Researching the Obvious

Have you ever wondered why curiosity killed a cat? Or perhaps someone has suggested to you that you pull yourself up by your bootstraps? Idioms are used in our everyday conversations without a second thought, but many of these phrases have not only a long history but have meanings that have changed drastically over time. In this episode, Emily and Katie give an introductory English lesson on diffe...

Whether you’re choosing your favorite hot dog topping, or dipping French fries into your preferred sauce on the side, condiments are a delicious way to add a little something extra to any dish. The US condiment market offers so many options, and some of them have a much older and international history than you might think! In this episode, join Emily and Katie for a tasty discussion of some of the...

Whether you wear makeup yourself or pass by the large beauty sections in stores, you may have noticed that makeup and beauty products are a big business, but did you know they’re also thousands of years old? Makeup has served different purposes throughout the centuries and is now a constantly evolving trend. From ancient Egypt and notable makeup “influencers” like Nefertiti and Cleopatra to the re...

Katie and Emily can't wait to share season 2 of Researching the Obvious with you! Catch us on all podcast platforms June 17 to start learning even more obvious facts. 

It’s the end of the year and the end of season one of Researching the Obvious. In this episode, Katie and Emily reminisce about some of their favorite facts from this season and add in a few new ones to share. Thank you to everyone who has listened and supported the show over the past 15 episodes! Season two will start in the spring, but in the meantime, if there are any topics you want to learn m...

What was it like to party like it's 1999? Well, it might be a little anxiety inducing because everyone was anticipating the effects of the Y2K computer bug. On its 25th anniversary, Emily and Katie take a look back to the year 2000, share some New Year’s memories, and explore the facts and misconceptions around the Y2K bug, and how people prepared for January 1st, 2000.    What was going on in the...

This “big gooey messy burger” is an iconic American lunchroom staple beloved by both adults and children. How did the Sloppy Joe become so ingrained in our repertoire of convenient quick meals? Its origin story can be traced all the way back to Prohibition, is set in Cuba and Key West, and one of the main characters is Ernest Hemingway. Who would have thought this deliciously simple sandwich would...

What do Katie and Emily do when they are visiting each other for the weekend? Taste test bottled water of course! After receiving feedback on which bottled waters are the best (and worst!), Katie and Emily decide to do their own sleuthing to find their favorites. Listen in as they go through a list of 10 different bottled waters and their flavor profiles, and find out which ones make the grade. If...

There is a wide variety of regional grocery store chains in the US… or are there? Katie and Emily started grocery shopping together when they lived in college and noticed many things about grocery store availability in different states. Walk through the aisles of several grocery chains and learn how they have an influence on the way that you shop for food and some future trends in the grocery stor...

From caskets to cremation, funerals and other death traditions have always been an integral part of the way we celebrate, memorialize and remember those who have passed away. Different cultures across the globe and throughout time have come up with unique ways to handle death and dying. This week, dive into spooky season with Katie and Emily as they discuss death… and maybe some ways to make the t...

It’s that time of year when all things spooky get the spotlight! What’s spookier than an unknown animal lurking just outside of our discovery? Cryptids have long been a part of our curiosity and bring out believers and skeptics alike. Join Emily and Katie for a discussion of fascinating cryptids that remain an unproven mystery and some animals that seemed fantastic but have since been proven to be...

Who doesn’t like a pizza party!? It may be a classic Italian dish, but there’s no denying that pizza has rooted itself in U.S. food culture and is here to stay! Katie and Emily have been eating pizza together since their college days which means they’ve been talking about the pizzas they grew up with and other regional pizza styles for just as long. In this episode, go back to the beginning-ish of...

Anyone who loves a good mystery is familiar with the intrepid girl detective known as Nancy Drew. Intelligent, curious, and a little scrappy, Nancy Drew has won over the hearts and minds of young girls everywhere for nearly a century! Aside from the famous book series, she’s also permeated pop culture through TV, Movies, and PC Games. Emily & Katie dive into the history of Nancy Drew as a char...

Do you have an accent? The answer is undoubtedly YES! Language is constantly evolving and can become a distinct identifier of where you live, where you’re from or both.   Attending school in New England and being from different regions of the US, Katie and Emily have always been fascinated with the way people pronounce words, the words they choose and how it represents where they come from. How di...

Take a guess: what is the most widely sold packaged beverage in the US? If you didn’t guess bottled water, you’re not alone! Katie and Emily have been diving into the bottled water industry throughout the past ten years and unearthed a few facts and figures they find fascinating. Whether you’re a water connoisseur or a tap-only purist, this episode will wet your appetite with some not so obvious r...

Summer Olympics 2024 is here! Whether you’ve been tuning in to the Games or you’ve never watched a single sport, Katie and Emily are here to give you some background knowledge about this international event. Race over to this episode to learn everything from the ancient origins of the games themselves to how much money host cities are truly spending to put on the two-week spectacle.    Why did the...

Do you like to eat? It’s one of Emily & Katie’s favorite hobbies and luckily, from New England to the Midwest, they have lived in and visited several states and cities with unique regional food offerings. In this mouthwatering episode, Emily and Katie discuss what makes a food “regional” in the United States and how our melting pot of cuisines has produced some truly iconic dishes.  What makes...

Join Emily and Katie, two self-proclaimed obsessed cat people discussing the history of the “domestication” of modern house cats. Have you ever seen a cat get random zoomies? That’s kind of like this conversation about how much they love cats. As two dedicated cat guardians, Emily & Katie reflect on their previous kitty companions and obsession with all things cat-related.   How did cats end u...

Americans love their beer and liquor, but when and where can you buy it? It depends on the state, county, or municipality you’re living in! Emily and Katie discuss the various state liquor laws they’ve encountered over the years based on where they’ve lived from New Hampshire to Kansas to Indiana.     Why are liquor laws different between states? What kind of unique regulations do states enforce f...

With two broods emerging simultaneously this year, the media is abuzz with cicada facts.  Emily and Katie reflect on their first conversation about cicadas over ten years ago and what they discovered during a late night google-dive. Join them as they discuss some of the obvious and less obvious knowledge around these fascinating insects.   What is the difference between a cicada and a locust and w...