The Problem With...

👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com Michael Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCG4DcZXrpIKwmgdXNU1iUgQ Michael Taylor, a professional trader and author, joins James to break down why most finance gurus are full of it. They discuss the red flags of get-rich-quick trading schemes, how brokers make money when you lose, and why Forex attracts scammers. Michael explains the difference between real investing and fake lifestyles, the dangers of blindly following trading signals, and why most people fail at currency trading. Whether you're thinking about investing in your 20s or deciding between paying off your mortgage versus building wealth through stocks, this conversation cuts through the BS and gives you real talk about money. THIS PODCAST IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE Timestamps 00:00 Finance Gurus and Lamborghini Scams 00:12 Professional Trader Michael Taylor Interview 00:24 Casino Risk Management vs Trading 01:07 Problems with Fake Finance Influencers 02:32 Chauffeur Knowledge and Information Replication 03:55 Broker Commission Models Explained 05:06 Red Flags in Trading Education 06:13 Forex vs Stock Market Fundamentals 09:04 Why Forex Trading Is Dangerously Hard 10:15 Survivorship Bias in Finance Content 11:50 Mortgage Payoff vs Stock Investment 12:16 Calculated Risk and Personal Finance 14:02 Global Equities Beat Interest Rates 15:21 Why People Avoid Financial Education 16:12 Wealthy People Talk About Money Differently 17:44 Taking Responsibility for Your Finances 18:36 James Smith's Investment Journey Begins 19:07 Getting Lucky in the Stock Market 20:54 Borrowing Money to Invest Early 22:33 Finding Your Sweet Spot in Stocks 23:24 Balance Sheet Analysis for Beginners 25:46 Shorting Businesses and Ethics 27:26 Identifying Cash Flow Problems Early 28:40 Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Allocation 31:23 Long-Term Investing vs Day Trading 32:03 Social Media as Interest Savings Account 32:22 2008 Financial Crisis Impact 34:34 Market Crashes Create Opportunities 36:11 Pandemic Trading During Market Chaos 37:45 First Steps for New Investors 39:05 Picking Individual Stocks Strategy 40:25 Emotional Investment Decisions 41:31 Tax-Efficient Investment Accounts UK 44:02 Lifetime ISA Government Top-Up 45:04 State Pension Won't Exist 46:36 Compounding Interest Over Decades 51:04 Warren Buffett Started at 15 52:40 Starting Late at 35 54:20 Inflation Erodes Purchasing Power 55:11 Fiscal Drag and Wage Stagnation 56:00 Property Ladder vs Stock Market 57:06 Stamp Duty Killing UK Stock Market 59:18 IPO Market Decline in UK 01:00:17 Making LSE Attractive for Listings 01:02:07 Class of 2020 IPO Disasters 01:03:35 Reviving the UK Stock Market 01:05:28 Boring Businesses Make Real Money 01:06:03 Newborn Investment Fund Idea 01:07:05 Private School vs Index Funds 01:09:10 Spending Strategy and Fun Money 01:11:02 Business vs Personal Investment Accounts 01:16:03 Main Dos and Don'ts of Investing 01:20:04 Delayed Settlement Promotes Gambling 01:22:17 Intraday Trading Is Mostly Gambling 01:27:25 Supporting Small Businesses Locally 01:33:46 How to Make Six Figures Book 01:35:16 Klarna Buy Now Pay Later Problems 01:37:50 Building Wealth Through Solid Businesses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com Konstantin Kisin joins James Smith to discuss the problem with Net Zero, a quiet crisis where ideological virtue signaling is actively making the West poor, weak, and strategically irrelevant. Kisin explains how our obsession with carbon metrics functions as a dangerous accounting trick that exports British industry to China while gaslighting citizens into accepting a lower standard of living. They strip back the myths of modern activism to expose a deeper civilizational time bomb: a generation suffering from historical amnesia and a lack of meaning, now being incentivised toward economic suicide by a government that prioritizes "waffle" over the survival of its own industrial base. We cover: ⬛ Why Net Zero is an accounting trick that exports emissions and imports poverty ⬛ The "Status Game" behind climate activism and doomsday narratives ⬛ How the welfare state traps young men in a cycle of dependency and video games ⬛ Why mass immigration is used to conceal the reality of a shrinking economy ⬛ The urgent need to prioritize cheap, reliable energy over ideological virtue signals Timestamps: 00:00 Net Zero's Economic and Geopolitical Failures 05:42 Energy Prices and Carbon Accounting Illusions 07:18 Why Ideologies Appeal to Lost Generations 10:00 Status Games Drive Activist Movements 12:22 Greta Thunberg and Incentive Structures 15:13 Personal Branding and Business Mentorship 16:21 Historical Amnesia and Educational Gaps 19:03 Travel Exposes Western Privilege and Safety 22:30 Direction of Travel Matters More Than Absolutes 25:03 Parasites Need Problems to Solve 31:33 Soviet Subversion and Western Self-Destruction 34:38 Israel-Palestine Through an Ideological Lens 37:53 Ukraine Support and European Weakness 41:03 National Pride Erosion and Military Service 45:00 Podcast Success Takes Years of Investment 51:34 Welfare Dependency Traps Young Men 58:01 Video Games Cannot Replace Real Life Achievement 1:02:15 Long-Form Conversations Change Political Discourse 1:09:06 Police Officers Make Split-Second Life-Death Decisions 1:23:25 Economic Solutions: Energy, Taxes, and Growth 1:28:30 Illegal Immigration and British Values 1:34:21 Integration Over Diversity Politics 1:39:50 Wealthy Brits Leaving Due to Cultural Hostility Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ffion Davies joins James Smith to reveal the problem with women in jiu-jitsu, a sport often gatekept by a "sausage fest" mentality and dangerous myths about self-defense. Davies, a six-time world champion, exposes why the current narrative is failing women and how the lack of equal pay is a quiet crisis threatening the sport's growth. They confront the reality of the "big strong dude" syndrome, the biological discrepancies in training, and the high-stakes battle for financial respect in elite competition. 👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com Ffion's Online Training Membership: https://ffiononline.com/ Ffion Davies on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ffioneiradaviesbjj Ffion Davies on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ffiffipengtinginlondon We cover: ⬛ Why the "Self-Defense" Narrative is a Dangerous Lie ⬛ Equal Pay, ADCC & The Battle for Financial Respect ⬛ Why Athleticism is a Trap for Beginners ⬛ The Truth About Skin Infections & "Ballgate" ⬛ Why You Should Learn from Purple Belts, Not Just Legends Chapters: 00:00 Breaking Barriers for Female Grapplers 2:56 Challenges Facing Women in the Sport 6:33 Building Trust and Community in Training 10:02 Reframing Motivation for Jiu-Jitsu 15:19 Realistic Expectations for Beginners 17:23 First Experiences and Gym Challenges 22:53 Judo vs Jiu-Jitsu Training Differences 29:35 Judo People Are Unique Athletes 36:05 Gi vs No-Gi: Technical Differences 45:56 Skin Infections and Training Hygiene 52:26 Armor Gym: A New Training Environment 59:56 Seminar Dynamics and Rolling Etiquette 1:01:57 Competing in Adult Divisions 1:04:06 Encouraging New People to Try Jiu-Jitsu 1:09:44 The Global Jiu-Jitsu Community 1:12:36 Fion Davies' Current Projects Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com Max Olesker joins James Smith to discuss the problem with following your passion. Why an unstructured life can lead to an intellectual and spiritual vacuum if you aren't prepared for the consequences. Olesker explains that pursuing a calling without a strategy is a dangerous gamble that often ends in physical and financial ruin. We cover: ⬛ Why "Follow Your Passion" is a Strategic Dead End ⬛ The Brutal Reality of Pro Wrestling & Performative Pain ⬛ Navigating the Rigorous Path to Orthodox Conversion Chapters: 0:00 The Problem With Passion 5:40 The "Yes Man" Lifestyle 9:13 The Cost of the Ring 16:13 Wrestling & Social Media 26:36 The Comedy Flow State 36:07 The Creativity Grind 40:45 Identity & Heritage 47:12 Rigorous Conversion 1:08:19 The Shabbat Detox 1:15:16 The Surgical Finale 1:36:23 Making The Cut Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Property expert and investment strategist Ravi Sharma joins James Smith to reveal the problem with the global housing market. This is no longer just a hurdle for first time buyers; it is a systemic time bomb that is stripping away financial agency and threatening the future of social mobility. The quiet crisis of skyrocketing prices is not an accident of the market, but the result of a rigged system that prioritizes corporate incentives over human survival. Ravi Sharma's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/PersonalFinancewithRaviSharma We cover: ⬛ Why Housing Affordability is a Global Crisis ⬛ Property, Pensions and the Rigged System ⬛ The Truth About Mortgages and Wealth Building ⬛ Renting for Freedom vs Buying for Status 👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com 0:00 Housing Market Reality Check 0:36 Housing Affordability: A Persistent Challenge 1:56 Personal Journey in Property and Renting 7:06 Landlord Perspectives and Property Investment 12:05 Mortgage Strategies and Wealth Building 19:16 Overcoming Financial Anxiety and Fear 23:11 Property vs. Other Investment Options 28:04 Challenging Traditional Financial Advice 34:01 Leveraging Offset Mortgages Strategically 40:24 Emotional vs. Rational Property Decisions 45:05 Property Investment Process Explained 49:52 Breaking Free from Emotional Financial Traps 54:35 Ethical Considerations of Property Investment 59:36 Advice for Younger Generations 1:02:24 Renting as a Path to Personal Freedom 1:07:54 Financial Decisions and Life Constraints 1:10:16 Investment Strategies for Different Scenarios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, George Horne (known online as @thetinmen) joins James Smith to confront the uncomfortable reality of The Problem with Men’s Mental Health. Beyond the surface-level "men need to talk" slogans, George reveals a quiet crisis of structural failings that range from biased family courts to a suicide rate that continues to climb despite increased awareness. 👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com The Tin Men on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCpIPgsoOjI8dgQ9fOlmc7TQ Follow The Tin Men on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetinmen We cover: ⬛ Why Structural Issues Trump "Talking" for Men ⬛ Family Courts & The Fatherlessness Epidemic ⬛ Why Men Need Shoulder-to-Shoulder Therapy ⬛ The Biological Necessity of Roughhousing & Combat Timestamps: 00:00 The Problem With Mental Health 03:52 What We Miss About Men 07:37 Mental Health Beyond The Brain 09:21 Obesity As Mental Health Analogy 12:04 Status, Identity, And Fatherhood 14:16 Custody Battles And Male Suicide 17:07 Domestic Violence Misconceptions 21:30 Why Men Don’t Leave Abuse 25:15 Bad Research And False Narratives 30:27 Hiring Bias Against Men 35:53 The Motherhood Pay Gap Explained 40:55 Representation And Media Stereotypes 44:34 Fatherhood As Mental Health Anchor 49:26 Masculinity And Meaning 52:08 Community As Mental Health Treatment 56:06 Movement, Touch, And Men 01:00:16 Why Jiu Jitsu Builds Purpose 01:05:51 Boys, Violence, And Discipline 01:10:10 Fatherlessness And Gangs 01:15:13 Why Fathers Aren’t At Home 01:22:19 Rethinking Solutions For Men 01:29:04 Men’s Charities And What’s Next Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam McDonald joins James Smith to reveal the uncomfortable truth about the problem with hydration, electrolytes and why the $100 million hydration industry is selling a dangerous lie that is creating a quiet crisis in cardiovascular health. McDonald explains how modern marketing has convinced healthy individuals to consume toxic levels of sodium under the guise of "optimisation" while ignoring the actual biological requirements of the human body. 👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com They Cover: ⬛ Why Electrolyte Supplements Are The New BCAAs ⬛ How Excess Sodium Fuels The Silent Killer of Blood Pressure ⬛ The Myth of Morning Dehydration and Salt Water Rituals ⬛ Why Glucose Outperforms Salt for Real World Hydration ⬛ The Psychological Trap of Wearable Data and Health Anxiety 00:00 Hydration Myths Explained 01:09 Why Electrolytes Get Hyped 03:04 The Real Hydration Problem 06:36 Sodium Vs Table Salt 07:55 Do BJJ Athletes Need Electrolytes? 10:35 Why You Can’t Replace Sweat 12:58 When Hyperhydration Helps 13:08 Water Loading And Peeing 15:56 Electrolytes For Multi-Match Days 17:54 Morning Salt Myth Debunked 20:13 Sugar Fear In Sports Drinks 23:29 Flavor Beats Fancy Formulas 28:07 Blood Pressure Tracking Basics 32:04 Health Anxiety From Metrics 33:49 Eight Sleep Worth The Money 37:05 Falling Asleep To Podcasts 39:58 How Powerful Placebo Is 42:27 Mouth Taping Reality Check 45:17 Sleep Stack That Helps 49:47 Peptides And Injury Recovery 52:38 GLP-1s And Fat Loss Ethics 57:09 Food Noise Relief On GLP-1s 59:37 Hair Loss Drugs And Transplants 01:08:37 Biohacking Hype Calling Out 01:11:41 Why Marathoners Spit Drinks 01:13:51 Greens Powders Under The Microscope 01:18:14 Proprietary Blends Exposed 01:21:07 What A Better Greens Mix Needs 01:22:43 Coaching, Research, And Perfectionism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lara Acosta joins James Smith to discuss the problem with personal branding. While millions of entrepreneurs chase the "influencer" dream, a quiet crisis of ego and AI-generated slop is destroying genuine market value. This obsession with being interesting rather than useful is a dangerous lie that is threatening the future of human agency and business growth in 2026. 👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com Follow Lara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraacostar We cover: ⬛ Why Introverts Will Win Personal Branding In 2026 ⬛ How High Ticket Pricing Creates A Halo Effect ⬛ Why Writing Is The Ultimate Skill For Manipulation ⬛ What Happens When You Stop Chasing Vanity Metrics ⬛ How To Reinvent Your Identity Through Radical Change Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:59 The Problem With Personal Branding 02:28 How Lara Built LinkedIn 03:49 Be Useful, Not Interesting 05:29 Ego Is Slowing Growth 08:52 Retrospective Storytelling Wins 12:07 Hooks Plus Visual Hooks 15:15 Ghostwriters And AI Slop 20:09 Turning Attention Into Income 24:24 How To Raise Prices 31:06 Why High-Ticket Works 36:41 Message Beats Equipment 40:09 Mastering Problem Awareness 52:17 The Cost Of Visibility 58:10 Why 2026 Belongs To Writers 71:18 SMPB + 4321 Framework 77:38 Email Lists Beat Platforms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Elliot Bewick joins James Smith to reveal the problem with Gen Z. This generation is currently trapped in a quiet crisis where skyrocketing anxiety rates and plummeting fertility are threatening the future of social stability. Bewick explains why modern connectivity has become a dangerous trap that trades genuine competence for manufactured authenticity. 👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com He explains: ◼️ Why skyrocketing suicide and anxiety rates are destroying mental health ◼️ How Instagram turned human connection into a predatory and exhausting status game. ◼️ What happens when there are no incentives to work ◼️ How the West has become obsessed with victimisation Timestamps 00:00 The Crisis Facing Gen Z 03:15 The Problem With Content Ideation 05:07 The Reality of Gen Z Mental Health 07:56 How Young People Climb Status 09:39 The Impact of COVID on Gen Z 12:37 Modern Social Media Status Hierarchies 17:02 The Trap of Manufactured Authenticity 20:48 The Ethics of Steroid Disclosure 25:09 Why Jiu-Jitsu Cures Body Dysmorphia 31:25 Performative Difficulty vs True Hardship 39:58 The Looming Loneliness Epidemic 43:51 Why Modern History Was Worse 48:10 The Trench Visualization for Perspective 54:26 The Practice of Secular Grace 59:51 Hard Work vs Generational Privilege 01:01:51 The Global Housing Crisis Reality 01:05:01 The Pending Depopulation Crisis 01:07:08 Why Men Are Losing Purpose 01:11:18 The Rise of Masculinity Outlaws 01:16:00 Modern Career Opportunities for Gen Z 01:19:17 How to Build a Legacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Problem With Podcast, James Smith sits down with Damien Jordan, the voice behind the hugely popular YouTube channel Damien Talks Money, for a no-nonsense conversation about money, taxes, investing, and the uncomfortable truths most people ignore. Damien breaks down why the average person feels poorer despite “doing everything right,” how inflation and fiscal drag quietly erode wealth, and why property, pensions, and taxes are stacked against younger generations. From inheritance tax and housing shortages to crypto hype, market timing fears, and whether moving abroad actually solves anything. This episode challenges how you think about money and the system around it. 👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com We cover: ⬛ Why Inflation & Tax Quietly Kill Wealth ⬛ Property, Pensions & The Rigged System ⬛ Investing Fears, Crypto Hype & Reality ⬛ Living Now vs Chasing Retirement Timestamps 00:00 Real Returns After Inflation 02:55 Bank Money Creation Explained 06:55 Fiscal Drag Tax Trap 09:06 UK Vs Australia Taxes 11:49 Is Inheritance Tax Fair? 16:10 Untaxed Housing Windfalls 17:15 Why Homes Stay Scarce 21:33 Aging Population Pension Crunch 26:24 Retirement Vs Living Now 35:06 Mortgage Payoff Vs Investing 40:39 Beating Market Timing Fear 43:14 Crypto Hype Vs Bitcoin 47:00 Invest In Business Growth 52:17 HENRY 100K Tax Cliff 56:05 Wealth Tax Reality Check 59:12 Moving To Dubai Debate 65:04 UK Debt And Spending Truth 68:24 Daily Pain Of Commuting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Demographer and author Paul Morland joins James Smith to reveal the uncomfortable truth about the problem with population collapse - why falling birth rates are creating aging societies, economic decline and a quiet crisis at the heart of the modern world. Morland explains how a lack of children is reshaping nations, destroying communities and threatening the future of humanity itself. They discuss the myths around “overpopulation,” the cultural shifts stopping people from having families and the real reasons behind the demographic time bomb no one wants to talk about. From housing and technology to feminism and social media, this episode explores how comfort, distraction and misplaced priorities have turned reproduction into a global taboo. 👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com He explains: ◼️ Why population collapse will bankrupt countries ◼️ How culture and comfort are killing fertility ◼️ Why the “too many people” myth is a dangerous lie ◼️ How governments can (and must) incentivise family life ◼️ What happens when a society stops having children timestamps 00:00 Why Population Decline Matters 02:00 Korea’s Aging Population Spiral 05:14 Can Earth Support More People? 08:34 Humans As The Ultimate Resource 11:22 Demography Everyone Misunderstands 14:07 The Global Fertility Collapse 18:55 Choice Vs Biological Fertility 22:10 Why People Stop Having Kids 25:33 Housing, Work, And Modern Life 27:07 Incentives Can’t Fix Culture Alone 31:16 Welfare, Taxes, And Family Penalties 34:20 Why Fertility Isn’t Political 36:49 Women, Work, And Family Timing 41:12 How Workplaces Must Change 49:21 Dating Apps And Relationship Breakdown 57:31 Teaching Fertility Earlier 62:44 East Asia’s Status Trap 68:26 Immigration Or National Decline 80:46 What Population Collapse Looks Like Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments. Please check out the links below. I'm on a mission to help men check their levels of Testosterone, more info here: https://www.manual.co/smith I help small businesses make money online: https://www.jamessmith.business Please check out and try Neutonic here: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith For a free trial of my online personal training app go here: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Check your testosterone levels: https://www.manual.co/smith I help small businesses make money online: https://www.jamessmith.business Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith Free trial: Online coaching app: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com Scientist and author Dr. Andrew Steele joins James Smith to tackle the problem with aging and why dying of “old age” might one day be seen as a preventable condition. Andrew breaks down the science of longevity, the myths around “anti-aging,” and the difference between fundamental research and influencer nonsense. He explains how new medical breakthroughs could help humans live healthier for far longer, but also why the hype around biohacking and “forever pills” is getting dangerously ahead of the science. They explore the ethical, political, and even economic implications of extending human life, from billionaire-funded immortality labs to the fear that longevity could deepen inequality. Andrew reveals what the real science shows about genes, lifestyle, and luck; why exercise is still the best anti-aging treatment we have; and how new drugs like GLP-1 agonists could transform global health and longevity. He explains: ◼️ Why 90% of deaths in rich countries are caused by aging ◼️ The truth about genetic luck vs lifestyle choices ◼️ How longevity drugs could revolutionise healthcare ◼️ Why “anti-ageing” influencers are misleading the public ◼️ The shocking economics of living to 100… or beyond Chapters 00:00 Why Men Die Earlier Than Women 01:31 The Real Problem With Aging 02:36 Separating Longevity Fact From Fiction 05:23 What Your Face Reveals About Health 08:50 How Much Do Genetics Actually Matter? 12:32 Do Weight Loss Drugs Slow Aging? 16:48 The Stigma Of Weight Loss Drugs 19:01 James’ Experience Taking Weight Loss Drugs 22:37 Is Taking Ozempic "Cheating"? 27:02 The Reality Of Maintaining Weight Loss 31:26 Why Modern Diets Are Failing 35:26 The Future Of Longevity Medicine 39:36 Will Longevity Increase Retirement Age? 43:01 The Problem With Bryan Johnson’s Protocol 46:44 Is Biohacking Just An Eating Disorder? 52:01 The Dangers Of Over-Optimizing Health 56:36 Does Health Anxiety Shorten Lifespan? 01:01:46 The Truth About HRT For Women 01:06:51 Does Testosterone Shorten Men’s Lives? 01:12:50 Why Eunuchs Live Longer Than Men 01:17:56 The Philosophy Of Living Forever 01:27:11 The Most Effective Longevity Habits 01:29:56 Does Intermittent Fasting Increase Longevity? 01:38:36 The Most Promising Anti-Aging Drug 01:45:36 The Economic Case For Curing Aging Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments. Please check out the links below. I'm on a mission to help men check their levels of Testosterone, more info here: https://www.manual.co/smith I help small businesses make money online: https://www.jamessmith.business Please check out and try Neutonic here: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith For a free trial of my online personal training app go here: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Check your testosterone levels: https://www.manual.co/smith I help small businesses make money online: https://www.jamessmith.business Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith Free trial: Online coaching app: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com AI researcher and ControlAI founder Connor Leahy joins James Smith to confront the problem with artificial intelligence - from misinformation and manipulation to the terrifying speed at which machines are learning to outthink their creators. Connor, one of the world’s leading voices in AI safety, explains how we’re building systems that are more intelligent than humans…and why we don’t really understand how they work. They discuss the future of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and ASI (Artificial Superintelligence), exploring what happens when machines evolve faster than we can control them. Connor breaks down the moral, political, and psychological implications of AI, from fake online identities and emotional manipulation to the emerging arms race between nations and corporations desperate to be first. He explains: ◼️ Why AI is already outpacing human understanding ◼️ How propaganda and algorithms shape reality ◼️ The dangers of AI “boyfriends” and emotional manipulation ◼️ Why superintelligence could end human control ◼️ What governments and people must do before it’s too late Chapters 0:00 – Why the Future of AI Looks Dangerous 0:31 – What ASI Really Means for Humanity 1:29 – The Core Problem With Modern AI Systems 3:02 – How AI Is Built and Why We Can’t Control It 6:04 – The Hidden Dangers of Social Media + AI Manipulation 10:09 – AI vs AGI vs ASI Explained Simply 17:01 – How Fast AGI Could Turn Into Superintelligence 22:22 – Utopian vs Dystopian Futures With AI 29:02 – AI Relationships, Loneliness & Digital Partners 47:18 – Why AI Could Replace Human Connection & Autonomy Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments. Please check out the links below. I'm on a mission to help men check their levels of Testosterone, more info here: https://www.manual.co/smith I help small businesses make money online: https://www.jamessmith.business Please check out and try Neutonic here: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith For a free trial of my online personal training app go here: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments, please check out the links below. 📍I'm on a mission to help men check their levels of Testosterone, more info here: https://www.manual.co/smith 👁Please check out and try Neutonic here: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith  💪For a free trial of my online personal training app go here: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com 💰I help small businesses make money online: https://www.jamessmith.business Psychologist and relationship coach Sadia Khan joins James Smith to unpack the problem with dating apps, modern relationships, and the illusion of infinite choice. Together they explore why technology has made commitment harder, attraction more confusing and why everyone - men and women alike - are struggling to connect in an age of endless swiping. Sadia reveals the psychology behind sex appeal, status and loyalty, explaining how dopamine, dating culture and false advice online are reshaping human relationships. From incel culture and OnlyFans to the fear of rejection and emotional detachment, this is a raw, unfiltered conversation about what’s gone wrong with love… and how to fix it. She explains: ◼️ Why dating apps destroy genuine connection ◼️ How “too many options” kills commitment ◼️ The truth about sex appeal and attraction ◼️ Why men and women misunderstand each other online ◼️ The rise of transactional relationships in the digital age 00:00 – The Problem With People Being Single 01:48 – Three Main Problems: Options, Bad Advice & Monogamy 03:28 – Dating Apps: The Illusion of Choice 05:07 – Genetics, Status & What Women Actually Want 08:08 – The Secret Ingredient: Sex Appeal 11:19 – The Three A's: Attraction, Admiration, Adoration 13:32 – Women and Lust: The Sex Response 16:13 – Sexual Dominance vs Sexual Submission 19:30 – Anxiety Kills Sex Appeal 21:11 – OnlyFans: Manipulating Vulnerable Men 24:40 – Sex Workers and Materialistic Values 28:41 – Masturbation in Healthy Relationships 31:39 – The Sex Toy Epidemic 34:36 – Low Testosterone Nearly Ruined My Relationship 38:29 – Stress, Overtraining & Catastrophic Thinking 41:44 – Natural Ways to Boost Testosterone 44:13 – Why Genetics Matter: The TRT Debate 46:17 – Fat Acceptance vs Reality 49:38 – Why Staying Together Requires No Alternatives 51:14 – Two Types of Men: Loyal to the Woman vs Loyal to the Wife 52:35 – The Dubai Dating Scene Explained 55:34 – Why Russian Women Dominate Men in Dubai 58:38 – Escort Culture & Naive Men 1:01:12 – Corrupt Women vs Good Women 1:04:20 – The Danger of Being 39 and Single 1:08:05 – Four Things to Look For Before Having Kids 1:11:49 – Prenups: A Revealer of Character 1:15:12 – Why Your Partner Needs Financial Independence 1:18:05 – AI Relationships: Glamorizing Loneliness 1:19:22 – New Book: The 10 Red Flags 1:20:56 – Closing RemarksClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments. Please check out the links below. 📍I'm on a mission to help men check their levels of Testosterone, more info here: https://www.manual.co/smith 👁Please check out and try Neutonic here: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 💪For a free trial of my online personal training app, go here: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com 💰I help small businesses make money online: https://www.jamessmith.business Neuroscientist TJ Power joins James Smith to expose what social media, smartphones, and endless screen time are doing to our brains. From dopamine burnout to digital addiction, he explains how technology hijacks motivation, focus, and happiness - and what we can actually do to fix it. TJ, who left academia after seeing the mental health crisis up close, breaks down how constant stimulation from phones, porn and social media rewires the brain’s reward system. He reveals the science behind low mood, lost confidence, and why so many people feel “flat” despite having more comfort and convenience than ever before. He explains: ◼️ How dopamine addiction quietly kills motivation ◼️ Why boredom is the key to rebuilding focus ◼️ The neuroscience of porn, pleasure, and productivity ◼️ Why young people are more anxious, distracted, and disconnected ◼️ Practical steps to reset your brain and regain control Timestamps: 00:00 – The Problem With Spending Time on Screens 01:28 – What is Dopamine and Why Do We Crave It? 03:48 – The Four Brain Chemicals: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins 07:09 – Gaming vs Scrolling: Active vs Passive Dopamine 10:08 – Video Games as Life Training 12:23 – Hunter Brain vs Farmer Brain 13:24 – The Trap of Productive Addiction 15:12 – The Man at the Train Station Doing Nothing 18:10 – Four Weeks Without TV or Content 21:23 – Evening Scrolling: Sacred Time or Mental Drain? 24:21 – The UK Safety Act and Porn Age Verification 28:09 – The Million Dollar Scrolling Hypothetical 32:56 – Dating Apps, Height Requirements & Modern Standards 36:33 – Seven Days Without Porn Challenge 40:18 – The Utility of Not Wanking Before a Date 43:46 – Should There Be Hard Blocks on Porn Access? 48:52 – Porn's Impact on First-Time Sexual Expectations 53:05 – Alcohol, Socialising & Why Young People Aren't Drinking 58:43 – The Two-Day Phone Detox in Melbourne 1:02:44 – Small Daily Detoxes vs Big Detoxes 1:06:34 – Why Jiu-Jitsu Hits All Four Brain Chemicals 1:10:12 – Four Plants That Need Watering: Practical Advice 1:15:46 – Escaping Reality Through Screens 1:19:28 – Relationships: When Your Partner Won't Change 1:24:30 – Falling in Love With AI 1:28:03 – Producer vs Consumer Dopamine Addiction 1:34:00 – The Purpose of Having Kids 1:35:31 – The Creator's Confession: Dopamine Hypocrisy 1:39:04 – Mental Health Crash After Bad Post Performance 1:43:48 – Living Without Knowing Your Bank Balance 1:48:50 – Closing Challenge: One Screen-Free Evening Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ed Lawrence joins James Smith for a brutally honest conversation about the problem with making money online, the illusion of quick success and the hidden grind behind overnight wins. From starting 12 years ago with terrible videos to generating $300,000 from a single YouTube upload, Ed reveals how the "make money online" promise is sold as easy… but requires years of eating shit instead. They discuss the reality of building a business, the trap of chasing views over revenue, the burnout of ad-dependent income and why most people give up right before the breakthrough. Ed opens up about parasites nearly killing his business, the obsession required to succeed and learning to build a sustainable income through content, tracking and understanding what actually converts rather than what goes viral. He explains: ◼️ Why making money online takes 10x longer than you think ◼️ How to escape the 9-5 without going broke ◼️ The trap of building followers who never buy ◼️ Why 800 views can make $33,000 (and millions of views can make nothing) ◼️ How YouTube teaches you every business skill you need Timestamps: 00:00 – The Problem With Making Money Online 02:14 – Why Side Hustles Fail vs Full-Time Focus 05:08 – The Trap of "Free" Gym Memberships 06:33 – The Truth About Business Ownership 08:48 – Don't Start a Business Just for Money 11:05 – Building Followers vs Making Money 13:17 – The Stress of Ad Revenue Dependency 16:38 – YouTube is Not a Search Platform 19:15 – Binge-Watching by Design 24:13 – YouTube Makes You Better at Everything 29:35 – Fail as Fast as You Can 32:56 – Packaging Boring Content 37:13 – Everything Has Been Done Before 41:55 – Copy Your Own Outliers 44:41 – Views Don't Equal Money 49:13 – The 10-Year Overnight Success 53:05 – Getting Stuck in Your Comfort Zone 56:12 – The Parasite Wake-Up Call 59:11 – Is AI the Biggest Opportunity Ever? 1:02:00 – Bitcoin vs Gold vs Traditional Money 1:04:09 – Stop Researching Investments, Build Your Business 1:05:13 – Closing Remarks Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments, please check out the links below. I'm on a mission to help men check their levels of Testosterone, more info here: https://www.manual.co/smith Please check out and try Neutonic here: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith For a free trial of my online personal training app go here: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

George Mack joins James Smith for an unfiltered conversation that will change how you think about ambition, success, and the hidden traps of productivity. They dive deep into the concept of agency (why some people take control of their lives while others stay stuck) and how it shows up across business, relationships, happiness, and identity. From the “busy trap” to the myth of hustle culture, George unpacks the subtle ways we self-sabotage under the illusion of progress. He questions whether high agency is even healthy… or just a sophisticated form of burnout. James and George explore the psychology of success, the role of genetics, language and culture in shaping mindset, and how becoming a parent can snap you out of your grind obsession. He explains: ◼️ Why high agency can be a hidden mental illness ◼️ The real reason some people stay stuck (and how to escape) ◼️ How productivity becomes a trap disguised as progress ◼️ Why writing things down on a whiteboard might change your life ◼️ What jiu-jitsu teaches us about fear, ego, and self-awareness Timestamps: 00:00 The Problem With Low Agency 02:04 The Jail Cell Test 05:16 Can You Train Agency? 09:05 Context-Dependent Agency 15:15 Life in Austin, Texas 18:04 UK Cynicism vs American Naivety 24:06 The Happiness Paradox 30:02 Language Shapes Thinking 36:07 Hater or Inspired? The Choice Is Yours 42:07 The Busy Trap 46:03 The $1,500 Chicken Sandwich Story 51:34 Parenthood: The Ultimate Agency Hack 59:58 Jiu-Jitsu and Personal Growth 1:03:02 The Gap and The Gain 1:07:26 Warren Buffett's Investment Exercise 1:12:25 Practical Agency Hacks 1:17:20 The A1 Paper That Changed Everything 1:29:11 Eat Frogs, Lick Toads 1:32:35 Why Jiu-Jitsu Hits All Four Brain Chemicals 1:35:31 Closing Advice Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments, please check out the links below. I'm on a mission to help men check their levels of Testosterone, more info here: https://www.manual.co/smith Please check out and try Neutonic here: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith  For a free trial of my online personal training app go here: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rapper Professor Green joins James Smith for an unfiltered conversation about the problem with fame, the illusion of success and the hidden loneliness behind recognition. From growing up in Hackney to playing Glastonbury, Professor Green reveals how fame promised to fix everything… and nearly broke him instead. They dive into the darker side of success, the pressure to perform, the loss of privacy and the mental health toll of living as a public persona. Green opens up about his late autism and ADHD diagnosis, the self-sabotage of success and learning to rebuild a life grounded in honesty, fatherhood and self-awareness rather than applause. He explains: ◼️ Why fame magnifies your problems instead of solving them ◼️ How childhood trauma shapes ambition and anxiety ◼️ The reality of addiction, ego, and escapism in celebrity culture ◼️ Why becoming a dad finally made him stop performing ◼️ How self-understanding saved his life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedians Jacob Hawley and Jake Farrell, hosts of the hit podcast Screen Rot, join James Smith to dissect the madness of the modern internet - where everyone’s a brand, outrage is currency, and idiots become superstars overnight. From online fame to fake authenticity, steroids to OnlyFans, they unpack the comedy and chaos of living in a world that never logs out. Jacob and Jake, two of the UK’s freshest stand-up voices, bring their signature blend of humour and insight to questions that define our time: Is the algorithm killing culture? Why does everyone need a platform? And can you stay sane while being online for a living? They discuss: ◼️ Why the internet rewards bad behaviour ◼️ How outrage, moral superiority, and “hot takes” became entertainment ◼️ The rise of online characters - from influencers to politicians ◼️ The dark side of the creator economy and performance-enhancing everything ◼️ What the future of comedy, fame, and humanity might look like Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments, please check out the links below. I'm on a mission to help men check their levels of Testosterone, more info here: https://www.manual.co/smith Please check out and try Neutonic here: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith For a free trial of my online personal training app go here: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Louise Newson, world-leading menopause specialist and hormone health expert, joins James Smith to expose the truth about hormones, testosterone, and modern medicine’s biggest blind spot. From the history of contraception to the stigma around testosterone and the rise of synthetic hormones, Dr. Newson argues that hormonal health isn’t a “women’s issue”, it’s a foundation of human health we’ve ignored for decades. Dr. Newson is a GP, menopause specialist, and founder of the Balance Menopause app, used by millions worldwide. In this powerful conversation, she reveals how hormones influence mental health, metabolism, fertility, and performance… and why balancing them could prevent depression, dementia, and chronic disease. She explains: ◼️ Why testosterone isn’t just a “male hormone” and how it transforms mood and energy ◼️ The dark history of contraception and its lasting health impact ◼️ How inflammation and modern diets disrupt hormonal balance ◼️ Why women are prescribed antidepressants instead of HRT ◼️ The real science behind hormone replacement, fertility, and GLP-1 drugs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices