Omnibus

Omnibus

History EN ↓ 716 episodes

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.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.omnibusproject.com

Author

Omnibus

Category

History

Podcast website

www.omnibusproject.com

Latest episode

Oct 20, 2026

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Episodes

Duchenne Smiles (Entry 385.PR1513) 29.05.2018

In which we examine how flight attendants smile, baby chimps play, botox treats mental illness, and Oscar the Grouch was a harsh wake-up call for Gen X kids. Certificate #42013.

The Port Chicago Disaster (Entry 967.AC1940) 24.05.2018

In which a Victory ship full of ammunition ignites a three-mile fireball, which in turn ignites the biggest mutiny trial in American history. Certificate #32844.

Gordon Lish (Entry 726.2C0113) 22.05.2018

In which Raymond Carver becomes a literary superstar largely thanks to one brilliant, heavy-handed editor, and Ken and John share a very controversial Blade Runner take. Certificate #24875.

Spanish Fly (Entry 1195.SS0713) 17.05.2018

In which a poison made from dried beetles becomes a schoolyard legend as an alleged aphrodisiac, foreshadowing our modern age of creepy predator celebrities and erectile dysfunction infomercials. Certificate #31327.

The Moon Illusion (Entry 806.JB3126) 15.05.2018

In which we learn why the moon looks so much larger at the horizon, whether your fingernails can out-race Portugal, and whether Ken or John has the better Axl Rose impression. Certificate #18042.

Tylenol Murders (Entry 1354.IS2915) 10.05.2018

In which John runs down the disturbing history of product tampering, from Bromo-Seltzer to baby food, and listeners are strongly discouraged from committing murder. Certificate #27765.

William Rufus King (Entry 688.LK1734) 08.05.2018

In which a U.S. vice-president spends his entire six-week term dying in Cuba, and Ken reads some fun, flirty letters from future president James Buchanan. Certificate #39087.

Backyard Blast Furnaces (Entry 091.EZ2220) 03.05.2018

In which John explains why it's a bad idea to smelt iron on your deck or patio, a seemingly obvious life tip that seems to have escaped Chairman Mao. Certificate #30148.

The Washington Generals (Entry 1411.HE1212) 01.05.2018

In which we celebrate a basketball team that never gets to celebrate, because they've lost to their rivals 17,000 times. Certificate #46102.

Checkerboarding (Entry 210.NU2653) 26.04.2018

In which the U.S. government pixelates the American West with land grants to railroads. Certificate #6798.

Bir Tawil (Entry 126.EZ2010) 24.04.2018

In which Ken confesses that he might have caused a land grab in the middle of the Nubian Desert. Certificate #50204.

Hypercolor (Entry 611.GE3703) 19.04.2018

In which we revisit 1991's briefest, brightest fashion fad, and John ponders what to do with our nation's biggest problem: awkward middle-schoolers. Certificate #26275.

The Angels of Mons (Entry 047.PS9111) 17.04.2018

In which an unsuccessful horror writer accidentally rewrites the history of the Western Front, and Ken is clearly annoyed at having to learn the history of the Western Front. Certificate #21873.

Canadian Floating Feet (Entry 178.RV2013) 12.04.2018

In which sneakers keep washing onto the beaches of British Columbia with the feet of mystery people still inside, may God rest their soles. Certificate #27174.

Vending Machines (Entry 1387.DE0228) 10.04.2018

In which Ken runs down the list of everything that could ever be bought by putting coins in slots, from religious awe to banned books to pancake mix. Certificate #16697.

Call Signs (Entry 176.1S1007) 05.04.2018

In which we learn why US radio stations start with a K or a W, and how to get hold of Ken's dad in case of a national emergency. Certificate #28337.

Hachiko (Entry 559.PR2006) 03.04.2018

In which a Scottish policeman, a Tokyo professor, and Mary Queen of Scots have very loyal dogs, but a young John Roderick does not. Certificate #24139.

(LIVE) Lake Missoula (Entry 697.GN0710) 29.03.2018

In which a prehistoric ice dam breaks and 500 cubic miles of water reshape the Pacific Northwest. Certificate #17528

(LIVE) Tuvan Throat Singers (Entry 1351.PS13704) 27.03.2018

In which Ken attempts to teach a new superpower--Central Asian overtone singing--to John and a live audience. Certificate #40632.

Milli Vanilli (Entry 789.JB2704) 22.03.2018

In which a German record producer hires two male models to lip-sync his hits, leading to--girl, you know it's true!--one Grammy, one class-action lawsuit, and one tragic death. Certificate #35145.

Mary Anning (Entry 050.PS3420) 20.03.2018

In which a working-class woman becomes one of the greatest scientists of her age, discovers dinosaur poop, and sells seashells by the seashore. Certificate #36073.

S.S. United States (Entry 1213.JB0926) 15.03.2018

In which an aluminum-heavy cruise liner falls on hard times, and John and Ken can't decide if "Blue Riband" is actually French or not. Certificate #39390.

Rubber Barons (Entry 1087.EZ1613) 13.03.2018

In which Ken describes the nouveau riche of the Amazon rainforest, and John has a conspiracy theory about scarecrows. Certificate #25284.

Father Coughlin (Entry 284.MT2309) 08.03.2018

In which a fiery Canadian gets 30 million Depression-era listeners for his little fascist radio show, and Ken and John pledge fealty to Martian invaders. Certificate #29423

The Noid (Entry 840.PR0415) 06.03.2018

In which a claymation terrorist with inexplicable bunny ears disrupts pizza, takes hostages, and wins America's heart. Certificate #29250

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