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The Problem With...

James Smith
Mental Health
Social Media
AI Ethics
Entrepreneurship
Artificial Superintelligence
Linkedin
Personal Branding
Misinformation
Housing Affordability
Status
Dystopia
Democracy
Automation
Regulation
Human Values
Electrolytes
Net Zero
Work-Life Balance
Economy
Hydration

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes122Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for The Problem With...

Latest Episodes

Sonny Webster joins James Smith for an honest conversation about what training, money and ambition actually look like once you hit your 30s. A British Olympic weightlifter who competed at Rio 2016, Sonny is now a fitness entrepreneur building global ... more

Paul Mort joins James Smith for a no-holds-barred conversation on work-life balance, building a business you don't want to escape, and why most people are chasing a version of freedom they haven't earned yet. A two-time Master Coach of the Year, best... more

YouTube

Tom Bilyeu joins James Smith to discuss how broken the modern economy really is. The host of Impact Theory and co-founder of Quest Nutrition argues that inflation is theft, that you cannot save your way to success anymore, and that elites are quietly... more

Lara Acosta joins James Smith for a no-holds-barred conversation about LinkedIn, the corporate world, and what it really takes to build a personal brand that actually moves the needle. A LinkedIn growth expert and founder who's helped thousands of pr... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Paul Mort
Two-time Master Coach of the Year, international speaker, best-selling author, podcast host
Episode: The Problem With Work-Life Balance: Paul Mort
Tom Bilyeu
Founder of Impact Theory; co-founder of Quest Nutrition
Impact Theory / Quest Nutrition
Episode: The Problem With Not Understanding The Economy: Tom Bilyeu
Ali Maclean
Irish MMA fighter, nicknamed Insane, lightweight from Belfast, appeared on The Ultimate Fighter Season 15
The Ultimate Fighter / MMA
Episode: The Problem With Being Soft: Ali Maclean
Paul Sloane
Bestselling author and leading expert in lateral thinking
Author and speaker on creativity and problem solving
Episode: The Problem With Bad Luck: Paul Sloane
Lucy Lord
Two-time Sunday Times bestselling author and recipe creator
Lucy Lord (author)
Episode: The Problem With Air Fryers: Lucy Lord
Michael Morris
Renowned cultural psychologist and Columbia Business School professor
Columbia Business School
Episode: The Problem With Tribalism: Michael Morris
Anthony Staz Stasziker
Former special forces officer, author and founder of Thrudark
Thrudark
Episode: The Problem With Comfort: Anthony (Staz) Stazicker CGC
Ian Leslie
Bestselling author, journalist, host of Ruffian Podcast
Episode: The Problem With Being Honest: Ian Leslie
James Haskell
Former England rugby player; author, DJ, and entrepreneur
Self-directed career and brand ventures (gin brand Black Eye Gin, upcoming tequila)
Episode: The Problem With Being Your Business: James Haskell

Host

James Smith
Host of The Problem With...

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 14.3k ratings
  • BJJ

    Got me into BJJ!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emilio P-G
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • James has gone up levels

    Always loved James from his very early days ,, but he’s gone up levels with some of these podcasts, please keep them up

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dessie2407
    Ireland4 months ago
  • Really Amazing Guests

    Great Guests, James is smart but fun to listen to, doesn’t try to act smarter than he is either. Lets the guest have the spotlight mostly too when needed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I have a name maybe
    United States4 months ago
  • Cracker pod

    Love the poddy mate, I look forward to each episode. Keep them coming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    brycepepper
    Australia5 months ago
  • Worth a Listen

    Insightful, Honest, Real, Great Guests and Interesting Topics

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cynthia F Oz
    Australia5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests bring diverse expertise and relatable stories.
High-quality conversations that mix ambition with realism.
The host lets guests lead, keeping conversations engaging and insightful.
Thought-provoking interviews with practical takeaways for everyday life.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Problem With Not Understanding The Economy: Tom Bilyeu
Q: Tom, what is the problem with not understanding the economy?
The economy is broken in a way that rewards the few at the expense of the many; people chase PR slogans instead of analyzing how the system works, which allows elites to siphon wealth from the lower and middle classes while stifling genuine innovation.
The Problem With Linkedin: Lara Acosta
Q: Lara, what's the problem with LinkedIn?
LinkedIn suffers from a mix of corporate jargon, AI-generated content, and a fixation on engagement metrics rather than true expertise. The platform rewards people who discuss real expertise, but many users post generic content, which dilutes signal. The speakers also discuss how algorithms now favor credible, expert-led content, though most users struggle to meet that standard.
The Problem With Tribalism: Michael Morris
Q: How has social media changed the way tribalism expresses itself in everyday life?
Platforms amplify extremes, reward provocative content, and create dopamine-driven feedback loops that boost status and followers. This leads to polarized perceptions and a distorted sense of the real opinion landscape, making people feel more divided than they actually are.
The Problem With Air Fryers: Lucy Lord
Q: Lucy Lord, what is the problem with air fryers?
The main issue is the ritual and the underutilization; people invest in the device but only use it for a couple of basic foods, missing out on its full versatility and the opportunity to create mindful, varied meals.
The Problem With Perfectionism: Jonny Wilkinson
Q: How can someone balance the drive for excellence with staying present under pressure?
Balance comes from reframing pressure as a signal to align with how you want to be, developing energy-shifting techniques (breath, body awareness, gratitude), and building a sustainable routine that allows you to perform from a grounded, present state rather than from fear of failure.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Problem With...

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This show leans into provocative conversations about modern trends, systems, and human behavior, featuring candid discussions with high-profile guests and industry insiders. Recurring topics include resilience, mental health, performance, and how contemporary culture, media, and technology shape everyday choices. Notable strengths include a no-nonsense host who lets guests drive the conversation, a diverse slate of guests spanning athletes, researchers, and business leaders, and episodes that blend personal storytelling with practical takeaways for listeners seeking deeper understanding of complex issues.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Problem With...:

1. The High Performance Podcast
2. UNTAPPED with Spencer Matthews
3. Dodge Woodall Network
4. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
5. Anything Goes with James English

How many episodes of The Problem With... are there?

The Problem With... launched 8 years ago and published 122 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Problem With...?

Recent guests on The Problem With... include:

1. Paul Mort
2. Tom Bilyeu
3. Ali Maclean
4. Paul Sloane
5. Lucy Lord
6. Michael Morris
7. Anthony Staz Stasziker
8. Ian Leslie

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