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Scientist and author Dr. Andrew Steele joins James Smith to tackle the problem with aging and why dying of “old age” might one day be seen as a preventable condition. Andrew breaks down the science of longevity, the myths around “anti-aging,” and the difference between fundamental research and influencer nonsense. He explains how new medical breakthroughs could help humans live healthier for far longer, but also why the hype around biohacking and “forever pills” is getting dangerously ahead of the science.

They explore the ethical, political, and even economic implications of extending human life, from billionaire-funded immortality labs to the fear that longevity could deepen inequality. Andrew reveals what the real science shows about genes, lifestyle, and luck; why exercise is still the best anti-aging treatment we have; and how new drugs like GLP-1 agonists could transform global health and longevity.

He explains:

◼️ Why 90% of deaths in rich countries are caused by aging

◼️ The truth about genetic luck vs lifestyle choices

◼️ How longevity drugs could revolutionise healthcare

◼️ Why “anti-ageing” influencers are misleading the public

◼️ The shocking economics of living to 100… or beyond

Chapters

00:00 Why Men Die Earlier Than Women

01:31 The Real Problem With Aging

02:36 Separating Longevity Fact From Fiction

05:23 What Your Face Reveals About Health

08:50 How Much Do Genetics Actually Matter?

12:32 Do Weight Loss Drugs Slow Aging?

16:48 The Stigma Of Weight Loss Drugs

19:01 James’ Experience Taking Weight Loss Drugs

22:37 Is Taking Ozempic "Cheating"?

27:02 The Reality Of Maintaining Weight Loss

31:26 Why Modern Diets Are Failing

35:26 The Future Of Longevity Medicine

39:36 Will Longevity Increase Retirement Age?

43:01 The Problem With Bryan Johnson’s Protocol

46:44 Is Biohacking Just An Eating Disorder?

52:01 The Dangers Of Over-Optimizing Health

56:36 Does Health Anxiety Shorten Lifespan?

01:01:46 The Truth About HRT For Women

01:06:51 Does Testosterone Shorten Men’s Lives?

01:12:50 Why Eunuchs Live Longer Than Men

01:17:56 The Philosophy Of Living Forever

01:27:11 The Most Effective Longevity Habits

01:29:56 Does Intermittent Fasting Increase Longevity?

01:38:36 The Most Promising Anti-Aging Drug

01:45:36 The Economic Case For Curing Aging

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

I help small businesses make money online:

https://www.jamessmith.business

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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Check your testosterone levels: https://www.manual.co/smith

I help small businesses make money online: https://www.jamessmith.business

Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith

Free trial: Online coaching app: https://www.affordableonlinecoaching.com

AI researcher and ControlAI founder Connor Leahy joins James Smith to confront the problem with artificial intelligence - from misinformation and manipulation to the terrifying speed at which machines are learning to outthink their creators. Connor, one of the world’s leading voices in AI safety, explains how we’re building systems that are more intelligent than humans…and why we don’t really understand how they work.

They discuss the future of AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and ASI (Artificial Superintelligence), exploring what happens when machines evolve faster than we can control them. Connor breaks down the moral, political, and psychological implications of AI, from fake online identities and emotional manipulation to the emerging arms race between nations and corporations desperate to be first.

He explains:

◼️ Why AI is already outpacing human understanding

◼️ How propaganda and algorithms shape reality

◼️ The dangers of AI “boyfriends” and emotional manipulation

◼️ Why superintelligence could end human control

◼️ What governments and people must do before it’s too late

Chapters

0:00 – Why the Future of AI Looks Dangerous

0:31 – What ASI Really Means for Humanity

1:29 – The Core Problem With Modern AI Systems

3:02 – How AI Is Built and Why We Can’t Control It

6:04 – The Hidden Dangers of Social Media + AI Manipulation

10:09 – AI vs AGI vs ASI Explained Simply

17:01 – How Fast AGI Could Turn Into Superintelligence

22:22 – Utopian vs Dystopian Futures With AI

29:02 – AI Relationships, Loneliness & Digital Partners

47:18 – Why AI Could Replace Human Connection & Autonomy

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

I help small businesses make money online:

https://www.jamessmith.business

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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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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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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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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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

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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 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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