thanks to Katie Empett for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.  Artwork by Katie Empett Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.  A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.  Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2025

When Poppy announces she wants to kill herself, her playwright husband employs a peculiar coping technique.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    To what extent does negative visualisation make you grateful for what you have?    Comedy - Philosophy - Stoicism     If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads  Sam Harris’ ‘Making Sense’ podcast  Alan Watts Fiction that makes you think  Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  Plays The Shard Hoping for the worst  Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2024

Having spent a year writing short stories for a podcast, the writer wonders what was the point.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    What was the point of this short story podcast?    Comedy - Philosophy - Plumbing    If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  The ‘Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal’ podcast Sam Harris’ ‘Making Sense’ podcast  ‘The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast’ Alan Watts Fiction that makes you think  Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  Artificial intelligence  The afterlife Simulations  Narcissism  Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry  Episode #3 of this podcast Episode #13 of this podcast  Episode #44 of this podcast  Speaking/listening to plumbers     Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2024

Lost in thought at a funeral, our narrator sets out a compelling case for why we should never ask anyone what they do for a living.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    To what extent does your job define who you are?    What Do You Do is an original short story by Doe Wilmann    If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    For information about upcoming stories and live performances of my stage plays, go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast.    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads A History of the World in Ten and a Half Chapters by Julian Barnes  Spirituality  Fiction that makes you think  Short stories with a twist Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  Graveyards  Headstones Not talking about work  Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2024

Businessman Nathan Norrie calls upon a spiritual guide to help improve the atmosphere among his work colleagues. The guide offers three peals of wisdom.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    If a message is true, does it matter if the messenger is dishonest?    It Might as Well Be is an original short story by Doe Wilmann    If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    For information about upcoming stories and live performances of my stage plays, go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast.    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  A History of the World in Ten and a Half Chapters by Julian Barnes  Spirituality  Fiction that makes you think  Short stories with a twist Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  Corporate retreats Mansions Instant hot water Maseratis  Cinema rooms  Teamwork Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2024

The prime minister is facing the biggest strike in British history. But the strikers are the last people she’d expect to strike. And their reason for striking is even more surprising.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    Can you truly be rich if your life lacks meaning?    The Meaning of Work is an original short story by Doe Wilmann    If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    For information about upcoming stories and live performances of my stage plays, go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast.    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Yes, Prime Minister The Twilight Zone  Philosophical fiction  Episode #25 of this podcast Episode #42 of this podcast  Prime ministers  Politics  Meaning  Jobs Jugglers Clowns   Contemplating the nature of existence Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2023 

Tony’s tried everything to make himself more employable, more dateable, more popular. He’s tried life coaches, elocution coaches, therapists, personal trainers but he’s looking in the wrong place. He’s not the problem. I am. I am Tony’s vibe.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    To what extent can a person be aware of their own vibe?    Comedy - Philosophy - Politics    If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads  Dramatic monologues Comedic monologues Politics Vibes Introspection Jobs Dates Rejections Tiger Woods’ trustworthiness Lindsay Lohan’s innocence Russell Brand’s sex appeal Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry   Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2023   

Member of Parliament Lawrence Sitwell is frustrated by the failure of his political career. A conversation with an old friend causes him to rethink everything.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    When politicians try to make something better, are they more likely to make it worse?    Comedy - Philosophy - Politics    If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads  Dramatic monologues Comedic monologues Politics Intentions v outcomes Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry  Plays Pubs Snakes Politicians   Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2023 

In Bernard’s local pub, everyone carries their life’s achievements with them in a big black bag.    Philosophy - Spirituality - Absurdism    The Weight of Achievement is an original short story by Doe Wilmann   Something to consider when reading/listening:    If you were never allowed to tell anyone about your successes, which of your current goals would you continue to pursue?    If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast.    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  A History of the World in Ten and a Half Chapters by Julian Barnes Spirituality  Fiction that makes you think  Short stories with a twist Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  Pubs Pints of Bitter  Achievements  Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2024  

A writer is slightly concerned about his short story podcast. He shares these concerns with a plumber and is surprised by his response.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    How do you know for certain that you are not a fictional creation dreamt up by somebody else?    Comedy - Philosophy - Plumbing    If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman  The ‘Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal’ podcast Sam Harris’ ‘Making Sense’ podcast  ‘The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast’ Alan Watts Fiction that makes you think  Philosophical fiction  Speculative fiction  Alternate universes The Titanic Morgan Robertson Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry  Episode #3 of this podcast Episode #13 of this podcast  Speaking/listening to plumbers   Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2023 

The top five short stories from 2023. If you’re new to Meaningless Problems, this might be a good place to start.   These are the stories with the timestamps for each:   It Wasn’t Me - 1.30 - Kimi is delighted with Su-Z, a new personal assistant software that can send and respond to emails on her behalf. But her delight is punctured when her boyfriend receives a message from one of her email contacts claiming that he and Kimi have fallen in love. Will Kimi’s boyfriend believe her when she pins the blame on Su-Z? And what exactly has her personal assistant been saying in those messages?  The Guru - 17.10 - After many years searching for a guru, the narrator finally finds one in an unexpected place.  Skipping Through Life - 23.51 - Faced with the prospect of making half his workforce redundant, Mr Pomeroy is offered the chance to skip the experience by travelling twelve hours into his own future. He accepts the offer and, twelve hours later, finds he still has all the memories of having experienced the day. So how is ‘time skipping’ any different from living?  Plonker - 37.37 - On the verge of becoming a grandparent for the first time, Irene reflects on her relationship with her husband aka ‘Plonker’.   They’ll Have to Kill Me - 48.33 - The prime minister wakes up in his country residence to find that everyone thinks he’s gone completely mad. So did he really speak to those men in black raincoats who told him he needs to follow their orders? Who can you trust when you can no longer trust the voice in your own head?    If you’d like to read the script of these episodes go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    For information about upcoming stories and live performances of my stage plays, go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast.    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2023 

A silly story, especially for Christmas. Working the early-turn Christmas Eve shift, Sergeant Rod just wants to finish at five, collect his daughter’s bizarre choice of present and go home. But his boss, the local drug lord and south London’s canine population have other ideas.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    Are you feeling Christmassy?    Comedy - Family - Christmas    A Wise Man is an original short story by Doe Wilmann    If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    For information about upcoming stories and live performances of my stage plays, go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast.    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads  Comedic Monologues  Silly stories  Tom Sharpe PG Wodehouse  Police  Dogs Police dogs  Criminals  Gluten-free, fat-free, sugar-free brownies  Christmas    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2023 

Thanks to developments in AI and VR, every voter now has the right to meet their political candidates one-on-one. These hyper-realistic chat bots look and sound exactly like their real-life equivalents and they answer questions with 99.9% accuracy. So what happens when the British primer minister’s chat bot starts making some very provocative statements?    Something to consider when reading/listening:    Would this type of hyper realistic chatbot enhance our elections?     Prime Minister’s Questions is an original short story by Doe Wilmann    If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    For information about upcoming stories and live performances of my stage plays, go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast.    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror Sci-fi The Twilight Zone  Philosophical fiction  Episode #25 of this podcast Prime ministers  Politics  War France  War with France  Technology   Contemplating the nature of existence Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.  If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2023 

A new medical procedure will remove anxiety and allow you to live perfectly in the moment. The only downside? You have to give up your ability to comprehend language.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    What would you be prepared to give up in exchange for perfect peace of mind?   No Words is an original short story by Doe Wilmann    If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/    For information about upcoming stories and live performances of my stage plays, go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast.    You might enjoy this episode if you like:   Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror Sci-fi The Twilight Zone  Philosophical fiction  Episode #2 of this podcast Episode #7 of this podcast Episode #28 of this podcast Episode #37 of this podcast Episode #40 of this podcast Words Silence Family  Technology   Contemplating the nature of existence Contemplating the meaning of life  Any form of philosophical enquiry    Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at doewilmann@outlook.com    This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends.    If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK.    For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)   I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast.    Website:   Meaninglessproblems.com    Thanks for listening    Credits:   Written and performed by Doe Wilmann   Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes.    Artwork by Katie Empett   Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.    A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein.    Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann (C) 2023