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

October 29, 2026 • 20 mins
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. Contact the Show National UFO Reporting Center 00:00 Introducing Christian Ste...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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. Contact the Show Introducing Mike Blacksmith: 00:00 Designing a Sex To...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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: 0...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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 &...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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. Contact the Show 00:00 ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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. Contact the Show Dr. Brian Regal Website Dr. Brian Regal Social Media Le...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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. Contact the Show Dr. Kerry Ressler Website Introducing Dr. Kerry Ressler: ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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 ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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 ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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,...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
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...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

    DISGRACELAND

    DISGRACELAND is an award-winning music and true crime podcast about musicians getting away with murder and behaving very badly. Jerry Lee Lewis's 5th wife? Dead. Sid and Nancy? Both dead. Why? Because musicians are insane, and insane things happen to them. Why did we lose Amy Winehouse at 27? Was Debbie Harry really abducted by Ted Bundy as she claims? Is Patti Smith not just the "Godmother of Punk", but also the "Original True Crime Girl"? What really happened the night of the Jay Z nightclub stabbing? What do the Diddy indictments truly reveal? All these stories and more, on artists from every genre and their true crimes, in our massive 260-plus story archive. The Dead, the Stones, Johnny, Willie, Frank, Kurt, Courtney, Gaga, Lana, Taylor, and too many to name. DISGRACELAND is music history come to life through audio storytelling as you've never heard it before, with revealing facts: yes, assassins are the real reason the Beatles quit touring—reclaimed myths: no, Mama Cass didn't die from choking on a ham sandwich––and constant reckoning between art and artist––all told through the lens of true crime. This is the podcast for the self-proclaimed "Disgos", the musically obsessed and the true crime heads; the outsiders, the independent thinkers who know that the best history is the history that gets buried. DISGRACELAND is where host Jake Brennan tells the stories they didn't want told. The kind you'll end up telling someone else. Get ready to uncover hidden truths and buckle up for truly edge-of-your-seat storytelling. New, fully scripted, sound-designed episodes are released every Tuesday. Bonus chat-style episodes where Jake responds to voicemails, texts, and emails from Disgos hit on Thursdays, and "Rewind" episodes from our archive drop on Sundays. DISGRACELAND is not a journalistic podcast. It's an entertainment podcast inspired by true events. Certain dialogue and scenes are dramatized, as is common in scripted entertainment based on real stories. Sources and credits for each episode are available at www.disgracelandpod.com. To unlock ad-free listening, exclusive content, and connect with your fellow Disgos, go to www.disgracelandpod.com to become an All Access member. Rocka Rolla.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices