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The Problem With...

Author: James Smith

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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.

5 Episodes
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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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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 Follow us on socials: www.linktr.ee/theproblemwith 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
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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices
#1 Introduction

#1 Introduction

2025-10-0601:20

The introduction to The James Smith Podcast. James gives a brief overview about his new podcast.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Comments (77)

Ruth Vee

This hit home... Shared with lots of my friends. Thank you for the intro to this wonderful Dr

Mar 19th
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Vicky French

Absolutely amazing

Dec 2nd
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Sarah-Jane Humble

Amazing podcast!

Nov 30th
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Kelly Kenyon

Two people that I admire greatly in one room, bloody loved this! I may not 100% agree with some opinions, but I admire the honesty, openness and willingness to voice them and have those important conversations. #itsoktoagreetodisagree

May 12th
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Trevor summers

enjoyed that, good stuff👍👍

May 10th
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Bard Groupie

I don't value the time I wasted listening to you blokes.

Apr 7th
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One80 Health Coach Personal Training

love the podcast. Very entertaining. One technical critique... Ferris laughs and yells WAY too loud in the mic. I literally cringe, jump and turn the volume way down when he does it.

Aug 21st
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Colleen Drummond

Absolutely brilliant!

Jul 13th
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Colleen Drummond

I've learnt more from this than my entire nutrition course!

Jun 30th
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Colleen Drummond

I wasn't sure if this was going to be of any interest to me as I had never heard of Sonny Webster until I started following James Smith. Just WOW! So many similarities in relation to mindset and lifestyle choices. We are polar worlds apart in relation to the sport that chose us but the correlation in sacrifices are magnetic.

Jun 30th
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Stu McLean

amazingly honest podcast was a delight to listen to!

Jun 17th
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Ben Gordon

Keep these coming mate 👍🏻

May 17th
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Andrew Brierley

bloody loved this, well done James and thank you

Jan 24th
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Becky Moore

Thanks James for a brilliant podcast! Upskilling us normal people and opening our minds to fads, mental health and what's really important. Really helped me reevaluate my goals and train towards them. 😁💪🏼

Jan 13th
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Lee Owens

From one male to another, that 100% resonates. Deep, honest and I have the utmost respect for you James mate.

Oct 31st
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Casper Moore

Joe Wicks impression 🤣🤣

Oct 1st
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Ellie Chalmers

I absoutely love your podcasts! I go out walking with the dogs and they are the perfect accompaniment. Thank you.

Sep 25th
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mariusz swigon

Great great GREAT

Sep 11th
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Niall Clark

Great podcast. Delivers brilliant information in the manner you come to expect from James. Honest, to the point and with wit. Tackles some quite sensitive issues/topics woth real care without shirking away from the tough messages. Top stuff.

Jul 31st
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Kate Rigby

Just discovered your podcast. Loved it. love the way you put your points across and give some fantastic points! Some I knew and a lot I didn't or hadn't even thought about. Looking forward to listening to more!

Jul 20th
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