Researching the Obvious

There’s no shortage of “Housewives”, “Fiancés”, “Voices”, and “Love” reality TV shows to choose from these days, but not too long ago the reality tv industry was just starting to take off. The early 2000s saw a boom in unscripted and “real” competitive and observational tv shows sprouting from a few key programs that set the stage for their success. In this episode, Emily and Katie reminisce about and explore the early days of Reality TV and the core shows that defined a genre that subsequently exploded into spin-offs and unique concepts for years to come.

What were the earliest examples of Reality TV?

What shows saw unprecedented success in the Reality TV Boom of the early 2000s?

What are some defining shows of the Reality genre?

Did Brett Michaels ever find his Rock of Love!? (Spoiler alert: No.)

https://time.com/collections/reality-tv-most-influential-seasons/6199108/reality-tv-influence-on-world/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_(American_TV_series)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Brother_(American_TV_series)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Biggest_Loser_(American_TV_series)

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 drink and some of the more unusual instruments that have been set at tables throughout the years.

When did humans first start using utensils to eat?

What else do cultures use to eat food?

How did the use of forks become popular?

How old are chopsticks and have they changed at all over the years?

https://www.thedailymeal.com/1264581/kfc-spork-success-origin-story/

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://leitesculinaria.com/1157/writings-origins-fork

https://www.salon.com/2012/10/06/consider_the_spork/

https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/invented-spork.htm 

https://stixasia.com/chopsticks-101-types-materials-and-cultural-significance/ 

https://www.history.com/articles/a-brief-history-of-chopsticks 

https://www.saveur.com/weird-victorian-forks/

https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/trends-news/article/history-of-the-straw

https://www.rosenberg-library-museum.org/treasures/victorian-silverware

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 different ways depending on the game? In this episode, Katie and Emily deep dive into that 52 card collection that has led to endless variations of games.

Why is Euchre the cardgame of the Midwest?

How did the standard suits come about?

What are the cultural connections to different card games?

What is the history of the standard 52 card deck?

https://www.wopc.co.uk/the-history-of-playing-cards/early-history-of-playing-cards#Saracen 

https://www.wopc.co.uk/egypt/mamluk-playing-cards 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playing_card 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whist 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triomphe 

https://scalar.usc.edu/works/pest-problems-as-result-of-food-waste-in-london-boroughs/the-untold-history-of-spades-and-how-it-spread

https://pudding.cool/2021/08/spades/

https://www.midstory.org/in-the-euchre-belt-a-declining-national-pastime-is-still-dealing/

https://medium.com/@jasonboog/the-legend-of-euchre-402d419679b5

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 survived the test of time.

Why do we have flavored soda at all?

Who invented Coca Cola and Pepsi?

What exactly goes into a Root Beer?

What are some of the niche regional sodas still popular today?

https://www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia/1253/bws/schhh-you-know-who-the-story-of-schweppes 

https://www.detroithistorical.org/learn/online-research/encyclopedia-of-detroit/vernors-ginger-ale

https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-root-beer-1992386

https://cheerwine.com/about/

https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-coca-cola-1991477

https://www.coca-colacompany.com/about-us/history

https://wacohistory.org/items/show/36

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 Winter Olympics established?

What are the sport classes in the Winter Olympics?

How many athletes and countries participate?

What are some of the most loved sporting events?

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, if there are any topics you want to learn more about, share them on Instagram @ResearchingtheObviouspod. Happy New Year!

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 holiday season for different cultures.

Who are the Yule Lads and the Christmas Cat?

What is the Night of the Radishes?

Why do we send Christmas Cards?

How long has that Yule Log channel been around?

What are some other unusual holiday traditions and myths and where did they originate?

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/before-the-yule-lads-evolved-into-icelandic-versions-santa-claus-they-terrorized-children-into-following-rules-180948162/ 

https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/regina/the-icelandic-yulelads-at-dimmuborgir 

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Krampus 

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/noche-de-rabanos-oaxaca-holiday-celebration 

https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/twelve-grapes-new-years-eve 

https://www.countryliving.com/life/a46116/christmas-crowns/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumbleweed_Tree 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/history-christmas-card-180957487/ 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/un-christmassy-origin-gingerbread-houses-180967461/ 

https://www.history.com/articles/christmas-traditions-history 

https://www.almanac.com/content/christmas-firsts-christmas-traditions-america 

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 United States. In this episode, Emily and Katie go on a journey exploring the many types of bowling, starting with the early years, through the golden age, and discovering what pins are left standing in the game today.

What are bowling’s religious roots?

How did bowling become a distinctive American pastime?

What was the golden age of bowling?

What are the different varieties of bowling and how do they differ from one another?

What are some of the most iconic pop culture bowling moments?

https://sites.psu.edu/ballgamesoftheworld/bowls-and-bowling/small-ball-pin-bowling/

https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/sports/html/bowling.html 

https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/community/duckpin-bowling-history-stoneleigh-lanes-towson/

https://www.bowlingheritage.com/item/rubber-ducks/ 

https://www.thetenpinexpress.com/content/all-you-need-know-about-duckpins 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenpin_bowling#

https://www.gotenpin.co.uk/about/history-of-bowling 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/05/10/bowling-final-frames-roll/27070351/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowling_Alone

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 going next.

What is the difference between a regional, micro, and nano brewery?

What led to the drastic increase in craft breweries?

What differentiates craft breweries from larger domestic breweries?

What are the recent trends in Non-Alcoholic brewing?

https://vinepair.com/map-american-craft-brewing-history/ 

https://www.brewersalliance.org/illustrated-history-beer-america-past-present-future/ 

https://www.wsetglobal.com/knowledge-centre/blog/2024/rule-breaking-american-brewers-and-the-rise-of-craft-beer 

https://www.brewersassociation.org/association-news/2025-midyear-report/ 

https://impossibrew.co.uk/blogs/journal/non-alcoholic-beer-where-did-it-come-from?srsltid=AfmBOorS7m_zxTKhMGC7isUOAqReszHPzKEjpvP4Ppa3s5gSYiZgiBKU

https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/non-alcoholic-beer-is-booming-in-2025-heres-why-craft-brewers-should-pay-attention/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_Brewing_Company 

https://nabeerclub.com/how-non-alcoholic-beer-is-made/ 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/06/07/nonalcoholic-beer-second-largest-category-popularity/83999764007/