Podcast
Profoundly Pointless
A podcast for the curious. Interviews on Society, Sex, Science and Sports.
From CERN Particle Physicists and Professional Casino Cheats to Erotic Hypnotists and Olympic Athletes, every week host Nick VinZant sits down with a guest from a different walk of life.
The story is never the same but the goal always is, to truly learn something new. Signal Award winner for Best Interview Podcast.
- Episodes
- 415
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 26 min
- On air since
- 2018
- Latest episode
- 5 days ago
Episodes
415 episodes, newest first
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20 min
The Pattern Behind UFO Sightings with Christian Stepien of the National UFO Reporting Center
Show notes
Have you ever seen something in the sky you couldn't explain. Well, you are not alone. And if you ask Christian Stepien of the UFO Reporting Center, neither are we.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore UFO sightings around the world. We talk the pattern behind UFO sightings, government coverups and the most controversial UFO sightings.
00:00 Introducing Christian Stepien
01:13 Tracking UFO Sightings
06:50 UFO Patterns
12:31 Where Most UFO Sightings Happen
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17 min
How Sex Toys are Made with Sex Toy Designer Mike Blacksmith
Show notes
Mike Blacksmith has been designing sex toys for nearly twenty years. In that time he's created everything from vibrators and paddles to rings and plugs for wherever you want to put them.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore how sex toys are made.
We talk what goes into making a sex toy, how sex toys are tested and the one color everyone wants.
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Introducing Mike Blacksmith: 00:00
Designing a Sex Toy: 01:38
Sex Toys for Men vs. Sex Toys for Women: 05:46
The Best Selling Sex Toy: 07:28
Sex Toy Colors: 10:05
The Future of Sex Toys: 15:14
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20 min
Political Kinks with Political Humiliation Dominatrix Krystal
Show notes
Krystal is a dominatrix who caters to a very specific type of clientele, people who want to be humiliated because of how they voted.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore the rise of Political Humiliation.
We talk why people are drawn to political humiliation, her most unusual requests and more.
Introducing Krystal: 00:00
What is Political Humiliation: 01:10
How Much They'll Pay: 04:14
Most Interesting Request: 06:57
Changing their Vote: 08:35
Most Common Request: 12:42
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26 min
Mysteries of the Deep Sea with Deep Sea Explorer Alan Jamieson
Show notes
Explorer Alan Jamieson has gone on more than 70 expeditions to the deepest parts of the ocean. From the Mariana Trench to the abyssal plains, he says the deep sea isn't what you think.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore the deep sea. We talk what going to the bottom of the ocean is really like, how the deep sea impacts our daily lives and the strangest thing he's ever seen.
Contact the Show
The Deep-Sea Podcast — Armatus Oceanic
Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre
00:00 Introducing Alan Jamieson
01:09 Diving to the Bottom of the Ocean
03:54 What We Know About the Deep Sea
06:10 The Sea Floor
08:19 Life at the Bottom of the Ocean
12:30 Favorite Expedition
14:54 Deep Sea Sounds
16:08 Living at the Bottom of the Ocean
18:33 The Strangest Thing I Ever Saw
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31 min
Finding Stole Art with Fine Art Detective Richard Ellis
Show notes
For more than 50 years Fine Art Detective Richard Ellis has traveled the world in search of stolen art.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore the fine art underworld. Where stolen masterpieces are sold in secret for millions or used as collateral for weapons and drugs by organized crime.
We talk the biggest art heists, the dumbest criminals and the one case Richard is still trying to solve.
00:00 Introducing Fine Art Detective Richard Ellis
01:12 How Art is Stolen
06:03 Where Stolen Art Goes
11:19 Investigating Art Theft
17:48 The Biggest Art Theft Case
19:50 Smart Criminals and Dumb Criminals
24:28 The Thief that Got Away
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26 min
The Occult and You: How the Occult Influenced America with Occult Historian Dr. Brian Regal
Show notes
You might not know it. You might now believe it. But occult practices are all around you.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore how the occult shaped American. Influencing everything from cookbooks and movies to wide spread panic and the office of the President.
We talk occult practices, secret ceremonies and what's really on the dollar bill.
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26 min
Why We Feel Fear and How to Control It with Fear Researcher Dr. Kerry Ressler
Show notes
Fear is one of our most powerful emotions. It keeps us safe but it can also take over every aspect of our lives. Fear Researcher Dr. Kerry Ressler says there is a way to control it.
In this Episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore the science of fear. We talk why we feel fear, why the modern world has made us so afraid and the one thing everyone fears.
Introducing Dr. Kerry Ressler: 00:00
Why We Feel Fear: 01:10
What Happens When We're Afraid: 04:10
Controlling Fear: 07:27
Fear vs. Anxiety: 15:47
Why We're More Afraid: 18:22
Universal Fear: 22:49
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20 min
The Scary Business of Haunted Houses with Haunted House Designer John Denley
Show notes
Haunted House Designer John Denley has spent the last 30 years creating some of the world’s scariest Haunted Houses. He says there’s one thing that makes a Haunted House truly terrifying, vulnerability.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore the business of Haunted Houses. We talk what makes a Haunted House scary, the world’s scariest Haunted Houses and the one thing people fear most.
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Introducing John Denley: 00:00
What Makes a Haunted House Scary: 01:31
The Business of Haunted Houses: 04:59
The Scariest Haunted Houses: 07:43
Crowd Reactions: 11:03
The Future of Haunted Houses: 16:21
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22 min
How People are Manipulating Prediction Markets with Prediction Market Researcher Dr. Joshua Mitts
Show notes
Sometimes it’s inside information, sometimes it’s changing perceptions with huge amounts of cash, sometimes it’s holding a hair dryer to a weather gage.
Prediction Market Researcher Dr. Joshua Mitts says these are just some of the ways Prediction Markets are being manipulated.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore how people are making millions manipulating Prediction Markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.
We talk the different ways Prediction Markets are being manipulated, why some market categories are easier to manipulate than others and why only a very small number of people are actually making money on Prediction Markets.
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00:00 Introducing Dr. Joshua Mitts
01:21 How Prediction Markets are Manipulated
07:28 The Cost of Prediction Market Manipulation
10:21 Where Prediction Market Manipulation Happens
13:46 Listener Submitted Questions
16:10 Protecting Yourself from Market Manipulation
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23 min
The Future of Prediction Markets with Prediction Market Researcher Dr. Koleman Strumpf
Show notes
Right now Prediction Markets are exploding in popularity and controversy. Going from a niche hobby to a market with billions of dollars in trades.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore the future of Prediction Markets with Prediction Market Researcher Dr. Koleman Strumpf.
We talk how prediction markets really work, the crazy/brilliant strategies some people are using to make millions and why Prediction Markets could become the Wild West.
00:00 Introducing Dr. Koleman Strumpf
01:20 What are Prediction Markets
04:37 Why Prediction Markets are Becoming More Popular
05:49 Regulating Prediction Markets
08:55 Manipulating Prediction Markets
12:52 The Dangers of Prediction Markets
14:51 Prediction Market Strategies
18:58 The Future of Prediction Markets
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21 min
How Animals Get Cast in Movies with Hollywood Animal Agent Joel Norton
Show notes
In Hollywood casting is everything. Movie Producers and Casting Agents have to find just the right person to make movies and TV shows come to life. Even if that person, isn't a person.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore how Hollywood casts animals with Hollywood Animal Agent Joel Norton.
We talk what movie producers are looking for in an onscreen animals, why some dog breeds never get case in movies and the most famous movie animals of all time.
00:00 Introducing Hollywood Animal Agent Joel Norton
01:24 How Animals Get Cast in Movies
02:05: What Casting Directors are Looking For
03:51 Hollywood Animal Training
07:46 How Much Animals Get Paid
11:28 The Most and Least Popular Hollywood Dogs
12:24 The Most Famous Hollywood Pet
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19 min
Words You Just Don't Say with Language Taboo Linguist Professor Randall Eggert
Show notes
In every language there are words you just don’t say. They can be about sex, religion, food or even your mother-in-law.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore the fascinating history and controversial present of language taboos with Professor Randall Eggert.
We talk the biggest current language taboos, historical language taboos and language taboos that are forming today.
00:00 Introducing Professor Randall Eggert
01:28 Language Taboos
06:03 The Biggest Language Taboos
08:33 Language Taboos that Have Faded Away
11:53 Historical Language Taboo
13:58 The Next Language Taboo
Contact the Show
Professor Randall Eggert YouTube
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24 min
The History and Meaning of Swear Words with Linguist Professor Randall Eggert
Show notes
We all know what the big swear words are, but where did they come from, what do they really mean and what do they say about the things we hold sacred.
Linguist Randall Eggert studies swear words. In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we look at the history and hidden meaning of swear words. We talk where swear words come from, normal words that used to be swear words and the worst swear words of all time.
00:00 Introducing Professor Randall Eggert
01:11 How Words Become Swear Words
3:00 What All Swear Words Have in Common
07:00 The Worst Swear Words
11:18 The Best Swear Word
15:41 Historical Swear Words
17:16 When Swear Words Become Normal Words
19:57 New Swear Words
Contact the Show
Professor Randall Eggert YouTube
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20 min
Why We Cuss with Cuss Word Researcher Dr. Richard Stephens
Show notes
Why do we cuss? And what happens when we do. Psychologist and Curse Word Researcher Dr. Richard Stephens has spent decades trying to answer those two questions.
Dr. Stephens says that while there are many reason why we cuss, such as anger and trying to fit in, when we curse, our body and mind go through significant changes. Changes that can dull pain and even make us stronger.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we talk the unique psychology behind cussing, the power of different curse words and why our brains treat curse words differently than other words.
00:00 Introducing Dr. Richard Stephens
01:11 Why We Cuss
02:30 What Happens When We Cuss
03:57 Cussing and Pain Management
05:31 Cussing Makes Us Stronger
08:09 The Strongest Cuss Words
09:45 Why Some People Cuss More
12:19 Cussing and Honesty
16:39 The Best Cuss Word
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33 min
How Languages Change with Research Linguist Daniel Hieber
Show notes
Every word and every language has an origin story. What originally started out as a way to describe a specific type of tree, is now what we call a book.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore how languages change with Research Linguist Dr. Daniel Hieber.
We talk how new languages are created, why the meaning of words changes and the chaos unleashed by the Great Vowell Shift.
00:00 Introducing Dr. Daniel Hieber
01:07 How We Learn Language
05:51 The Very First Language
08:44 Words that Don't Change
12:11 How Long it Takes for Languages to Change
14:57 The Great Vowel Shift
19:18 The Hardest and Easiest Languages to Learn
20:43 The Most Unique Language
23:41 The Best Curse Word
26: 29 Language Misconceptions
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1 hr 4 min
Finding Buried Treasure with Treasure Hunter Brent Brisben
Show notes
Treasure Hunter Brent Brisben has found over $4.5 million dollars worth of buried treasure, now he's on the hunt for more. But what does it take to be one of the world's best treasure hunters?
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we go inside the search for buried treasure. We talk finding sunken ship wrecks, black market treasure dealers and the secret to finding buried treasure.
Then, in the Pointless part of the show, we countdown the Top 5 Meats.
00:00 Introducing Brent Brisben
01:09 How Treasure Hunters Search for Buried Treasure
03:09 The Most I Ever Found
04:35 Can You Keep Buried Treasure
06:37 The Treasure Hunting Industry
08:13 Black Market Treasure Hunting
12:57 The Cost of Treasure Hunting
15:17 The Biggest Treasure Ever Found
19:14 Pointless
39:11 Candle of the Month
47:47 Top 5 Meats
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49 min
How Drone Shows are Made with Drone Show Designer Grant Reichardt
Show notes
Designing and piloting a drone show is no easy task. It takes hundreds of hours of preparation to control thousands of drones that all need to move in pattern so precise, it comes down to the centimeter.
Drone Show Designer Grant Reichardt has worked on some of the world’s biggest drone shows. We talk how drone shows are designed, spending million of dollars on drones and what it takes to create a hologram in the sky.
Then, in the Pointless part of the show, it’s Sparklers and Black Cats vs. Bottle Rockets and Roman Candles as we countdown the Top 5 Types of Fireworks.
00:00 Introducing Drone Show Designer Grant Reichardt
01:04 Designing a Drone Show
02:56 A Very Special Type of Drone
06:56 When Something Goes Wrong
10:49 The Future of Drone Shows
15:15 Pointless
39:12 The Top 5 Types of Fireworks
Contact the Show
Aerial Illuminations Instagram
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1 hr
The Art and Science of Creating Fireworks Shows with Pyrotechnician Steve Yoss
Show notes
The fireworks explode in an instant of blinding light and thunderous sound. But designing a fireworks show takes months of preparation and years of training.
From the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show to Burning Man, Pyrotechnician Steven Yoss has been behind the scenes at some of the world’s biggest fireworks shows. In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we talk the art of designing fireworks shows, the science of making fireworks and what happens when things go wrong.
Then, in the Pointless part of the show, we countdown the Top 5 Actors and Actresses You Know but Can’t Name.
00:00 Introducing Pyrotechnician Steve Yoss
0:59 Designing Fireworks Shows
04:32 How Fireworks are Made
07:41 Fireworks Dangers
09:37 The Best and Worst Fireworks
11:51 Fireworks Colors
13:51 Fireworks Injuries
15:51 The Best Fireworks Shows
19:49 The Future of Fireworks Shows
20:51 Pointless
46:51 Top 5 Actors You Know But Can’t Name
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1 hr
The Songs of Summer with Summer Song Researcher Devon Powers
Show notes
What makes the perfect song of the summer? Professor Devon Powers studies summer songs. She says every great summer songs usually has three things: a memorable chorus, a beat that makes you feel good and lyrics anyone can sing.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we look a the last 25 years of Songs of the Summer. We talk making the perfect summer song, the behind the scenes marketing that turn ordinary songs into massive hits and why we sometimes don’t have a song of the summer.
Then, in the Pointless part of the show, we countdown the Top 5 Summer Songs.
00:00 Introducing Professor Devon Powers
00:58 What Makes a Good Summer Song
06:62 A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey
09:23 Despacito by Daddy Yankee
10:19 Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke
11:55 Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jespen
15:38 The Simple Complexity of Summer Song
18:04 Old Town Road by Lil Nas X
19:30 Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
21:21 The Best Song of the Summer
22:19 The Worst Song of the Summer
24:20 Timing the Song of the Summer
26:26 2026’s Song of the Summer
27:37 Pointless
46:18 The Top 5 Summer Songs
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Devon Powers’ Book on Trend Forecasting
Devon Powers’ Book on the Birth of Rock Criticism
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52 min
I'm Attracted to Water with Aquaphiliac Raven Lynette
Show notes
As an Aquaphiliac Raven Lynette loves the water. But this isn't about just swimming around.
In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we explore Aquaphilia. We talk why people are attracted to water, the kinds of things Aquaphiliacs like to do in the water and her most interesting requests.
00:00 Introducing Raven Lynette
01;06 What is Aquaphilia
03:08 What Aquaphiliacs are Looking For
05:26 When Water is Sexy
08:20 Why the Type of Water Matters
09:41 How Popular is Aquaphilia
12:20 Aquaphilia and Mermaids
14:28 Most Interesting Requests
16:52 Pointless
37:01 Candle of the Month
42:22 The Top 5 Batteries
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