Omnibus

by Omnibus
2,378
History #94

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.

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Recent Reviews
  • manayunk wall
    a group of pedants is called a graffitos!
    fun facts delivered with quick and inventive verbal humor!
  • James Asch
    Awesome podcast
    Ken and John have a great dynamic and always put an interesting spin on the topic of the week. I love the side info on the Seattle area of Washington (where my wife is from) and Ken’s memories of living in Korea, where my family and I lived for many years.
  • Angradi
    Discursive, not authoritative, but essential
    Always entertaining
  • SeaSiren11
    Sacagawea
    A show where a sheltered trivia Mormon with a lateral lisp teams up with an ex addict/alcoholic that is entirely narcissistic and feels the need to prove himself talk about things and see who has a greater comeback. No humility here. Also learn how to correctly pronounce her name if you’re going to consistently circle jerk your egos.
  • sunnywz
    My favorite podcast
    My husband and I plan our Tuesdays to listen to Omnibus. It’s one of the highlights of our week. We re-listen to old episodes all the time. Ken and John are entertaining, smart, funny, and down-to-earth.
  • Astormchaser
    I wish they still did two a week
    It’s my go to podcast on long drives
  • TannerBush
    Love the show but…
    Too much white racism. Apparently no other cultures and races are human and have feelings of racism. After reading the reviews on here, I mostly detect racism against white people. The hate and vitriol from these reviewers is astounding. So much hate towards one group of people…. I’m just asking for equal treatment of all people. How many white people are welcome in white minority countries? Pretty sure they would be greatly discriminated against IF they were even allowed in most of those places. The hate for white people across the globe is horrible. None of these “loving and accepting minority countries” have any diversity at all. How much diversity in Africa? In Asia? In South America? Almost none. The hate mongering white people of America and Western Europe seem to be the only ones that encourage diversity in practice. But I know I can’t change your mind. Facts are only important if they meet your ideology.
  • Erica Vanaver (@EricaLaughing)
    Great! Though…
    This podcast is awesome. You should definitely listen to it. But, personally, I haven’t been able to listen since John said his voice made women horny. Because, ew.
  • DanHalen1138
    Great show on the cheap
    Amazing show, I look forward to it every week. I’d donate to patreon, but like Morgan… Adam rides for free.
  • Ddaaadd
    Super cool show
    John & Ken are the best part of my week!!!! I have listened to all of the shows twice and am working on my third time through the shows. Hope to someday have enough money to be a Pateron supporter
  • Billyball80
    Esoteric knowledge galore
    Love the show One suggestion … “Rocky Horror Picture Show” I saw it back around 1979, I think. My daughter saw it a couple times. In 2024. Toast. Rice. Dialog. This is perfect for youse guys.
  • GoldilocksSF
    Hearing you guys makes me happy
    Ken and John, thank you 🙏 🤩 you guys make me happy, you make me laugh, and you make me feel safe in these strange times. All of your podcasts are funny, smart and I love them.
  • justthisnexttime
    One of the top joys in my life (seriously)
    I don’t get the people angry about them taking so long to get to the topic. They’re entertainers, if you want a list of facts Google it, ding dongs. I listen and re-listen to Omnibus daily. John is so human that I sometimes forget how smart he is. The mispronunciations, the cryptic allusions to his love life, his issues with social media... listening to his lovely voice is like a big hug. Youtube the talk he did at the XOXO Festival to truly appreciate his brilliance. (and for what it’s worth, he seems like a wonderful dad) Ken is what I would choose as a video game avatar. So much knowledge right at his fingertips. It’s genuinely thrilling to hear him in conversation. He could so easily be an insufferable nerd but instead he’s just funny and cool. His tact and social skills border on art. Also, he keeps me up to date on PC terminology, which I unironically appreciate. I have huge crushes on them both, and I’m very grateful to have found this podcast. I hope they continue making it for many years to come.
  • statedept1515
    Intros way too long
    Just get to it, already!
  • giraffebitebetty
    Down with beavers!
    Always a rollicking good time. Extra emphasis on the horror that is white people, as well as the horror that is beavers. Both groups being fully bent on fashioning the world exactly into what THEY want it to be.
  • STLAJ
    Omnibus Continues to Entertain Me
    Hard to believe I’ve been enjoying this podcast since 2017 and have been a proud Patreon supporter since the pandemic. Doing my civic duty as a fan to push down white supremacists and concern trolls.
  • Persistentgaze
    Always a good listen
    Gen-X white racist culture denigration is my love language and boy, do these guys deliver! Endlessly fascinating episodes and their opening theme slaps!
  • Chi Chi Watson
    Even more hilarious at 1.25x or 1.5x.
    Sped up they don’t last as long, but the laughs last longer. These guys are brilliant together. Def the best podcast.
  • Johnnn and stuff
    You never know what the next ep will bring
    John & Ken deliver a warm and funny reading of unique and far flung tidbits from recent history, powered by their enjoyable banter, liberally sprinkled with tales of John’s long-ago walking trip across Europe, WWII airplanes, Gen Ex / Millennial adjacent pop culture and occasional mentions of local landmarks of the Great Pacific Northwest that will keep a smile on the faces of nerds everywhere. Comfort listening at its best
  • Kinga55
    Stay Racist…
    Please continue your clear and obvious agenda against whites. 🤣
  • Freerangemink
    I used to love this show.
    I used to love the show and I still do. I have listened to every episode except a couple that looked sorta gross. Keep on truckin'!
  • MandyO2377
    Possibly my favorite podcast ever
    It's the perfect combination of information and nonsense. In my opionion, the best podcasts are the ones where you learn something, and the ones where you're just listining to friends having a good conversation; this one is both. As a Seattle-area native, it's also suprisingly gratifying to hear all of the hyper-specific local references. Of all the podcasts I follow, this is the one I look forward to the most.
  • I like Filson too.
    It’s worse than you think
    As many of the reviews state, it’s a roiling cesspool of drivel and unrelated chatter that wanders like a unwatched, intact bloodhound. Sometimes it takes 40 mins to get to the topic itself. They’re semi-offensive to countless cultures including those of all color and continent including whites, Italians, Canadians, and seemingly African Americans based on some of the other reviews (though I’m 99.99% white based on what 23 & Me says, so what do I know). Constant references that require an understanding of the writings of Edward Abby, pop culture of the 1900s, and a shockingly high level of understanding of the local geography of the PNW. Anger inducing comments pointing to walking across Europe. It’s almost as though they’re trying to make people insane. Would recommend. Listen with friends.
  • Falling Short
    Great Show For History Nerds
    Each episode gives a glimpse into a very specific bit of ephemera from history. The topic is discussed with intelligent, and not precious, humor. One of the hosts was “canceled” at a point in the past for suggesting his daughter should know how to use a can opener. The other is the 2nd name that comes to mind when you think about Jeopardy. I subtracted a star simply because they don’t denigrate white people enough for my taste.
  • ohgdaetiohfzerbji
    Esoterica, culture, history, and wit
    This is by far my favorite podcast, featuring two very smart, witty guys (one indie rocker and one “Jeopardy!” star) who delve into all sorts of fascinating stories, from the invention of Doritos to the world’s catchiest pseudo-English Italian pop song to the time St. Nicholas punched a guy in the face. Out of all of this shows I subscribe to, this is the one I drop everything to listen to every Thursday.
  • PE Norris
    High point of my podcast listening week for years
    Omnibus has been the highlight of my weekly podcast rotation for years now. Its strangely rare to have access to Gen X voices; John and Ken never disappoint. The weekly dynamic always puts me in mind of late night conversations with sadly absent friends. Thanks for keeping the show alive this long without any drop in quality.
  • sdeshields
    Sleng Teng episode
    As a Jamaican I couldn’t stop cringing and had to stop listening. It was giving civil war described by the south vibes. One of the hosts was especially unbearable - unclear why he spoke about reggae music when he doesn’t enjoy it. Would recommend either bringing in Jamaican recording professionals if budget allows and/or self-education on how to speak about other cultures in a respectful way.
  • JyoshuaCade
    Greater than the sum of its parts
    I listen every week and I really enjoy the clever anecdotes and quick witted banter of the friendship which is recorded for posterity.
  • Louise's Ears
    Learn something and occasionally lol irl
    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.
  • Colindro "THE DAMAGER"
    So Fun
    So many obscure references and extra fun for residents of Seattle.
  • ScootDolor
    Needs attention.
    For example the podcast site still reads that two shows per week. It’s now one lone show.
  • Thorium9000
    Some good stuff
    Buried inside an ocean of mediocre banter.
  • Laarubh
    Good Podcast!
    They come at some well trod podcast topics from interesting angles and add new information I hadn’t heard before AND cover topics I’ve never heard discussed. I got here via that Sight and Sound episode recommended on the Blank Check subreddit. I bounced around through some other topics I was already interested in and now am starting at the beginning ready to listen to the whole thing.
  • GoJamesHolzhauer
    Good
    I am a tween jeopardy fanatic that came to this through looking up Ken Jennings on podcasts. Good podcast and will be good for SYSK lovers and haters alike.
  • zlin
    Bad Blabbering Trash
    Offering very little detail content but two uninformed folks going on and on and on about nothing
  • johnsbetterthanyou
    Better than Marxism
    This podcast is everything Marxism promised fortified with entertaining curiosities.
  • duluthten
    Essential
    Add it to your list. Right now.
  • jjjjjj1977
    Always a joy
    I never miss an episode. These 2 raconteurs can stretch a yarn out for my entire commute Edit: John purposely mispronounces anything he can. Don’t be mad, it’s a bit, and when you know that it becomes funny
  • KingBurrito
    Fun and more accurate than others
    I stopped listening to SYSK because I kept hearing incorrect information. The Omnibus guys get it right more often. And their topics are more interesting.
  • Milgo Vonne Fraun
    Great for housework.
    Some rambling. Some smart. Some funny. Lots of interesting. Overall good.
  • Jon-O-Pods
    A Three Star Review
    I am leaving a three star review because Ken told me to.
  • Super Book Girl
    I look forward to these episodes each week!
    I found this through the late Friendly Fire podcast, and it has quickly become one of my favorites. The banter between John and Ken are great and I never feel like there is never a dull moment. I learn a lot of trivia as well. Their Patreon is also really great and I love the addendum episodes.
  • 40kDad
    This is a nice review
    Allthegreatshows at coinbase wallet
  • Teachlynns
    Giving me joy
    There are so many reasons to like this podcast, but I think the best one is the eclectic soup of the whole thing. During the duration of each episode I feel like I've been on a journey, not only to some real and fantastic place and/or event, but also into the inner-workings of the minds of these two.
  • Bear HK
    Wonderful podcast
    It’s an absolute joy to spend some time every week listening to Ken and John
  • BremsJ
    Please please cut out the leftist talking points
    Both are engaging speakers and have great personalities, but they tend to go down leftist rants.
  • AllDayEnchanté
    Can’t wait to hear the next one!
    I love to listen to this show when I’m having a less-than-stellar day. These guys make me laugh and teach me about all kinds of fascinating stuff that I would otherwise probably never encounter. No matter how much of a funk I’m in, I always feel better after I listen to this podcast!
  • Wishingstr56
    John is an Alien
    I just learned that John is an alien because he thinks that Michael Richards played Kramer on Friends. (That racist jerk was on Seinfeld, silly)!
  • KrevinL
    Stuff you should...wait
    This has fast become my favorite podcast as someone who loves learning about random things. Ken and John are both knowledgeable, personable hosts seeming to speak off the cuff regarding very interesting, lesser known topics. They'll go on tangents and sound like nerds, but they're always informational and hilarious. I couldn't recommend this show enough. It's a lot like another podcast that I will remain unnamed, except honestly this one is better, more enjoyable, and more entertaining. The hosts are infinitely more informed and passionate on the topics they're speaking on. Ken Jennings (if you don't know for some crazy reason) is the longest running contestant on Jeopardy and it would seem used to be somewhat of a punk rocker, overall cool guy. John Roderick is a famous musician in his own right for the Long Winters. Neither of the two is particularly serious and the show is an extremely fun listen.
  • Sailor8932
    Thank you!
    I really enjoy these guys. They have a great chemistry together which has proven to be my absolute favorite podcast to listen to when I just need something to think about that doesn’t hit the panic button. My amygdala appreciates the chance to chill out and still learn something!
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