MFM Minisode 425

Summary

Detailed Summary of "MFM Minisode 425" – My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

Release Date: March 3, 2025
Podcast Network: Exactly Right
Hosts: Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Episode Type: Minisode

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1. Introduction to the Minisode

The episode begins with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark casually introducing themselves, setting a relaxed and conversational tone. They acknowledge the informal nature of minisodes, emphasizing that they’re “off the clock” and fostering an intimate connection with their listeners.

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2. Main Story: Murder at Georgia’s Grandfather’s Laundromat

[02:29] Georgia Hardstark shares a haunting family story:

While visiting her parents during the holidays, Georgia’s mother revealed that her grandfather was accused of murdering a young woman in 1988. The incident occurred near their quiet Midwest farming town’s laundromat, turning an otherwise peaceful community upside down.

Key Details:

• The Incident:
  Three men in suits (“three suits”) arrived at the family’s breakfast table, taking Georgia’s grandfather into custody. The victim was often seen at the laundromat, and another man with a rumored crush on her was quickly apprehended by police—caught “cleaning blood out of his car” ([04:10]).

• Investigation Complications:
  Forensic teams discovered that an unidentified person had been at the crime scene between the murder and its discovery. This individual was a local woman who came in to do laundry but failed to report the blood, citing, “that wasn’t any of my business” ([04:53]).

Notable Quote:

"...the defendant told police that, 'Monday was a bad day.'" ([04:08])

Emotional Impact:

Georgia expresses the profound impact this accusation had on her family, highlighting the complexity of familial bonds strained by such tragedies. The story underscores themes of suspicion, community gossip, and the enduring pain of unresolved mysteries.

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3. Segment: Trash Kid Stories

Karen and Georgia invite their listeners to share their own tales of childhood mischief, aptly titled “Trash Kid Stories.”

[06:51] Karen Kilgariff recounts her experience:

As a six-year-old in a Northern Vermont bowling league, Karen and a group of kids devised a scheme to earn extra quarters by pretending to raise money for the local children's hospital. Their plan involved greeting patrons at the bowling alley entrance under the guise of charity, resulting in nearly $80—a significant amount of quarters for young kids ([08:29]).

Consequences:

Their deceit was eventually uncovered when adults noticed inconsistencies, leading to Karen and her siblings being disciplined by their formidable mother, Becky. This story highlights themes of childhood ingenuity, the allure of easy money, and the inevitable repercussions of dishonest actions.

Emotional Reflection:

Karen poignantly shares the loss of her mother in 2023, attributing much of her personal growth and resilience to Becky’s strict yet loving upbringing. She delivers an emotional tribute:

"Stay sexy and hug your mom. She may just save you from a life of crime." ([09:54])

Notable Quote:

"We had hoodwinked enough people to get almost $80 in donations. That is so many fucking quarters." ([08:29])

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4. Listener Emails and Stories

The hosts delve into emails from their listener community, sharing diverse and engaging stories.

a. Visit to the Jack the Ripper Museum

[14:27] Listener Sarah from London writes:

Sarah and her 14-year-old son, an aspiring lawyer and criminologist, visited the Jack the Ripper Museum. Located near the Tower of London, the museum offers immersive experiences, including reconstructions of crime scenes and exhibits on victims and suspects.

Highlights:

• Exhibits:
  Letters from Jack the Ripper to the police and the whistle used by the policeman who discovered Catherine Eddowes’ body.

• Connection to Personal History:
  Sarah mentions that the park near her hometown, formerly an asylum where one of the Ripper’s suspects resided, is now rumored to be haunted.

Notable Quote:

"The emotions that you have about it... it's almost like it makes sense to say it's none of your business." ([05:10])

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b. Ghost Story from Listener Julieta

[25:12] Julieta from Uruguay shares a paranormal encounter:

While at her best friend’s house, Julieta and her friend experienced unexplained door movements. A door gently opened, attributed to her friend’s deceased great-grandmother. Despite initial fear, Julieta found comfort in her grandmother’s reassuring words, “Paso unhelp,” meaning an angel passed by.

Themes:

• Supernatural Experiences:
  The story blends fear with a sense of protection and presence from departed loved ones.

• Cultural Elements:
  Incorporates Spanish phrases and familial bonds to convey emotional reassurance.

Notable Quote:

"They just say hello and let her do her thing." ([25:35])

c. Embarrassing Encounter with Jane Goodall

[27:00] Listener shares a humorous mishap:

A listener recounts accidentally spilling a glass of red wine on Jane Goodall during a conference. Thankfully, due to Goodall’s prosopagnosia (inability to recognize faces), she likely didn’t remember the incident.

Humor and Relatability:

• Situational Comedy:
  The story is told with humor, highlighting the awkwardness of social blunders.

• Self-Deprecation:
  Karen jokes about using medical terminology to describe the incident, adding to the comedic effect.

Notable Quote:

"Stay sexy and don't get murdered." ([29:16])

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5. Emotional and Personal Reflections

Throughout the episode, Karen and Georgia interweave personal anecdotes with their discussions, offering listeners a glimpse into their lives beyond true crime.

• Karen’s Tribute to Her Mother:
  Reflecting on her strict upbringing and the profound influence of her late mother, Becky:

  "I honestly don't think I'd be a fraction of the person I am today without her." ([09:57])

• Emotional Support for Listeners:
  Both hosts express deep appreciation for their listeners, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences:

  "We love you. We're here for you." ([29:12])

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6. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with Karen and Georgia encouraging listeners to continue submitting their stories and expressing gratitude for the support and engagement from their community. They reinforce their signature sign-off, blending humor and affection:

"Stay sexy and don’t get murdered." ([29:16])

Notable Quote:

"Thank you for the incredible stories you share every week." ([19:07])

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Key Themes and Insights

• Blending Humor with True Crime:
  Karen and Georgia adeptly mix light-hearted storytelling with serious discussions about crime, making the content both engaging and emotionally resonant.

• Community Engagement:
  The show thrives on listener interaction, valuing the personal stories and experiences that contribute to the podcast’s rich tapestry.

• Emotional Depth:
  Personal reflections and tributes add layers of emotional complexity, showcasing the hosts’ vulnerability and authenticity.

• Supernatural and Paranormal Elements:
  Incorporating ghost stories and unexplained phenomena adds variety and intrigue, appealing to listeners’ fascination with the unknown.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Familial Accusation:

  "Police then approached him, told him he was not under arrest, and indicated that they wanted to talk to him about the murder. At that point, the defendant told police that, 'Monday was a bad day.'" ([04:08])

• On Childhood Mischief:

  "We had hoodwinked enough people to get almost $80 in donations. That is so many fucking quarters." ([08:29])

• On Mother’s Influence:

  "I'm not gonna pronounce this correctly cause I don't speak Spanish, but I'm gonna attempt, okay, Paso unhelp, which is an angel passed by." ([25:35])

• Signature Sign-Off:

  "Stay sexy and don't get murdered." ([29:16])

---

Conclusion

MFM Minisode 425 is a compelling blend of true crime narratives, personal stories, and listener engagement. Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark continue to build their unique space within the true crime community by intertwining humor, emotional depth, and interactive storytelling. This episode, rich with personal anecdotes and listener contributions, exemplifies the podcast’s ability to connect deeply with its audience while maintaining its signature entertaining and relatable style.

Transcript

[Georgia Hardstark]

This is exactly right. You know those commercials where a single impossibly shiny car glides down a beautiful winding country road with a horse running along a fence?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, yeah, that's not real life.

[Georgia Hardstark]

No, but Hyundai's available class exclusive advanced safety features are designed for the roads we actually drive on, helping to keep you and your family protected.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Hyundai vehicles are equipped with a standard driver attention warning system, which constantly monitors your attention levels.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Learn more about [e-mail] or. Or call 562-314-4603 for complete details.

[Karen Kilgariff]

That's H Y U N D A I u s a.com or call 562-314-4603. Goodbye.

[Unknown]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

Easy.

[Unknown]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

My favorite.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Hello and welcome to my favorite murder.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's Georgia Heartstark.

[Karen Kilgariff]

That's Karen Kilgariff.

[Georgia Hardstark]

This is the Minisode.

[Karen Kilgariff]

There you go.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I did the wrong line.

[Karen Kilgariff]

That's okay. We got there in the end.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It feels like the idea that we don't introduce ourselves for the minisode is really. It's very casual.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It's like we're off the clock.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah. And you guys know, it's presumptuous and.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yet familiar, and yet you're like, oh, these bitches.

[Karen Kilgariff]

I'm doing it again. I fucking know who these bitches are. Why don't you go first?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Okay. Starting off with a classic murder in my grandfather's Laundromat. Classic hometown. Well, it says hi. While visiting my parents over the holidays, the topic of true crime came up. My mom, out of nowhere, said, you know, someone was murdered at your grandpa's laundromat.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And then it says, do go on, Mom. Here's what she told me. One day in 1988, she and her family were sitting around the breakfast table when there came a startling knock at the door. Three suits, as she called them, flashed badges and pushed their way inside. My grandpa was taken into police custody. He was the suspect of a murderer. Early that morning, the body of a young woman had been discovered on a back road outside of our little Midwest farming town. So scary. Yeah. You're in a place that's, like, always quiet. There's not a lot going on.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Totally.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And then a. I mean, that's the beginning of so many movies. Horrible. Also discovered was a huge pool of blood trailing out the door of our family's laundromat.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

According to my mom, the victim was known to spend a lot of time at the laundromat. Another man was known to spend a lot of time there as well, who, according to small town gossip, had a thing for her. That guy was tracked down by police at a car wash. And then this is italicized and bolded. Literally cleaning blood out of his car. Can you say caught red handed? Here's a quote directly from the case files. That's some serious work. Quote. Police then approached him, told him he was not under arrest, and indicated that they wanted to talk to him about the murder. At that point, the defendant told police that, quote, Monday was a bad day.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

End quote. So obviously, my grandfather was very quickly dropped as a suspect. The man never admitted to the crime and appealed his case several times, but was sentenced to life in prison. Word around town is that he killed several people. That was just the one murder he got caught for. Yeah, there are a lot of details I'd love to add, but I'll leave you with this. Forensic investigation was complicated because it became apparent that someone unidentified had been in the crime scene after the murder and before it was discovered by the police.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, no.

[Georgia Hardstark]

This person was later discovered to be a lady from town who had come in to do laundry and didn't tell anyone about the blood because, quote, that wasn't any of my business. End quote.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Girl.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And then it just says, thanks, guys. No name. Wow, ma'am.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Like, chilling detail, right? That you'd walk in and just have no emotions about it, you know, or whatever.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The emotions that you have about it. There's something else in you that Says getting involved is dangerous or bad for me or something. That it's like, not an option. But it's almost like it makes sense to say it's none of your business. If you are walking by outside and looking in, you step inside, you're part of the crime scene.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Here in 2025, all of us step in. Need to know that?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Totally. Wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You're in it. Your DNA puts you in it.

[Karen Kilgariff]

That's right. That's a crazy one.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah.

[Karen Kilgariff]

All right, let's do a 180. Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Okay.

[Karen Kilgariff]

This is called Trash Kid. That Time I Committed Fraud. Dear ladies, you heard the trash dad stories. You know all about the trash uncles and the trash moms. But what if I told you I was a trash kid and a criminal to boot?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Okay, I'm sorry, but first of all, hell yes. What were we thinking? Not asking for this from the beginning, Trash kids. Because my favorite trash kid of all time is the very, I think, year one story of the little boy who rode around on his bicycle chopping down. Chopping down telephone poles with a fucking chainsaw.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah. That got turned into. To an MFM animated. Like one of the first MFM animated.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And also by a listener artist, got turned into a pin that was given me at a live show that I have and carry around with me to this day. It was, like, for me, high art.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah, it was really well done.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Unbelievable. Unbelievably beautiful.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Okay, so send us your trash, trash, trash kid stories. Whether it's from you or a sibling, we want to know, please.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Everything you did that got. You got caught and in trouble for and then some.

[Karen Kilgariff]

So picture it. Northern Vermont, circa 1999. My parents were a part of the Friday night bowling league. At this point, I'm about 6 years old, and rather than pay a babysitter, my parents dragged me along to sit at the bowling alley until late in the night.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Okay.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Of course they did.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Their fault.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah. The bowling alley had a huge arcade, and little me loved basking in the flashing lights of the kid casino. However, we didn't often have enough money for the arcade. All the money was earmarked for beer and pizza, obviously.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah.

[Karen Kilgariff]

And so I and the other kids were delegated to simply looking at the games and pretending that we were playing them, which is a thing I forgot completely. Just pretending that you're playing them.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Cause they're doing. They're showing you what could happen Right. In the video game, and you're just pretending that you're trying to practice.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Especially on Centipede, Right.

[Karen Kilgariff]

When you lost all your money already playing fucking Pac Man.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Like, we'd usually get a dollar. Four quarters.

[Karen Kilgariff]

So that's four tries, which is gone in a flash.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yes. I mean, especially when you're, like, bad at. For us, they were literally the newest thing there was. So we're just like, how do you control this centipede?

[Karen Kilgariff]

I've always been bad at them. Yeah. That was not enough. So a small group of us hatched a diabolical plan that would get us all the quarters we could ever want. And it seemed like such an easy solution. We were cute. Adults love cute kids, right? Would adults just give cute kids money? Probably not. They needed a reason. Sick kids. That's it. We needed them to give us money to help sick kids. That's right. If you hadn't figured out our grand plan, it was to stand near the entrance to the bowling alley and tell people as they entered that we were raising money for the local children's hospital.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, my.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Over the course of roughly two hours, we had hoodwinked enough people to get almost $80 in donations. That is so many fucking quarters. It was all going according to plan. Until it wasn't. It turns out some of these adults had been talking with the manager about the cute little philanthropists at the front entrance, and the manager had no idea what they were talking about. Long story short, our parents were pulled from their games, and I didn't see the sun for weeks. I also was dressed down by my mom, Becky. Don't you dare call her Rebecca. Who both instilled the fear of God in me and made me see the error of my ways. She was a small woman, but she made up for that with sheer volume and by being an absolute badass who raised six kids in a blended home. We lost her in 2023 to a mixture of throat cancer and COPD. Don't smoke, kids. Her loss has been the most profound of my life. Up until she lost the ability to speak, she was the person I called every day on my way home from work. I told her everything. She was one of my biggest advocates. When I came out as trans, she was my favorite person. I honestly don't think I'd be a fraction of the person I am today without her. Stay sexy and hug your mom. She may just save you from a life of crime. Ada. She. Her.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Ada. Ada. That was one of my favorite stories.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Just.

[Georgia Hardstark]

But you deserved everything Becky brought to you and more.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah, you did. Eighty bucks, though, like she had. Becky had to be a little proud.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I mean, secretly. Cause also, I Just, I'm assuming, what, There were a handful of kids. Five kids.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Like, they would have been just golden in that, that arcade all night long. Done some.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Like, who wants candy? More candy? Yeah. I'll go to candy machine.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah. Corn dogs. Corn dogs all around.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It almost feels like if you get past the finish line, you get to keep the money and then you're in trouble, right?

[Karen Kilgariff]

They didn't say what happened to the money.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Also, how cute were these kids that without a bucket or any signage, they're just like, they got it.

[Karen Kilgariff]

They did it.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I don't know. I'm on the kids side.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Hey, Karen, I want you to picture yourself going for a drive. What comes to mind?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Not ever being able to merge on any freeway in Los Angeles. And potholes and crying.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, yeah. Well, the truth is, the road can feel like it's out to get you at every turn. But, Karen, it doesn't have to be this way.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Because Hyundai's available advanced safety technology is designed to help keep you protected from all of life's twists and turns.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Their vehicles offer available features designed to help safeguard you and your loved ones.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You can change lanes with confidence thanks to the available blind spot view monitor, which actually shows you a live video feed of your blind spots.

[Karen Kilgariff]

The standard forward collision avoidance assist can help prevent or mitigate accidents by alerting you of imminent collision. Oh, my God. This happens to me all the time. And automatically applying the brakes if you don't.

[Georgia Hardstark]

This is needed. Hyundai vehicles are equipped with a standard driver attention warning system which constantly monitors your attention levels. I oh my God. Once detected, it sounds, alerts and visual cues to help bring your focus back to the road.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I mean, get this for me right now.

[Karen Kilgariff]

With available class exclusive safety features, Hyundai helps to keep you safe so you can enjoy the drive.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Learn more about [e-mail] or call on the phone [phone] for complete details.

[Karen Kilgariff]

That's H Y U N d a I usa.com or call 562-314.

[Georgia Hardstark]

4,603 Hyundai vehicles have won over 120 IIHS Top Safety Awards from 2006 to 2024. As of December 2024.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Goodbye. There are a lot of things that help you feel at peace. A cup of tea. A great playlist.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Roasting a troll on the Internet.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Ooh. But the best thing for your peace of mind is knowing that your home is protected with SimpliSafe.

[Georgia Hardstark]

With SimpliSafe, millions of Americans enjoy greater security and peace of mind. Every time they arm their system, traditional.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Security systems only take action. Someone has broken in that's too late.

[Georgia Hardstark]

But with active guard outdoor protection, SimpliSafe's monitoring agents closely watch your property and stop crimes before they happen.

[Karen Kilgariff]

The cameras use advanced AI to distinguish between friendly faces like family and neighbors and potential threats, alerting agents to suspicious individuals before they get close to your home.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I mean, now SimpliSafe is offering AI technology that can read faces. So your alarm isn't going to be going off because you know a raccoon walked by and sat on your front porch for a little while.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah, I turn mine on even when I go to walk. Cookie like mine is always on.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Right. Will they know about your neighbor that you don't want to talk to, though? I don't. I don't think that's something we can ask for. But in this day and age, that's the kind of technology that for a dollar a day you're getting a bargain.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Visit simplisafe.com fave to claim 50% off a new system with a professional monitoring plan and get your first month free. That's simplisafe.com fav there's no safe like SimpliSafe.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Goodbye. The subject line of this email is my visit to the Jack the Ripper Museum in London. So you and I haven't talked about the fact that they are claiming that they have solved the Jack the murder case.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Jack the Ripper.

[Georgia Hardstark]

What did I just say?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Jack the murder.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Do you mind if I don't pay attention while I'm talking during this one? Is that okay, necessary?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah, we'll talk about it. I'm. I'm skeptical.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Me too.

[Karen Kilgariff]

So let's wait until it's.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I'm also skeptical because. Oh, by the way, back on TikTok.

[Karen Kilgariff]

People were telling me how to tell you to get back on it.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I mean, God, God bless our listeners who. I got so many messages on Blue sky, like so nice. But one of the first things I saw was someone that was talking about that and how it's like, oh, okay, so just this apron or whatever that's been sitting there for years and anyone could touch.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Interesting. We should talk about that.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah, yeah, we will.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Should we do like a retro style and just do a one subject Jack the Ripper episode?

[Karen Kilgariff]

We could retell the whole story. Okay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It says, hi ladies and all MFM family. Pretty much a day one listener and a second time writer. Thank you so much for getting me through a lot of time in the Hospital over the last few years having multiple surgeries for endometriosis. Rough. I've lived just outside of London my whole life, but somehow I didn't know until recently that there was a Jack the Ripper museum. Did you know that?

[Karen Kilgariff]

No. But why wouldn't there be? Like, it makes sense.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And also why didn't I go there when I was so smart trying to cover Jack the Ripper? I mean, why wouldn't there be? Is that what you just said?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Cause that's what this email says. Sorry. My son is also a murderino at the age of 14 and he's studying law and criminology. So when I was looking for days out for us to do together, we were both excited to discover this little gem of a museum. It's set in a townhouse type building over four floors and close to the Tower of London and to the Ripper's hunting grounds. There are sections dedicated to the victims, the suspects, and reconstructions of one of the crime scenes and of what living room may have looked like where you can hunt for clues as to his identity. We were absolutely in our element. Some of the best things we saw were the letters written to the police from Jack the Ripper and also the whistle used by one of the policemen who found the body of Catherine Eddowes.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, that's. That would be so creepy and fascinating to see the reconstruction of a crime scene of those murders. God. Okay. I would've loved to have done the walking tour too, but those cobbled streets don't go well with. Your idea for a virtual walking tour is perfect for me.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Great.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, I love that. Just as an extra fact, the town I live in used to house the asylum that Aaron Kaczynski, one of the suspects who's the suspect they think they've identified through DNA, spent his final days. It is now a park that is supposedly haunted.

[Karen Kilgariff]

It's the hauntedest park in parkland.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I mean, a haunted park though, where it's like we're the ghosts from the building that used to be here.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah, we're still here. You knocked the building down, but get off my bench.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, I hate squirrels. Okay. Also, my husband works for the Freemasons and I like to joke that his employers are the reason Jack the Ripper was never caught. Sstgm and keep trying to solve the Ripper mystery. Sarah, she.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Her. Sarah must have written that before this DNA stuff came out.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I mean, if Sarah's a day one listener and a second time writer, this could easily be from 1997 and we just don't realize it.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Wow. Okay. Yeah, we're gonna have to get into that.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah.

[Karen Kilgariff]

All right. This one's called Glitch in the Matrix Slash Instant Karma. And I love it because I love those glitched in the Matrix stories. Hi, ladies. This story was buried deep in the recesses of my sleep deprived brain, but it came rushing back to me while listening to a recent hometown. It was the early 2000s. I was a junior in high school. My friend and I were enjoying some chicken nuggets at Wendy's across town. It's just the kind of crazy me and my Bad Girl crew used to get up to in high school. Just kidding. We were NER when a somewhat disheveled woman came rushing into the restaurant. She scanned the place and came over to our table. This woman launched into a long story about how her car had run out of gas just before the exit and she had to abandon it. But she didn't have any money to buy gas because she left her wallet at home. And can we please give her some spare change so she could buy some gas? Just enough to get her back to her house. My friend shot me a skeptical look. I peeked in my wallet, hesitated for a moment, then handed over my last $5 bill. The woman looked shocked that her story works question mark and said, oh no, that's too much. And I said, well, that's all I've got. Besides, that's not much gas. Thank you so much. I'll come right back once I get my wallet. I'll pay you back. Don't worry about it. I shrugged. It's good karma. My friend rolled her eyes as the woman walked out. I bet she doesn't even have a car. You got played. Yeah, probably, I thought. The next day at school, I was packing up my things after a play rehearsal. I picked up my backpack from the auditorium seat to find a crisp $5 bill sitting under it. Now, mind you, these were the auditorium seats that fold up if there's nothing holding them down. Like in the movie theater.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah.

[Karen Kilgariff]

So this had to have been placed very carefully under my backpack. I looked around in disbelief. I even called my friend to ask if she snuck the money under there, but she had no idea what I was talking about. Quick turnaround for that. Karma, I guess, just was there.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And there's probably no way that woman knew where they were.

[Karen Kilgariff]

No.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Where they went to school or anything. No.

[Karen Kilgariff]

And it was a scam. Probably. Which is fine. But like, it just happened. Like maybe she put her bag down.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Earlier for the exact Same amount.

[Karen Kilgariff]

I know. And it's crisp, wild.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, like someone went to the bank.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah, just. Just fucking happened. What? A couple decades later, I now work as an emergency room doctor. Every day I meet people in desperate circumstances, some of which they share with me and some things they don't. I have a few minutes to try to gain the patient's trust. When it goes well, it can be incredibly rewarding. When it doesn't, I try to remind myself that you don't need to know or understand a person's whole story to act with kindness. And that kindness will usually make its way back to you. Thank you for the incredible stories you share every week. This podcast has accompanied me on countless drives to and from the ER and stroller walks with my baby and toddler. And it says, see sleep deprivation reference above. The work you do to help humans understand each other is important, and I am grateful whenever I can. Listen, stay sexy and trust karma. Victoria.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Victoria. An emergency room doctor telling us that our work is.

[Karen Kilgariff]

I know.

[Georgia Hardstark]

What the fuck?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Come on. What a lovely message.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Also, just. That's such a hard job, the emergency room. It's like. It's the kind of thing where it's like you have a job where it's the emotional equivalent of somebody that will, every night, right, when you're at your most asleep, open your bedroom door and start screaming. Right. I mean.

[Karen Kilgariff]

I mean, they make fucking TV shows about it. Like, there's no drama. TV shows, there's.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, exactly. For a reason. That is like, that is the ultimate drama.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah, it's called er. It's like. That's how hard it is.

[Georgia Hardstark]

God, that was a good show.

[Karen Kilgariff]

It was so good.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Thanks, Victoria.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Hey, Karen, I want you to picture yourself going for a drive. What comes to mind?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Not ever being able to merge on any freeway in Los Angeles in potholes and crying.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, yeah. Well, the truth is, the road can feel like it's out to get you at every turn. But, Karen, it doesn't have to be this way.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Because Hyundai's available advanced safety technology is designed to help keep you protected from all of life's twists and turns.

[Karen Kilgariff]

There being vehicles offer available features designed to help safeguard you and your loved ones.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You can change lanes with confidence thanks to the available Blind Spot view monitor, which actually shows you a live video feed of your blind spots.

[Karen Kilgariff]

The standard forward collision avoidance assist can help prevent or mitigate accidents by alerting you of imminent collision. Oh, my God. This happens to me all the time. And automatically applying the brakes if you don't.

[Georgia Hardstark]

This is needed Hyundai vehicles are equipped with the standard driver Attention Warning system which constantly monitors your attention levels. I oh my God. Once detected, it sounds alerts and visual cues to help bring your focus back to the road.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I mean get this for me right now.

[Karen Kilgariff]

With available class exclusive safety features, Hyundai helps to keep you safe so you can enjoy the drive.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Learn more about hyundai@hyundai USA.com or call on the phone [phone] for complete details.

[Karen Kilgariff]

That's H Y U N d a I usa.com or call 562-314-4603.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Hyundai vehicles have won over 120 IIHS Top Safety Awards from 2006 to 2024. As of December 2024 Goodbye. Goodbye.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Spring is just around the corner. Which means it's time for a spring cleaning.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I hate spring cleaning. Why can't it be spring? Avoiding.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Whether you plan on doing stuff or just laying around, your feet deserve to be comfortable with Bombas.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Bomba socks, slippers and underwear are designed for next level comfort.

[Karen Kilgariff]

The secret is their high quality fabrics like merino wool which is soft, warm and bre.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And for all your other spring cleaning chores, Bombas has the cushioned arch hugging pairs that'll keep you comfy while you spruce up the house.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Okay, this is really embarrassing, but I was hanging out with some girlfriends the other day at one of their houses and I almost said to my friend, wow, those socks are cute. Where are those from? And they were bombas. Like I didn't say it because I was like calm down about socks. And she's also a nursing new mom so obviously comfort is very important to her. Like that says everything you need to know.

[Georgia Hardstark]

They really are. It's weird when you talk about socks being comfortable and then you wear Bombas and you're like there's the arch support I've needed this whole time.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Totally.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And Bombas Bombas is going international. Enjoy worldwide shipping to over 200 countries.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Head over to bombas.com mfm and use code mfm for 20 off your first purchase.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's B O M B-A-S.com mfm code mfm for 20% off your first purchase.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Bombas.Com mfm and Use code mfm.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Goodbye Goodbye. The subject line of this email is kind of cute ghost story question mark in parentheses Cute ghost story. Okay. It says hello all animals included. I'm pretty new here and have just started listening to the podcast a few months ago. Of course from the beginning as I don't want to feel Excluded from inside jokes. We gotta tell you, all these jokes are just repeating. There's nothing inside that's confusing.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah, but it could be fun.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Well, yeah, I mean, definitely start from the beginning, but. Okay, so even though it's been a while since you guys have talked about ghosts, or at least up until episode 263.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh my God, we have so many fucking. We gotta pause. Like this podcast so that people can catch up. You know what I mean?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, that's a great idea.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Take a few months off. Everyone catch up. Yeah, we'll meet you back here. Because we just keep adding and it's too many.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I know. It's really hard. It seems like we should go on vacation.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Wait, that's why we did the rewind episodes, right?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yes, exactly.

[Karen Kilgariff]

That's a good one.

[Georgia Hardstark]

To help people catch up.

[Karen Kilgariff]

That's why.

[Georgia Hardstark]

To access that easier.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Okay. A few weeks ago, I witnessed something ghost related. I knew I had to share it with you, so here I go. It was a Friday night and we were home alone at my best friend's house. We were pretty baked and had the munchies, so we headed to the kitchen to look for snacks. As we did that, we never stopped talking. We talked for what felt like hours and then all of a sudden, we stopped. What could have been a comfortable silence was actually much weirder. The kitchen door, which was almost shut, opened in a manner that only a gentle hand on the other side coming into the kitchen could have opened. I must have looked clearly disturbed as my friend looked at me and said, don't worry, it's my great grandma. I asked her to please be clearer as my weed induced paranoia was about to kick in. And she proceeded to explain that the apartment we were currently in was where her great grandma used to live up until she passed away.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Holy shit.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Ever since my friend has been living there, there's always doors shutting or opening. Just like that day. As if she were still walking perfectly alive around the house as it's hers. They just say hello and let her do her thing.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Even though I almost threw up out of fear, this story made me feel better. Plus, I've always felt welcomed there. And the lady had great taste in furniture.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Damn.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Days after that, I remembered something my own grandma used to say when we were all talking and conversations would suddenly end at the same time. I'm not gonna pronounce this correctly cause I don't speak Spanish, but I'm gonna attempt, okay, Paso unhelp, which is an angel passed by. So that comforted me Too, in a way. I mean, at least it's an angel and not anything else, right? Now that I've written it down, it sounds way less scary than it actually felt at the time.

[Karen Kilgariff]

I get it. It's like explaining a dream to someone and you're like, no, you don't get it.

[Georgia Hardstark]

They say, so just try to remember the whole thing was happening while being high, which made it a thousand times scarier. But it is eerie because when things like that happen, if it was just kind of like a weird, you know, the wind or something that has a feel to it, but a door just kind of very slowly opening for no reason. To wrap it up, I'd like to say I've always been the freak about murders and crime in my family and groups of friends, and that I really feel at home listening to you guys. Wish you all the best, Julieta from Uruguay. And then in parentheses, it says, pretty fucking far away.

[Karen Kilgariff]

We feel at home here, too. And the house is haunted for sure. Whatever home this is, that great grandma.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Is strolling around trying to be like, girls, do you have to smoke that much pot? Or can we make cookies and do some arts and crafts?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, that was good. Okay, my last one's short.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Okay.

[Karen Kilgariff]

I'm not gonna tell you the name of just starts. I just listened to the Hometown about a listener bumping into Aretha Franklin. And I have to tell you about the time I spilled a drink on Jane Goodall.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. Oh, my God. Wait, are you a monkey?

[Karen Kilgariff]

She's just throwing her drink in her face. I was a PhD student studying chimpanzees and was attending my first major conference, and Jane Goodall, obviously an icon, was the keynote speaker. I was also, like, 22 and new to wine. At the reception after Goodall's keynote, I was holding a glass of red wine someone had handed me and trying to make small talk with big name scientists. Hello, imposter syndrome. When I turned around to grab a bacon wrapped shrimp. Or something equally exciting for a broke grad student from a passing waiter. But alas, right behind me was Jane Goodall. And my drink went all caps everywhere. My only consolation is that because of Jane Goodall's prosopagnosia, which is the inability to recognize faces, she will never know it was me. Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Nice.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Don't call me out. Just call me. E. SSDGM E. Prosopagnosio. Prosopagnosia. Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, you say that all the time.

[Karen Kilgariff]

That's my favorite.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Prosopagnosia, I feel like. Cause it's just a coincidence. I just saw a clip of Jane Goodall and her team releasing a chimpanzee, I believe, into the wild. And she seems like, just in this clip. Yeah, so incredibly serious and like, kind of like it's. I feel like we couldn't pick a worse person to throw wine onto.

[Karen Kilgariff]

No, she's like, like an iconic, intelligent, probably pretty serious, you know, serious minded person.

[Georgia Hardstark]

But if you know Jane Goodall to be different, please write in at my favorite murder Gmail.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, my God. What have we got? Jane Goodall is a bad tipper.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The full tea.

[Karen Kilgariff]

We're trying to cancel.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Jake. No, no, no, no, no.

[Karen Kilgariff]

One of the kindest, probably best people ever. Oh, my God. Okay, send us your. Send us your embarrassing stories like, did.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Jane could all steal your boyfriend?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Let us know my favorite murder at Gmail.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Thanks, listeners.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Thank you.

[Georgia Hardstark]

We love you. We're here for you.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Stay sexy and don't get murdered.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Goodbye, Jane Goodall.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Elvis, do you want a cookie?

[Georgia Hardstark]

This has been an exactly right production.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Our senior producer is Alejandra Keck.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Our editor is Eric Aristotle Acevedo.

[Karen Kilgariff]

This episode was mixed by Liana Squillace.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Email your hometowns to my favorite murdermail.com.

[Karen Kilgariff]

And follow the show on Instagram and Facebook at My favorite murderer. Goodbye.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You know those commercials where a single impossibly shiny car glides down a beautiful winding country road with a horse running along a fence?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, yeah, that's not real life.

[Georgia Hardstark]

No. But Hyundai's available class exclusive advanced safety features are designed for the roads we actually drive on, helping to keep you and your family protected.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Hyundai vehicles are equipped with a standard driver attention warning system which constantly monitors your attention levels.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Learn more about [e-mail] or call 562-314-4603 for complete details.

[Karen Kilgariff]

That's H Y U N D A iusa.com or call 562-314-4603. Goodbye.

[Unknown]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Unknown]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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