Profoundly Pointless

The Occult and You: How the Occult Influenced America with Occult Historian Dr. Brian Regal

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 Americ

Why We Feel Fear and How to Control It with Fear Researcher Dr. Kerry Ressler

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

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

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

How People are Manipulating Prediction Markets with Prediction Market Researcher Dr. Joshua Mitts

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 Mark

The Future of Prediction Markets with Prediction Market Researcher Dr. Koleman Strumpf

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 Pro

How Animals Get Cast in Movies with Hollywood Animal Agent Joel Norton

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, i

Words You Just Don't Say with Language Taboo Linguist Professor Randall Eggert

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 explor

The History and Meaning of Swear Words with Linguist Professor Randall Eggert

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 E

Why We Cuss with Cuss Word Researcher Dr. Richard Stephens

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. Ste

How Languages Change with Research Linguist Daniel Hieber

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

Finding Buried Treasure with Treasure Hunter Brent Brisben

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

How Drone Shows are Made with Drone Show Designer Grant Reichardt

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,

The Art and Science of Creating Fireworks Shows with Pyrotechnician Steve Yoss

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 M

The Songs of Summer with Summer Song Researcher Devon Powers

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

I'm Attracted to Water with Aquaphiliac Raven Lynette

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 p

The Universe's Oldest Stars with Stellar Archaeologist Dr. Anna Frebel

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 A

The New Soccer Hooligans with Soccer Violence Researcher Dr. Linus Peitz

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.

Secrets of Sorority Rush with Rush Consultant Trisha Addicks

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

The Business of the World Cup with Sports Economist Dr. Victor Matheson

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 Econom

How to Tell if Someone is Lying with Lie Detection Researcher Vincent Denault

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 g