Always Wondered

Always Wondered

Always Wondered. A podcast that takes a lighthearted look at everyday life's little mysteries.

     Have you always wondered who came up with the idea for mouthwash? Who invented the Slinky? Why do we bless someone whenever they sneeze? How come there are dimples on a golf ball? Or what is the origin of the phrase "heard it through the grapevine"? These are the sort of questions that stir our curiosity, and the answers may just surprise you. Join host Rick Peterson every week for a fun and breezy look at some of the things you have always wondered about!

rss_feed RSS Feed

Most Recent Episode

Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Do We Get Butterflies In Our Stomach?

In this episode, why do we get butterflies in our stomach?  No one invited them, so what’s actually going on in there?  Also - hear the strange story of the “Twin Jims”.  Two guys and a coincidence so bizarre, you’d think the universe is messing with us!  Plus - learn why geese fly in the shape of a “V”.   Is it teamwork, a giant arrow pointing the way, or something else entirely?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:08:30
Oct 30, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean

More Episodes

Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 83 Preview

In this upcoming episode, why do we get butterflies in our stomach?  No one invited them, so what’s actually going on in there?  Also - hear the strange story of the “Twin Jims”.  Two guys and a coincidence so bizarre, you’d think the universe is messing with us!  Plus - learn why geese fly in the shape of a “V”.   Is it teamwork, a giant arrow pointing the way, or something else entirely?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

 

00:00:35
Oct 28, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Do We PAY Money to Get Scared?

In this episode of Always Wondered, we solve some of the weird mysteries of Halloween.  Like - why do we enjoy scaring ourselves?  We pay good money just to be frightened half to death!  We’ll explain why.  Also - how come witches ride broomsticks?  They could have conjured up almost anything, so why choose a household cleaning tool?  Plus - how did Orange and Black become the official colors of Halloween?  Was there a run on paint that week, or what is something else?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:08:51
Oct 23, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 82 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we solve some of the weird mysteries of Halloween.  Like - why do we enjoy scaring ourselves?  We pay good money just to be frightened half to death!  We’ll explain why.  Also - how come witches ride broomsticks?  They could have conjured up almost anything, so why choose a household cleaning tool?  Plus - how did Orange and Black become the official colors of Halloween?  Was there a run on paint that week, or what is something else?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:00:41
Oct 21, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why We Eat Popcorn at the Movies?

In this episode, why do men and women constantly battle over the thermostat?  We’ll explain why the sexes seem to have a completely different concept of “comfortable.”  Also - learn how popcorn (once hated by theaters) suddenly became the movie snack of choice!  Plus - was the fitted sheet designed to fit your mattress, or simply invented by someone who thought it’d be fun to watch us try to fold one?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

 

00:09:02
Oct 16, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 81 Preview

In this upcoming episode of Always Wondered, why do men and women constantly battle over the thermostat?  We’ll explain why the sexes seem to have a completely different concept of “comfortable.”  Also - learn how popcorn (once hated by theaters) suddenly became the movie snack of choice!  Plus - was the fitted sheet designed to fit your mattress, or simply invented by someone who thought it’d be fun to watch us try to fold one?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

 

00:00:44
Oct 14, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Elmer's Glue: Who Was Elmer? The Surprising Story.

In this episode, can you really object at a wedding?  Is that an actual thing… or just a plot device dreamed up by Hollywood?  Also - we travel back to a time when people didn’t resolve their disputes with a strongly worded email… instead, they just tossed their opponent out the window!  Plus - we get sticky with the unusual origin story of Elmer’s Glue.  Learn how a mild-mannered bovine became the unsung hero of grade school craft day.  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

00:09:06
Oct 9, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 80 Preview

In this upcoming episode of Always Wondered, can you really object at a wedding?  Is that an actual thing… or just a plot device dreamed up by Hollywood?  Also - we travel back to a time when people didn’t resolve their disputes with a strongly worded email…instead they just tossed their opponent out the window!  Plus - we get sticky with the unusual origin story of Elmer’s Glue.  Learn how a mild-mannered bovine became the unsung hero of grade school craft day.  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:00:40
Oct 7, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Do Humans Have a Protruding Nose? 

In this week’s episode, we ask why humans have a protruding nose?  Practically no other creature does.  So was it millions of years of evolutionary engineering, or did we just need a convenient place to prop up our glasses?  Also - what’s the reason the US continues to measure temperature in Fahrenheit?  We’ll explain why we hold on to it like it’s a prized family heirloom.  Plus - why do cats love knocking things off tables?  Learn if it's instinct or some kind of weird feline experiment in gravity!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:09:11
Oct 2, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 79 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we ask why humans have a protruding nose?  Practically no other creature does.  So was it millions of years of evolutionary engineering, or did we just need a convenient place to prop up our glasses?  Also - what’s the reason the US continues to measure temperature in Fahrenheit?  We’ll explain why we hold on to it like it’s a prized family heirloom.  Plus - why do cats love knocking things off tables?  Learn if it's instinct or some kind of weird feline experiment in gravity!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

 

00:00:48
Sep 30, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Who Invented The Donut? Why is There a Hole in the Middle?

In this episode of Always Wondered, who invented the Donut?  How did these pastries ever wind up with a hole in the middle?  We have the answer.  Also - hear about the time when people were convinced that they were made of glass!  (The story is very true and very weird!)  Plus - learn the origin of the phrase:  Foot the Bill.  How did feet ever become associated with settling an account?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:09:08
Sep 25, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 78 Preview

In this upcoming episode of Always Wondered, who invented the Donut?  How did these pastries ever wind up with a hole in the middle?  We have the answer.  Also - hear about the time when people were convinced that they were made of glass!  (The story is very true and very weird!)  Plus - learn the origin of the phrase:  Foot the Bill.  How did feet ever become associated with settling an account?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:00:38
Sep 23, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why do Songs Get Stuck in our Heads?

In this episode, why do songs get stuck in our heads?  What causes those earworms to book extended stays inside our brains?  We’ll explain why it happens.  Also - hear the story of the strangest courtroom trial in history.  (Spoiler alert:  the defendant was a corpse!)  Plus - learn the origin of the term: deadline.  As it turns out, it was called that for a very good reason!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

00:08:35
Sep 18, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 77 Preview

In this upcoming episode, why do songs get stuck in our heads?  What causes those earworms to book extended stays inside our brains?  We’ll explain why it happens.  Also - hear the story of the strangest courtroom trial in history.  (Spoiler alert:  the defendant was a corpse!)  Plus - learn the origin of the term: deadline.  As it turns out, it was called that for a very good reason!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:00:50
Sep 16, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Do We Cross Our Fingers For Good Luck?

In this episode of Always Wondered, learn why we cross our fingers for luck.  How did twisting our hands into little pretzels become a way for us to cheat fate?   Also - hear the strange theory that claims a big chunk of our recorded history never actually happened!   We’ll untangle one of history’s weirdest mysteries.  Plus - what’s the origin of the phrase “flying off the handle”?  (Hint:  it was a lot more dangerous than just losing your temper!)  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

00:08:35
Sep 11, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 76 Preview

In this upcoming episode of Always Wondered, learn why we cross our fingers for luck.  How did twisting our hands into little pretzels become a way for us to cheat fate?   Also - hear the strange theory that claims a big chunk of our recorded history never actually happened!   We’ll untangle one of history’s weirdest mysteries.  Plus - what’s the origin of the phrase “flying off the handle”?  (Hint:  it was a lot more dangerous than just losing your temper!)  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:00:42
Sep 9, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 75 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore why we blush. We’ll break down the science to explain the reason your face turns the color of a fire truck every time you do something the least bit embarrassing. Also - hear the strange but true tale of America’s very first war. And, no, it wasn’t against the British. This enemy was much smaller and much fluffier! Plus - with football season
here again, we tackle one of the sport’s greatest mysteries. Why do quarterbacks yell “hut”? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

00:00:44
Sep 2, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Are There 60 Minutes in an Hour.  Why not 50?  Or 100?

In this episode, we explore why there are 60 minutes in an hour.  Why not 50?  Or 100?  We’ve got the minute-by-minute details.  Also - if you thought the American people never agreed on anything, wait till you hear the strange-but-true story of the time the government pushed the public just a bit too far!  Plus - learn the origin of the term “brownie points”.  (Spoiler alert:  it has nothing to do with chocolate baked goods!)  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:08:55
Aug 28, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 74 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore why there are 60 minutes in an hour.  Why not 50?  Or 100?  We’ve got the minute-by-minute details.  Also - if you thought the American people never agreed on anything, wait till you hear the strange-but-true story of the time the government pushed the public just a bit too far!  Plus - learn the origin of the term “brownie points”.  (Spoiler alert:  it has nothing to do with chocolate baked goods!)  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:00:46
Aug 26, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Do We Say "In a Jiffy"? How Long is a Jiffy?

In this episode, explore why creepy crawly things make our skin crawl.  Is it evolution?  Culture?  Or are we just a bunch of wimps?  Also - hear one of the strangest unsolved mysteries to come out of the Middle Ages.  It’s the story of two kids who seemingly showed up out of nowhere.  And, oh yeah, they were green!  Plus - discover the origin of the phrase “in a jiffy” - and learn how long a “jiffy” actually lasts!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:08:37
Aug 21, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 73 Preview

In this upcoming episode, explore why creepy crawly things make our skin crawl.  Is it evolution?  Culture?  Or are we just a bunch of wimps?  Also - hear one of the strangest unsolved mysteries to come out of the Middle Ages.  It’s the story of two kids who seemingly showed up out of nowhere.  And, oh yeah, they were green!  Plus - discover the origin of the phrase “in a jiffy” - and learn how long a “jiffy” actually lasts!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:00:40
Aug 19, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Do We Have 10 Fingers?

In this episode, we explore the question: why do we have ten fingers? Was it evolution? Coincidence? Or did eleven just seem far too ambitious? Learn the digit details. Also - we sniff out the strange story of when Hollywood once wanted audiences to not just see the movie - but smell it as well. Plus - it’s a question that has baffled generations. Why do Superheroes wear their underwear on the outside? Yeah, they may have amazing super powers - but apparently getting dressed isn’t one of them! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

00:09:11
Aug 14, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 72 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore the question: why do we have ten fingers? Was it evolution? Coincidence? Or did eleven just seem far too ambitious? Learn the digit details. Also - we sniff out the strange story of when Hollywood once wanted audiences to not just see the movie - but smell it as well. Plus - it’s a question that has baffled generations. Why do Superheroes wear their underwear on the outside? Yeah, they may have amazing super powers - but apparently getting dressed isn’t one of them! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

00:00:47
Aug 12, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Do We Sleep?

In this episode, why do we sleep?  Is it really necessary... or are humans just the world's least efficient appliances?  We have the details.  Also - hear the unusual story of the Oreo.  It’s the sandwich cookie we know and love.    But surprisingly, it wasn’t the first!  We’ll follow the trail of crumbs to bring you the tale.  Plus - learn the origin of the phrase:  Saved by the Bell.  Who was the original “saver” and “savee?”  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:08:55
Aug 7, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean