Meaningless Problems

#64 High Church

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 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) 2026

#63 The Sense of Happiness

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 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

#62 In His Shoes

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

#61 Combination

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 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

#60 Liverpool Brain (performed by Ryan Hurst)

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 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 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

#59 The Forced (performed by Kirsten Callaghan)

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 Craig@loveyourwork.uk (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

#58 Nothing’s Constant

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 Craig@loveyourwork.uk (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

#57 Mad Cow

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 Craig@loveyourwork.uk (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

#56 The Two Brians

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 Craig@loveyourwork.uk (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

#55 Omnisilly

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 doewilmann@outlook.com 
 
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