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The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things

The Compendium: An Assembly of Fascinating Things

By: Strange True Stories with Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
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Summary

 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
  • John Wayne Gacy: The Real Story Behind the Killer Clown

    John Wayne Gacy: The Real Story Behind the Killer Clown
    May 19 2026

    John Wayne Gacy was never just a killer clown - he was a respected man hiding mass murder in plain sight.

    This episode unpacks the real story of John Wayne Gacy, beginning with Robert Piest’s disappearance and the police follow-up that finally cracked the case. We trace Gacy’s earlier assaults, the failures that let him keep offending, the bodies buried under his house, and why the “killer clown” label misses the far more frightening truth.

    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.


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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • Room 1046: A Kansas City Hotel Murder and One of True Crime’s Unsolved Mysteries

    Room 1046: A Kansas City Hotel Murder and One of True Crime’s Unsolved Mysteries
    May 12 2026

    A man checks into the President Hotel under a false name — and Room 1046 becomes a locked-door nightmare.

    The death of the man known as Roland T. Owen remains one of the strangest true crime stories of 1930s Kansas City. Behind the name was a deeper mystery: Artemis Ogletree, a false identity, a hotel room filled with unanswered questions, and a cast of names that still feel like pieces from a puzzle no one has ever fully solved.

    This historical true crime episode follows the eerie Room 1046 case through the President Hotel, the Kansas City murder investigation, the mystery letters, and the people connected to the story, including Eugene K. Scott, Mary Soptic, Don Kelso and the elusive “Louise”. Was Room 1046 the scene of a planned hotel murder, a meeting gone wrong, or something even stranger?

    For listeners drawn to unsolved mysteries, real life mysteries, cold case podcast stories and dark history, this is a chilling look at how one hotel room became a lasting legend. Room 1046 is not just a murder case. It is a strange history of aliases, silence, fear and unanswered questions that still refuses to stay buried.

    Topics Include

    • The President Hotel in Kansas City in January 1935
    • Roland T. Owen and the false identity trail
    • The note to Don and the name Louise
    • The attack inside room 1046
    • Artemis Ogletree and the letters sent after death
    • Why the Room 1046 case remains unsolved

    Resources and Further Reading

    • Murder of Artemus Ogletree - Wikipedia
    • The Creepy Murder In Room 1046 - Youtube
    • The Man Who Locked Himself In - Criminal
    • The Owens Case - Kansas City Mag

    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 18 mins
  • Nepal Royal Massacre: A Dark History of Prophecy, Power and Palace Killings

    Nepal Royal Massacre: A Dark History of Prophecy, Power and Palace Killings
    May 5 2026
    A royal dinner becomes a bloodbath, a prince lies in a coma, and the Nepal Royal Massacre turns a dynasty into one of modern history’s most disturbing mysteries. This dark history episode follows the Nepal Royal Massacre from the Shah dynasty prophecy and the “tenth generation” curse to Crown Prince Dipendra’s blocked relationship with Devyani Rana, royal astrology, status, and the marriage politics simmering inside the palace. On 1 June 2001, a family gathering in Kathmandu ended with King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and much of Nepal’s royal family dead — and with an official account that many Nepalis struggled to believe. We trace the palace massacre, the early “accident” cover story, Dipendra being crowned king while in a coma, Gyanendra’s succession, the Kathmandu riots, and the conspiracy theories that still cling to the case. For listeners of true crime stories, royal scandals, real life mysteries and strange true stories, the Nepal Royal Massacre is a chilling collision of love, power, prophecy, public distrust and historical true crime. Topics Include: The Shah dynasty prophecy and the “tenth generation” curseCrown Prince Dipendra and Devyani RanaRoyal astrology, status, and marriage politicsThe June 2001 family gathering inside the palaceThe massacre, the “accident” cover story, and Dipendra’s comaSuccession, outrage, and the conspiracy theories that followed Resources and Further Reading Nepalese royal massacre - WikipediaA royal massacre - ABCMassacre at the Palace - by Jonathan GregsonNepal Royal Family Massacre - Zero Hour Documentry 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 PatreonCertified Freaks: Submit your job Descriptions 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 12 mins
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