Meaningless Problems

#52 Hope for the Worst

When Poppy announces she wants to kill herself, her playwright husband employs a peculiar coping technique.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    To what extent does negative visualisation make you grateful for what you have?    Comedy …

#51 What Was the Point?

Having spent a year writing short stories for a podcast, the writer wonders what was the point.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    What was the point of this short story podcast?    Comedy - Philosophy - Plumbing    If you’d like to …

#50 What Do You Do?

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.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    To what extent does your job define who you are?    What Do You Do…

#49 It Might as Well Be

Businessman Nathan Norrie calls upon a spiritual guide to help improve the atmosphere among his work colleagues. The guide offers three peals of wisdom.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    If a message is true, does it matter if the m…

#48 The Meaning of Work

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.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    Can you truly …

#47 Tony’s Vibe

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.    Some…

#46 Culling Cobras

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.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    When politicians try to make something…

#45 The Weight of Achievement

In Bernard’s local pub, everyone carries their life’s achievements with them in a big black bag.    Philosophy - Spirituality - Absurdism    The Weight of Achievement is an original short story by Doe Wilmann   Something to consider when reading/list…

#44 Futility

A writer is slightly concerned about his short story podcast. He shares these concerns with a plumber and is surprised by his response.    Something to consider when reading/listening:    How do you know for certain that you are not a fictional creat…

BONUS EPISODE: Best of 2023

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:   It Wasn’t Me - 1.30 - Kimi is delighted with Su-Z, a new personal assistant soft…