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.​

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.

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.

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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.

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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, their convictions were overturned, leading to a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter and their release in 2024. We delve into the complexities of this domestic violence case, the contentious custody battle over Jason's children, and the emotional aftermath that continues to haunt his family.​

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 and the Club Kids, the role of Peter Gatien, the shocking Angel Melendez murder, and how a scene built on rebellion spiraled into true crime history. From the neon-drenched dance floors of the 1990s to the gritty reality of New York crime stories, this is the cautionary tale of a subculture that burned too bright—and paid the ultimate price.

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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? From viral hysteria to police investigations, we break down how this infamous hoax spiraled out of control.

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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 story than a heist story carried out by idiots.

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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 one of the most intricate in FBI history.​

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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.

How did Rodriguez’s music make it to South Africa? Why was his story hidden for so long? And what happened when he finally discovered his own fame? This is the rise, the fall, and the miraculous rediscovery of a lost legend.

Listen to the musical version – Experience this episode with the full music as intended.

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