Disasters
Browse our Disaster and wild survival episodes, or search by title or episode number.
Fyre Festival: What Really Happened at the Greatest Party That Never Happened
A luxury music festival collapses spectacularly into chaos, exposing lies, financial fraud, and social media delusion. We revisit how Fyre Festival became the internet’s most infamous modern caut...
The Titanic Part 1: History Podcast Story of Passengers, Power and the Legend
In this episode of The Compendium, we're jumping back onboard the highly requested Titanic! This is the first episode of our two-part series, where we delve into the ambitious conception of the R...
Nutty Putty Cave: Survival Stories and the John Edward Jones Tragedy
This episode recounts the tragic story of John Edward Jones, who became trapped in Utah's Nutty Putty Cave in 2009, leading to a fatal outcome that resulted in the cave's permanent closure.
The Chernobyl Disaster: Dark History of the Nuclear Meltdown at Reactor 4
This episode examines the Chernobyl disaster, focusing on the explosion of Reactor 4, the subsequent containment efforts, and the enduring impact on people and the environment.
Poop Cruise: Disaster Stories from Carnival Triumph’s Floating Sewage Nightmare at Sea
Passengers recount Carnival Triumph’s power loss and floating sewage disaster, which became the infamous “poop cruise” and inspired Netflix’s Trainwreck series.
When Hippos Attack: Survival Stories from the Zambezi River Safari Nightmare
A peaceful safari on the Zambezi River turns into a nightmare when two separate tourist groups are attacked by deadly hippos and crocodiles. In this gripping true story of survival, a lost blue p...
McDonald's Hot Coffee Case: Famous Trials, Corporate Negligence and the Truth
This episode explores the true story of Stella Liebeck's lawsuit against McDonald's, and the misconceptions surrounding the case and within the broader context of American tort reform and corpora...
The Pizza Bomber Heist: Bizarre Crimes Behind Brian Wells and the Collar Bomb
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 co...
Last Breath: Survival Storie Behind Chris Lemons and the North Sea Dive
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 div...
Survival at Sea: Real Life Survival Story From the Trashman Yacht Sinking
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 unt...
Roar: The Story of the Most Dangerous Film Ever Made
In this episode of The Compendium, we explore the chaotic legacy of Roar, the most dangerous movie ever made. Find out how Tippi Hedren, Noel Marshall, and a young Melanie Griffith risked life an...
The Challenger Disaster: Christa McAuliffe’s Legacy Beyond the Space Shuttle Explosion
In this episode of the Compendium, we are transporting back to 1986 to explore the Challenger Disaster. learn about Christa McAuliffe and her dream that turned into a heartbreaking space shuttle ...
Baby Jessica: The Girl who Fell Down a Well and Changed News Forever
In this episode of The Compendium, we dive into the incredible story of Baby Jessica, the 18-month-old girl who fell down a well and became trapped for 58 hours. But probably more interesting tha...
The Hindenburg Disaster: The Fiery End of the Golden Age of Airships
In this episode of the Compendium, we explore the 1937 Hindenburg disaster. A Nazi airship that exploded midair, marking the end of the golden age of zeppelins. We uncover the mysterious details ...
The Titanic Part 2: The Voyage, The Iceberg, The Aftermath
In this episode of The Compendium, we continue our Titanic story as we set sail across the Atlantic within this engineering marvel, we explore the luxury and daily life aboard the ship, providing...
The Titanic Part 1: The People, The Passions, The Legend!
In this episode of The Compendium, we're jumping onboard the highly requested Titanic! This is the first episode of our two-part series, where we delve into the ambitious conception of the RMS Ti...
Balloonfest: Clevelands 1986 Float-tastrophe of Epic Proportions
In this episode of the Compendium, we step back into time to revist The Cleveland Balloon Fest of 1986, a high-flying event that hoped to lift a city's spirits but instead spiraled into one of th...
Lindy Chamberlain: The Dingo, the Baby, and a Nation's Shock
In this episode of the Compendium, we’re jumping into the heart-wrenching story of Lindy Chamberlain, a tale that captivated and divided a nation. It all started when the Chamberlain family went ...
Searching for Madeleine McCann: A Family's Heartbreak and Hope
In this episode of the Compendium, we delve into the heart-wrenching and globally captivating story of Madeleine McCann's disappearance. This case, a tapestry of mystery and media frenzy, has rem...



















