The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things - podcast cover

The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things

Kyle Risi & Adam Cox, Bleavbleav.com
A weekly variety podcast giving you just enough information on a topic to stand your ground at any social gathering. We explore stories from the realms of true crime, history, and incredible people.
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Episodes

The Acali Experiment: Science, Sex, and Santiago Genovés’s Bizarre Human Behaviour Study

In this episode of the Compendium, we explore the Acali Experiment—a 1973 voyage where anthropologist Santiago Genovés set sail with ten strangers to study human behavior. Dubbed the "Sex Raft" by the media, his 101-day Atlantic crossing aimed to investigate the roots of violence and sexuality. Despite Genovés's attempts to incite conflict, the crew's resilience challenged his expectations. This journey not only questioned scientific ethics but also inspired discussions on human nature and peace...

Jul 01, 20251 hr 15 minEp. 118

Poop Cruise: The Carnival Triumph Disaster That Stranded Thousands Without Toilets

In this episode of the Compendium, Poop Cruise takes you aboard Carnival Triumph’s disastrous voyage that stranded over 4,000 passengers without toilets after an engine-room fire crippled power and plumbing. We unclog how a routine cruise turned into a floating biohazard—complete with sewage flooding decks and emergency red-bag sanitation on “Trainwreck: Poop Cruise.” “Trainwreck: Poop Cruise” (2025) – Netflix 2013 engine-room fire & sewage backup – People Carnival Sunrise (formerly Triumph)...

Jun 24, 20251 hr 11 minEp. 117

When Hippos Attack: Nightmare on the Zambezi and the Miracle Paddle That Saved Their Lives

In this episode of the Compendium, we recount the harrowing true survival story of a 1994 Zambezi River attack. What began as a serene safari turned into a nightmare when a hippo capsized a canoe, leaving guide Phil Longden severely injured. Days later, another group faced a similar fate, battling both hippos and crocodiles in a desperate fight for survival. Amidst the chaos, a blue paddle became a symbol of hope, aiding in their escape. This tale of courage and resilience highlights the dangers...

Jun 17, 202558 minEp. 116

Oceangate Titan Disaster: A Billionaire’s Dive into Hubris, History, and Horror

In this episode of the Compendium, we’re exploring the Oceangate Titan disaster—a chilling tale of ambition, oversight, and tragedy. On June 18, 2023, the Titan submersible imploded during a descent to the Titanic wreck, claiming the lives of all five aboard, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. Despite prior warnings about the sub's carbon-fiber hull and safety concerns, the expedition proceeded, leading to catastrophic failure. We delve into the events leading up to the disaster, the afterma...

Jun 10, 20251 hr 28 minEp. 115

McDonald's hot coffee case: Why Everything You Think You Know About Stella Liebeck Is Wrong

In this episode of the Compendium, we unravel the real story behind the McDonald's hot coffee case—a tale often misrepresented in the media. Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, suffered third-degree burns from coffee served at dangerously high temperatures. Despite seeking a modest settlement, McDonald's offered only $800, leading to a lawsuit that highlighted issues of corporate negligence and consumer rights. We delve into how big business and media narratives distorted the facts, turning a l...

Jun 03, 20251 hr 16 minEp. 114

Tylenol Murders: A Chilling Mystery of Poisoned Pills and a Vanishing Killer

Today we unravel the chilling mystery of the Tylenol murders, a case that forever changed how we trust everyday medicine. In 1982, seven unsuspecting individuals, including Mary Kellerman, Adam Janus, and Paula Prince, tragically lost their lives after ingesting cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules. The ensuing investigation spotlighted James Lewis as a prime suspect, though he was never charged with the murders. Johnson & Johnson's unprecedented recall and introduction of tamper-proof packaging s...

May 27, 20251 hr 24 minEp. 113

D.B. Tuber: The Most Ridiculous Robbery in American History

We’re exploring the absurd and brilliant story of Anthony Curcio AKA D.B Tuber—a former football star turned true crime comedy icon. What started off as a well-planned armored truck heist soon unravels into chaos involving Craigslist decoys, a creek getaway on an inflatable inner tube, only for everything to come crashing down thanks to the unexpected brilliance of a local homeless man. From his criminal beginnings to a motivational comeback and finally to a Pokémon card scam under the alias “Jo...

May 20, 20251 hr 4 minEp. 112

Secret Mall Apartment: How an Artist Lived in a Mall for 4 Years Without Getting Caught

In this episode of the Compendium we explore the incredibly wholesome story of Michael Townsend, the artist who secretly lived in Mall for four years. After finding himself evicted from his home Michael and his team of Trummerkinds transformed an unused space in Providence Place Mall into a fully furnished home, complete with electricity and sofas and even a PlaySation all sourced from the mall itself. We give you just the Compendium, but if you want more, here are our resources: Secret Mall Apa...

May 13, 20251 hr 2 minEp. 111

A Deadly American Marriage: Piecing Together Jason Corbett’s Final Weeks

In this episode of the Compendium, we explore the Jason Corbett case. The harrowing tale of love, betrayal, and tragedy. Jason was an Irish widower, sought a fresh start in North Carolina with his children and new wife, Molly Martens. Their seemingly idyllic life unraveled in 2015 when Jason was found bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat and a concrete brick. Molly and her father, ex-FBI agent Tom Martens, claimed self-defense but were later convicted of second-degree murder. After appeals, t...

May 06, 20251 hr 10 minEp. 110

Michael Alig: Glitz, Glamour and Killing for Fame

In this episode of The Compendium , we unravel the twisted tale of Michael Alig: The Club Kid King Who Killed for Fame. At the height of New York nightlife, Alig built an empire of excess, flamboyance, and infamy, transforming the Limelight nightclub into a hedonistic playground where anything—and everything—was possible. But behind the glitter and glamour lurked a dark undercurrent of drug-fueled chaos, manipulation, and ultimately, murder. We dive deep into the rise and fall of Michael Alig an...

Apr 29, 20251 hr 21 minEp. 109

Balloon Boy Hoax: The Viral Media Circus That Spiraled Out of Control

In this episode of The Compendium , we’re unpacking the Balloon Boy Hoax , the bizarre moment in 2009 when the world was glued to their screens, watching a silver helium balloon soar across the Colorado sky—supposedly with 6-year-old Falcon Heene trapped inside. But as the story unfolded, the truth became far stranger than fiction. Was this a desperate stunt by Richard Heene to land a reality TV deal, or was the media sensationalism machine too eager to turn a family’s crisis into a headline? Fr...

Apr 22, 20251 hr 10 minEp. 108

Millennium Dome Diamond Heist: The Plot to Steal the Worlds Most Flawless Diamond

In this episode of the Compendium, we uncover the Millennium Dome Diamond Heist: The Plot to Steal the Worlds Most Flawless Diamond. We follow the trail of a notorious criminal gang featuring Lee Wenham, Ray Betson, William Cockram as Scotland Yard is onto them long before their plan is even executed. This is a story of bodacious nerve and Brazen balls, it features speedboats, JCB Diggers and even metal ramming spikes mounted on the back of trucks. There is nothing that we love more than a heist...

Apr 15, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 107

The Pizza Bomber Heist: The Astonishing Story of Brian Wells and the Collar Bomb Conspiracy

In this episode of The Compendium , I tell Adam the horrifying yet intriguing case of the Pizza Bomber Heist. On August 28, 2003, Brian Wells, a pizza delivery driver in Erie, Pennsylvania, was coerced into robbing a PNC Bank with a bomb locked around his neck as part of a horifying life or death scavenger hunt. This shocking event led investigators into a labyrinth of conspiracies involving Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong and Bill Rothstein. The case, often likened to a real-life "Saw" movie, remains ...

Apr 08, 20251 hr 8 minEp. 106

Sixto Rodriguez: The Story of an Unknown Musician who Inspired a Revolution

Today we uncover the incredible true story of Sixto Rodriguez, the Detroit musician who unknowingly became a South African icon who helped spark a revolution. His album, Cold Fact , flopped in the U.S. but became a protest anthem against apartheid, inspiring a generation. While Rodriguez lived in obscurity, believing his music had faded into history, he was secretly outselling Elvis in South Africa. It wasn’t until the documentary Searching for Sugar Man that the world finally learned the truth....

Apr 01, 20251 hr 14 minEp. 105

Chris Watts: Inside the Mind of a Family Annihilator and the Depth of Betrayal

In this episode of the Compendium, Chris Watts stands at the center of a chilling American Murder that captivated the world in 2018. We’ll find out how the Watt Family Murders Unfolded, from Shanann Watts’ life in Frederick, Colorado, to the appalling truths behind a Family Annihilator. Throughout our investigation, one question looms: Why Did Chris Watts Kill His Family? We give you just the Compendium, but if you want more, here are our resources: American Murder: The Family Next Door [2020] -...

Mar 25, 20251 hr 10 minEp. 104

The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi Pt. 2

In this second part of The Compendium's exploration of Emanuela Orlandi's mysterious disappearance, we uncover even darker secrets surrounding the Vatican, Pope John Paul II, and the Mafia. From shocking testimonies of key witnesses to the revelation hidden within stolen vatican documents. This second part of the Emanuela Orlandi Story takes even more dark twists and turns as we edge closer to the truth of what happened to Emanuela Orlandi over 40 years ago. As new evidence emerges, could the an...

Mar 18, 20251 hrEp. 103

The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi Pt. 1

In this part 1 episode of The Compendium , we unravel the mystery of the strange and mysterious disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi. Todays story takes us into the heart of Vatican City, where 15-year-old Emanuela Orlandi disappeared without a trace. Todays story intertwines with chilling secrets of the Catholic Church, the Fatima prophecy, and the shadowy connections between Pope John Paul II, international terrorist, the KGB and the italian Mafia. From whispers of corruption to unspoken truths, ...

Mar 11, 20251 hr 2 minEp. 102

Chaos: Charles Manson and the Manson Murders

In this episode of The Compendium, we dive into one of the most disturbing true crime stories in history—how Helter Skelter , a Beatles song, became the twisted manifesto for Charles Manson and his cult of devoted followers. With his delusional vision of an apocalyptic race war, Manson manipulated the young and lost into committing some of the most infamous murders of the 20th century. From the counterculture movement of the 1960s to the tragic deaths of Sharon Tate and the LaBianca family, we u...

Mar 04, 20251 hr 19 minEp. 101

Last Breath: The True Story of Chris Lemons' Near-Death Experience in the North Sea

In this episode of The Compendium, we uncover the true story of Chris Lemmon’s near-death experience in the North Sea—a survival tale that defies belief. In 2012, Chris, a seasoned saturation diver, was carrying out routine maintenance work 300 feet beneath the surface when disaster struck. His lifeline—the umbilical cord supplying air, warmth, and communication—suddenly snapped, leaving him stranded in total darkness, with no oxygen and no way to escape. What followed was an unthinkable fight f...

Feb 25, 202543 minEp. 100

Gabby Petito: The Van Life Dream That Ended in Tragedy

In this episode of The Compendium, we explore the heartbreaking story of Gabby Petito, a young woman whose dream of van life with her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, turned into a nightmare. What started as an idyllic road trip across America quickly spiraled into one of the most publicized missing persons cases in recent history, with social media sleuths, police bodycam footage, and a nationwide search gripping the world. With exclusive insights into the Gabby Petito disappearance timeline, the infamo...

Feb 18, 20251 hr 11 minEp. 99

Survival at Sea: The Harrowing Tale of the Trashman Yacht Sinking

In this episode of The Compendium, we’re telling you guys about the The Harrowing Tale of the Trashman Yacht Sinking . What began as a routine yacht delivery across the Atlantic turned into an unthinkable nightmare. Today you’ll hear about the incredible true story of Deborah Scaling Kiley and her crewmates as they face starvation, brutal storms, and relentless shark attacks. With nothing but sheer willpower and a fragile lifeboat, this is a tale of survival against all odds. Gripping, heart-sto...

Feb 11, 20251 hrEp. 98

Belle Gibson: The Fake Cancer Survivor Who Built a Wellness Empire

In this episode of The Compendium, we tell you about the jaw-dropping true story behind Netflix’s new mini series Apple Cider Vinegar. Belle Gibson’s real-life scandal is dubbed the woman who fooled the world and shook up the entire wellness industry. She captivated millions with her supposedly holistic approach to “beating” terminal brain cancer, championing Gerson Therapy and a meticulously clean lifestyle—only for it all to unravel spectacularly. How did a single Instagram account lead to a b...

Feb 04, 20251 hr 16 minEp. 97

Tania Head: The 9/11 Survivor Who Wasn't There

In this episode of The Compendium , we uncover the crazy story of Tania Head: the 9/11 survivor who wasn’t there. Once considered a symbol of resilience, Tania captivated the world with her vivid, heartbreaking details of her escape from the South Tower and the tragic loss of her fiancé. But years later, the shocking truth emerged that Tania was lying. Today we will share how her lies deceived survivors, brought her fame, and raised questions about pathological liars and the need for connection....

Jan 28, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 96

Anish Kapoor vs Stuart Semple: The Art World’s Pettiest Feud

In this episode of The Compendium, we dive into the hilarious and dramatic saga of Anish Kapoor vs Stuart Semple: The Art World’s Pettiest Feud . It’s a story about the world’s blackest black, the brightest pink, and a feud that rocked the art world. Discover how exclusivity and artistic activism collided when Kapoor claimed the rights to Vantablack, sparking Semple’s colourful counterattack with Pinkest Pink. From petty antics to groundbreaking art innovation, this episode explores the ongoing ...

Jan 21, 202548 minEp. 95

Billion Dollar Banquet: How One Extravagant Party Sparked the Iranian Revolution

In this episode of The Compendium, we explore the Billion-Dollar Banquet, the Shah of Iran's lavish event that celebrated the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire. Dive into the opulence of the world's most expensive party, hosted in Persepolis, and uncover how this extravagant display of power contributed to the downfall of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and ignited the Iranian Revolution. We give you The Compendium, but if you want more, then check out these great resources: The Shah of Iran ...

Jan 14, 20251 hr 12 minEp. 94

Jerry Springer: Behind the Scenes of TV’s Most Famous Fights

In this episode of The Compendium , we explore the fascinating and chaotic world of Jerry Springer. From his beginnings as a politician to his rise as the controversial king of daytime television, we uncover the untold stories behind the Jerry Springer Show. Using our focus keyphrase "Jerry Springer," we delve into the history of the show, why it was so controversial, and how it redefined sensationalist TV. Discover the most infamous TV fights, the cultural impact of this infamous talk show, and...

Jan 07, 20251 hr 8 minEp. 93

Terminal Man: The Refugee who waited at an Airport for 18 Years

In this episode of The Compendium , we uncover the unbelievable story of The Terminal Man, Mehran Karimi Nasseri, the inspiration behind Spielberg’s 2004 movie "The Terminal". Trapped in Charles de Gaulle Airport for 18 years, Mehran, known as Sir Alfred, survived extraordinary circumstances, from bureaucratic nightmares to emotional isolation. Discover the true story behind The Terminal movie , how one man adapted to life in an airport, and why his tragic journey captivated the world. This is a...

Dec 31, 202453 minEp. 92

Roar: The Story of the Most Dangerous Film Ever Made

In this episode of The Compendium, we explore the chaotic legacy of Roar , the most dangerous movie ever made. Find out how Tippi Hedren, Noel Marshall, and a young Melanie Griffith risked life and limb filming a "ferocious comedy" starring 150 “untamed” lions and tigers. From real injuries on set to an 11-year production nightmare, we uncover the shocking truth behind a cult classic that redefined Hollywood disaster. If you’ve ever wondered how Roar became the most dangerous film ever made, thi...

Dec 24, 20241 hr 8 minEp. 91

The Challenger Disaster: Christa McAuliffe’s Legacy Beyond the Space Shuttle Explosion

In this episode of the Compendium, we are transporting back to 1986 to explore the Challenger Disaster. learn about Christa McAuliffe and her dream that turned into a heartbreaking space shuttle tragedy. Learn how a flawed O-ring caused the space shuttle explosion and changed NASA forever. We’ll discuss Richard Feynman’s critical role in uncovering the truth and the lasting impact of the Challenger Disaster on space exploration. and we’ll examine how this tragedy happened, what lessons were lear...

Dec 17, 20241 hr 15 minEp. 90

The Shark Arm Murder: When a Tiger Shark Spilled a Killer’s Secret

In this episode of The Compendium , we dive into imfamous The Shark Arm Murder , one of Australia’s most bizarre and unsolved mysteries. When a tiger shark at Coogee Aquarium vomited up a human arm in 1935, it set off a true crime saga involving forgery, blackmail, and a deadly underworld rivalry. Today we explore the story of Jimmy Smith, Patrick Brady, and Reginald Holmes, and how their tangled lives shocked Sydney. Was the shark merely a witness, or did it hold the key to solving the crime? T...

Dec 10, 202448 minEp. 89
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