Rephonic
Artwork for Crook County
Chicago Outfit
Chicago Mafia
Chicago Fire Department
Crook County
Heroin Addiction
Mafia
Family Dynamics
Chicago
True Crime
Mental Health
Ken Tekiela
Prostitution
Tenderfoot TV
Organized Crime
Addiction Recovery
Ed Hedges
Crime and Violence
Crime
Heroin
Cocaine

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... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes13Founded8 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryTrue CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Crook County

Latest Episodes

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,... more

What do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club? Answer: Wisecrack— a 6-part limited series where true crime and stand up comedy take center stage. Available now from Tenderfoot TV and iHeartPodcasts. Check out this trailer, and s... more

Hi, Crook County listeners! iHeartPodcasts & Tenderfoot has a new season of the hit franchise called Bone Valley, hosted by Gilbert King. In 1987, 18-year-old Michelle Schofield was found dead in a phosphate pit in Florida. Two years later, her husba... more

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for p... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Rich Tekiela
Ken's fraternal twin brother, sharing insights from their childhood and Ken's life.
Episode: 5 | Bully
Kenny The Kid Tekiela
A former hitman for the Chicago mafia, reflecting on his life and choices.
Chicago Outfit
Episode: 1 | Give Me Your F**kin Money

Host

Kyle Tekiela
Creator and host who shares the profound personal story of his father's dual life as a firefighter and mafia hitman, exploring the impact on their family. His narrative is shaped by both personal experience and interviews with family and friends, revealing the complex dynamics of crime, addiction, and redemption.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Great Show

    Great writing and storytelling, the interviews were great and gave an insight. I happy his dad opened up to him about his hardships. Would like to see other podcasts with similar content.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KickinItOleSkewl
    United Statesa month ago
  • No story

    Just adverts

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jeckles88
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Nothing but ads. Nothing

    First five minutes of commercials then they have five minutes of a previous episode three more minutes of commercials five minutes of content and then they have 10 minutes commercials to round out the rest of the 45. Mins. Complete rip off.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jjinsd
    United States2 months ago
  • Should Have Written a Novel, Instead

    There is so little about crimes and the Chicago mob, and so much more about the family dynamics and a personal story. This should not be classified as a true crime podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Krismissee
    United States2 months ago
  • Not totally convinced

    A moving series with great story telling, but it was plagued by a lack of corroboration throughout. Withholding names makes sense, but too often it seemed the host was just taking people at their word without any fact checking. The car chase story for example: was there any newspaper account to support Ken’s claim of a fiery accident that ended a man’s life?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    funkdrmephd
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast has been described as captivating and raw, with many users praising its unique perspective on crime and its impacts on families.
Some reviews criticize the excessive advertising, indicating that it detracts from the overall experience of the podcast.
Listeners appreciate the deep storytelling and emotional depth of the episodes, particularly the exploration of complex family dynamics connected to crime.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#190
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#161
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#162
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#33
United Arab Emirates/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#195
Ukraine/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#200
South Africa/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Inside Crook County: Behind the Mic with Kyle Tekiela
Q: What do you hope people gain from listening to this show and to your family story?
I hope there's a little bit of hope for people, maybe a little inspiration... it’s really important to seek help.
4 | Keeper Of A House Of Prostitution
Q: Why did he think Dan wanted to rob the place?
Because they were all greedy bastards; pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.
4 | Keeper Of A House Of Prostitution
Q: What do you reflect on about your time in the clubs?
I kept myself completely separated from those people, especially when I was with your mother.
1 | Give Me Your F**kin Money
Q: How does someone like that get wrapped up in all this?
I got recruited into the mob at 17 after a rough childhood; it was an unexpected turn of events driven by desperation and survival.
1 | Give Me Your F**kin Money
Q: How much did your family know about your time in the mafia?
Nobody knew anything; I was embarrassed and wanted to keep it from them to provide a secure suburban life.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Crook County

What is Crook County about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content explores the life of Ken Tekiela, who was not just a firefighter in Chicago but also led a double life as a hitman for the Chicago mafia. His son, Kyle Tekiela, narrates a captivating and often shocking tale about his father's descent into organized crime while attempting to maintain a facade of normalcy as a dedicated family man. The episodes focus heavily on themes of family dynamics, addiction, trauma, and the psychological impacts of living a life haunted by secrets and violence. The storytelling is deeply personal, shaped by interviews and anecdotes that highlight not just the criminal world but also the emotional struggles faced by the Tekiela family as they navigate the consequences of a hidden life.

Noteworthy is the bl... more

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How many listeners does Crook County get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Crook County?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Crook County:

1. Murder in the Moonlight
2. The Binge Crimes: The Vanishing of Janis Rose
3. The Binge Cases: Doctor's Orders
4. Up and Vanished
5. Monster: BTK

How many episodes of Crook County are there?

Crook County launched 8 months ago and published 13 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Crook County?

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What guests have appeared on Crook County?

Recent guests on Crook County include:

1. Rich Tekiela
2. Kenny The Kid Tekiela

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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