THAT Bill Oakley

THAT Bill Oakley

Author: WJJI Studio June 18, 2025 Duration: 42:38

Steamed interview questions? They're clearly grilled. We are so thrilled to have had Bill Oakley join us on the show. If you're unfamiliar with Bill and his work, let me share a little more from him directly: Bill Oakley is an Emmy-winning writer and producer best known for his iconic work on The Simpsons, where he co-ran the show during its critically acclaimed seventh and eighth seasons. He co-created the cult classic animated series Mission Hill and has contributed to other beloved shows like Futurama and Portlandia. Bill's cultural impact extends beyond television—he wrote the "Steamed Hams" scene, a segment from The Simpsons that evolved into a viral meme, earning the title of Meme of the Year in 2018 from Know Your Meme. In recent years, Bill has transitioned from showrunning to the culinary world, where his sharp humor and love for American food have made him a sought-after voice in the industry. A regular contributor to the History Channel's The Food That Built America and a guest on Afternoon Live, Bill combines storytelling with culinary expertise. His collaborations with prominent chefs like Robert Irvine and J. Kenji López-Alt have further solidified his voice as a notable comic voice in American food culture. Bill and I dove deep into his transition to the world of food, as well as getting an upclose look at the creation of the famous Steamed Hams scene and so much more. Thank you so so much for joining me, Bill!


Step inside the sprawling, colorful aisles of one of the world's most remarkable grocery experiences without ever leaving your home. The Jungle Jim's Podcast, from WJJI Studio, is an audio companion to that wonderfully mad world, but it stretches far beyond the shelves. Each episode is a conversation that starts with a curious ingredient or a culinary tradition found within the market and then follows that thread out into the wider world. You’ll hear stories about the people who make the food, the art that decorates the packages and the walls, and the cultural practices that turn a meal into a shared memory. This podcast digs into how food shapes societies and connects places across the globe, all through the unique lens of Jungle Jim's International Market. Naturally, we’ll also peel back the curtain on the market itself, sharing some of the secrets and histories that make it such a singular destination. It’s for anyone who believes a grocery store can be a gateway to adventure and that every product has a tale to tell. Tune in for a series of explorations that are as unpredictable and rich as the market that inspires them.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 101

The Jungle Jim's Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Show Choir Kids Try Guessing Foods From Around the World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:34
There's a HUGE show choir competition in Fairfield happening right next to Jungle Jim's, so I had to go check it out. I met up with some competitors and one of the Choir Dads to talk about what it's really like, then sur…
Cheese Carving with Sarah Kaufmann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:47
I'm sure you've seen those incredible cheddar carvings floating around the Jungle Jim's cheese shop, and I'd love to introduce you to the maker. Maybe you've seen her work here, maybe you've seen her carving for the Gram…
Surviving 50 Seasons of Survivor with Exotic Fruits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:32
We're talking all about Survivor's 50th Season Premiere because I got invited to be a part of a Q&A panel for the show tonight with former stars of Survivor! Guess being on Fox's The Floor finally paid off, eh? Huge than…
The Beverage Influencer Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:53
We're joined by two of our favorites in the snack and soda game, powerful influencers TeamSupernovaFB and SodaSeekers! We tested out the new-ish Cheez-It and Ragu frozen pizzas, as well as a bunch of new beverages from A…
We're Eating Bugs! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:53
This week, we're getting a real expert's opinion as we're joined by former star of Jungle Jim's commercials, and future YouTube sensation TheAmbushBugJr to try out some of the weirdest bug candies we have in the store. I…
Cincinnati Secrets with Cody from the Cincinnati Museum Center [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:41
This week, we're joined by Cody Hefner of the Cincinnati Museum Center, and we're telling Cincinnati secrets and diving into the cool history of the Museum Center and Union Terminal! I even talked Cody into suggesting so…
The Jungle Jim's 2025 Holiday Gift guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:30
Shelby and Bryce from Eastgate come over with some of their crazy toy and candy picks for this holiday season. We go from classic candies like Chick-O-Sticks, all the way to the latest from Smiski and Funko Pop! Jungle e…
Heart Health with Dr. Jay Wilkins and Bionox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:24
This week, we're trying a few new Korean treats before we're joined by Dr. Jay Wilkins of Bionox. In their words, "At Bionox, we are committed to empowering individuals to feel better, be better, and do more. By combinin…
Jungle Jim's is going to the Yellow Springs Film Fest! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:45
This week we're joined by Eric Mahoney of the Yellow Springs Film Fest to talk about this exciting film festival happening just a little ways away from the Jungle. We chat about Ohio's rich film history, expanded on by t…