Omnibus

4.6 (2.5K)
HISTORY
UPDATED WEEKLY

Every week, Ken Jennings and John Roderick add a new entry to the OMNIBUS, an encyclopedic reference work of strange-but-true stories that they are compiling as a time capsule for future generations.

2 DAYS AGO

The Golden Age of Porn (Entry 537.1C0618)

In which we celebrate the post-Valentine's season by looking back at the sleazy 1970s when adult films briefly became mainstream chic, and Ken avoids a Y2K for his marriage. Certificate #25369.

1h 25m
FEB 13

The Oracle of Delphi (Entry 872.1S0911)

In which a veiled, fume-huffing priestess tells the ancient world what to do for over a millennium, and John only knows what time it is from his truck clock. Certificate #25192.

1h 8m
FEB 6

Balloon Man (Entry 094.DE1501)

In which a Disneyland-trained dreamer invents a new art form with the help of a cookie entrepreneur and a jellybean innovator, and Ken has a theory about the worst balloon vendors. Certificate #32691.

1h 29m
JAN 30

The EGOT (Entry 398.AC2810)

In which an inescapable awards-season acronym is jump-started twenty-five years earlier by an eccentric TV cop actor and a pop reference book, and John's family would like to kick in hotel room doors. Certificate #42952.

1h 36m
JAN 23

Martin Luther King, Sr. (Entry 688.PR1301)

In which an Atlanta pastor changes his name after a very inspiring visit to Germany and begins an American civil rights dynasty, and Ken gets to make a chart. Certificate #45274.

1h 14m
JAN 16

Spontaneous Combustion (Entry 1206.PR0627)

In which scientists and paranormal investigators puzzle over a string of mysterious deaths beginning with a "dull and heavy" Italian countess, and John learns about the peat of the Maldives. Certificate #40714.

1h 27m
JAN 9

Canal Mania (Entry 178.PR0516)

In which British investors power the Industrial Revolution with arguably too many waterways for the nation's barges, and Ken thinks escalators are not cheating. Certificate #27217.

1h 28m
JAN 2

The Carrington Event (Entry 189.2P0312)

In which a solar storm in 1859 leads to eye-popping auroras and a harboring of technological doom, and John compares gold pan and pizza sizes. Certificate #54094.

1h 7m

See All (643)

4.6

out of 5

2,528 Ratings

Learn something and occasionally lol irl

4 days ago

Louise's Ears

My regular ‘learn a history lesson’ pods were giving me the sads and somehow I stumbled on this gem. Super duper detailed? No, but I can go elsewhere for that. Informative storytelling sandwiched between random but pleasant yammering? Yes, and that’s exactly what I want right now. Plus I feel like I basically know Seattle now. You know it’s good when even the mean reviews leave 4 stars.
Great Friends - Great Show

Feb 8

Croghan Bologna

The thing that makes this show stellar is the friendship that John and Ken have. Every episode we are invited to hear two men talk about their lives as they weave their way in and out of the topic of the show. I use to think that Omnibus was about a time capsule holding knowledge about obscure topics. I now know that when futurelings uncover these documents, the true treasure will be that some humans of the past took the time to listen, share, and laugh. Thanks John and Ken for not only being friends, but by extension of this podcast, our friends as well. It’s great hanging out with you each week.
First Class

11/13/2024

rt66lady

Thank you for the free lessons! Beautiful show. Really one of the best available. You'd make wonderful teachers.
Pretty good

12/14/2024

Raincloud06

Fun, an acquired taste. John talks… a lot. Still interesting.

Every week, Ken Jennings and John Roderick add a new entry to the OMNIBUS, an encyclopedic reference work of strange-but-true stories that they are compiling as a time capsule for future generations.