Meaningless Problems

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