Profoundly Pointless

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

The Scary Business of Haunted Houses with Haunted House Designer John Denley

September 10, 2026 • 20 mins
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. Contact the Sho...
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How People are Manipulating Prediction Markets with Prediction Market Researcher Dr. Joshua Mitts

September 3, 2026 • 21 mins
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 Polyma...
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The Future of Prediction Markets with Prediction Market Researcher Dr. Koleman Strumpf

August 27, 2026 • 22 mins
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 ...
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How Animals Get Cast in Movies with Hollywood Animal Agent Joel Norton

August 20, 2026 • 20 mins
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 f...
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Words You Just Don't Say with Language Taboo Linguist Professor Randall Eggert

August 6, 2026 • 19 mins
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 Egg...
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The History and Meaning of Swear Words with Linguist Professor Randall Eggert

July 30, 2026 • 24 mins
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 Prof...
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Why We Cuss with Cuss Word Researcher Dr. Richard Stephens

July 23, 2026 • 20 mins
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 ...
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How Languages Change with Research Linguist Daniel Hieber

July 16, 2026 • 32 mins
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...
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Finding Buried Treasure with Treasure Hunter Brent Brisben

July 9, 2026 • 64 mins
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 c...
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How Drone Shows are Made with Drone Show Designer Grant Reichardt

June 25, 2026 • 49 mins
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,...
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The Art and Science of Creating Fireworks Shows with Pyrotechnician Steve Yoss

June 18, 2026 • 60 mins
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 m...
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The Songs of Summer with Summer Song Researcher Devon Powers

June 11, 2026 • 60 mins
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...
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I'm Attracted to Water with Aquaphiliac Raven Lynette

June 4, 2026 • 51 mins
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...
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The Universe's Oldest Stars with Stellar Archaeologist Dr. Anna Frebel

May 28, 2026 • 58 mins
They were born more than 13 billion years ago but ancient stars are still shaping our Universe today. And without them, we wouldn’t be here. Astrophysicist and Stellar Archaeologist Dr. Anna Frebel has discovered some of the Universe’s oldest stars. We talk how ancient stars created life as we know it, the chaotic conditions of the early Universe and what the next generation of stars will look like. Then, in the Point...
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The New Soccer Hooligans with Soccer Violence Researcher Dr. Linus Peitz

May 21, 2026 • 53 mins
Sociologist Dr. Linuz Peitz studies the psychology that drives Soccer (Football) Hooligans. He says the rising tide of soccer violence is all about one thing, territory. In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we take an indepth look at Soccer (Football) Hooligans. We talk the psychology behind hooliganism, the most dangerous Firms/Ultras, places that aren't safe to go and how Hooligans will impact the World Cup. Then, in the P...
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Secrets of Sorority Rush with Rush Consultant Trisha Addicks

May 14, 2026 • 57 mins
What does it take to get into the United States’ best sororities. And why would you want to. As the world’s first Rush Consultant, Trisha Addicks literally wrote the book on getting into sororities. We talk the secret to sorority rush, why sororities are exploding in popularity, the influence of “Rush Tok” and her new book “The Rush Bible”. Then, its the roar of the crowd vs. the crack of the ...
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The Business of the World Cup with Sports Economist Dr. Victor Matheson

May 7, 2026 • 63 mins
The World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world. But the action on the pitch still pales in comparison to the business going on behind the scenes. Sports Economist Dr. Victor Matheson has studied the economic impact of the World Cup for more than thirty years. In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we talk the business behind the World Cup, the corruption inside FIFA and if any of the money generated by the World Cup wi...
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How to Tell if Someone is Lying with Lie Detection Researcher Vincent Denault

April 30, 2026 • 37 mins
How can you tell if someone is lying? Criminology Professor and Lie Detection Researcher Vincent Denault says that while lies are complicated, there's one simple way to get to the truth. We talk signs someone is lying, what makes someone appear credible and if we are living in the age of lies. Then, in the Pointless part of the show, it's Michael Jordan and Patrick Stewart vs. Vin Diesel and the Rock as we countdown the Top ...
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Celebrities and Cults with Celebrity Cult Expert Cassie Marie

April 23, 2026 • 71 mins
From Tom Cruise and Jared Leto to Allison Mack and Gwyneth Paltrow, Celebrity Cult Expert Cassie Marie says celebrities have a long association with cults and cult-like behavior. We talk why celebrities are drawn to cults, the biggest celebrity cults and the strangest celebrity cult stories. Then, it’s raking the leaves and mowing the lawn vs, weeding and power washing as we countdown the Top 5 Worst Yard Chores. 00:00 Int...
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The Science and Meaning of Deja Vu

April 16, 2026 • 44 mins
What is Deja Vu, where does it come from and why do we get it? Deja Vu researchers Dr. Christopher Moulin and Dr. Akira O'Connor have spent their lives trying to answer those questions. In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we look at the latest science surrounding Deja Vu, Jamais Vu and memory. We talk what causes Deja Vu and Jamais Vu, if Deja Vu is connected to past lives and how different types of Vus explains our lives. Th...
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