Sylvia’s understanding of reality is shaken by an encounter with her dressing gown cord, a padlock and a snake. - An original short story by Doe Wilmann

A new technology turn every human being into a super genius, ushering in heaven on earth. There’s just one problem: it doesn’t work in Liverpool. An original short story by Doe Wilmann

Short Story: What happens when every married woman on earth wakes up with the desire to divorce her husband?

He’s given his daughter an imaginary friend and she’s become quite attached. Does this make him a bad dad? - An original short story by Doe Wilmann

Jerry’s new boyfriend appears to be perfect in every way. But he has a dark secret at the bottom of his garden.

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?

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

In the near future, it is widely agreed that children would be better off if they never learnt how to speak.

Original short story by Doe Wilmann 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?

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

Having spent a year writing short stories for a podcast, the writer wonders if he’s wasted his time.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.