Meaningless Problems

When an egotistical writer dies, he wakes up to discover his entire life was a simulation. 
 
Fake World, Equal World is an original short story by Doe Wilmann
 
Sc-fi - Philosophy - Technology 
 
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 
Philip K Dick 
Fiction that makes you think 
Philosophical fiction 
Speculative fiction 
Artificial intelligence 
The afterlife
Simulations 
Narcissism 
 
Things to consider when listening: 
 
Do you ever wonder if you’re the only person who truly exists? How do you know other people are having an experience given that you have no way of accessing this experience? Is it possible that the world is a simulation? What’s the highest number of people you can share this podcast with? 

When a play is disrupted by protests, it does wonders for ticket sales.
 
Protest at the Theatre is an original short story by Doe Wilmann
 
Comedy - Theatre - Corruption  
 
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:
 
Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads
Tom Sharpe 
PG Wodehouse 
Fawlty Towers 
Episode 4 of this podcast 
Theatre Funding 
Protests 
Plays about hairdressing 
 
Things to consider when listening: 
 
Is it wrong for theatre companies to take funding from companies they deem immoral? Is it ok for a protest group to disrupt a theatrical performance? Are some protests more likely to backfire than succeed? What’s the highest number of people you can share this podcast with? 
 
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. 
 
And if you’re a writer, maybe this will inspire you to take on a similar challenge yourself. In which case, let me know about it via email. doewilmann @ outlook.com
 
For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@piecesofdoe)
 
I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) and Twitter (@piecesofdoe) account but I can’t promise I’ll use them. 
 
Website:
 
Piecesofdoe.com or Meaninglessproblems.com 
 
Thanks for listening 
 
Credits:
 
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 the verge of becoming a grandparent for the first time, Irene reflects on her relationship with her husband aka ‘Plonker’.  
 
Plonker is an original short story by Doe Wilmann
 
Dramatic Monologue - Psychological - Relationships 
 
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:
 
Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads 
Dramatic Monologues 
Fiction that makes you think 
Psychological fiction 
The apparent unfairness of life 
Concorde
Hospitals 
Grandchildren 
UB40
Hugh Laurie 
Gordon Ramsay 
Episode 5 of this Podcast 
 
Things to consider when listening: 
 
Does life really pass quickly or is this just our memories playing tricks on us? Are memories a sufficient consolation for ageing? When you’re doing something fun, what matters more: the activity or the person/s you’re doing it with? What’s the highest number of people you can share this podcast with? (Why did I used persons in the question before last and people in the last one?)
 
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. 
 
And if you’re a writer, maybe this will inspire you to take on a similar challenge yourself. In which case, let me know about it via email. doewilmann @ outlook.com
 
For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@piecesofdoe)
 
I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) and Twitter (@piecesofdoe) account but I can’t promise I’ll use them. 
 
Website:
 
Piecesofdoe.com or Meaninglessproblems.com 
 
Thanks for listening 
 
Credits:
 
Performed by Mary Tillett 
 
Recorded and edited by Sebastian Brown
 
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 writer from 2043 laments being replaced by the AI chat bot ChatGPT. But are there some upsides? 
 
Consuming Content is an original short story by Doe Wilmann
 
Sc-fi - Philosophy - Technology 
 
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 
Philip K Dick 
Fiction that makes you think 
Philosophical fiction 
Speculative fiction 
ChatGPT
Artificial intelligence 
Considering Creativity 
The idea of writers being replaced 
 
Things to consider when listening: 
 
Do you need to produce the art in order for it to belong to you? Where does creativity come from? Will AI make humans more creative or less? Does everyone have a form of creative genius hidden within? What’s the highest number of people you can share this podcast with? 
 
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. 
 
And if you’re a writer, maybe this will inspire you to take on a similar challenge yourself. In which case, let me know about it via email. doewilmann @ outlook.com
 
For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@piecesofdoe)
 
I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) and Twitter (@piecesofdoe) account but I can’t promise I’ll use them. 
 
Website:
 
Piecesofdoe.com or Meaninglessproblems.com 
 
Thanks for listening 
 
Credits:
 
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 the day the UK government tests out its new emergency alerts system, there are some unexpected consequences for writer Alvin Rikard (first seen in ep4) and prisoner-in-his-own-home Kevin (first seen in ep1). 
 
A Fantastic Government Initiative is an original short story by Doe Wilmann
 
Comedy - Farce - Relationships 
 
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:
 
Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads
Tom Sharpe 
PG Wodehouse 
Fawlty Towers 
Fiction inspired by true events 
Contemplating the nature of the self
Complaining about your partner 
Emergency alerts
Government initiatives 
Ignoring the voice in your head 
 
Things to consider when listening: 
 
Is it pointless having a wide audience if they won’t remember what you’ve written? Would you rather produce beautiful art for a small audience or forgettable art for a large one? Would an incoming ballistic missile change how you felt towards those around you? What’s the highest number of people you can share this podcast with? 
 
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. 
 
And if you’re a writer, maybe this will inspire you to take on a similar challenge yourself. In which case, let me know about it via email. doewilmann @ outlook.com
 
For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@piecesofdoe)
 
I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) and Twitter (@piecesofdoe) account but I can’t promise I’ll use them. 
 
Website:
 
Piecesofdoe.com or Meaninglessproblems.com 
 
Thanks for listening 
 
Credits:
 
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 

The person who wakes up in Mike’s body isn’t Mike. He or she has swapped bodies with Mike overnight and now they need to swap back. The trouble is, Mike’s body includes Mike’s mind, which means they have all of Mike’s thoughts and all of Mike’s memories too, and none of their own. How can you get back to your true self if you don’t know who or what that is? 
 
My True Self is an original short story by Doe Wilmann
 
Absurdist - Comedy - Philosophy  
 
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:
 
Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads 
Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected
The Fly 
Non duality 
Albert Camus
René Descartes
Fiction that makes you think 
Psychological fiction 
Philosophical fiction 
Contemplating the nature of the self
Freaky Friday 
Being John Malkovich
The Change-Up
Body Swap stories 
Skiving work 
 
Things to consider when listening: 
 
Who/what is your true self? If you were to swap bodies and minds with another person, would you still be you? But don’t you have an almost entirely different body and mind than you did when you were a child? What do you mean by ‘you’? What’s the highest number of people you can share this podcast with? 

After sixteen years working in a bank, Emma still loves her job and still loves serving her customers. You might think this is great. But I’m the voice in Emma’s head and, for me, it’s a living nightmare. 
 
Your Opinion Matters is an original short story by Doe Wilmann
 
Comedy - Suspense - Psychological
 
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:
 
Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads 
Dramatic Monologues 
Fiction that makes you think 
Psychological fiction 
Contemplating the nature of the self
Banks
‘I Got You Babe’ by Sonny and Cher 
Episode 1 of this podcast 
Good customer service 
Ignoring the voice in your head 
 
Things to consider when listening: 
 
Who is that voice in your head who makes you do things you don’t want to do? Can a mundane job be enjoyable if you approach it with the right attitude? Do you prefer to stand in line or sit and wait? What’s the highest number of people you can share this podcast with? 
 
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. 
 
And if you’re a writer, maybe this will inspire you to take on a similar challenge yourself. In which case, let me know about it via email. doewilmann @ outlook.com
 
For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@piecesofdoe)
 
I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) and Twitter (@piecesofdoe) account but I can’t promise I’ll use them. 
 
Website:
 
Piecesofdoe.com or Meaninglessproblems.com 
 
Thanks for listening 
 
Credits:
 
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 

Scared that his whole life might pass him by, Edward devises a trick to help him appreciate his youth. 
 
Silly Old Trick - an original short story by Doe Wilmann, performed by Maison Sawyer 
 
Psychological - Suspense - Drama 
 
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:
 
Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads 
Dramatic Monologues 
Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 
Fiction that makes you think 
Psychological fiction 
Contemplating the nature of the self
Tricks 
Anaglypta wallpaper 
Shortbread biscuits 
 
Things to consider when listening: 
 
Does life really pass in the blink of an eye? Are memories a sufficient consolation for ageing? What’s the highest number of people you can share this podcast with? 
 
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. 
 
And if you’re a writer, maybe this will inspire you to take on a similar challenge yourself. In which case, let me know about it via email. doewilmann @ outlook.com
 
For writing tips and advice, follow me on TikTok (@piecesofdoe)
 
I also have an Instagram (@meaninglessproblems) and Twitter (@piecesofdoe) account but I can’t promise I’ll use them. 
 
Website:
 
Piecesofdoe.com or Meaninglessproblems.com 
 
Thanks for listening 
 
Credits:
 
Written by Doe Wilmann
Performed by Maison Sawyer
Recorded & Edited by Sebastian Brown
 
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 

When Alvin Rikard says he’s writing a play about hairdressing, his best friend’s wife Natalia invites him to visit her salon. Alvin is delighted to accept. But are his motives entirely professional? 
 
About Hairdressing is an original short story by Doe Wilmann
 
Comedy - Theatre - Sexual Tension 
 
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:
 
Noel Coward
PG Wodehouse 
Tom Sharpe 
Silly short stories 
Haircuts 
Salons 
Hairdressers from Poland 
 
Things to consider when listening: 
 
Is Alvin doing anything wrong? Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? (I’ll be honest, it’s not the deepest of episodes so there’s not too much to think about here) Do you know any decent hairdressers? What’s the highest number of people you can share this podcast with? 
 
Credits:
 
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 

When a writer tells a plumber about his theory of the world, he is surprised by the plumber’s response. 
 
The End Product is an original short story by Doe Wilmann
 
Comedy - Philosophy - Plumbing 
 
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:
 
The ‘Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal’ podcast
Sam Harris’ ‘Making Sense’ podcast 
‘The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast’
Alan Watts
Why I Write by George Orwell 
Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman 
Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl
Contemplating the meaning of life 
Any form of philosophical enquiry 
Speaking/listening to plumbers
 
Things to consider when listening: 
 
What is the meaning of life? If the whole world is a factory, what are we creating? Is it necessary to have a purpose in life? Do you know any good plumbers? What’s the highest number of people you can share this podcast with? 
 
Credits:
 
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
www.meaninglessproblems.com