159: True Crime Writing and Reporting with Pepper Anne

159: True Crime Writing and Reporting with Pepper Anne

Author: Joey Held June 21, 2023 Duration: 31:02

When you were in school, you probably did some kind of project or report on a family member. Chances are you didn't uncover something like my guest.

Pepper Anne is a true crime writer, and the author of The Notorious Texas Swindler about Bob Leach, a cattle rustler turned con man and the mastermind behind the Grayson County Five, a group of fugitives who escaped from the Grayson County Jail in Sherman, Texas. Concurrently, Bob was also rustling cattle from unsuspecting ranchers and hosting a party ranch with his then-wife.

Bob is Pepper Anne’s cousin. She’s spent over a decade working on this story, piecing together interviews and insights from family members, victims, law enforcement officials, private investigators, and more. And she’s dealt with some unique threats along the way.

We’re talking all about how she discovered her cousin’s history, what it’s been like writing this story, and how she kept track of all the madness—because there is a LOT of chaos to unpack here.

This episode is presented by Firebreathing Kittens. Check 'em out here!


Each week, Joey Held sits down for a genuine chat with someone quietly building, creating, or exploring something fascinating. Good People, Cool Things moves beyond the usual headlines to find the entrepreneurs sketching ideas in coffee shops, the musicians crafting albums in home studios, and the writers piecing together stories that haven't yet found a mainstream audience. These conversations live in the rich space where society, business, and culture overlap, revealing the personal journeys behind interesting projects. You'll hear the unpolished stories of how things actually get made-the late-night doubts, the unexpected breakthroughs, and the simple joys of doing work that matters. It’s less about generic advice and more about the specific, often quirky, paths people take. This podcast has a simple premise: good people are out there doing cool things, and their experiences are worth sharing. Tuning in feels like pulling up a chair with friends who remind you that passion projects and side hustles can grow into meaningful lives. The tone is consistently warm and curious, making every episode an engaging dive into the human side of entrepreneurship and creativity. Discover a new story each week, and you might just find the spark for your own next endeavor.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Good People, Cool Things
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