Meaningless Problems

The top five short stories from 2023. If you’re new to Meaningless Problems, this might be a good place to start.

These are the stories with the timestamps for each:

1. It Wasn’t Me - 1.30 - Kimi is delighted with Su-Z, a new personal assistant software that can send and respond to emails on her behalf. But her delight is punctured when her boyfriend receives a message from one of her email contacts claiming that he and Kimi have fallen in love. Will Kimi’s boyfriend believe her when she pins the blame on Su-Z? And what exactly has her personal assistant been saying in those messages? 

If you’d like to read the script of these episodes 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. 

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 

A silly story, especially for Christmas. Working the early-turn Christmas Eve shift, Sergeant Rod just wants to finish at five, collect his daughter’s bizarre choice of present and go home. But his boss, the local drug lord and south London’s canine population have other ideas. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

Are you feeling Christmassy? 

Comedy - Family - Christmas 

A Wise Man 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:

Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads 

Comedic Monologues 

Silly stories 

Tom Sharpe

PG Wodehouse 

Police 

Dogs

Police dogs 

Criminals 

Gluten-free, fat-free, sugar-free brownies 

Christmas 

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 

Thanks to developments in AI and VR, every voter now has the right to meet their political candidates one-on-one. These hyper-realistic chat bots look and sound exactly like their real-life equivalents and they answer questions with 99.9% accuracy. So what happens when the British primer minister’s chat bot starts making some very provocative statements? 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

Would this type of hyper realistic chatbot enhance our elections?  

Prime Minister’s Questions 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:

Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror

Sci-fi

The Twilight Zone 

Philosophical fiction 

Episode #25 of this podcast

Prime ministers 

Politics 

War

France 

War with France 

Technology  

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 

A new medical procedure will remove anxiety and allow you to live perfectly in the moment. The only downside? You have to give up your ability to comprehend language. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

What would you be prepared to give up in exchange for perfect peace of mind?

No Words 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:

Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror

Sci-fi

The Twilight Zone 

Philosophical fiction 

Episode #2 of this podcast

Episode #7 of this podcast

Episode #28 of this podcast

Episode #37 of this podcast

Episode #40 of this podcast

Words

Silence

Family 

Technology  

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 

Like most of his friends, Burt hates his job and lives for the weekend. And when his friends start installing modules into their brains that make them enjoy their work, Burt is furious with them. What’s the point of escapism if there’s nothing to escape? 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

Could you live a good life if you enjoyed every part of it? 

The Meaning of Love 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:

Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror

Sci-fi

The Twilight Zone 

Philosophical fiction 

Episode #2 of this podcast

Episode #7 of this podcast

Episode #28 of this podcast

Episode #37 of this podcast

Work

Weekends 

Relationships

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 

After a mental breakdown, Michael reconsiders his entire perception of the world. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

Are there any narratives in your own life that you’d be better off without?

Losing the Plot 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/ 

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads

Non Duality

Spirituality 

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 

Alan Watts

Fiction that makes you think 

Narratives

Plots

Brexit 

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

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 

On your deathbed, in agonising pain, you are given the chance to reduce your suffering. But in order to do so, you must reduce your worldly success by the same amount. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

Would you sacrifice the present for the sake of the past? 

Your Final Ambition 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:

Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads

The Twilight Zone 

Philosophical fiction 

Episode #2 of this podcast

Episode #7 of this podcast

Episode #28 of this podcast

Episode #36 of this podcast

Deathbeds

Nurses 

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 

In the near future, virtual reality allows couples to meet their potential children before they’ve been conceived. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

Does having more options make us more free? 

Don’t Blame The Children 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:

Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror

The podcast 'Modern Wisdom'

Sci-fi

VR technology 

The Twilight Zone 

Philosophical fiction 

Episode #2 of this podcast

Episode #7 of this podcast

Episode #28 of this podcast

Babies

Breaking Up 

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 

A therapist is tasked with convincing a very clever eleven year old that there is a difference between fact and fiction.  

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

If all of your experiences take place in your mind, how can you be certain anything is real? 

Iguana 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:

Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads

The Twilight Zone 

Philosophical fiction 

Episode #2 of this podcast

Episode #7 of this podcast

Episode #28 of this podcast

Iguanas 

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe 

Fish tanks 

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 

A widower uses an AR filter to make his new girlfriend look exactly like his ex wife. 

Something to consider when reading/listening: 

Is it possible to have a truthful relationship with someone if your perception of them is totally different to how they perceive themselves? 

Sc-fi - Augmented Reality - Family   

Just Like Her 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:

Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror

Sci-fi

Technology

Memory  

Fiction that makes you think 

Philosophical fiction 

Speculative fiction 

Augmented Reality 

Episode #26 of this podcast

Contemplating the future 

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