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
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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April 2, 2026 • 57 mins
An an NFL Scout, Dan Hatman's job is to predict the future. He's got to sort through hundreds of players and thousands of hours of games because when it comes to drafting players, millions of dollars are on the line.
We talk how NFL Scouts evaluate players for the NFL Draft, why teams draft the wrong player and the hardest and easiest positions to draft.
Then, we unveil a new Candle of the Month and countdown the Top 5 Most A...
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March 26, 2026 • 47 mins
The NFL Draft is fast approaching and for NFL Agent Evan Brennan that means cloak and dagger storytelling, secretive negotiations and truly odd demands, all in the hopes of moving his clients up in the draft.
Go inside the life of an NFL Agent as we talk the NFL Draft, unusual contract demands and the sometimes dirty business of the NFL.
Then, we countdown the Top 5 Biggest Events of the Year
00:00: Introducing Evan Brennan
0...
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March 19, 2026 • 61 mins
Oil runs the world. And right now the oil and gas industry is going through a major disruption because of the war in Iran. Oil prices are rising and there’s no end in sight. So, what does this mean for you?
Oil, Gas and Energy sector expert Dr. Carole Nakhle joins us to explain where the price of oil is headed, the major factors influencing prices at the pump and more.
Then, it’s Club Sandwiches and Grilled Cheese vs....
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March 12, 2026 • 54 mins
How do we remember? Why do we forget? What’s making our memories change over time? Memory Researchers Dr. Akira O’Connor and Dr. Christopher Moulin have spent their lives trying to answer memory’s biggest questions.
We talk how memory works, why we forget things and the best way to preserve your memories.
Then, it’s 67 and 420 vs. 007 and 8675309 as we countdown the Top 5 Meme Number Combinations.
00:00: ...
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March 5, 2026 • 49 mins
Have you ever had a brush with death? Whether it's a near-death experience, a message from a deceased love one or simply feeling a presence when you walk into a room, millions of people say they have had some connection to the afterlife.
Clinical Psychiatrist Dr. J. Kim Penberthy studies those experiences. She say's there's something they all have in common. We talk near-death experiences, afterlife communications and why we re...
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February 26, 2026 • 63 mins
Why do we get bored? Boredom Researcher Dr. James Danckert says boredom is a search for meaning. Our brains' way of telling us we need to find something new.
We talk why boredom is important, why some people get bored more than others and the most boring thing in the world.
Then, it's Hoop Dreams and Caddyshack vs. Miracle and The Karate Kid as we countdown the Top 5 Sports Movies.
00:00: Introducing Boredom Researcher Dr. James...
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February 19, 2026 • 65 mins
What is consciousness and where does it come from? These are two questions Consciousness Researcher Dr. Ned Block has spent his entire life trying to answers.
In this episode we talk the origin of consciousness, what happens to our consciousness when we die and if AI (artificial intelligence) is already conscious.
Then, it’s grape and cherry vs. mango and pineapple as we countdown the Top 5 Drink Flavors.
00:00: Introducin...
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February 12, 2026 • 58 mins
Rocketing down the track at more than 100mph, Olympic Bobsleigh Pilot Chris Spring knows that the difference between winning Gold and crashing is measured in fractions of an inch.
We talk becoming a Bobsled/Bobsleigh Pilot, the crash that almost ended his career and every bobsledders love/hate relationship with Cool Runnings.
Then, it's Queso and Spinach vs. Salsa and Hummus as we countdown the Top 5 Best Dips.
00:00: Introducin...
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February 5, 2026 • 65 mins
In Ski Jumping every little detail matters. And no American has flown farther than 3x Olympian Kevin Bickner. We talk what really happens on a Ski Jump, the secret to flying farther and Ski Jumping scandals that have rocked the sport.
Then, we unveil a new Candle of the Month and it’s airports vs. shopping malls as we countdown the Top 5 Best Places for People Watching.
00:00: Introducing Olympian Kevin Bickner
01:14: How ...
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January 29, 2026 • 57 mins
Olympic Curling is all about precision. It’s a sport where less than half and inch can mean the difference between winning a Gold Medal and getting last place. Team USA Curling Olympians Ben Richardson and Korey Dropkin join us to talk Curling basics, the unique strategy behind each throw and falling on ice.
Then, it’s Curling and Ski Jumping vs. Figure Skating and Bobsled as we countdown the Top 5 Winter Olympic Spor...
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