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.
(Live at the Portland Book Festival) Portland's Poker Underbelly (Entry 967.LE1608)
Nov 10, 2026
Show notes
In which a couple of degens walk into a Portland church to discuss games of chance, the rivalry between two great Northwest cities, and the Wilsonville Prize Payment Center in front of a live audience. Featuring Luke Burbank (Live Wire Radio, Too Beautiful To Live, CBS Sunday Morning). Certificate #36279.
Root Beer (Entry 1082.MA1321)
Nov 03, 2026
Show notes
In which Futureling LD Kelley traces the evolution of an American favorite, from Native American roots-and-bark brews to Charles Hires’ 1876 World’s Fair unveiling, a 1960s sassafras ban, and the corporate mergers that followed, and John decries the cancer in lab rats movement. Certificate #26097.
Tower of Babel, 1957 (Entry 1322.GE1109)
Oct 27, 2026
Show notes
In which Futureling TJ Onadi unpacks Hannah Arendt, C.S. Lewis, and the forgotten mid-century idea of spaceflight as a dangerous and profane act of hubris, while John dunks on ska once again. Certificate #42677.
The Winchester Mystery House (Entry 1434.IS4107)
Oct 20, 2026
Show notes
In which Futureling Ashleigh Early explores a fortune, the rifle that built it, and a famously baffling house, while John wonders if civilization itself is at risk from a beer explosion. Certificate #18867.
The Fan Man (Entry 452.ZE0501)
Oct 14, 2026
Show notes
In which Futureling John Arbenz bemuses us with another eccentric Alaskan who dove into a 1993 heavyweight championship fight, dropped in at Buckingham Palace and made pop culture history. Certificate #31102.
The Berlin Wall (Entry 115.HO0206)
Oct 06, 2026
Show notes
In which Futureling Andrew von Nordenflycht discusses Checkpoint Charlie, renting hammers and chisels to tourists, and the rise and fall of a Cold War monument, while John discovers a new style in Hugo Boss dystopia. Certificate #29207.
The Black Footed Ferret (Entry 128.PR2725)
Sep 29, 2026
Show notes
In which Futureling Katie Nieland explores drones, peanut butter, the bubonic plague, and a delightful animal previously believed to be extinct, while John recounts his experience as a railroad hobo. Certificate #16802.
Vasa (Entry 1384.1K.2248)
Sep 22, 2026
Show notes
In which Futureling Dan Hope relays the tale of a military vanity, a less-than-a-mile voyage, and John relays his success rate in righting overturned canoes. Certificate #30911.
Paul Winchell (Entry 1433.LU.0506)
Sep 15, 2026
Show notes
In which Bohuš Blahut (RetroThing.com, Tech Hunters) and John discuss ventriloquist, the inventor of the artificial heart and the voice of Tigger too. Certificate #25379.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Omnibus Live at the Portland Book Festival - November 4th
Sep 12, 2026
Show notes
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
