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Omnibus

Omnibus
World War II
Kilroy Was Here
Niagara Falls
Chopin
Social Media
Climate Change
Love Canal
Poland
Harambe
Naturism
Child Prodigies
Pornography
Heart
Spam
Comics Code Authority
Hawaii
Neopets
Somerton Man
Comic Sans
Video Rentals

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes701Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Omnibus

Latest Episodes

In which Futureling Loren Skaggs and John discuss Tacoma, Cold War paranoia, the birth of flying saucer mythology, and the Katuga boat trote. Certificate #31561.

In which Futureling Luke Burrage and John discuss the early history of the internet, Claude Shannon, information theory, and one of the least likely professions ever to be called "Sir". Certificate #28099.

In which Brendan McAleer explains how a 1979 Chevrolet Camaro became a lightly armored, smoke-blowing, night-vision-equipped humanitarian savior, which John insists is the coolest car an eleven-year-old could imagine. Certificate #21628.

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Luke Burrage
Professional juggler and researcher; hosts a juggling-related podcast and has deep knowledge of juggling history and culture
Independent
Episode: Jugglers, The Internet (Entry 667.EX0722)
Ken Jennings
Special guest; executive producer and former co-host
Episode: ANNOUNCEMENT: Omnibus Live at the Library of Congress
Brendan McAleer
Automotive writer and photographer, guest commentator on the episode
Episode: The Bosnian War Camaro (Entry 144.MA0718)
Lexi Souter
Guest host brought in to discuss Meigs Field and Chicago's lakefront
Episode: The Bulldozing of Meigs Field (Entry 163.PS3508)
Emily Flake
Proprietor of St. Nell's Humor Writing Residency, cartoonist/writer
St. Nell's Humor Writing Residency
Episode: Nell Gwyn (Entry 557.GE2106)
David Hyde
Public radio producer, guest on the episode
Blue City Blues
Episode: The Astor Place Riot (Entry 76.PR2817)
Nick Butler
Guest, recalls growing up loving wrestling and attending events in upstate New York
Independent listener recalling personal experiences
Episode: The Death of Mr. McMahon (Entry 319.MA0605)
Lisa Lane
Guest on Omnibus discussing doorbells and suburban life
Episode: Doorbells (Entry 372.LU0207)
Bob Crawford
Bass player, Avett Brothers
Avett Brothers
Episode: The Cabinet of Doom (Entry 171.JE0814)

Hosts

Ken Jennings
Ken Jennings, a longtime host with extensive experience in hosting and producing audio/television content.
John Roderick
John Roderick, co-host and longtime contributor with deep interests in history and culture.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 3.9k ratings
  • John and Ken together are great

    I feel bad about my last review so I’m revising. John episodes are great. Ken episodes are great. John and Ken together are great.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kaydoggo
    United Statesa month ago
  • Death of Mr. McMahon

    Mr. McMahon is MY HERO and you shouldn’t have libeled his good name!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RicVinci
    United States3 months ago
  • I miss the old format

    I’ve been Day 1 in the bunker. I have listened since Ken and John decided to start taping their lunch conversations. And I understand the need for Ken to “leave” and I think John is doing his best with all these guest hosts. But the magic isn’t there with random volunteers co-hosts. The barrier to entry might be too low or the topic selection might be too wide. But the show isn’t hitting the highs it used to bring each week.

    I was envisioning a stable of regular cohosts that have some experience... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    KamaSutraMatraCafe
    Canada4 months ago
  • Bring Ken back for good

    Great pod, but we need the band back together again

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anthony_78
    Sweden4 months ago
  • New phase

    You’ve had a lot of good New gas, but I think the dynamic with Erin Dawson is a winner

    Oops wait they both made it weird. Again

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jimmijim
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A mix of playful banter and rigorous discussion keeps episodes compelling.
Guests bring strong expertise and diverse angles.
Some listeners miss the pre-guest-host era and prefer tighter formats.
Shows deep-dacts on obscure topics with engaging host chemistry.
Listeners often praise the show's curiosity and storytelling quality.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#92
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#172
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#220
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#149
Hong Kong/History
Apple Podcasts
#190
Finland/History
Apple Podcasts
#190
Israel/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jugglers, The Internet (Entry 667.EX0722)
Q: Do you know Claude Shannon?
Yes, as explained, Shannon was a juggler who invented digital information concepts; his work on reducing information to ones and zeros laid the groundwork for computing and information theory.
Nell Gwyn (Entry 557.GE2106)
Q: How does Gwyn's story relate to the hosts' current projects?
Her story illustrates how bold, humorous, and collaborative approaches can build lasting communities and careers, much like the hosts' writing residency and publishing initiatives that cultivate voices and networks.
Nell Gwyn (Entry 557.GE2106)
Q: What role did Gwyn play in the court of Charles II beyond acting?
She became one of Charles II's favored mistresses, producing two sons and using connectedness and wit to sustain her influence in a court where women could negotiate power through satire and spectacle.
Nell Gwyn (Entry 557.GE2106)
Q: How did Nell Gwyn rise from an orange seller to a star of the stage?
Her climb was driven by natural wit, timing, and the social shift after the Restoration, which opened opportunities in theater for actresses, allowing her to leverage charm and talent to attract patrons and advance.
The Tommy Westphal Universe (Entry 1315.JO0714)
Q: Were there any canonical boundaries established to keep crossovers from breaking the universe's rules?
Yes, rules were created to limit crossovers, like ensuring fictional brands or items feature prominently in at least one show, and not letting real-world events automatically imply a shared universe.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Omnibus

What is Omnibus about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show weaves eclectic, deep-dive histories with lively banter, covering obscure events, cultural myths, and curious figures from aviation lore to urban planning and beyond. Episodes often pair two hosts with expert guests to dissect how stories become myths, what the evidence shows, and how local histories connect to broader cultural narratives. A distinctive trait is the mix of rigorous storytelling, personal anecdotes, and frequent detours into trivia and side conversations that illuminate how knowledge is curated over time. Listeners can expect well-researched history meets entertaining conversation, with a curiosity-driven approach that appeals to history buffs, culture fans, and those who enjoy a thoughtful, sometimes whimsical exp... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Omnibus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Omnibus:

1. Roderick on the Line
2. Stuff You Should Know
3. Ridiculous History
4. Secretly Incredibly Fascinating
5. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

How many episodes of Omnibus are there?

Omnibus launched 9 years ago and published 701 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Omnibus?

Recent guests on Omnibus include:

1. Luke Burrage
2. Ken Jennings
3. Brendan McAleer
4. Lexi Souter
5. Emily Flake
6. David Hyde
7. Nick Butler
8. Lisa Lane

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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