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Profoundly Pointless

Profoundly Pointless

Cloud10 404 Episodes Aug 20, 2026

Profoundly Pointless is an interview podcast hosted by Nick VinZant, exploring unusual and fascinating perspectives. Each episode features a conversation with a different guest, ranging from particle physicists to casino cheats, erotic hypnotists, and Olympic athletes. The show covers themes like society, sex, science, and sports, aiming to uncover something new in every story. It won a Signal Award for Best Interview Podcast.

Episodes

How Animals Get Cast in Movies with Hollywood Animal Agent Joel Norton
How Animals Get Cast in Movies with Hollywood Animal Agent Joel Norton Aug 20, 2026 1247 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 neve
Words You Just Don't Say with Language Taboo Linguist Professor Randall Eggert
Words You Just Don't Say with Language Taboo Linguist Professor Randall Eggert Aug 6, 2026 1140 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 Intr
The History and Meaning of Swear Words with Linguist Professor Randall Eggert
The History and Meaning of Swear Words with Linguist Professor Randall Eggert Jul 30, 2026 1463 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 o
Why We Cuss with Cuss Word Researcher Dr. Richard Stephens
Why We Cuss with Cuss Word Researcher Dr. Richard Stephens Jul 23, 2026 1212 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 o
How Languages Change with Research Linguist Daniel Hieber
How Languages Change with Research Linguist Daniel Hieber Jul 16, 2026 1959 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 I
Finding Buried Treasure with Treasure Hunter Brent Brisben
Finding Buried Treasure with Treasure Hunter Brent Brisben Jul 9, 2026 3841 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 t
How Drone Shows are Made with Drone Show Designer Grant Reichardt
How Drone Shows are Made with Drone Show Designer Grant Reichardt Jun 25, 2026 2958 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
The Art and Science of Creating Fireworks Shows with Pyrotechnician Steve Yoss
The Art and Science of Creating Fireworks Shows with Pyrotechnician Steve Yoss Jun 18, 2026 3616 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
The Songs of Summer with Summer Song Researcher Devon Powers
The Songs of Summer with Summer Song Researcher Devon Powers Jun 11, 2026 3609 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 tu
I'm Attracted to Water with Aquaphiliac Raven Lynette
I'm Attracted to Water with Aquaphiliac Raven Lynette Jun 4, 2026 3106 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
The Universe's Oldest Stars with Stellar Archaeologist Dr. Anna Frebel
The Universe's Oldest Stars with Stellar Archaeologist Dr. Anna Frebel May 28, 2026 3522 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 li
The New Soccer Hooligans with Soccer Violence Researcher Dr. Linus Peitz
The New Soccer Hooligans with Soccer Violence Researcher Dr. Linus Peitz May 21, 2026 3214 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 im

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