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The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things

The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things

Written by: Strange True Stories with Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
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The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things is a weekly documentary-style podcast about strange true stories, true crime, dark history, scandals, mysteries and remarkable people. Why listen to three podcasts when you can have it all in one? Hosted by Kyle Risi and Adam Cox, each episode takes one fascinating real-life story and gives you the full thing: the context, the characters, the chaos, the terrible decisions, and the tiny details that make you say, “Wait… how did this actually happen?” From infamous crimes and forgotten history to celebrity scandals, survival stories, cults, frauds and real-life mysteries, The Compendium is smart, funny, curious and thoroughly researched — made for listeners who want the whole story in one satisfying listen, without a ten-part homework assignment. New episodes weekly. Step inside the circus tent.© 2025 The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things Social Sciences True Crime World
Episodes
  • Marilyn Monroe: How Hollywood Built and Broke an Icon

    Marilyn Monroe: How Hollywood Built and Broke an Icon
    Jun 2 2026
    Marilyn Monroe was not born a bombshell; she was built, polished and sold by a Hollywood machine that knew exactly what it wanted from Norma Jeane. This episode follows Marilyn Monroe from a fractured childhood of foster homes, instability and abuse to the modelling jobs, studio contracts and carefully manufactured image that turned her into one of the most recognisable stars of the 20th century. We look at how the breathy voice, platinum hair and blonde bombshell persona were shaped by the Hollywood studio system, and why the woman behind the image kept trying to be taken seriously. But this is not just a glamour story. Marilyn Monroe’s life became tangled in celebrity scandals, famous scandals, public marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, rumours around JFK, conspiracy theories and the mythology surrounding her death. It is dark history, Hollywood biography and one of those strange true stories where fame does not just reveal a person; it consumes them. For listeners drawn to biography podcasts, famous women in history and what really happened behind the icon, this is the story of Norma Jeane, Marilyn Monroe, and the fantasy the world refused to let go. Topics Include norma jean’s childhood, foster homes, and abusehow marilyn monroe was made by hollywoodthe breathy voice, the bombshell image, and studio controljoe dimaggio, arthur miller, and public fascinationjfk, conspiracy theories, and the final unraveling Resources and Further Reading Marilyn Monroe - Encyclopaedia BritannicaMarilyn Monroe - FBI VaultMarilyn’s Method - The Criterion Collection Host & Show Info Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam CoxIntro Music:Alice in dark Wonderland Community & Calls to Action Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple PodcastsInstagram: @theCompendiumPodcastWebsite: TheCompendiumPodcast.comSupport us: Sign up to PatreonWe’re Hiring: Find the perfect job at the circus Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favourite takeaway. Host & Show InfoHosts: Kyle Risi & Adam CoxIntro Music: Alice in dark WonderlandCommunity & Calls to ActionReview & follow on: Spotify & Apple PodcastsInstagram: @theCompendiumPodcastWebsite: thecompendiumpodcast.comSupport us: Sign up to PatreonCircus Job Board: Apply to join the CircusShare this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favourite takeaway. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 51 mins
  • Zodiac Killer: Unsolved Mysteries, Ciphers and the Dark History of the Hunt

    Zodiac Killer: Unsolved Mysteries, Ciphers and the Dark History of the Hunt
    May 26 2026
    The Zodiac Killer did not just murder people; he turned the case into a public game of fear, symbols, letters and unsolved ciphers. This episode follows the Zodiac Killer from the first lovers’ lane attacks in Northern California to the murder of taxi driver Paul Stine, tracing how a string of true crime cases became one of America’s most enduring unsolved mysteries. We unpack the Zodiac Killer murders, the taunting newspaper letters, the coded messages, the Z340 cipher, surviving witnesses, and the strange public performance that made the case feel bigger than the crimes themselves. We also look at the suspects and theories that have kept the case alive, including Arthur Leigh Allen, Lake Berryessa, Lake Herman Road, Blue Rock Springs, and the haunting question of why the Zodiac Killer was never caught. This is dark history, historical true crime, real life mysteries and true crime stories at their most unnerving: a serial killer podcast deep dive into what really happened, what remains unknown, and why the hunt still fascinates listeners decades later. Topics Include zodiac killer murderszodiac killer letters and ciphersz340 cipher and the unsolved codesarthur leigh allen and other suspectswhy the zodiac killer was never caught Resources and Further Reading The Zodiac Killer Part 01 - FBI VaultThe Zodiac Killer Part 02 - FBI VaultZodiac Killer - WikipediaWho Is the Zodiac Killer? - BiographyThe Solution 340-Character Cipher - Wolfram Blog Host & Show Info Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam CoxIntro Music:Alice in dark Wonderland Community & Calls to Action Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple PodcastsInstagram: @theCompendiumPodcastWebsite: TheCompendiumPodcast.comSupport us: Sign up to PatreonWe’re Hiring: Find the perfect job at the circus Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favourite takeaway. Host & Show InfoHosts: Kyle Risi & Adam CoxIntro Music: Alice in dark WonderlandCommunity & Calls to ActionReview & follow on: Spotify & Apple PodcastsInstagram: @theCompendiumPodcastWebsite: thecompendiumpodcast.comSupport us: Sign up to PatreonCircus Job Board: Apply to join the CircusShare this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favourite takeaway. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • John Wayne Gacy: The Killer Clown Case and the Dark History Behind It

    John Wayne Gacy: The Killer Clown Case and the Dark History Behind It
    May 19 2026

    John Wayne Gacy was never just the killer clown; he was a trusted local man hiding sexual violence, murder, and years of missed warnings in plain sight.

    Today we explore the real story of John Wayne Gacy, starting with 15-year-old Robert Piest’s disappearance and the police work that finally broke the case open. We trace Gacy’s public image as a contractor, community figure, and Pogo the Clown, then follow the darker pattern behind the headlines: earlier assaults, parole failures, ignored red flags, victims lured into danger, and the horrifying crawl space discoveries beneath his house.

    Rather than treating John Wayne Gacy as a simple monster-myth, we ask what really happened, why the killer clown label became so sticky, and how a man with such a visible life kept offending for so long. It is a dark history episode for listeners drawn to true crime stories, true crime cases, famous trials, serial killer podcast deep dives, and strange true stories about the people who hide in plain sight.

    Topics Inclued

    • robert piest and the disappearance that broke the case
    • the truth behind the killer clown myth
    • john wayne gacy’s double life and public image
    • police failures, parole failures, and missed warnings
    • the crawl space discoveries, confessions, and trial

    Resources and Further Reading

    • John Wayne Gacy - Encyclopaedia Britannica
    • John Wayne Gacy's Artwork - Encyclopaedia Britannica
    • John Wayne Gacy - FBI Vault
    • John Wayne Gacy - Biography.com
    • John Wayne Gacy: A Timeline - Biography.com
    • Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes - Netflix
    • John Wayne Gacy - Wikipedia

    Host & Show Info

    • Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
    • Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland

    Community & Calls to Action

    • Review & follow on: Spotify & Apple Podcasts
    • Instagram: @theCompendiumPodcast
    • Website: thecompendiumpodcast.com
    • Support us: Sign up to Patreon
    • Circus Job Board: Apply to join the Circus

    Share this episode with a friend! If you enjoyed it, tag us on social media and let us know your favourite takeaway.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    1 hr and 34 mins
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