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The Shallow End

205: Cowboy Bob & the Backyard Ballistics Disaster

The Shallow End

John Elliott and Lindsay Schnebly

Society & Culture, Comedy, History

4.9 • 612 Ratings

🗓️ 22 April 2026

⏱️ 31 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

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

Transcript

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0:23.1

What do you get when you take two childhood friends with the passion for unexplored history and a

0:27.4

whole lot of booze? You get us, Queens podcast. And here at Queens, we are spilling the tea on

0:33.2

all kinds of women from history. From New Orleans voodoo queen, Marie Levo to Marie Antoinette, and everything

0:39.5

in between. Each queen is paired with a cocktail recipe that will totally get you in the mood

0:44.2

to hear the fun, dramatic, and juicy stories of fascinating women from history. Listen wherever you

0:49.6

get your podcasts. Cheers! It began long ago. Two young boys in an American town riding their bikes to school

0:59.6

and Little League practice. Over the years, the boys became fast friends, united in their

1:06.0

love for stories where things would go horribly wrong. Pour yourself a strong beverage and buckle up.

1:14.6

You're in the shallow end with Schnebly and Toff.

1:16.6

Episode number 205. How?

1:20.6

Jestero, how can it be?

1:22.6

I don't know. I'm surprised that they've let us continue for this long without, you know, somebody in authority

1:28.6

shutting us down.

1:30.0

I think it's because that people just really aren't listening.

1:33.1

Maybe that's it.

1:33.8

And once the network actually starts listening to us, they're going to, oh, my God, this

1:39.7

has been on how long?

1:40.8

How many episodes?

...

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