Episodes

  • 205: Cowboy Bob & the Backyard Ballistics Disaster

    205: Cowboy Bob & the Backyard Ballistics Disaster
    Apr 22 2026
    What do a legendary bank robber in disguise and a backyard “experiment” gone catastrophically wrong have in common? They both belong squarely in The Shallow End. In Episode 205, the boys dive into the unbelievable true story of Peggy Jo Tallas—better known as “Cowboy Bob”—a free-spirited Texas woman who reinvented herself as a bearded outlaw and pulled off a string of bank robberies so smooth they baffled even seasoned FBI investigators. But beneath the disguises and daring escapes lies a deeper story about restlessness, identity, and the dangers of a life that feels too small. Then, in a sharp turn toward the absurd (and painfully unforgettable), we head to Salina, Kansas, where one man’s curiosity leads to a question no one should ever ask: what happens if you shoot a live bullet… with a pellet gun? The answer is exactly as bad as you’re imagining—and somehow worse. Plus, a listener email that proves kids, treehouses, and plastic grocery bags should never mix—and why some life lessons only come after gravity gets involved. If you love true crime, bizarre history, dumb criminal behavior, and stories that make you laugh while instinctively crossing your legs, this episode is for you. In this episode: The shocking true identity of “Cowboy Bob” One of the strangest bank robbery careers in Texas history A DIY science experiment that went disastrously wrong Listener story: A childhood stunt that almost worked… until it didn’t Pour yourself something strong and remember: curiosity may fuel innovation—but sometimes it just lands you in the ER. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • 204: Counterfeit Chaos & Diamond Disasters

    204: Counterfeit Chaos & Diamond Disasters
    Apr 15 2026
    What do a counterfeit cash scheme, a Target return counter, and a doomed diamond heist have in common? Absolutely terrible decision-making—and that’s exactly what’s waiting for you in this episode of The Shallow End. JG and Lindsay dive headfirst into two wildly absurd true crime stories that prove sometimes the biggest threat to criminals… is themselves. First, a man in Augusta, Georgia attempts to return a printer—only to accidentally leave behind sheets of freshly printed counterfeit money inside. What follows is a slow-motion unraveling of one of the least thought-out crimes imaginable, all thanks to a diligent retail employee and one very talkative machine. Then, things somehow get even worse. Meet Leroy and Marcy, two aspiring jewel thieves whose meticulously unmeticulously planned heist ends with smashed glass, a panicked escape, and a fateful elevator ride straight into disaster. With stolen diamond rings, a broken getaway plan, and one unforgettable attempt to hide evidence (yes… inside a human body), this story spirals into one of the most spectacularly botched robberies you’ll ever hear. Along the way, the team shares outrageous customer service horror stories—including attempted double refunds, questionable return logic, and the kind of retail chaos that makes you wonder how humanity functions at all. This episode is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, unbelievable true stories, and a reminder that crime doesn’t pay… especially when you forget the evidence in the printer. In this episode: A counterfeit operation undone by a simple return A jewelry heist foiled by… an elevator Real-life retail stories that defy logic Dumb decisions, instant consequences, and comedy gold If you love hilarious true crime, ridiculous criminals, and stories that make you feel just a little bit smarter by comparison, this episode is for you. Listen now—and remember: make good choices… your life might depend on it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • 203: Diesel Fumes And Nazi Sweat

    203: Diesel Fumes And Nazi Sweat
    Apr 8 2026
    Because even chaos takes a holiday… It’s a Shallow End classic. Due to Easter weekend, we’re cracking open the vault and re-releasing one of our all-time favorite episodes—and trust us, it’s worth resurrecting. JG dives headfirst (as one does) into the spectacularly ridiculous sinking of a World War II Nazi U-Boat—because sometimes history isn’t just tragic… It’s unintentionally hilarious. Meanwhile, Lindsay asks an important question that absolutely no one should be qualified to answer: Can you coach a Little League team all the way to the World Series… and still find time to rob 13 banks? (Spoiler: apparently, yes.) It’s incompetence, ambition, bad decisions, and baffling life choices—all wrapped up in one beautifully broken episode. If any defects in this episode are discovered, do not attempt to repair them yourself. Please return to an authorized Shallow End service center… or just laugh and let it happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • 202: The “Maybe Don’t Do That” Episode

    202: The “Maybe Don’t Do That” Episode
    Apr 1 2026
    What happens when criminals make every possible wrong decision… and then double down? In this episode of The Shallow End, we dive headfirst into a series of real-life stories that prove you don’t need a mastermind to commit a crime—sometimes all you need is spectacularly bad judgment. First, meet Darren Kimpton—a burglar having what can only be described as an aggressively terrible day. After botching one break-in and leaving behind a literal trail of blood (yes, DNA included), he decides the logical next step is… to try again. What follows is less of a crime and more of a live-action surrender. Then, things shift from clumsy crime to courtroom chaos. A woman named Kimberly Carroll attempts to attend a virtual court hearing via Zoom—while driving. What unfolds is a painfully awkward, wildly viral moment involving a skeptical judge, a very obvious lie, and one of the most expensive car rides imaginable. Plus, listener stories that will make you question how anyone boards the wrong plane—and doesn’t realize it until takeoff. This episode is packed with: Dumb criminal fails (the kind that practically solve themselves) Viral courtroom moments you have to hear to believe Absurd real-life stories that feel scripted… but aren’t The kind of humor that makes you grateful you’re not that person If you love true crime with a comedic twist, unbelievable real-life mishaps, and stories where everything goes wrong in the most entertaining way possible—welcome to The Shallow End. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • 201: Karaoke Night → Gunfire (Because Florida)

    201: Karaoke Night → Gunfire (Because Florida)
    Mar 25 2026
    What starts as a routine flight out of Mogadishu turns into one of the strangest “instant karma” stories you’ll ever hear… when a man in a wheelchair boards a plane with a deadly secret—and what happens next defies every expectation. This is a true story of chaos, survival, and a twist so unbelievable it sounds fictional… but isn’t. Then, we head to Clearwater, Florida—because of course we do—where a karaoke night goes completely off the rails. One man waits patiently for his moment in the spotlight… until a broken karaoke machine pushes him into a decision that lands him in handcuffs instead of the chorus. Plus: a listener story featuring a literal “Rick Roll” (gravity-assisted), and a reminder that sometimes the most dangerous place on Earth… is an open mic night. In this episode: A real-life airplane bombing attempt with a bizarre outcome A Florida karaoke meltdown involving a gun (yes, really) Listener humiliation at a Rick Astley concert The fine line between performance art and public disaster If you love true dumb criminal stories, unbelievable real-life events, and dark humor with a twist of “what did I just hear?”—welcome back to The Shallow End. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • 200: Better Photo, Worse Outcome

    200: Better Photo, Worse Outcome
    Mar 18 2026
    Episode 200 dives headfirst into the absurd with a milestone celebration you won’t forget—whether you want to or not. From a hilariously ill-conceived ‘nude episode’ kickoff to a real-life criminal mastermind who tried to improve his own wanted poster with a better selfie, this installment is packed with bizarre true stories, dumb decisions, and the kind of strange-but-true moments that define The Shallow End. You’ll hear about a fugitive who critiqued his own mugshot (and helped police catch him), a cyclist whose road rage backfired spectacularly thanks to dashcam footage, and the everyday weirdness that turns minor incidents into unforgettable chaos. If you love ridiculous crimes, unbelievable true stories, and laugh-out-loud commentary on human behavior, this episode delivers. Jump in—just maybe keep your pants on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • 199: The Tablecloth Car Thief

    199: The Tablecloth Car Thief
    Mar 11 2026
    On this episode of The Shallow End, the guys dive headfirst into two stories that prove reality is often stranger—and far funnier—than fiction. First, a bizarre crime spree in Gwinnett County, Georgia where a man allegedly attempted a series of car thefts while wearing nothing but a tablecloth and fuzzy blue slippers, turning a routine police chase into one of the strangest wardrobe choices in criminal history. Then the conversation shifts to a surprisingly controversial business experiment in New Jersey, where Girl Scout cookies were briefly sold outside a cannabis dispensary, creating the perfect collision between entrepreneurial scouts and customers experiencing the legendary munchies. Add listener mail about unfortunate names and the hosts’ signature humor, and you’ve got a hilarious mix of weird news, bizarre crimes, strange stories, and odd moments from everyday life that only The Shallow End could deliver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • 198: Super Extreme DUI and the Serial Airline Stowaway

    198: Super Extreme DUI and the Serial Airline Stowaway
    Mar 4 2026
    In this episode of The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth, two unbelievable real-life stories prove that sometimes the most ridiculous headlines are absolutely true. First, we head to Skull Valley, Arizona, where a sheriff’s deputy responds to a strange crash and discovers a driver who insists he’s “totally perfect”… despite crashing into a guardrail and somehow getting his finger stuck inside a can of White Claw hard seltzer. The situation only gets worse when authorities determine the driver is well beyond the legal alcohol limit—earning himself one of Arizona’s rare “super extreme DUI” charges. It’s a bizarre collision of questionable decisions, desert highways, and the world’s least helpful beverage container. Then the story shifts from roadside chaos to the friendly skies with the surreal case of Svetlana Dali, a woman who has repeatedly managed to board international flights without a ticket, boarding pass, or passport. Yes—she simply blended into boarding groups and walked onto planes headed across the Atlantic. Not once… but multiple times. How does someone bypass airport security, TSA checkpoints, and airline gate agents to become a transatlantic stowaway? The answer may reveal something deeply strange about how security—and human behavior—actually works. Along the way, Schnebly and Toth wander into their usual philosophical territory, including why airports make perfectly innocent travelers feel like criminals, how confidence can get you almost anywhere, and why every trip through TSA feels like a scene from a dystopian thriller. From White Claw–related highway chaos to international airline stowaways, this episode explores the strange places where human behavior meets unbelievable circumstance. Welcome to The Shallow End, where true stories prove that reality is often stranger—and far funnier—than fiction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins