Always Wondered

In this upcoming episode, we explore why yawning is contagious. Is it empathy? Science? Or are you just hanging out with really boring people? Also, get ready for a countdown of the most annoying sounds known to humankind. (Warning: Your ears are going to hate you by the time this one is done!) Plus, what’s the origin of the phrase “put your best foot forward”? And more importantly, how do we know which is the best one? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this upcoming episode, we explore why yawning is contagious. Is it empathy? Science? Or are you just hanging out with really boring people? Also, get ready for a countdown of the most annoying sounds known to humankind. (Warning: Your ears are going to hate you by the time this one is done!) Plus, what’s the origin of the phrase “put your best foot forward”? And more importantly, how do we know which is the best one? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this episode, we salute the Month of May.  Hear the weird story of the woman who created Mother’s Day - only to spend the rest of her life trying to cancel it!  Also, we look at Cinco De Mayo.  How did an obscure Mexican battle turn into a full-blown American fiesta?  Plus - learn the origin of the term “mayday” - a simple word that somehow means “everything has gone completely wrong.”  So celebrate May, as host Rick Peterson answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this upcoming episode, we salute the Month of May.  Hear the weird story of the woman who created Mother’s Day - only to spend the rest of her life trying to cancel it!  Also, we look at Cinco De Mayo.  How did an obscure Mexican battle turn into a full-blown American fiesta?  Plus - learn the origin of the term “mayday” - a simple word that somehow means “everything has gone completely wrong.”  So celebrate May, as host Rick Peterson answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this episode, we explore the origin of the Alarm Clock.  Before it was ever invented, humans used a truly bizarre way to make sure people woke up on time!  And we’ve got all the crazy details.  Also, waving is one of humanity’s oldest customs.  But how did swatting our hand in the air become our go-to greeting?  Plus - what’s the story behind the phrase “pass the buck”?  A practice that started in Old West saloons somehow became the ultimate way to shirk responsibility!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

In this upcoming episode, we explore the origin of the Alarm Clock.  Before it was ever invented, humans used a truly bizarre way to make sure people woke up on time!  And we’ve got all the crazy details.  Also, waving is one of humanity’s oldest customs.  But how did swatting our hand in the air become our go-to greeting?  Plus - what’s the story behind the phrase “pass the buck”?  A practice that started in Old West saloons somehow became the ultimate way to shirk responsibility!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

In this episode of Always Wondered, we explore when hydration became an obsession.  How did we go from drinking from the garden hose to always carrying designer water bottles?  We’ll get to the bottom of this H2O mystery.  Also, can you imagine some of your favorite movies with completely different leading actors? You’ll be scratching your head as we uncover some of Hollywood’s craziest “almost” casting choices.     Plus - learn the origin of the phrase:  “Let the chips fall where they may.  Was it computer chips, potato chips, or something else entirely?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In our upcoming episode of Always Wondered, we explore when hydration became an obsession.  How did we go from drinking from the garden hose to always carrying designer water bottles?  We’ll get to the bottom of this H2O mystery.  Also, can you imagine some of your favorite movies with completely different leading actors? You’ll be scratching your head as we uncover some of Hollywood’s craziest “almost” casting choices.     Plus - learn the origin of the phrase:  “Let the chips fall where they may.  Was it computer chips, potato chips, or something else entirely?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

In this episode of Always Wondered, buckle up as we decode the different shapes of traffic signs.  Learn why your daily commute feels like an eighth-grade geometry quiz!  Also, during the 1960s Space Race, the US and the Soviet Union weren’t the only players.  Hear the weird story of one country where the “right stuff” was basically “the only stuff available.”  Plus - we reveal the origin of the phrase “the handwriting is on the wall.”  It turns out that ancient doom messages didn’t come on Post-It Notes!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this upcoming episode of Always Wondered, buckle up as we decode the different shapes of traffic signs.  Learn why your daily commute feels like an eighth-grade geometry quiz!  Also, during the 1960s Space Race, the US and the Soviet Union weren’t the only players.  Hear the weird story of one country where the “right stuff” was basically “the only stuff available.”  Plus - we reveal the origin of the phrase “the handwriting is on the wall.”  It turns out that ancient doom messages didn’t come on Post-It Notes!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

In this upcoming episode, we explore why most people are right-handed.  Is it evolution?  The brain?  Or is the left hand secretly plotting something?  Also, now that baseball season is here, we slide into some of the weirdest moments in baseball history.  Hear about the times when logic took the day off, and chaos put on cleats!   Plus - learn the delicious origin of the phrase “living high on the hog”.  Are we talking about luxury, or just really good bacon?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this upcoming episode, we explore why most people are right-handed.  Is it evolution?  The brain?  Or is the left hand secretly plotting something?  Also, now that baseball season is here, we slide into some of the weirdest moments in baseball history.  Hear about the times when logic took the day off, and chaos put on cleats!   Plus - learn the delicious origin of the phrase “living high on the hog”.  Are we talking about luxury, or just really good bacon?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this episode of Always Wondered, we explore the accidental origin of the Chocolate Chip Cookie - proof that sometimes mistakes can be delicious!  Also - prepare for a mind-bending look into the Mandela Effect.  Are your memories wrong, or did we somehow shift to an alternate universe?  Plus - hear the weird story behind the phrase “the Graveyard Shift”.  It’s darker and creepier than you might expect!  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In our next episode of Always Wondered, we explore the accidental origin of the Chocolate Chip Cookie - proof that sometimes mistakes can be delicious!  Also - prepare for a mind-bending look into the Mandela Effect.  Are your memories wrong, or did we somehow shift to an alternate universe?  Plus - hear the weird story behind the phrase “the Graveyard Shift”.  It’s darker and creepier than you might expect!  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

This week on Always Wondered, we explore your brain’s favorite pastime - Phobias!  Why does something that seems totally harmless suddenly have our knees knocking?  We’ll try to make sense of it all.  Also, how come one of your shoelaces always comes untied before the other?  Science has actually studied this, and we’ll have the details.  Plus, we dive into one of the great mysteries of grocery shopping.  Why do hot dogs come ten to a pack, but buns only eight to a pack?  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

This week on Always Wondered, we explore your brain’s favorite pastime - Phobias!  Why does something that seems totally harmless suddenly have our knees knocking?  We’ll try to make sense of it all.  Also, how come one of your shoelaces always comes untied before the other?  Science has actually studied this, and we’ll have the details.  Plus, we dive into one of the great mysteries of grocery shopping.  Why do hot dogs come ten to a pack, but buns only eight to a pack?  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

On this episode, St. Patrick’s Day is filled with tradition. But it turns out that many of those myths were invented by someone who probably had one too many green beers! We’ll cut through all the blarney. Also - hear the story of what may be the craziest toy ever marketed to kids. (Spoiler alert: you might want to have a Geiger counter handy!) Plus - why do we say “shh’ whenever we want quiet? Is it science? Instinct? Or just humanity’s universal sound for “zip it”? So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

On this episode, St. Patrick’s Day is filled with tradition. But it turns out that many of those myths were invented by someone who probably had one too many green beers! We’ll cut through all the blarney. Also - hear the story of what may be the craziest toy ever marketed to kids. (Spoiler alert: you might want to have a Geiger counter handy!) Plus - why do we say “shh’ whenever we want quiet? Is it science? Instinct? Or just humanity’s universal sound for “zip it”? So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

On this episode, we dive into the surprisingly spooky reason we throw salt over our shoulders.  Are we trying to season evil spirits or simply wasting perfectly good sodium chloride?  We have all the salty details.  Also, why did Fairy Tales originally seem like nightmare fuel?  There was actually a very good reason, and you’ll hear the story.  Plus, we explain the origin of the phrase “wear your heart on your sleeve”.  It turns out it’s much more than just a dramatic fashion statement!  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

On this upcoming episode, we dive into the surprisingly spooky reason we throw salt over our shoulders.  Are we trying to season evil spirits or simply wasting perfectly good sodium chloride?  We have all the salty details.  Also, why did Fairy Tales originally seem like nightmare fuel?  There was actually a very good reason, and you’ll hear the story.  Plus, we explain the origin of the phrase “wear your heart on your sleeve”.  It turns out it’s much more than just a dramatic fashion statement!  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

In this episode, we explore the concept of Karma.  Is it really an ancient cosmic justice system, or just the universe’s most aggressive rumor?  Also, the weather can be weird, but what fell from the skies over Kentucky in 1876 defies description!  You’ll probably want an umbrella handy when you hear this one.  Plus - we tackle one of humanity’s boldest experiments in collective confusion.  Yup, it’s Daylight Saving Time.  (Need we say more?)  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

On this upcoming episode, we explore Karma.  Is it really an ancient cosmic justice system, or just the universe’s most aggressive rumor?  Also, the weather can be weird, but what fell from the skies over Kentucky in 1876 defies description!  You’ll probably want an umbrella handy when you hear this one.  Plus - we tackle one of humanity’s boldest experiments in collective confusion.  Yup, it’s Daylight Saving Time.  (Need we say more?)  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.     

On this episode, we tackle the prickly mystery of goosebumps.  Why is it whenever we get scared, our skin decides to do tiny hair push-ups?  We’ve got the details.  Also, we’ll reveal what may be the strangest Cold War military plot ever devised.  Spoiler alert:  you’ll never look at the Moon the same way again!  Plus - it’s our very first Always Wondered Pop Quiz.  (But don’t worry.  This test won’t count toward your final grade.)  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

On this episode, we tackle the prickly mystery of goosebumps.  Why is it whenever we get scared, our skin decides to do tiny hair push-ups?  We’ve got the details.  Also, we’ll reveal what may be the strangest Cold War military plot ever devised.  Spoiler alert:  you’ll never look at the Moon the same way again!  Plus - it’s our very first Always Wondered Pop Quiz.  (But don’t worry.  This test won’t count toward your final grade.)  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

The Winter Olympics are in full swing, so on this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the weird side of the greatest games in the world.  We’ll explore the moments they rehearsed for months - and yet still managed to mess up.  Strange sports that somebody once thought were a good idea.  Plus medals, mascots, and mishaps that’ll make you say “wait, what?”  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the Olympic-sized questions you’ve Always Wondered about.          

The Winter Olympics are in full swing, so on this upcoming episode, we’re diving headfirst into the weird side of the greatest games in the world.  We’ll explore the moments they rehearsed for months - and yet still managed to mess up.  Strange sports that somebody once thought were a good idea.  Plus medals, mascots, and mishaps that’ll make you say “wait, what?”  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the Olympic-sized questions you’ve Always Wondered about.          

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and we are diving deep into the wild and often weird customs that make up the holiday.  But don’t expect roses and romance.  Instead, Valentine’s Day is steeped in animal sacrifices, mystery saints, babies with lethal weapons, and traditions that make you ask, ‘Who thought this was a good idea?’  Join host Rick Peterson for this special Valentine's episode as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.    

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and we are diving deep into the wild and often weird customs that make up the holiday.  But don’t expect roses and romance.  Instead, Valentine’s Day is steeped in animal sacrifices, mystery saints, babies with lethal weapons, and traditions that make you ask, ‘Who thought this was a good idea?’  Join host Rick Peterson for this special Valentine's episode as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.    

On this episode, we pay tribute to the month of February - exploring the weird history of how February drew the short straw when it came to days.  Also, you may have seen some unusual dance crazes over the years, but nothing compares to the time that people in a small town literally danced themselves to death!  (Spoiler alert:  the story is as strange as it sounds!)  Plus - we all use Q-Tips.  But where did they come from, and what exactly does the “Q”  stand for?  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

On this upcoming episode, we pay tribute to the month of February - exploring the weird history of how February drew the short straw when it came to days.  Also, you may have seen some unusual dance crazes over the years, but nothing compares to the time that people in a small town literally danced themselves to death!  (Spoiler alert:  the story is as strange as it sounds!)  Plus - we all use Q-Tips.  But where did they come from, and what exactly does the “Q”  stand for?  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

In this episode, we explore why we always close our eyes when we sneeze. It’s as if our bodies are telling us: “Look away, nothing to see here.”  We dive into the science behind it all.  Also - an investigation into the weird disappearing act of TV sitcom siblings.  It’s been going on for years and even has a name: “The Chuck Cunningham Syndrome”.  Plus - why do we say “O’Clock” whenever we give the time?  We turn back the clock to find the reason.  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

On this upcoming episode, we explore why we always close our eyes when we sneeze. It’s as if our bodies are telling us: “Look away, nothing to see here.”  We dive into the science behind it all.  Also - an investigation into the weird disappearing act of TV sitcom siblings.  It’s been going on for years and even has a name: “The Chuck Cunningham Syndrome”.  Plus - why do we say “O’Clock” whenever we give the time?  We turn back the clock to find the reason.  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

On this episode, we're heading straight for the dessert table.  When did dessert become a thing?  And, more importantly, who do we thank for all that sweet goodness?  Also, why do we yell "Great Scott" whenever something extraordinary happens?  Learn the identity of Scott and what makes him so great.    Plus - hear about the strangest spy gadget ever devised by the C.I.A.  It's the story of how a house cat was turned into a secret agent.  (Yes, it's as weird as it sounds!)  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.

On this upcoming episode, we're heading straight for the dessert table.  When did dessert become a thing?  And, more importantly, who do we thank for all that sweet goodness?  Also, why do we yell "Great Scott" whenever something extraordinary happens?  Learn the identity of Scott and what makes him so great.    Plus - hear about the strangest spy gadget ever devised by the C.I.A.  It's the story of how a house cat was turned into a secret agent.  (Yes, it's as weird as it sounds!)  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.  

On this episode, we ask why your grocery store line always seems to move more slowly than the rest!  Is it bad luck?  Or is the Universe secretly out to get you?  Also, America loves Hot Dogs, but who exactly invented them?  The answer may be as mysterious as the ingredient list.  Plus, was there ever a day in the news when there was absolutely nothing to report?  Surprisingly, yes!  And you'll learn all about it...as host Rick Peterson answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.  

On this upcoming episode, we ask why your grocery store line always seems to move more slowly than the rest!  Is it bad luck?  Or is the Universe secretly out to get you?  Also, America loves Hot Dogs, but who exactly invented them?  The answer may be as mysterious as the ingredient list.  Plus, was there ever a day in the news when there was absolutely nothing to report?  Surprisingly, yes!  And you'll learn all about it...as host Rick Peterson answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.  

On this episode, we explore the Universe's cruelest practical joke -- Hiccups.  Why do we get them?  And more importantly, why do they arrive at the worst possible time?  Also - the story behind the weirdest baby accessory ever!  It was once a real thing, but when you learn about it, you're going to say "wait, what?"  Plus - the origin of the phrase "start from scratch".  It had to come from somewhere, and we have the details.  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.

On this upcoming episode, we explore the Universe's cruelest practical joke -- hiccups.  Why do we get them?  And more importantly, why do they arrive at the worst possible time?  Also - the story behind the weirdest baby accessory ever!  It was once a real thing, but when you learn about it - you're going to say "wait, what?"  Plus - the origin of the phrase "start from scratch".  It had to come from somewhere, and we have the details.  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.  

On this episode, we're giving New Year's Day its time in the spotlight - diving into the colorful and often weird traditions that make up the holiday.  From cheering for a dropping ball to mangling the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne, we'll explore the customs we love.  Plus - who exactly decided the New Year officially begins on January First?  You'll learn that too.  So pop some cheap champagne and grab a party hat as host Rick Peterson answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.

On this episode, we're giving New Year's Day its time in the spotlight - diving into the colorful and often weird traditions that make up the holiday.  From cheering for a dropping ball to mangling the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne, we'll explore the customs we love.  Plus - who exactly decided the New Year officially begins on January First?  You'll learn that too.  So pop some cheap champagne and grab a party hat as host Rick Peterson answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.  

On this episode, we dive headfirst into the wild, wonderful, and sometimes weirdtraditions that make up Christmas.  From dragging trees into the house, kissingunder the mistletoe, and carolers showing up uninvited - to Santa, sleighs, andreindeer logistics - we explore the origins of some of our favorite holidaycustoms!  So untangle yourself from those Christmas lights and join host RickPeterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.

On this upcoming episode, we dive headfirst into the wild, wonderful, and sometimes weird traditions that make up Christmas.  From dragging trees into the house, kissingunder the mistletoe, and carolers showing up uninvited - to Santa, sleighs, andReindeer Logistics - We explore the origins of some of our favorite holidaycustoms!  So untangle yourself from those Christmas lights and join host RickPeterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.

On this episode, we ask the question:  when did clowns become creepy?  How did we go from "fun with balloon animals" to "I'm sleeping with the lights on?"  We'll look beyond the face paint to figure it all out.  Also - what makes Rice Krispies go Snap, Crackle and Pop?  Learn about the science experiment that's happening in your breakfast cereal bowl.  Plus - what was the most valuable heist of all time?  Hear the wild story that proves truth is often stranger than fiction!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about. 

In this upcoming episode, we ask: when did clowns become creepy?  How did we go from "fun with balloon animals" to "I'm sleeping with the lights on?"  We'll look beyond the face paint to figure it all out.  Also - what makes Rice Krispies go Snap, Crackle and Pop?  Learn about the science experiment that's happening in your breakfast cereal bowl.  Plus - what was the most valuable heist of all time?  Hear the wild story that proves truth is often stranger than fiction!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about. 

On this episode, we explore why movie trailers go before the movie, even though their name literally screams "I go last!"  We'll dive head first into the cinematic chaos.   Also - hear the wild story of how the song "Yankee Doodle" started as the ultimate insult but somehow became one of our most enduring patriotic classics.  Plus - why are blue jeans blue?  Why not purple?  Or Chartreuse?  Or glow-in-the-dark neon green?  Learn all the surprising fashion facts!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.

On this upcoming episode, we explore why movie trailers go before the movie, even though their name literally screams "I go last!"  We'll dive head first into the cinematic chaos.   Also - hear the wild story of how the song "Yankee Doodle" started as the ultimate insult but somehow became one of our most enduring patriotic classics.  Plus - why are blue jeans blue?  Why not purple?  Or Chartreuse?  Or glow-in-the-dark neon green?  Learn all the surprising fashion facts!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.

On this episode, we look at the weirdest thing that the Post Office ever allowed people to mail.  And when you hear the answer, you're going to say "wait, what??"  Also - do our pets actually dream...or are those moans and paw twitches strictly for our own amusement?  Plus - why do we say P.U. when something stinks?  Is it an acronym...or just another way to spell "gag me with a spoon?"  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've always wondered about.    

On this upcoming episode, we look at the weirdest thing that the Post Office ever allowed people to mail.  And when you hear the answer, you're going to say "wait, what??"  Also - do our pets actually dream...or are those moans and paw twitches strictly for our own amusement?  Plus: why do we say 'P.U.' when something stinks?  Is it an acronym...or just another way to spell "gag me with a spoon?"  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've always wondered about.    

On this episode, hear about the time that extra-terrestrials may have actually given us a shout-out!  Was it a cosmic prank, or maybe just an intergalactic butt dial?  We're looking to the skies for the strange tale of the "Wow Signal."  Also, exactly how true are the Old Wives' Tales?  Are they pearls of wisdom, or just something our grandmothers said to make us behave?  Plus - where did the phrase "take 40 winks" come from?  We've got the story behind this sleepy little saying.  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about. 

On this upcoming episode, hear about the time that extra-terrestrials may have actually given us a shout-out!  Was it a cosmic prank, or maybe just an intergalactic butt dial?  We're looking to the skies for the strange tale of the "Wow Signal."  Also, exactly how true are the Old Wives' Tales?  Are they pearls of wisdom, or just something our grandmothers said to make us behave?  Plus - where did the phrase "take 40 winks" come from?  We've got the story behind this sleepy little saying.  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you've Always Wondered about.