Meaningless Problems

A kids story for adults about a bear who doesn’t want intelligence. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

Should we let kids have AI companions?

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Kids stories

Bears

Winne the Pooh

Paddington Bear

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

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be really, really, ridiculously good looking?

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

Would your minute by minute experience of the world be any different if you were more attractive?

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Good looks

Greggs

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

Ten years ago something happened in Chloe’s village. But she’s not allowed to talk about it. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

Can events or things cause happiness, or is happiness more fundamental? 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

House Parties

Parks

Unexplainable happiness

Contemplating the meaning of life 

Any form of philosophical enquiry 

Thanks to Lottie Bell for playing the role of Chloe in this story.

Lottie won the best performance at London's Rolling Film Festival. She plays the lead role in an upcoming comedy on Apple Plus. And she has performed all around the world in Potted Potter. 

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4248273/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lottie_bell_/?hl=en

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

A woman wants to buy their pub for five million pounds. But the deal will include all the pub’s memories. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

What is the true value of your memories? 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Pubs

Memories

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

A short story about a man who gets toothache whenever he experiences happiness. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

What would you do if you got toothache whenever you experienced happiness? 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Toothache

Happiness

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

What happens when a well known comedian accidentally discovers the secret of the universe? 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

How would your life change if you knew that you literally were everyone who has ever lived? 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

The Egg by Andy Weir

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Reincarnation

Ricky Gervais

The Buddha

Jesus Christ

Bluewater Shopping Centre 

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

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