Meaningless Problems

Alan lands a job at the world’s happiest company. What could possibly go wrong? Something to consider when reading/listening: How does monitoring emotions affect our emotions? You might enjoy this episode if you like: Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman Philosophical fiction Speculative fiction Happiness Companies Invasions of privacy Contemplating the meaning of life Any form of philosophical enquiry 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 by emailing Craig at loveyourwork.uk (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two) Websites: Meaninglessproblems.com & Loveyourwork.uk 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) 2026

Governments are always promising to make things better. What would happen if they actively tried to make things worse? Something to consider when reading/listening: Have you ever noticed that trying to force something to happen can make it less likely? Come and see my new play - While We Wait - on at Arches Lane Theatre 3rd-7th March 2026. Tickets here: https://buytickets.at/waitwithme/1962304 You might enjoy this episode if you like: Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman Philosophical fiction Speculative fiction Governments Tyrannical Robots Invasions of privacy Contemplating the meaning of life Any form of philosophical enquiry 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 [email protected] (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two) Websites: Meaninglessproblems.com & Loveyourwork.uk 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) 2026

Kenny finds church to be a mystical experience - but not for the reasons you might expect. Something to consider when reading/listening: Is there a single truth that connects religions, psychedelic experiences, and near enough every story ever told? Come and see my new play - While We Wait - on at Arches Lane Theatre 3rd-7th March 2026. Tickets here: https://buytickets.at/waitwithme/1962304 You might enjoy this episode if you like: Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman Philosophical fiction Speculative fiction Church Drugs Nuns Contemplating the meaning of life Any form of philosophical enquiry 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 [email protected] (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two) Websites: Meaninglessproblems.com & Loveyourwork.uk 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) 2026

A new technology makes it possible for a mother and father to forgive their son’s killer. Should they use it? Something to consider when reading/listening: Given the possibility to let it go, can it ever be right to hold on to hatred? 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 Happiness Political debates Vegetarian shepherd’s pie Contemplating the meaning of life Any form of philosophical enquiry 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 [email protected] (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two) Websites: Meaninglessproblems.com & Loveyourwork.uk 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

For ten years, Eric has cared for his vegetative state brother with no hope he’ll ever recover. A scientific breakthrough changes everything. Something to consider when reading/listening: Would you accept a blissful inner life if it meant no interaction with the outside world? 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 Shoes Ventilators Contemplating the meaning of life Any form of philosophical enquiry 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) Websites: Meaninglessproblems.com & Loveyourwork.uk 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

Sylvia’s understanding of reality is shaken by an encounter with her dressing gown cord, a padlock and a snake. Something to consider when reading/listening: Can evolutionary psychology fully explain human behaviour or is there something deeper at play? 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 Sheds Snakes Dressing gown cords Contemplating the meaning of life Any form of philosophical enquiry 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 [email protected] (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two) Websites: Meaninglessproblems.com & Loveyourwork.uk 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

A new technology turns every human being into a super genius, ushering in heaven on earth. There’s just one problem: it doesn’t work in Liverpool. Something to consider when reading/listening: If it’s possible to use technology to increase our intellectual and emotional intelligence, does this destroy the idea that certain people are ‘good’ and others are ‘bad’? 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 Liverpool Brains Contemplating the meaning of life Any form of philosophical enquiry Thank you to Ryan Hurst for performing the episode. Ryan is a British actor, born in Liverpool. He attended Formby High School and was a member of the Manchester Youth Theatre, English National Ballet and National Youth Theatre. Ryan trained at Rose Bruford College and has over 30 years experience in the arts industry: theatre (classical and contemporary), film and TV (domestic and international), and directing. His UK TV credits include roles in 'Casualty', 'Brookside', 'Emmerdale' and 'City Central'. Ryan gained international recognition starring as the lead role of James Steven Dyer in the acclaimed award winning Polish drama series 'Londynczycy' (Londoners). Ryan has recently returned to acting following a life changing cycling accident and is working on a number of theatre and TV projects. Ryan’s IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6620532/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm 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 [email protected] (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two) Websites: Meaninglessproblems.com & Loveyourwork.uk Credits: Written by Doe Wilmann Performed by Ryan Hurst Thanks to Ryan Hurst 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

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 [email protected] (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 [email protected] (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 [email protected] (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 [email protected] (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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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