The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things

Mar 03 2025 101 ep. 68 mins
The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things Podcast artwork

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.

  True Crime  History  Education
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Charles Manson: The Beatles, Chaos and Murder

Mar 03 2025 79 mins  
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 cen

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

Feb 24 2025 43 mins  
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 sn

Gabby Petito: The Van Life Dream That Ended in Tragedy

Feb 17 2025 71 mins  
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 n

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

Feb 10 2025 60 mins  
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. Wi

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

Feb 03 2025 76 mins  
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

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

Jan 27 2025 65 mins  
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

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

Jan 20 2025 47 mins  
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 colour

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

Jan 13 2025 72 mins  
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 R

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

Jan 06 2025 68 mins  
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 red

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

Dec 30 2024 52 mins  
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 T