Meaningless Problems

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

When Poppy announces she wants to kill herself, her playwright husband employs a peculiar coping technique. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

To what extent does negative visualisation make you grateful for what you have? 

Comedy - Philosophy - Stoicism  

If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/ 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads 

Sam Harris’ ‘Making Sense’ podcast 

Alan Watts

Fiction that makes you think 

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Plays

The Shard

Hoping for the worst 

Contemplating the meaning of life 

Any form of philosophical enquiry 

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at [email protected] 

This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends. 

If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)

I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast. 

Website:

Meaninglessproblems.com 

Thanks for listening 

Credits:

Written and performed by Doe Wilmann

Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes. 

Artwork by Katie Empett

Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5. 

A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein. 

Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann

(C) 2024

Having spent a year writing short stories for a podcast, the writer wonders what was the point. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

What was the point of this short story podcast? 

Comedy - Philosophy - Plumbing 

If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/ 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

The ‘Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal’ podcast

Sam Harris’ ‘Making Sense’ podcast 

‘The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast’

Alan Watts

Fiction that makes you think 

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Artificial intelligence 

The afterlife

Simulations 

Narcissism 

Contemplating the meaning of life 

Any form of philosophical enquiry 

Episode #3 of this podcast

Episode #13 of this podcast 

Episode #44 of this podcast 

Speaking/listening to plumbers

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at [email protected] 

This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends. 

If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)

I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast. 

Website:

Meaninglessproblems.com 

Thanks for listening 

Credits:

Written and performed by Doe Wilmann

Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes. 

Artwork by Katie Empett

Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5. 

A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein. 

Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann

(C) 2024

Lost in thought at a funeral, our narrator sets out a compelling case for why we should never ask anyone what they do for a living. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

To what extent does your job define who you are? 

What Do You Do is an original short story by Doe Wilmann 

If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/ 

For information about upcoming stories and live performances of my stage plays, go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast. 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads

A History of the World in Ten and a Half Chapters by Julian Barnes 

Spirituality 

Fiction that makes you think 

Short stories with a twist

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Graveyards 

Headstones

Not talking about work 

Contemplating the meaning of life 

Any form of philosophical enquiry 

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at [email protected] 

This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends. 

If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)

I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast. 

Website:

Meaninglessproblems.com 

Thanks for listening 

Credits:

Written and performed by Doe Wilmann

Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes. 

Artwork by Katie Empett

Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5. 

A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein. 

Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann

(C) 2024

Businessman Nathan Norrie calls upon a spiritual guide to help improve the atmosphere among his work colleagues. The guide offers three peals of wisdom. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

If a message is true, does it matter if the messenger is dishonest? 

It Might as Well Be is an original short story by Doe Wilmann 

If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/ 

For information about upcoming stories and live performances of my stage plays, go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast. 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

A History of the World in Ten and a Half Chapters by Julian Barnes 

Spirituality 

Fiction that makes you think 

Short stories with a twist

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Corporate retreats

Mansions

Instant hot water

Maseratis 

Cinema rooms 

Teamwork

Contemplating the meaning of life 

Any form of philosophical enquiry 

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at [email protected] 

This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends. 

If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)

I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast. 

Website:

Meaninglessproblems.com 

Thanks for listening 

Credits:

Written and performed by Doe Wilmann

Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes. 

Artwork by Katie Empett

Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5. 

A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein. 

Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann

(C) 2024

The prime minister is facing the biggest strike in British history. But the strikers are the last people she’d expect to strike. And their reason for striking is even more surprising. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

Can you truly be rich if your life lacks meaning? 

The Meaning of Work is an original short story by Doe Wilmann 

If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/ 

For information about upcoming stories and live performances of my stage plays, go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast. 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Yes, Prime Minister

The Twilight Zone 

Philosophical fiction 

Episode #25 of this podcast

Episode #42 of this podcast 

Prime ministers 

Politics 

Meaning 

Jobs

Jugglers

Clowns  

Contemplating the nature of existence

Contemplating the meaning of life 

Any form of philosophical enquiry 

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at [email protected] 

This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends. 

If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)

I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast. 

Website:

Meaninglessproblems.com 

Thanks for listening 

Credits:

Written and performed by Doe Wilmann

Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes. 

Artwork by Katie Empett

Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5. 

A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein. 

Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann

(C) 2023 

Tony’s tried everything to make himself more employable, more dateable, more popular. He’s tried life coaches, elocution coaches, therapists, personal trainers but he’s looking in the wrong place. He’s not the problem. I am. I am Tony’s vibe. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

To what extent can a person be aware of their own vibe? 

Comedy - Philosophy - Politics 

If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/ 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads 

Dramatic monologues

Comedic monologues

Politics

Vibes

Introspection

Jobs

Dates

Rejections

Tiger Woods’ trustworthiness

Lindsay Lohan’s innocence

Russell Brand’s sex appeal

Contemplating the meaning of life 

Any form of philosophical enquiry

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at [email protected] 

This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends. 

If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)

I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast. 

Website:

Meaninglessproblems.com 

Thanks for listening 

Credits:

Written and performed by Doe Wilmann

Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes. 

Artwork by Katie Empett

Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5. 

A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein. 

Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann

(C) 2023 

Member of Parliament Lawrence Sitwell is frustrated by the failure of his political career. A conversation with an old friend causes him to rethink everything. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

When politicians try to make something better, are they more likely to make it worse? 

Comedy - Philosophy - Politics 

If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/ 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads 

Dramatic monologues

Comedic monologues

Politics

Intentions v outcomes

Contemplating the meaning of life 

Any form of philosophical enquiry 

Plays

Pubs

Snakes

Politicians

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at [email protected] 

This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends. 

If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)

I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast. 

Website:

Meaninglessproblems.com 

Thanks for listening 

Credits:

Written and performed by Doe Wilmann

Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes. 

Artwork by Katie Empett

Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5. 

A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein. 

Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann

(C) 2023 

In Bernard’s local pub, everyone carries their life’s achievements with them in a big black bag. 

Philosophy - Spirituality - Absurdism 

The Weight of Achievement is an original short story by Doe Wilmann

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

If you were never allowed to tell anyone about your successes, which of your current goals would you continue to pursue? 

If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to meaninglessproblems.com and sign up to my monthly newsletter. You can also email me via the contact form. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the podcast. 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

A History of the World in Ten and a Half Chapters by Julian Barnes

Spirituality 

Fiction that makes you think 

Short stories with a twist

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Pubs

Pints of Bitter 

Achievements 

Contemplating the meaning of life 

Any form of philosophical enquiry 

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at [email protected] 

This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends. 

If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)

I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast. 

Website:

Meaninglessproblems.com 

Thanks for listening 

Credits:

Written and performed by Doe Wilmann

Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes. 

Artwork by Katie Empett

Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5. 

A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein. 

Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann

(C) 2024

A writer is slightly concerned about his short story podcast. He shares these concerns with a plumber and is surprised by his response. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

How do you know for certain that you are not a fictional creation dreamt up by somebody else? 

Comedy - Philosophy - Plumbing 

If you’d like to read the script of this episode go to https://www.fairobserver.com/author/doe-wilmann/ 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

The ‘Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal’ podcast

Sam Harris’ ‘Making Sense’ podcast 

‘The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast’

Alan Watts

Fiction that makes you think 

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Alternate universes

The Titanic

Morgan Robertson

Contemplating the meaning of life 

Any form of philosophical enquiry 

Episode #3 of this podcast

Episode #13 of this podcast 

Speaking/listening to plumbers

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at [email protected] 

This episode is part of my challenge to write, record and produce a short story every single week for a year. If you’re looking for quality, suspense and intrigue, I’m not making any promises. But if you do like one of these stories please share it with your friends. 

If I complete this challenge and the podcast gets 1,000 subscribers in the process, a group of my friends have agreed to donate a combined £1000 to Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@meaninglessproblems)

I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) account dedicated to the podcast. 

Website:

Meaninglessproblems.com 

Thanks for listening 

Credits:

Written and performed by Doe Wilmann

Thanks to Katie Empett and Ross Hindle for reading early versions of this episode and providing notes. 

Artwork by Katie Empett

Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5. 

A license to use the media (Debussy Suite Bergamasque, Clair De Lune (Piano Cover) 229744340 Music ahawke99110 2023-03-02 Individual) was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy of which is available for review at https://www.pond5.com/legal/license. The Pond5 license authorizes the licensee to use the media in the licensee's own commercial or non-commercial production and to copy, broadcast, distribute, display, perform and monetize the production or work in any medium - including posting and monetization on YouTube - on the terms and conditions outlined therein. 

Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann

(C) 2023