The Shallow End

On this classic episode of The Shallow End, we dive headfirst into one of the most absurd workplace disaster stories imaginable: the tale of a janitor inside a world-class research facility whose unbelievably bad decisions spiraled into total chaos. It’s a hilarious real-life reminder that sometimes the biggest threat to science isn’t a supervillain… It’s a guy with a mop and absolutely no common sense. Join us for bizarre true stories, catastrophic mistakes, workplace fails, and the kind of unbelievable human behavior that makes you question how civilization functions at all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when humans push things just a little too far… and nature pushes back harder? In this wildly unpredictable episode of The Shallow End, we kick things off with a surreal, full-circle moment—meeting legendary singer-songwriter James Taylor and reflecting on unexpected life connections that somehow all collide at once. But then… things take a sharp turn. First up: a suburban Massachusetts eviction that spirals into absolute chaos when a beekeeper shows up with crates labeled “LIVE BEES”—and opens them. Thousands of bees. Deputies swarmed. Hospital visits. Courtroom drama. And one very big legal question: can bees be considered a weapon? Then, Kat drops in with a story that proves instant karma isn’t just a concept—it’s sometimes… deeply physical. A world-famous Spanish matador faces the unthinkable when a bullfight goes off script, delivering a brutal reminder that in a battle between man and beast, the outcome isn’t always guaranteed. And yes… it involves a horn. And yes… It’s exactly where you think. It’s a perfect storm of bizarre news, dark humor, and the kind of real-life absurdity that only The Shallow End can deliver. Make good choices… your life might depend on it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do exploding pants and a stolen identity have in common? In this episode of The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth, they’re both the result of truly spectacularly bad decisions—and the kind of stories you won’t believe actually happened. First, we head to Walker County, Georgia, where a routine visit from authorities turns into a moment of unforgettable chaos. A man, caught mid–“activities consistent with methamphetamine production,” makes a split-second choice that will quite literally blow up in his face… and elsewhere. What follows is a bizarre chain reaction involving volatile chemicals, a film canister, and a painfully memorable encounter with law enforcement. It’s a story that perfectly captures the intersection of comedy and catastrophe. Then, things take a darker turn. A man walks into a Los Angeles bank claiming something almost impossible: someone has stolen his identity—his entire life. What begins as confusion spirals into a decades-long nightmare involving wrongful arrest, forced psychiatric evaluation, and a system that refuses to believe the truth. Meanwhile, the real imposter lives comfortably under the stolen name, building a flawless paper trail that fools everyone… until one detail finally cracks the case wide open. This episode dives into two unforgettable true stories—one absurd, one unsettling—that both serve as cautionary tales about the consequences of poor decisions, flawed systems, and the fragile nature of identity itself. Plus, a listener email that proves sometimes the dumbest teenage decisions leave the most lasting impressions (and injuries). If you love true crime, bizarre news, and stories where everything goes horribly wrong in the most unbelievable ways, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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