Will Storr, award-winning author and science writer, reveals why the Buddhist rejection of ego and ambition completely misunderstands human nature, and how status is the hidden force driving everything we do.
In this episode of The Problem With… James and Will unpack the uncomfortable truth: without wanting, striving, and competing for recognition, civilisation itself would collapse.
Will Storr is the author of The Status Game and The Science of Storytelling, and his work spans psychology, neuroscience, and culture.
He explains why our obsession with hierarchy and belonging is baked into evolution, how status loss drives everything from online hate to violence and suicide, and why “connection and respect” are as fundamental to survival as food and water.
He explains:
◼️ Why Buddhism gets human motivation wrong
◼️ How every person plays invisible “status games” daily
◼️ Why humiliation can trigger violence
◼️ How storytelling and culture shape our sense of self
◼️ The link between status, social media, and modern mental health
I'm on a mission to help men check their levels of Testosterone, more info here:
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1:39:52
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1:39:52
The Problem With Not Using AI: Daniel Priestley
Daniel Priestley, bestselling author and leading entrepreneur, explains why AI is the most disruptive force of our lifetime - bigger than social media, mobile phones, or even the internet itself.
He reveals why businesses that fail to adapt by 2027 will be left behind, how personal brands and communities will survive the AI wave, and why now is not the time to rest.
Daniel Priestley is an internationally recognised speaker, author of five bestselling books including Key Person of Influence, and founder of multiple multimillion-dollar companies.
In this episode, he shares powerful frameworks and predictions that every entrepreneur, creator, and professional needs to hear as AI reshapes the economy.
He explains:
What to look out for as indicators of change; Big Tech reactions.
Why “your business is already dead”—and how to reinvent it with AI.
The “sponge vs. icing” framework: how humans add the only value AI can’t.
Why 2027 marks the turning point from “AI toy” to total disruption.
The Loops & Groups model: running high-output businesses with lean teams.
How to future-proof your career by becoming a director, not a doer.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:20 - The problem with.. Business & AI
3:12 - Reluctance to change
10:38 - How to think about AI
15:04 - Loops & Groups
18:26 - Positive Lifestyle Changes
24:20 - Is University Over?
32:33 - AI & Farming
37:32 - Wages & Productivity
42:48 - Personal Brands
56:50 - The Dog Trainer
1:03:14 - Staying Motivated
#theproblemwith #jamessmithpodcast #ai
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I'm on a mission to help men check their levels of Testosterone, more info here:
https://www.manual.co/smith
Please check out and try Neutonic here:
https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith
For a free trial of my online personal training app go here:
https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com
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1:21:30
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1:21:30
Why I’m Bringing Back My Podcast…
The Problem With… isn’t here to give easy answers - it’s here to ask the uncomfortable questions behind today’s biggest trends and taboos.
Each week, host James Smith digs into what’s really going on - from AI to wellness culture - through unfiltered chats with experts and insiders to uncover the truth behind the noise.
New episodes every Tuesday 6PM BST.
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2:11
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2:11
#1 Introduction
The introduction to The James Smith Podcast. James gives a brief overview about his new podcast.
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1:20
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1:20
Glassed & Blinded Unprovoked On A Night Out - Matt Syron
A friend of mine, father of two @matthewjsyron was glassed and blinded on a night out in Leeds unprovoked on Boxing Day last year. Please listen to this podcast and follow / support Matt on Instagram. https://gofundme.com/f/for-our-ironman-matthew-james-syron https://change.org/p/ban-glass-from-nightclubs-and-bars-in-the-uk-after-9pm-to-prevent-violent-glass-attacks Thanks for listening. James
The Problem With… isn’t here to give easy answers - it’s here to ask the uncomfortable questions behind today’s biggest trends and taboos.
Each week, host James Smith digs into what’s really going on - from AI to wellness culture - through unfiltered chats with experts and insiders to uncover the truth behind the noise.
New Zealand