Have you ever wondered what happens off mic in an investigative podcast? Join Payne Lindsey (Up and Vanished), Dennis Cooper (Culpable), and Kyle Tekiela (Crook County) for a candid look inside making a hit series. Hear personal reflections about honest storytelling, lifelong bonds to the cases you cover, and maintaining curiosity despite external pressures. Hear raw, insider takes on the un-aired side of podcasting. Recorded live from the Tenderfoot TV stage at CrimeCon 2025.

Have you ever wondered what happens off mic in an investigative podcast? Join Payne Lindsey (Up and Vanished), Dennis Cooper (Culpable), and Kyle Tekiela (Crook County) for a candid look inside making a hit series. Hear personal reflections about honest storytelling, lifelong bonds to the cases you cover, and maintaining curiosity despite external pressures. Hear raw, insider takes on the un-aired side of podcasting. Recorded live from the Tenderfoot TV stage at CrimeCon 2025.

Ken Tekiela was a celebrated Chicago firefighter and a loving father of two who led a secret double life as a hitman for the Chicago mafia. Is it even possible to keep a life of crime hidden from your wife and kids for two decades? Yes, it is. I know because Ken is my father. In 2013, after a lifetime of deception, he broke down and told me everything, and our whole world changed…

CROOK COUNTY is the shocking true-crime podcast about my father's rise through the ranks of the legendary organized crime syndicate, the Chicago Outfit. From whorehouse doorman at the age of 17, to ruthless assassin in his 20's, and the many years that followed covering up crimes for the mafia and crooked cops alike while working as a firefighter/paramedic for the Chicago Fire Department. To finally, moving to the suburbs with his new wife and kids and trying desperately to put it all behind him, until it all came crashing down. We explore in great depth and detail my father’s life of crime and its profound and lasting impact on my family to this very day.


From Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts, I’m Kyle Tekiela, welcome to CROOK COUNTY.

Ken Tekiela was a celebrated Chicago firefighter and a loving father of two who led a secret double life as a hitman for the Chicago mafia. Is it even possible to keep a life of crime hidden from your wife and kids for two decades? Yes, it is. I know because Ken is my father. In 2013, after a lifetime of deception, he broke down and told me everything, and our whole world changed&hellip;
CROOK COUNTY is the shocking true-crime podcast about my father's rise through the ranks of the legendary organized crime syndicate, the Chicago Outfit. From whorehouse doorman at the age of 17, to ruthless assassin in his 20's, and the many years that followed covering up crimes for the mafia and crooked cops alike while working as a firefighter/paramedic for the Chicago Fire Department. To finally, moving to the suburbs with his new wife and kids and trying desperately to put it all behind him, until it all came crashing down. We explore in great depth and detail my father&rsquo;s life of crime and its profound and lasting impact on my family to this very day.
 From Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts, I&rsquo;m Kyle Tekiela, welcome to CROOK COUNTY.

Crook County

Inside the Investigation with Payne Lindsey, Dennis Cooper, and Kyle Tekiela

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/540dd20c-6dfb-4a1c-a888-b39b010ec906/transcript

Kenny “The Kid” is facing the most difficult challenge of his life. After years of battling extreme PTSD and mental instability, Ken is now homeless and has been in and out of hospitals for the past year. I have done everything I can to support him—helping with rent, buying his car, paying for utilities, and assisting with his hospital stays—but the challenges have become overwhelming and I'm afraid of what might happen if I can't continue supporting him.

Recently, his car was impounded, leaving him without transportation and making it even harder for him to access the care and resources he needs. Right now, I am doing everything I can to get his car out of impound but there's so much more to do. Any new donations will go directly toward supporting Ken’s basic living expenses, such as food, clothes, and shelter. These essentials will give him the stability he desperately needs to focus on his mental health and recovery.

Since we released the show, I’ve had thousands of interactions with people who've been touched by Ken’s story. Now, I am humbly reaching out to this impassioned podcast community and beyond, asking for your support. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Ken continue on his journey of recovery and healing from the traumas that haunt him daily. Thank you so much and take care of each other.

gofundme.com/crookcounty

Kenny &ldquo;The Kid&rdquo; is facing the most difficult challenge of his life. After years of battling extreme PTSD and mental instability, Ken is now homeless and has been in and out of hospitals for the past year. I have done everything I can to support him&mdash;helping with rent, buying his car, paying for utilities, and assisting with his hospital stays&mdash;but the challenges have become overwhelming and I'm afraid of what might happen if I can't continue supporting him.
Recently, his car was impounded, leaving him without transportation and making it even harder for him to access the care and resources he needs. Right now, I am doing everything I can to get his car out of impound but there's so much more to do. Any new donations will go directly toward supporting Ken&rsquo;s basic living expenses, such as food, clothes, and shelter. These essentials will give him the stability he desperately needs to focus on his mental health and recovery.
Since we released the show, I&rsquo;ve had thousands of interactions with people who've been touched by Ken&rsquo;s story. Now, I am humbly reaching out to this impassioned podcast community and beyond, asking for your support. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Ken continue on his journey of recovery and healing from the traumas that haunt him daily. Thank you so much and take care of each other.
<a href="gofundme.com/crookcounty">gofundme.com/crookcounty</a>

Kenny Needs Your Help

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/db41589a-a388-4bee-a298-b3a7016ab230/transcript

Get ready for a thrilling Crook County bonus episode! Kyle dives into the voicemails you, our passionate fans, have sent in, tackling your burning questions and sharing raw, unfiltered reactions to the show’s wild ride. Plus, Kyle unearths exclusive, never-before-heard interview clips with Ken that will leave you speechless! From shocking revelations to untold stories, this episode is packed with surprises that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. Don’t miss this special dive into the heart of Crook County! To leave Kyle a Voicemail go to Speakpipe.com/CrookCountyPodcast

Get ready for a thrilling Crook County bonus episode! Kyle dives into the voicemails you, our passionate fans, have sent in, tackling your burning questions and sharing raw, unfiltered reactions to the show&rsquo;s wild ride. Plus, Kyle unearths exclusive, never-before-heard interview clips with Ken that will leave you speechless! From shocking revelations to untold stories, this episode is packed with surprises that&rsquo;ll keep you on the edge of your seat. Don&rsquo;t miss this special dive into the heart of Crook County! To leave Kyle a Voicemail go to Speakpipe.com/CrookCountyPodcast

Unanswered Questions

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c1b5d501-b26e-480f-9c26-b35b011da271/transcript

Your backstage pass to Crook County. In this candid interview, host & producer Kyle Tekiela shares some honest details that were too raw for the show, and talks music, family, burnout, and the making of the podcast.

Your backstage pass to Crook County. In this candid interview, host &amp; producer Kyle Tekiela shares some honest details that were too raw for the show, and talks music, family, burnout, and the making of the podcast.

Inside Crook County: Behind the Mic with Kyle Tekiela

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2271b1dd-ff3c-4461-83d4-b2bb01389935/transcript

Inside the Investigation with Payne Lindsey, Dennis Cooper, and Kyle Tekiela

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