Researching the Obvious

What will you be using to eat your dinner tonight? You’re probably reaching for a fork, but in the history of utensils and cutlery using a fork to eat is practically brand new! When exactly did we start using forks, knives, and spoons to eat our meals?  And what about chopsticks, how long have they been around?  In this episode, Emily and Katie explore a brief history of what we use to eat and dri...

Most people have a deck of cards in their home and a go-to game for gatherings. Where you live or your cultural background might influence that game more than you think! Maybe you enter Euchre tournaments, or Spades makes an appearance at your family get together. What about the playing cards themselves? Have you ever wondered where all of those symbols came from? Or why certain cards are used in...

What is your go to soda order at a restaurant?  Do you hope they carry Coke products? Or maybe you’re a Pepsi person?  Most of our beloved and well known soda brands today actually started out in … pharmacies!?  In this episode Emily and Katie dive into the big soda names and their origin stories in the Soda Fountains of the late 19th century as well as some lesser known regional sodas that have s...

Did you miss us? Katie and Emily have been spending the winter months diligently researching all the obvious topics you never thought to look up for yourself. Catch the two of them in Season 3 of Researching the Obvious coming out on June 2, 2026.

BONUS EPISODE!  It’s that time of the year when you’re waiting for the snow to melt and the sun to come back …or maybe you’re enjoying being cozy inside and watching the Winter Olympics! In the midst of the iconic winter sporting event, join Emily and Katie for a little bonus discussion about when the Winter Olympics got started and what kind of sporting events you can expect to see! When were the...

Season 2 of Researching the Obvious is coming to an end. In this episode Emily and Katie review some of their favorite topics and facts of Season 2 and reflect on both surprising revelations and the unexpected paths their research took in various episodes. Thank you to everyone who has listened and supported the show for another season! Season Three will start in the spring, but in the meantime, i...

As the holiday season approaches what traditions are you using to get into the spirit? Would you be waiting for a visit from the Christmas Cat? Or perhaps you would carve a radish, eat a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, or maybe you gather around a giant Christmas Tree made of tumbleweeds? In this episode Emily and Katie explore a variety of unique holiday practices and lore that are part of the...

What do ducks, candles, and turkeys all have in common? It’s not Thanksgiving…it’s bowling, of course! Bowling is a form of entertainment that has firmly rooted itself as an all-American pastime, and there are more variations than you might think! From candlepin to duckpin to the more traditional tenpin, bowling and bowling alleys have international origins but a rich history of popularity in the...

Odds are you live somewhere near a brewery that produces craft beer. That’s because the number of craft breweries in the United States has increased exponentially over the last 30 years. What’s behind this small beer brewing explosion? In this episode Katie and Emily discuss the evolution of the craft beer industry, different types of breweries that have come on the scene, and where craft beer is...

Contrary to pop culture belief, vampires were never meant to be sparkly or live in castles wearing capes! This spooky season episode is all about the frightful and not so delightful monsters and supernatural beings that lurk in the shadows. Join Emily and Katie as they discuss the history of these supernatural creatures, the cultures that shaped them into being, and how the idea of them has change...

Knock once for yes and two for no? In the age of Spiritualism, seances, mediums and contacting “the other side” were not only commonplace but an everyday source of entertainment. The Spiritualist movement has roots in upstate New York and arose during a time of religious, social, and philosophical exploration. In this episode, Emily and Katie explore the historical context of spiritualism, what ki...

Love triangles, friends to lovers, climactic chase-afters, grand epiphanies and declarations of love, oh my! In this follow up to Episode 20, join Emily and Katie for a review of classic examples of both old and new romantic comedies and the characters and tropes that make them iconic. From all the “awwws” to the cringiest moments, see which films stood the test of time and epitomize the Rom Com g...

On the half shell, baked, broiled, grilled, Rockefeller. These small yet versatile bivalves have been an integral part of our American culinary history for hundreds of years. Oysters may be a premium food item now, but once they were so plentiful their shells literally paved the streets of cities! In this episode, join Emily and Katie for a deep dive, or perhaps a dredge or rake, of all things oys...

The discussion of chain restaurants continues! Have you ever noticed that some places seem to have more chain restaurants than others?  And perhaps you’re wondering how some of the most famous chain restaurants got their start and continue to succeed. In this episode, Emily and Katie discuss some of the geographical research around chainness, place and placelessness, and dive into some interesting...

Everyone has a favorite tried and true restaurant when they’re craving a burger, some fried chicken, or that timeless combo of soup, salad, and breadsticks. You know, those restaurants that you come across no matter how far from home you are. Restaurant chains are a ubiquitous presence along highways, in suburbia, and even in small towns. It might be easy to take these food fixtures for granted, b...

Have you ever been “just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her?” Whether it’s a tale of unrequited love, enemies turned lovers, player turned monogamist, or a classic makeover montage, it’s easy to live, love, and laugh through a good rom-com. The romantic comedy film genre has been around for decades, but its roots go back much further, all the way to Ancient Greece, in fact!...

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...