In this episode of the Compendium, we’re exploring the Chernobyl disaster, the catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred at precisely 01:23:40 on April 26, 1986. We’ll explore the events leading up to the explosion of Reactor 4, examining the know design flaws of the RBMK reactor and the critical decisions that precipitated the meltdown.

W’ll also look at the heroic efforts of the Chernobyl liquidators, the scientists and workers who risked their lives to contain the disaster, and the pivotal role of Valery Legasov in uncovering the truth behind the incident. Its also a gnarly episode where we go into some of the effect Radiation exposure had on the victims and the surrounding environment, today this one is a doozy!

We give you just the Compendium, but if you want more, here are our resources:

• Chernobyl Disaster Overview - World Nuclear Association
• Valery Legasov: - All That's Interesting
• Horrifying Photos of Chernobyl - CBS News
• Chernobyl Tv Series 2019 - HBO

Host & Show Info

• Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
• About: Kyle and Adam are more than just your hosts, they’re your close friends sharing intriguing stories from tales from the darker corners of true crime, the annals of your forgotten history books, and the who's who of incredible people.
• Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland by Aleksey Chistilin

• ⭐ Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @theCompendiumPodcast
• 🌐 Visit us at: TheCompendiumPodcast.com
• ❤️ Early access episodes: Patreon

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.

We give you just the Compendium, but if you want more, here are our resources:

1. "Mutiny on the Sex Raft” - The Guardian
2. "The Raft Tells Of Sex, Chaos And Mutiny In A Crazy 1973 Social Experiment" - Forbes
3. "The Raft Chronicles an Extreme Experiment with Human Nature" - The New Yorker
4. "The Seville Statement on Violence" - Wikipedia
5. "Acali" - Wikipedia

6. “The Raft (2018)" - Documentary by Marcus Lindeen

• Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
• About: Kyle and Adam are more than just your hosts, they’re your close friends sharing intriguing stories from tales from the darker corners of true crime, the annals of your forgotten history books, and the who's who of incredible people.
• Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland by Aleksey Chistilin

• ⭐ Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @theCompendiumPodcast
• 🌐 Visit us at: TheCompendiumPodcast.com
• ❤️ Early access episodes: Patreon

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) - Wikipedia

Host & Show Info

• Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
• About: Kyle and Adam are more than just your hosts, they’re your close friends sharing intriguing stories from tales from the darker corners of true crime, the annals of your forgotten history books, and the who's who of incredible people.
• Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland by Aleksey Chistilin

• ⭐ Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @theCompendiumPodcast
• 🌐 Visit us at: TheCompendiumPodcast.com
• ❤️ Early access episodes: Patreon

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 lurking in the African wilderness and the extraordinary measures taken to survive.​

We give you just the Compendium, but if you want more, here are our resources:

• Terror on the Zambezi – by Hannes Wessels, Africa Unauthorized
• Terror In The Zambezi: I Shouldn't Be Alive - Youtube

Host & Show Info

• Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
• About: Kyle and Adam are more than just your hosts, they’re your close friends sharing intriguing stories from tales from the darker corners of true crime, the annals of your forgotten history books, and the who's who of incredible people.
• Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland by Aleksey Chistilin

• ⭐ Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @theCompendiumPodcast
• 🌐 Visit us at: TheCompendiumPodcast.com
• ❤️ Early access episodes: Patreon

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 aftermath, and the broader implications for deep-sea tourism and engineering ethics.

We give you just the Compendium, but if you want more, here are our resources:

• Titan: The OceanGate Disaster (2025) - Netflix Documentary
• Titan Submersible Implosion - Wikipedia
• OceanGate Faces Federal Investigation a Year After the Titan Submersible Implosion - Wired
• Titan Sub Footage Captures Chilling Moment of Implosion Heard by Support Ship - YouTube

Host & Show Info

• Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
• About: Kyle and Adam are more than just your hosts, they’re your close friends sharing intriguing stories from tales from the darker corners of true crime, the annals of your forgotten history books, and the who's who of incredible people.
• Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland by Aleksey Chistilin

• ⭐ Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @theCompendiumPodcast
• 🌐 Visit us at: TheCompendiumPodcast.com
• ❤️ Early access episodes: Patreon

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 legitimate claim into a symbol of "frivolous lawsuits." This case became a catalyst for American tort reform debates, revealing the profound impact of corporate influence in politics.​

We give you just the Compendium, but if you want more, here are our resources:

• Liebeck v. McDonald's - The American Museum of Tort Law
• Legal Myths: The McDonald's "Hot Coffee" Case - Public Citizen
• Hot Coffee Documentry (2011) - Susan Saladoff

• Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
• About: Kyle and Adam are more than just your hosts, they’re your close friends sharing intriguing stories from tales from the darker corners of true crime, the annals of your forgotten history books, and the who's who of incredible people.
• Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland by Aleksey Chistilin

• ⭐ Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @theCompendiumPodcast
• 🌐 Visit us at: TheCompendiumPodcast.com
• ❤️ Early access episodes: Patreon

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 set new standards in product safety. Despite extensive efforts, the perpetrator remains unidentified, leaving a haunting legacy that continues to impact public health policies today.

• The Chicago Tylenol-Cyanide Murders of 1982 - History Defined
• James Lewis, suspect in the 1982 Tylenol murders, dies at 76 - PBS NewsHour
• How the Tylenol murders of 1982 changed the way we consume medication - PBS NewsHour
• Chicago Tylenol murders - Wikipedia
• Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders (2025) - Netflix
• The Tylenol Killer: Chicago's 1980s Cyanide Spree - Biographics (Youtube)

• Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
• About: Kyle and Adam are more than just your hosts, they’re your close friends sharing intriguing stories from tales from the darker corners of true crime, the annals of your forgotten history books, and the who's who of incredible people.
• Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland by Aleksey Chistilin

• ⭐ Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @theCompendiumPodcast
• 🌐 Visit us at: TheCompendiumPodcast.com
• ❤️ Early access episodes: Patreon

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 “John Steele,” this funny true crime episode has it all—bad disguises, bad choices, and one of the strangest redemption arcs you’ve ever heard.

1. Heist and High – by Anthony Curcio
2. TEDx Talk: From Addiction to Redemption – by Anthony Curcio
3. Anthony Curcio – Wikipedia

Host & Show Info

• Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
• About: Kyle and Adam are more than just your hosts, they’re your close friends sharing intriguing stories from tales from the darker corners of true crime, the annals of your forgotten history books, and the who's who of incredible people.
• Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland by Aleksey Chistilin

• ⭐ Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple Podcasts
• 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @theCompendiumPodcast
• 🌐 Visit us at: TheCompendiumPodcast.com
• ❤️ Early access episodes: Patreon