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.
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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
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Why I’m Bringing Back My Podcast…
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 • Duration 02:41
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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Problem With Hormone Therapy: Dr Louise Newson
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 • Duration 01:24:00
Dr. Louise Newson, world-leading menopause specialist and hormone health expert, joins James Smith to expose the truth about hormones, testosterone, and modern medicine’s biggest blind spot.
From the history of contraception to the stigma around testosterone and the rise of synthetic hormones, Dr. Newson argues that hormonal health isn’t a “women’s issue”, it’s a foundation of human health we’ve ignored for decades.
Dr. Newson is a GP, menopause specialist, and founder of the Balance Menopause app, used by millions worldwide. In this powerful conversation, she reveals how hormones influence mental health, metabolism, fertility, and performance… and why balancing them could prevent depression, dementia, and chronic disease.
She explains:
◼️ Why testosterone isn’t just a “male hormone” and how it transforms mood and energy
◼️ The dark history of contraception and its lasting health impact
◼️ How inflammation and modern diets disrupt hormonal balance
◼️ Why women are prescribed antidepressants instead of HRT
◼️ The real science behind hormone replacement, fertility, and GLP-1 drugs
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The Problem With Buddhism: Will Storr
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 • Duration 01:40:22
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:
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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Problem With Agency: George Mack
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • Duration 01:37:43
George Mack joins James Smith for an unfiltered conversation that will change how you think about ambition, success, and the hidden traps of productivity.
They dive deep into the concept of agency (why some people take control of their lives while others stay stuck) and how it shows up across business, relationships, happiness, and identity.
From the “busy trap” to the myth of hustle culture, George unpacks the subtle ways we self-sabotage under the illusion of progress. He questions whether high agency is even healthy… or just a sophisticated form of burnout.
James and George explore the psychology of success, the role of genetics, language and culture in shaping mindset, and how becoming a parent can snap you out of your grind obsession.
He explains:
◼️ Why high agency can be a hidden mental illness
◼️ The real reason some people stay stuck (and how to escape)
◼️ How productivity becomes a trap disguised as progress
◼️ Why writing things down on a whiteboard might change your life
◼️ What jiu-jitsu teaches us about fear, ego, and self-awareness
Timestamps:
00:00 The Problem With Low Agency
02:04 The Jail Cell Test
05:16 Can You Train Agency?
09:05 Context-Dependent Agency
15:15 Life in Austin, Texas
18:04 UK Cynicism vs American Naivety
24:06 The Happiness Paradox
30:02 Language Shapes Thinking
36:07 Hater or Inspired? The Choice Is Yours
42:07 The Busy Trap
46:03 The $1,500 Chicken Sandwich Story
51:34 Parenthood: The Ultimate Agency Hack
59:58 Jiu-Jitsu and Personal Growth
1:03:02 The Gap and The Gain
1:07:26 Warren Buffett's Investment Exercise
1:12:25 Practical Agency Hacks
1:17:20 The A1 Paper That Changed Everything
1:29:11 Eat Frogs, Lick Toads
1:32:35 Why Jiu-Jitsu Hits All Four Brain Chemicals
1:35:31 Closing Advice
Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments, please check out the links below.
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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Problem With Fame: Professor Green
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 • Duration 01:52:08
Rapper Professor Green joins James Smith for an unfiltered conversation about the problem with fame, the illusion of success and the hidden loneliness behind recognition.
From growing up in Hackney to playing Glastonbury, Professor Green reveals how fame promised to fix everything… and nearly broke him instead.
They dive into the darker side of success, the pressure to perform, the loss of privacy and the mental health toll of living as a public persona.
Green opens up about his late autism and ADHD diagnosis, the self-sabotage of success and learning to rebuild a life grounded in honesty, fatherhood and self-awareness rather than applause.
He explains:
◼️ Why fame magnifies your problems instead of solving them
◼️ How childhood trauma shapes ambition and anxiety
◼️ The reality of addiction, ego, and escapism in celebrity culture
◼️ Why becoming a dad finally made him stop performing
◼️ How self-understanding saved his life
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The Problem With The Internet: Jacob Hawley & Jake Farrell
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 • Duration 01:16:01
Comedians Jacob Hawley and Jake Farrell, hosts of the hit podcast Screen Rot, join James Smith to dissect the madness of the modern internet - where everyone’s a brand, outrage is currency, and idiots become superstars overnight.
From online fame to fake authenticity, steroids to OnlyFans, they unpack the comedy and chaos of living in a world that never logs out.
Jacob and Jake, two of the UK’s freshest stand-up voices, bring their signature blend of humour and insight to questions that define our time: Is the algorithm killing culture? Why does everyone need a platform? And can you stay sane while being online for a living?
They discuss:
◼️ Why the internet rewards bad behaviour
◼️ How outrage, moral superiority, and “hot takes” became entertainment
◼️ The rise of online characters - from influencers to politicians
◼️ The dark side of the creator economy and performance-enhancing everything
◼️ What the future of comedy, fame, and humanity might look like
Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments, please check out the links below.
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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Problem With Dopamine: TJ Power
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 • Duration 01:51:09
Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments. Please check out the links below.
📍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
💰I help small businesses make money online: https://www.jamessmith.business
Neuroscientist TJ Power joins James Smith to expose what social media, smartphones, and endless screen time are doing to our brains. From dopamine burnout to digital addiction, he explains how technology hijacks motivation, focus, and happiness - and what we can actually do to fix it.
TJ, who left academia after seeing the mental health crisis up close, breaks down how constant stimulation from phones, porn and social media rewires the brain’s reward system. He reveals the science behind low mood, lost confidence, and why so many people feel “flat” despite having more comfort and convenience than ever before.
He explains:
◼️ How dopamine addiction quietly kills motivation
◼️ Why boredom is the key to rebuilding focus
◼️ The neuroscience of porn, pleasure, and productivity
◼️ Why young people are more anxious, distracted, and disconnected
◼️ Practical steps to reset your brain and regain control
Timestamps:
00:00 – The Problem With Spending Time on Screens
01:28 – What is Dopamine and Why Do We Crave It?
03:48 – The Four Brain Chemicals: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins
07:09 – Gaming vs Scrolling: Active vs Passive Dopamine
10:08 – Video Games as Life Training
12:23 – Hunter Brain vs Farmer Brain
13:24 – The Trap of Productive Addiction
15:12 – The Man at the Train Station Doing Nothing
18:10 – Four Weeks Without TV or Content
21:23 – Evening Scrolling: Sacred Time or Mental Drain?
24:21 – The UK Safety Act and Porn Age Verification
28:09 – The Million Dollar Scrolling Hypothetical
32:56 – Dating Apps, Height Requirements & Modern Standards
36:33 – Seven Days Without Porn Challenge
40:18 – The Utility of Not Wanking Before a Date
43:46 – Should There Be Hard Blocks on Porn Access?
48:52 – Porn's Impact on First-Time Sexual Expectations
53:05 – Alcohol, Socialising & Why Young People Aren't Drinking
58:43 – The Two-Day Phone Detox in Melbourne
1:02:44 – Small Daily Detoxes vs Big Detoxes
1:06:34 – Why Jiu-Jitsu Hits All Four Brain Chemicals
1:10:12 – Four Plants That Need Watering: Practical Advice
1:15:46 – Escaping Reality Through Screens
1:19:28 – Relationships: When Your Partner Won't Change
1:24:30 – Falling in Love With AI
1:28:03 – Producer vs Consumer Dopamine Addiction
1:34:00 – The Purpose of Having Kids
1:35:31 – The Creator's Confession: Dopamine Hypocrisy
1:39:04 – Mental Health Crash After Bad Post Performance
1:43:48 – Living Without Knowing Your Bank Balance
1:48:50 – Closing Challenge: One Screen-Free Evening
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Problem With Making Money Online: Ed Lawrence
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 • Duration 01:08:09
Ed Lawrence joins James Smith for a brutally honest conversation about the problem with making money online, the illusion of quick success and the hidden grind behind overnight wins.
From starting 12 years ago with terrible videos to generating $300,000 from a single YouTube upload, Ed reveals how the "make money online" promise is sold as easy… but requires years of eating shit instead.
They discuss the reality of building a business, the trap of chasing views over revenue, the burnout of ad-dependent income and why most people give up right before the breakthrough.
Ed opens up about parasites nearly killing his business, the obsession required to succeed and learning to build a sustainable income through content, tracking and understanding what actually converts rather than what goes viral.
He explains:
◼️ Why making money online takes 10x longer than you think
◼️ How to escape the 9-5 without going broke
◼️ The trap of building followers who never buy
◼️ Why 800 views can make $33,000 (and millions of views can make nothing)
◼️ How YouTube teaches you every business skill you need
Timestamps:
00:00 – The Problem With Making Money Online
02:14 – Why Side Hustles Fail vs Full-Time Focus
05:08 – The Trap of "Free" Gym Memberships
06:33 – The Truth About Business Ownership
08:48 – Don't Start a Business Just for Money
11:05 – Building Followers vs Making Money
13:17 – The Stress of Ad Revenue Dependency
16:38 – YouTube is Not a Search Platform
19:15 – Binge-Watching by Design
24:13 – YouTube Makes You Better at Everything
29:35 – Fail as Fast as You Can
32:56 – Packaging Boring Content
37:13 – Everything Has Been Done Before
41:55 – Copy Your Own Outliers
44:41 – Views Don't Equal Money
49:13 – The 10-Year Overnight Success
53:05 – Getting Stuck in Your Comfort Zone
56:12 – The Parasite Wake-Up Call
59:11 – Is AI the Biggest Opportunity Ever?
1:02:00 – Bitcoin vs Gold vs Traditional Money
1:04:09 – Stop Researching Investments, Build Your Business
1:05:13 – Closing Remarks
Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments, please check out the links below.
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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Problem With Being Single: Sadia Khan
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 • Duration 01:22:08
Welcome to "The Problem With" where each week we look into a problem to get a better understanding of it. This podcast has no sponsors, only my businesses and investments, please check out the links below.
📍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
💰I help small businesses make money online: https://www.jamessmith.business
Psychologist and relationship coach Sadia Khan joins James Smith to unpack the problem with dating apps, modern relationships, and the illusion of infinite choice. Together they explore why technology has made commitment harder, attraction more confusing and why everyone - men and women alike - are struggling to connect in an age of endless swiping.
Sadia reveals the psychology behind sex appeal, status and loyalty, explaining how dopamine, dating culture and false advice online are reshaping human relationships. From incel culture and OnlyFans to the fear of rejection and emotional detachment, this is a raw, unfiltered conversation about what’s gone wrong with love… and how to fix it.
She explains:
◼️ Why dating apps destroy genuine connection
◼️ How “too many options” kills commitment
◼️ The truth about sex appeal and attraction
◼️ Why men and women misunderstand each other online
◼️ The rise of transactional relationships in the digital age
00:00 – The Problem With People Being Single
01:48 – Three Main Problems: Options, Bad Advice & Monogamy
03:28 – Dating Apps: The Illusion of Choice
05:07 – Genetics, Status & What Women Actually Want
08:08 – The Secret Ingredient: Sex Appeal
11:19 – The Three A's: Attraction, Admiration, Adoration
13:32 – Women and Lust: The Sex Response
16:13 – Sexual Dominance vs Sexual Submission
19:30 – Anxiety Kills Sex Appeal
21:11 – OnlyFans: Manipulating Vulnerable Men
24:40 – Sex Workers and Materialistic Values
28:41 – Masturbation in Healthy Relationships
31:39 – The Sex Toy Epidemic
34:36 – Low Testosterone Nearly Ruined My Relationship
38:29 – Stress, Overtraining & Catastrophic Thinking
41:44 – Natural Ways to Boost Testosterone
44:13 – Why Genetics Matter: The TRT Debate
46:17 – Fat Acceptance vs Reality
49:38 – Why Staying Together Requires No Alternatives
51:14 – Two Types of Men: Loyal to the Woman vs Loyal to the Wife
52:35 – The Dubai Dating Scene Explained
55:34 – Why Russian Women Dominate Men in Dubai
58:38 – Escort Culture & Naive Men
1:01:12 – Corrupt Women vs Good Women
1:04:20 – The Danger of Being 39 and Single
1:08:05 – Four Things to Look For Before Having Kids
1:11:49 – Prenups: A Revealer of Character
1:15:12 – Why Your Partner Needs Financial Independence
1:18:05 – AI Relationships: Glamorizing Loneliness
1:19:22 – New Book: The 10 Red Flags
1:20:56 – Closing RemarksClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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