The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things

In this episode of The Compendium, we dive into the chaotic story of Fyre Festival, the so-called “greatest party that never happened.” What began as Billy McFarland’s glossy vision of a luxury music festival in the Bahamas quickly unraveled into a full-scale disaster involving Ja Rule, celebrity influencers, and one infamous cheese sandwich. We explore how this viral catastrophe became a modern parable of greed, Ponzi schemes, and...

In this episode of The Compendium, we hand over the mic to our friends at Horrifying History for a crossover episode. Its a tale so bizarre, it sounds made up, but absolutely isn’t.

In 1876, a woman in rural Kentucky stepped outside to find chunks of raw meat falling from the sky. Yes, actual meat!  What followed was a media frenzy, scientific confusion, and some truly stomach-churning theories — including one involving vulture vom...

In this episode of The Compendium, we explore the Mushroom Murders the shocking case of Erin Patterson and the deadly family lunch poisoned with death cap mushrooms. Three relatives died, one barely survived, and the trial revealed her deep web of lies. This episode has it all, deception, courtroom drama and of course that imfamous poisoned Beef Wellington. Join us as we uncover how this bizarre story became Australia’s most infamo...

In this episode of The Compendium, we revisit Space Cadets: How A British Reality Show Convinced Contestants They Were In Space. In 2005, Channel 4 and Endemol staged the most ambitious TV hoax in British history, tricking contestants into believing they had been launched into orbit. Hosted by Johnny Vaughan, the show combined fake cosmonaut training, a shuttle simulator, and an elaborate Ipswich “Russian base” to sell the illusion...

In this episode of The Compendium, Adam walks us through the tragic and terrifying story of Aileen Wuornos. Aileen was the Florida sex worker whose life of abuse, rage, and survival turned her into one of America’s most infamous female serial killers. We’ll tell you about her violent childhood to the murders that inspired Monster, we explore the woman behind the headlines, her fractured mind, and the haunting question at the heart ...

In this episode of The Compendium, we revisit the tragic story of Reeva Steenkamp and the night she was killed by Oscar Pistorius. From the rise of the Blade Runner to the shocking Valentine’s Day shooting in Pretoria, we examine the trial, the verdict, and the controversy that followed. Exploring themes of manslaughter, parole, and South Africa’s crime culture, this episode asks: who was Reeva, and what does her story reveal about...

In this episode of The Compendium, we delve into the terrifying true story of the Monster of Florence — the Italian serial killer who stalked lovers in the Tuscan hills for nearly two decades. Blending fact, obsession, and myth, we uncover how the unsolved case inspired Hannibal Lecter, entangled the Amanda Knox investigation, and haunted generations of Florence locals. This chilling journey through Italy’s darkest legend exposes a...

In this episode of The Compendium, we trace the final year of Diana’s life — from her private relationship with Hasnat Khan to her whirlwind summer with Dodi Fayed. As the Royal Family watched from a distance, Diana found herself caught between love, legacy, and the relentless pursuit of the paparazzi. Princess Diana Part 3 explores the crash, the conspiracies, and the myth that followed her final goodbye.

We give you just the Comp...

In this episode of The Compendium, we revisit the explosive rise and spectacular fall of Kony 2012 — the viral video that promised to stop Joseph Kony and his LRA army, but became a cautionary tale about social media activism. From the $30 action kits to celebrity endorsements, evangelical funding, and a public meltdown, we unravel how a glossy campaign captured the world’s attention… and why it ultimately failed to do anything… at...

In this episode of The Compendium, we uncover the disturbing story of Ed Gein, the Wisconsin serial killer whose gruesome crimes shocked a nation and inspired Hollywood’s darkest legends. From the murder of Bernice Worden to the horrifying discoveries inside his farmhouse, we explore the truth behind the Ed Gein murders and how his life shaped films like Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Silence of the Lambs. With the upcomi...

In this episode of the Compendium, we are diving into part 2 of our Princess Diana series where we reveals the deeper story behind her divorce from Charles and the shockwaves it sent through the British royal family. From her battle with bulimia and mental health to the taboo-shattering Princess Diana affairs, including the Princess Diana and James Hewitt relationship, we unpack how the iconic Revenge Dress momentized her defiance ...

In this episode of The Compendium, we uncover the haunting story of Anni Dewani’s honeymoon murder — a crime that spiralled into South Africa’s most notorious scandal. From the staged hijacking in Gugulethu to Shrien Dewani’s dramatic trial and acquittal, the case exposed corruption, plea bargains, CCTV footage, and forensic battles that shook a nation. What really happened to Anni Dewani, and why does the truth remain so fiercely ...

In this episode of the Compendium, Real Life Gone Girl takes you deep into Denise Huskins’ harrowing Vallejo kidnapping story—where the victim was blamed before the abductor was even caught. From being dubbed a “hoax” and compared to Gone Girl, to the Netflix American Nightmare docuseries and her memoir Victim F, we trace how Denise and Aaron fought back—and won—both justice and vindication.
 
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In this episode of The Compendium, we kick off our three-part series on Princess Diana, Part 1. We start with Diana’s early years and whirlwind engagement to Prince Charles, then uncover how royal life’s pressures shattered the fairy tale. You'll hear how her childhood, a strained marriage, Royal Family expectations, and the looming shadow of Camilla Parker Bowles brought private struggles—bulimia and isolation—into the spotlight. ...

In this episode of the Compendium, we're re-exploring the wild rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos scandal that rocked Silicon Valley. Discover how Holmes, decieved investors with false promises and turned Theranos into a culture of secrets and fear. We'll look at the key roles of Sunny Balwani and whistleblower Tyler Shultz in this tale of ambition and deception, painting a vivid picture of one of the most infamous ...

In this episode of the Compendium, we’re clutching our pearls as I tell Adam all about the tumultuous saga behind the House of Gucci. From the ambitious beginnings of Guccio Gucci to the tragic murder of Maurizio Gucci. We’re not hitting play on an old run of ‘Days of our Lives’, because this is the real story of legacy, scandals and murder.

We are recounting the pivotal roles played by Aldo and Rodolfo Gucci, the transformative un...

In this episode of the Compendium, we diving back into the audacious tale where eight Belgian nuns orchestrate an unlikely escape from a life of stringent spiritual commitments to chase a dream of freedom in the sun-drenched South of France. Explore how Sister Anna and her cohort leveraged a surprising Belgian nuns legal loophole exploitation to sell their ancient convent and fund their new lavish lifestyle. This scandalous nun sto...

In this episode of The Compendium, we're jumping back onboard the highly requested Titanic! This is the first episode of our two-part series, where we delve into the ambitious conception of the RMS Titanic and the enduring stories of its passengers and crew that make this Titanic story unforgettable.

Today, you'll learn about key figures like J.P. Morgan and Bruce Ismay, whose dreams and ambitions led to the construction of what wa...

In this episode of The Compendium, we revisit the tragic story of the Menendez Brothers Lyle and Erik. Unraveling the shocking truth behind why they killed their parents. We'll dive into their infamous trial, the abuse claims that surfaced, and how it captivated the nation. What really happened during the Menendez Brothers trial? Did the Netflix documentary do their story justice? From the chilling 911 call to the courtroom drama, ...