What happens when a well known comedian accidentally discovers the secret of the universe?

Something to consider when reading/listening:

How would your life change if you knew that you literally were everyone who has ever lived?

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman

The Egg by Andy Weir

Philosophical fiction

Speculative fiction

Reincarnation

Ricky Gervais

The Buddha

Jesus Christ

Bluewater Shopping Centre

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 by emailing Craig at 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

Alan lands a job at the world’s happiest company. What could possibly go wrong?

Something to consider when reading/listening:

How does monitoring emotions affect our emotions?

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman

Philosophical fiction

Speculative fiction

Happiness

Companies

Invasions of privacy

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 by emailing Craig at 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

Governments are always promising to make things better. What would happen if they actively tried to make things worse?

Something to consider when reading/listening:

Have you ever noticed that trying to force something to happen can make it less likely?

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

Governments

Tyrannical Robots

Invasions of privacy

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

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

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

For ten years, Eric has cared for his vegetative state brother with no hope he’ll ever recover. A scientific breakthrough changes everything.

Something to consider when reading/listening:

Would you accept a blissful inner life if it meant no interaction with the outside world?

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman

Fiction that makes you think

Philosophical fiction

Speculative fiction

Shoes

Ventilators

Contemplating the meaning of life

Any form of philosophical enquiry

Thanks very much for listening! Don’t forget to follow/subscribe in your podcast app.

And you can join the mailing list here: meaninglessproblems.substack.com

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at Craig @loveyourwork.uk (My real name is Craig Wilmann, Doe is a nickname I apparently gave myself when I was was two)

Websites:

Meaninglessproblems.com & Loveyourwork.uk

Credits:

Written and performed by Doe Wilmann

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

Artwork by Katie Empett

Music by Claude Debussy with permission from Pond5.

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

Meaningless Problems with Doe Wilmann

(C) 2025

Sylvia’s understanding of reality is shaken by an encounter with her dressing gown cord, a padlock and a snake.

Something to consider when reading/listening:

Can evolutionary psychology fully explain human behaviour or is there something deeper at play?

You might enjoy this episode if you like:

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman

Fiction that makes you think

Philosophical fiction

Speculative fiction

Sheds

Snakes

Dressing gown cords

Contemplating the meaning of life

Any form of philosophical enquiry

Thanks very much for listening! Don’t forget to follow/subscribe in your podcast app.

And you can join the mailing list here: meaninglessproblems.substack.com

Let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast as a whole at 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

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