Profoundly Pointless

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: Introducing Dr. Christopher Moulin and Dr. Akira O’Connor 01:21: How Does Memory Work 03:59: How Good is Our Memory 07:19: How Memories Changes 09:16: Why We Forget 12:42: Reexperiencing Memories 14:17: Are Memories Ever Lost 17:42: Music and Memories 20:01: Pictures and Memories 21:18: The Best Memories 28:05: Pointless 45:16: Top 5 Meme Number Combinations Contact the Show Dr. Akira O’Connor Books and Publications Dr. Christopher Moulin Books and Publications Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 really fear death. Then, in the pointless part of the show, we unveil a new Candle of the Month and countdown the Top 5 Money Slang Terms. Introducing Dr. J. Kim Penberthy: 00:00 How Common are Afterlife Experiences: 01:19 The Pattern Behind Afterlife Experiences: 06:07 The 12 Types of Afterlife Communications: 10:20 The Fear of Death: 13:20 The Craziest Afterlife Experiences: 17:27 Pointless: 20:54 Candle of the Month: 32:41 Top 5 Money Slang Terms: 39:38 ⁠Contact the Show⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Danckert 01:07: Why We Get Bored 02:11: Why Boredom is Good 03:56: What Happens When We Get Bored 04:49: Why Some People Get Bored Faster 07:59: Boredom and Intelligence 11:10: The Flow State 12:42: Only Boring People are Boring 15:13: The Most Boring Type of Person 16:59: When Boredom Becomes a Problem 18:52: The Boredom Pattern 20:57: Social Media and Boredom 24:49: Pointless 40:42: The Top 5 Sports Movies Contact the Show Our of My Skull: The Science of Boredom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: Introducing Dr. Ned Block 01:02: What is Consciousness 04:01: How We Study Consciousness 06:26: Consciousness in Humans 07:47: What We Know About Consciousness 09:50: Why is Consciousness Important 11:15: AI and Consciousness 14:19: Consciousness and the Subsconscious 16:45: Consciousness In Other Animals 17:44: What Happens to Your Consciousness when You Die 20:01: Misconceptions About Consciousness 21:05: When We Developed Consciousness 25:02: Wild Consciousness Theories 26:06: Pointless 55:42: Top 5 Drink Flavors Contact the Show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: Introducing Chris Spring 01:03: What Bobsledding is Really Like 03:40: Steering a Bobsled 05:58: Bobsled Crashes 08:31: Bobsled Tracks 10:54: Bobsled Teams 11:35: Getting in the Bobsled 13:43: Cool Runnings 14:53: Bobsled Lingo 15:33: Worst Bobsled Crash 18:29: Bobsled Chants 21:31: Pointless 45:37: Top 5 Dips Contact the Show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Scary is Ski Jumping 03:40: How Ski Jumpers Fly Farther 05:33: What Makes Someone Good at Ski Jumping 07:41: Can You Back Off a Ski Jump 08:14: Ski Jumping Scandals 12:49: Ski Jumping on a Snowboard 14:47: Where Ski Jumping is the Most Popular 16:07: Ski Jumping and Intrusive Thoughts 19:47: Pointless 44:29: Candle of the Month 51:21: Best Places for People Watching Kevin Bickner Instagram Contact the Show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Sports. 00:00 Introducing Curling Olympians Ben Richardson and Korey Dropkin 01:16: The Extreme Precision of Olympic Curling 03:41: Curling Strategy 06:57: No Mistakes 09:03: Sweeping and Throwing in Curling 11:26: Curling Gold Medal Favorites 12:18: Curling Popularity 13:53: Curling Falls and Fails 17:30: Pointless 40:03: The Top 5 Winter Olympic Sports Korey Dropkin Instagram Korey Dropkin TikTok Ben Richardson Instagram Team Casper Instagram Contact the Show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ski Mountaineering is the only new sport at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Team USA Olympian Cam Smith has a chance to win the sports first Gold Medal. We talk what makes Ski Mountaineering special, what it's like competing in a new Olympic Sport and the 2026 Winter Olympics. Then, it's Civics and Odysseys vs. Cybertrucks and Tacomas as we countdown the Top 5 Worst Car Names. 00:00: Introducing Olympian Cam Smith 01:11: What is Ski Mountaineering 05: 19: Competing in a New Olympic Sport 06:47: Getting Started in Ski Mountaineering 08:59: The 2026 Winter Olympics 10:20: Ski Mountaineering Crashes 15:07: The Future of Ski Mountaineering 18:15: Pointless 38:34: To5 Worst Car Names Contact the Show Cam Smith Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI Slop is taking over the internet. But how can you tell what’s real and what’s AI. AI Media Expert Jeremy Carrasco joins us to talk sorting through AI Slop, how AI content is eroding public trust and why AI Slop could be the end of social media. Then, it’s Toaster Ovens and Microwaves vs. Stoves and Refrigerators as we countdown the Top 5 Most Important Appliances 00:00: Jeremy Carrasco 01:22: How to Spot AI Slop 02:46: AI Slop and the End of Social Media 05:13: The Spread of AI Slop 08:41: Who's Making AI Slop 10:27: AI Slop and Political Propaganda 13:01: What Social Media Platforms are Doing about AI Slop 16:59: Tips for Spotting AI Slop Pointless: 28:19 Top 5 Appliances: 52:45 Contact the Show Jeremy Carrasco YouTube Jeremy Carrasco TikTok Jeremy Carrasco Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When will AI (artificial intelligence) take our jobs. Technology Futurist and AI Employment Researcher Adam Dorr says it might be much sooner than you think. We talk how AI will affect the job market in 2026, why politicians are lying to you about AI and the one thing that will guarantee you a job. Then, it’s knee pain vs. collecting coupons as we countdown the Top 5 Signs You’re Getting Old. 00:00: Introducing Adam Dorr 01:18: When Will AI Take Our Jobs 06:55: The AI Arms Race 11:04: Can AI Be Stopped 12:26: The Jobs AI Will Take First 15:54: Where AI will have the Biggest Impact 18:37: How Long Before AI and Robots Take Over 20:47: AI vs. Other Disruptive Technologies 22:13: Are We Ready for an AI Takeover 23:22: The One Skill that Will Keep You Employed Pointless:: 29:14 Top 5 Signs You’re Getting Older: 56:46 Contact the Show RethinkX Website Adam Dorr LinkedIn Adam Dorr BlueSky Adam Dorr Books: Brighter, The Degrowth Delusion and More than the Sun and Stars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From “Christmas on Cherry Lane” to “Oy! to the World”, Screenwriter Rick Garman has written more than 40 Christmas movies. We talk writing a Christmas movie, why people both love and love to hate Hallmark Christmas movies and the best Christmas movie of all time. Then, it’s Chocolate Chip and Snickerdoodle vs. Macaroons and Gingerbread Men as we countdown the Top 5 Cookies. 00:00: Introducing Rick Garman 01:14: What Makes a Good Christmas Movie 04:26: Why People Love Hallmark Movies 06:22: How Hallmark Christmas Movies are Made 11:30: The Christmas Movie Genre 13:37: Christmas Movie Tropes 16:37: Career Girl Comes Home 22:48: The Best and Worst Christmas Movies 28:56: Pointless 47:53: The Best Christmas Cookies Contact the Show Rick Garman Website Rick Garman Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sofia Somer has a thing for Santa Claus. Ever since she first discovered her sexuality, Sofia has been attracted to Santa (Santaphilia). We talk Santa fantasies, what makes Santa attractive and the sexiest depiction of Santa. Then, it’s lollygagging and skedaddle vs. bamboozled and fartlek as we countdown the Top 5 Funniest Words. Sofia Somer: 01:13 Pointless: 17:28 Top 5 Funniest Words: 39:13 Contact the Show Sofia Somer Website Sofia Somer Instagram Sofia Somer Twitter / X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Santa and gingerbread cookies to Christmas trees and the colors of red and green, Dr. Katherine Walker studies the history of our favorite Christmas traditions. We talk the real origin of Santa Claus, the scandalous history of gingerbread cookies and the time we nearly lost Christmas. Then, we unveil a new Candle of the Month and countdown the Top 5 Best Christmas Themed Foods. Dr. Katherine Walker: 01:16 Pointless: 31:37 Candle of the Month: 49:19 Top 5 Christmas Foods: 59:26 Contact the Show Katherine Walker Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for our annual Thanksgiving Special. We talk waiting, the decline of Thanksgiving and countdown the Top 5 Worst Christmas Songs. We hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving, thank you so much for all of your support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Terminator and Superman to Sicario and Face/Off, Movie Pyrotechnician and Stunt Coordinator has been blowing stuff up in movies for more than 30 years. We talk how movie explosions are made, the biggest explosions in movies and blowing up the Death Star. Then, it’s Dallas and Charlotte vs. Madison and Lincoln as we countdown the Top 5 Cities to be Named After. Anthony Simonaitis: 01:06 Pointless: 40:12 Top 5 Cities to be Named After: 01:04:46 Contact the Show Integral-fx,Inc Anthony Simonaitis LinkedIn Anthony Simonaitis IMDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Jeffrey Epstein and faking the moon landing, to chemtrails and who really killed JFK, Social Psychologist Dr. Daniel Jolley has spent his life studying conspiracy theories. We talk why people are drawn to conspiracy theories, what all major conspiracy theories have in common and the wildest conspiracy theories he’s ever heard. Then, in the pointless part of the show, we countdown the Top 5 Life Lessons We Learned the Hard Way. Dr. Daniel Jolley: 01:08 Pointless: 26:23 Top 5 Life Lessons: 50:11 Contact the Show Dr. Daniel Jolley Website Dr. Daniel Jolley BlueSky How to Talk to Someone about Conspiracy Theories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Illuminati, Freemasons, the Bilderberg Group, Historian Dr. Rick Spence has spent decades studying secret societies. We talk how secret societies have changed history, the most influential secret societies and what secret societies really want. Then, we unveil a new Candle of the Month and countdown the Top 5 Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies. Dr. Rick Spence: 01:19 Pointless: 31:22 Candle of the Month: 57:36 Top 5 Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies: 01:03:45 Contact the Show Dr. Rick Spence: Great Courses Dr. Rick Spence Books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Author of A Head Full of Ghosts, The Cabin at the End of the World and Horror Movie, horror writer Paul Tremblay knows what scares people. We talk the psychology behind horror, the scariest things he’s ever read and turning books into movies. Then, it’s hootenanny vs. shindig as we countdown the Top 5 Party Words. Paul Tremblay: 01:14 Pointless: 29:01 Top 5 Party Words: 53:33 Contact the Show Paul Tremblay Website Paul Tremblay Instagram Paul Tremblay BlueSky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ghosts, Monsters, Alien Abductions, Secret Societies, New York Times Bestselling Author Colin Dickey studies them all. His goal is to discover why we’re so fascinated with things we can’t explain. We talk the most haunted places in America, how Secret Societies have shaped our lives and what our obsession with Bigfoot and other cryptids really means. Then, it’s Wall Runs and Grappling Hooks vs. Double Jumps and Magic as we countdown the Top 5 Video Game Powers. Colin Dickey: 01:11 Pointless: 26:34 Top 5 Video Game Powers: 48:44 Contact the Show Colin Dickey’s Website Colin Dickey Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Ed Gein and Ted Bundy, to BTK and Jeffrey Dahmer, Criminologist Dr. Katherine Ramsland has spent the last 30 years studying serial killers - trying to find out what drives them to kill. We talk the mind of a serial killer, the worst serial killers you’ve never heard of and why we’re fascinated by them. Then, we countdown the Top 5 Worst Sports Cities Dr. Katherine Ramsland: 01:11 Pointless: 33:40 Top 5 Worst Sports Cities: 55:00 Contact the Show Dr. Katherine Ramsland Website Dr. Katherine Ramsland Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices