The Shallow End

In this episode of The Shallow End, we ease into the morning with half-finished coffee, mild grogginess, and a deep philosophical discussion about a very specific human flaw: the irresistible urge to acquire objects we absolutely do not need—and will almost certainly never use. From abandoned French press coffee makers to unopened hologram fans quietly aging in closets, the boys unpack the strange comfort of possession without follow-through, the sacred importance of keeping boxes “just in case,” and the moment you realize you’ve officially become your parents. Things take a darker turn with a true crime story from Italy involving pension fraud, family deception, and a high-profile attempt at impersonation that has been dubbed the real-life “Mrs. Doubtfire scheme.” It’s a story that somehow manages to be disturbing, absurd, and baffling all at once—and proves that bureaucracy will eventually notice… even if it takes a while. Then, a listener email delivers a classic Shallow End cautionary tale involving college logic, expired Mello Yello, gravity, and a car hood that never knew what hit it. It’s a story about impulse, regret, and the long shadow cast by a single bad decision made at the top of a staircase. Finally, the episode closes with a quintessential Florida Dumb Criminal Story: a man who tried to delay his flight by calling in a bomb threat—using his own phone, his real voice, and airport Wi-Fi. What follows is a quietly perfect example of impatience, overconfidence, and how modern surveillance does not reward shortcuts. It’s an episode about bad choices, unintended consequences, and the universal belief that maybe—just maybe—we can outsmart the system this one time. Spoiler: we can’t. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when you don’t take the win? This episode of The Shallow End delivers two unforgettable stories about poor decisions, improbable survival, and the fine art of knowing when to walk away. First, a Texas man is released from jail, handed his belongings, and given the one instruction that matters most: leave. Instead, he realizes something is missing—his confiscated marijuana—and makes the baffling choice to climb back over the jail fence to retrieve it. The result? No weed, more charges, and an instant promotion to the Shallow End Hall of Fame. A perfect lesson in why some exits should never be re-entered . Then, the episode pivots from modern misjudgment to 19th-century audacity with the astonishing true story of Professor Thaddeus Lowe, a self-taught scientist who accidentally drifted by hot air balloon behind Confederate lines at the dawn of the Civil War. Shot at, nearly arrested, and mistaken for a demonic flying contraption, Lowe somehow talked his way out—then turned the entire ordeal into a meeting with Abraham Lincoln and the creation of America’s first military balloon reconnaissance program . Along the way, listeners are treated to a jaw-dropping listener story involving gasoline, a bonfire, a Kiss music video, and the Milwaukee River—plus a reminder that eyebrows do, in fact, grow back. Equal parts absurd, historical, and painfully relatable, this episode explores those fragile moments when the universe says, you’re done here—and what happens when someone ignores it. Life lessons included. Jail fences should not be climbed. Fire tricks should not be attempted. And when freedom hands you the door… take it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s an SEO-optimized episode description for The Shallow End, written to perform well on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts while matching the tone of the episode and the show’s brand: As 2025 limps toward the finish line, The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth dives headfirst into a fresh batch of gloriously bad decisions, near-miss disasters, and criminal incompetence you truly have to hear to believe. The episode opens with a painfully relatable moment of modern panic: losing your phone… while actively talking on it. From there, things escalate quickly with a near-catastrophic kitchen mistake involving a laptop and a microwave (spoiler: MacBooks are not microwave-safe). But the real headline story comes out of small-town Ohio, where an ordinary bank drive-through transaction turns into one of the dumbest criminal stories of the year. A man accidentally sends methamphetamine through a pneumatic bank tube, triggering a sheriff’s department response, a canine alert, and instant internet infamy. No getaway plan. No criminal mastermind. Just a jaw-dropping lapse in attention that lands him squarely in Shallow End legend. The episode also features listener-submitted stories, including a Florida man who attempts yard work with a sword and accidentally enters a real-life medieval snake encounter, plus a stunning double-whammy crime story involving COVID relief fraud, a stolen U-Haul van, and a defendant who shows up for federal court already in handcuffs. If you enjoy true dumb criminal stories, real news absurdity, and laugh-out-loud moments fueled by human error, this episode delivers. It’s a reminder to double-check what’s in your pockets, return your rental vehicles on time, and for the love of all that’s holy—don’t mail illegal drugs to a bank. The Shallow End is where bad ideas float, good judgment sinks, and the stories are always true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—when you’re permitted (and strongly encouraged) to sip eggnog and pretend you forgot that embarrassing childhood performance of “Jingle Bells” on your parents’ camcorder. But guess what? We didn’t forget. And we’re bringing you something just as classic and cringey—a rerun from three Christmases ago! Join us as we sleigh-ride back in time to an episode packed with questionable decisions and awkward outcomes, like what happens when you attempt to steal a trailer, but you're not too bright or why we should never fiddle about with the weather. It’s our Christmas gift to you—and the best part? You can re-gift it guilt-free to your friends, family, or that random coworker who keeps forwarding you cat memes. So, don your ugly sweater, grab a candy cane (or something much stronger), and tune in for a holly-jolly re-gifted serving of The Shallow End. No matter how you celebrate, at least you’ll have this greatest hit to amuse you while Uncle Gary attempts his 47th retelling of “The Night Before Christmas.” Merry Reruns! If you would like to advertise on The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth, contact  ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a man calls 911 to report a wrong-way driver… and discovers he is the wrong-way driver? In this episode of The Shallow End, Schnebly and Tom share a jaw-dropping true story of drunk driving irony, a listener’s unforgettable fast-food bathroom disaster, and a late-night McDonald’s drive-thru in Florida that escalates from impatience to gunfire. Real stories. Bad decisions. Maximum shallow end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth is a wildly entertaining podcast that revels in people's absurd and often hilarious mistakes. In each episode, hosts Schnebly and Toth delve into true stories of misadventures and miscalculations, from everyday blunders to spectacular gaffes. With a keen eye for the funny side of human error, they explore how even the most straightforward decisions can spiral into comedic chaos. The show combines storytelling with witty banter, offering listeners a laugh and a gentle reminder of our shared imperfections. Whether it’s a failed science experiment or an office mishap, Schnebly and Toth are here to celebrate the humor in life’s Shallow End. If you would like to advertise on The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth, contact  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth is a wildly entertaining podcast that revels in people's absurd and often hilarious mistakes. In each episode, hosts Schnebly and Toth delve into true stories of misadventures and miscalculations, from everyday blunders to spectacular gaffes. With a keen eye for the funny side of human error, they explore how even the most straightforward decisions can spiral into comedic chaos. The show combines storytelling with witty banter, offering listeners a laugh and a gentle reminder of our shared imperfections. Whether it’s a failed science experiment or an office mishap, Schnebly and Toth are here to celebrate the humor in life’s Shallow End. If you would like to advertise on The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth, contact  ⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth is a wildly entertaining podcast that revels in people's absurd and often hilarious mistakes. In each episode, hosts Schnebly and Toth delve into true stories of misadventures and miscalculations, from everyday blunders to spectacular gaffes. With a keen eye for the funny side of human error, they explore how even the most straightforward decisions can spiral into comedic chaos. The show combines storytelling with witty banter, offering listeners a laugh and a gentle reminder of our shared imperfections. Whether it’s a failed science experiment or an office mishap, Schnebly and Toth are here to celebrate the humor in life’s Shallow End. If you would like to advertise on The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth, contact  ⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth is a wildly entertaining podcast that revels in people's absurd and often hilarious mistakes. In each episode, hosts Schnebly and Toth delve into true stories of misadventures and miscalculations, from everyday blunders to spectacular gaffes. With a keen eye for the funny side of human error, they explore how even the most straightforward decisions can spiral into comedic chaos. The show combines storytelling with witty banter, offering listeners a laugh and a gentle reminder of our shared imperfections. Whether it’s a failed science experiment or an office mishap, Schnebly and Toth are here to celebrate the humor in life’s Shallow End. If you would like to advertise on The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth, contact  ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Garbage Heist and the Fire Truck Joyride When it comes to dumb criminal stories, this week’s episode of The Shallow End Podcast might just take the trash-covered cake. JG and Linds explore two jaw-dropping tales of grand theft municipal—one featuring a pair of Alabama geniuses who used a stolen garbage truck as their getaway vehicle in an ATM heist gone gloriously wrong, and another involving an Australian man who took a fire truck for a joyride… sirens blazing. From sparks flying down Birmingham streets to a cross-jurisdiction chase through New South Wales, it’s a masterclass in bad ideas—where optimism bias meets municipal machinery. The guys dissect what drives people to commit felonies in the least stealthy vehicles possible and find surprising poetry (and Shakespeare) in the stupidity. Plus, listener mail brings a “petrified wood curse,” an unexpected toddler interruption during mommy and daddy time, and a conversation about Maine slang that’ll make you rethink your “door yard.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth is a wildly entertaining podcast that revels in people's absurd and often hilarious mistakes. In each episode, hosts Schnebly and Toth delve into true stories of misadventures and miscalculations, from everyday blunders to spectacular gaffes. With a keen eye for the funny side of human error, they explore how even the most straightforward decisions can spiral into comedic chaos. The show combines storytelling with witty banter, offering listeners a laugh and a gentle reminder of our shared imperfections. Whether it’s a failed science experiment or an office mishap, Schnebly and Toth are here to celebrate the humor in life’s Shallow End. If you would like to advertise on The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth, contact  ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth is a wildly entertaining podcast that revels in people's absurd and often hilarious mistakes. In each episode, hosts Schnebly and Toth delve into true stories of misadventures and miscalculations, from everyday blunders to spectacular gaffes. With a keen eye for the funny side of human error, they explore how even the most straightforward decisions can spiral into comedic chaos. The show combines storytelling with witty banter, offering listeners a laugh and a gentle reminder of our shared imperfections. Whether it’s a failed science experiment or an office mishap, Schnebly and Toth are here to celebrate the humor in life’s Shallow End. If you would like to advertise on The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth, contact  advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Episode #179 of TSE, Jethro starts us with a story of a young man consumed with the idea of becoming the “Next Big Thing” in the music business! And if you’re gonna start your own record label, why not shoot for the stars? All this gentleman needed was some money to jump-start his new career. After running through his options, though, he quickly came up with an easy way to score more money than many countries are worth!  What could go wrong? Oh, gentle listener, so much! Then Lindsay’s up with a DUI stop in rural Kentucky. Picture it!  An on-duty sheriff in his SUV is nearly killed by…well…another on-duty sheriff in his own SUV. Who pulled over whom? Find out in this week’s episode of “The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this uproarious episode of The Shallow End, two bizarre and unforgettable tales highlight the absurdity of human folly. First up, join us for a hilarious recounting of the misadventures of two inept would-be bandits whose grand heist plan unravels spectacularly when they encounter an unexpected adversary: moderately priced billiard equipment. Discover how their harebrained scheme takes an unexpected turn and ends in a series of comedic missteps that will leave you in stitches. Then, brace yourself for a cautionary tale that explores the catastrophic consequences of combining a dead whale carcass and dynamite. Join us for the true story of a misguided attempt to dispose of a whale carcass that escalates into a disastrous and hilariously unforgettable spectacle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite both Jethro and Lindsay oversleeping, the boys put on their big-boy pants, guzzled some coffee, and jumped back into their audio saddles!  J.G. kicks things off with the story of a man who thought it smart to rob a bank. But what to wear while committing a felony? A question for the ages. Suffice to say, the gentleman made some unique choices that might have landed him a prize in a bad Drag Revue. (And he still got caught.) Then, Linds takes us to the town of Murray, Kentucky, where a local man nicknamed "Cowboy Cody” took it upon himself to show displeasure at being asked to leave a popular watering hole.  But why use a firearm when Mother Nature can provide so many other things to be used as a weapon? (Hint: it rhymes with “raccoon.”) Enjoy this week’s dip in "The Shallow End!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth is a wildly entertaining podcast that revels in people's absurd and often hilarious mistakes. In each episode, hosts Schnebly and Toth delve into true stories of misadventures and miscalculations, from everyday blunders to spectacular gaffes. With a keen eye for the funny side of human error, they explore how even the most straightforward decisions can spiral into comedic chaos. The show combines storytelling with witty banter, offering listeners a laugh and a gentle reminder of our shared imperfections. If you would like to advertise on The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth, contact advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth is a wildly entertaining podcast that revels in people's absurd and often hilarious mistakes. In each episode, hosts Schnebly and Toth delve into true stories of misadventures and miscalculations, from everyday blunders to spectacular gaffes. With a keen eye for the funny side of human error, they explore how even the most straightforward decisions can spiral into comedic chaos. The show combines storytelling with witty banter, offering listeners a laugh and a gentle reminder of our shared imperfections. Whether it’s a failed science experiment or an office mishap, Schnebly and Toth are here to celebrate the humor in life’s Shallow End. If you would like to advertise on The Shallow End with Schnebly and Toth, contact  advertising@airwavemedia.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode #174 of The Shallow End is anything but shallow!  Jethro has the story of a Florida Man who robbed a gas station – but proved to be the single kindest man never to do so. So how did the cops have time to show up and catch him in the act? Well, it’s all about being polite, isn’t it! Then Lindsay goes down under (both geographically and in gastro-intestinal fashion) with the story of a woman who served a very "special lunch" to four guests. What happened? Hint: You may want to skip the mushrooms next time you’re invited to dinner – and go straight to the dessert! Enjoy this week’s brand new episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jethro and Lindsay are both in Seattle for the opening night of The Box of Oddities Fall Tour! 🎉 The bad news? We’ll be dipping back into the Audio Vault once again for another classic episode. The good news? A brand-new, fresh-from-the-audio-oven episode will be waiting for you next week. Thanks for hanging with us while we hit the road—we promise it’ll be worth the wait. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Because it’s Labor Day week and we’re all emotionally wearing flip-flops, we’re rolling out a classic from the vault — one of your faves, featuring the ever-delightful Kat! First up, JG tells the cautionary tale of two friends who loved pranking each other… until one of them decided to take things a skosh too far. What starts as harmless hijinks quickly turns into “well now we both need therapy.” Spoiler alert: someone ends up questioning the definition of fun and also probably friendship. Then, Lindsay takes us on a majestic, chaotic trip back to the Civil War — where a certain overconfident general basically declared “Mission Accomplished” before the actual mission. It’s a tale of hubris, miscalculations, and the historical equivalent of sending the “I’m outside” text 30 minutes too early. And Kat? She’s here to provide the logic and the light existential dread. This is an episode about pranks, pride, and the perils of speaking before thinking. Also, friendship. And probably head injuries. 🎧 Press play. Revisit. Regret nothing. Hashtags: #TheShallowEndPodcast #LaborDayReplay #HistoricalOops #PrankWarsGoneWrong #CivilWarFacepalm #VaultEpisode #KatGuestStar #PodcastRewind #FunnyHistory #PlayStupidGamesWinStupidPrizes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices