Omnibus

In which Futureling (and occasional magician’s assistant) Jennifer MacFarlane discusses pigeons and a family story from the southern Netherlands in the fall of 1944. Certificate #23861.

In which comedian Lisa Lane and John revisit late 20th-century nostalgia, and what technology has done to the delicate art of knocking on strangers’ doors. Certificate #12881

In which comedian and writer Alex Falcone discusses weather balloons, broken arrows, and the most general of mills. Certificate #35593.

In which an Atari founder turns borrowed ideas into a gaming empire, makes a killing, and launches Rick Rat’s Pizza—guided by Futureling Keli Boucher. Certificate #48560.

In which Bob Crawford, author of America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick and bass player for The Avett Brothers, waxes on William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, and an unfortunately named Peacemaker. Certificate #34343.

Natalie Hudson, taiko practitioner and drum enthusiast, gives a whirlwind tour of giant drums old and new. She traces Purdue and Big Bertha, rival university monsters, and the engineering of massive hides. She jumps to global marvels: Asano carved taiko, African sato giants, Korea’s Guinness drum, and a 50-ton Chinese bronze — plus a playful leap to the Earth’s magnetosphere as a planetary drum.

In which Futureling Hugh Scott unpacks the saga of drifter, doctor, and self-declared president William Walker. Certificate #28903

Katie Tarara, a Pittsburgh wine educator and sparkling wine specialist, traces Champagne's rise in surprising places. She explores sparkling winemaking, Champagne laws and production, Gruet's New Mexico success, fermentation science, and how history and climate shape wine. Short, lively conversations about bottles, bubbles, and regional wine identity.

Michael Milner, Cold War history enthusiast and researcher, walks through the story of a lone concrete pyramid tied to America’s nuclear-era missile defenses. He traces ABM programs from Nike to Safeguard, explains why the Pyramid was built and quickly decommissioned, and recounts travel tales, site preservation, and modern reuse plans like a Bitcoin data center.

Saul Henry, comedian from Sunderland known for sharp regional observations, dives into Worcestershire sauce, its pronunciation quirks and how accents shape meaning. He traces Lee & Perrins origins, the sauce’s global 19th-century spread, its surprising archaeology finds and ancient garum links. Short, witty, and full of cultural detours.