MFM Minisode 433

Summary

**My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Episode: MFM Minisode 433
Release Date: April 28, 2025

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Introduction

In MFM Minisode 433, hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark delve into a series of poignant and haunting true crime stories, shared by their dedicated listeners. This episode stands out as a tribute to significant historical events and personal tragedies, weaving together narratives that highlight both the darkness and resilience within communities.

Remembering the Oklahoma City Bombing

The episode opens with a heartfelt email from a listener marking the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing, the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history.

Karen Kilgariff [02:28]:
"Dear Karen and Georgia, my hometown was the victim of the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in US History, the Oklahoma City Bombing..."

Key Points:

• Event Details: On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh detonated a bomb at the Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people, including 19 children, and injuring over 600.
• Perpetrator's Motives: McVeigh, an army veteran, was driven by extremist views against government oppression, particularly following the ATF raid on Waco, Texas.
• Personal Connections: The listener shares a personal connection through their mother, who worked closely with the prosecution team that convicted McVeigh.
• Impact and Memory: Karen reflects on the profound loss and the importance of remembering the victims, encouraging listeners to visit the Memorial Museum to honor those lost.

Georgia Hardstark [05:07]:
"We've never covered it because it's just so horrific."

The hosts emphasize the severity of the event and the respect it demands, acknowledging that such a tragedy is beyond the typical true crime narrative often explored on their show.

Classic Hometown Stories

Transitioning from national tragedies, Karen and Georgia share "Classic Hometown" stories submitted by their listeners, offering a glimpse into unsettling yet personal experiences.

The Vice Principal's Dark Secret

A listener recounts a chilling story about their grandparents' high school vice principal, who eventually became a murderer.

Georgia Hardstark [05:38]:
"My aunt Cindy's high school graduation came up, which was memorable because a drunk guy got on stage, yelled multiple profanities, and mooned everyone."

Key Points:

• Initial Incident: During a high school graduation, an uninvited drunk individual caused chaos, leading to the vice principal physically subduing him.
• Vice Principal's Character: Despite the violent incident, the listener’s grandmother defended the vice principal, praising his dedication and integrity.
• Murder Revelation: Years later, it was revealed that the vice principal, driven by the stress of bureaucratic conflicts, murdered his former superintendent before being arrested and convicted.
• Aftermath: The story highlights the complexity of human behavior and the unexpected darkness that can lie beneath seemingly respectable individuals.

Karen Kilgariff [07:24]:
"What?"

The hosts express their shock and disbelief at the turn of events, underscoring the theme of hidden evil within everyday settings.

A Childhood Near-Death Experience

Another listener shares a harrowing childhood memory involving an attempted home invasion and a forgotten hot dog.

Georgia Hardstark [16:30]:
"My first one is called classic hometown from my grandparents. And it's definitely a classic."

Key Points:

• The Incident: As an eight-year-old, the listener and her cousins witness an intruder attempting to break into their house. In the chaos, she realizes she still holds a hot dog, which becomes a symbolic element of her fear.
• Emotional Trauma: The experience leaves a lasting impact, blending childhood innocence with the terror of real danger.
• Reflection: Karen and Georgia discuss the juxtaposition of such a benign object (a hot dog) in the context of a life-threatening situation, highlighting the randomness and surreal nature of traumatic memories.

Karen Kilgariff [19:47]:
"How do you eat a hot dog with a scared grip?"

This moment underscores the surreal and fragmented nature of traumatic memories, adding depth to the emotional narrative.

Great Grandma Marian: A Heroic Intruder Defense

A standout story in this episode is about Great Grandma Marian, a formidable woman who defends her home against an intruder.

Karen Kilgariff [23:23]:
"My great grandma, Grandma Marian lived on her own till she was 88 years old...one day she was in her kitchen when she heard a noise..."

Key Points:

• The Break-In: Grandma Marian confronts a man attempting to unplug her phone, initiating a violent defense.
• Heroic Actions: Without hesitation, she assaults the intruder, forcing him to flee and ensuring her safety.
• Impact on Family: This incident finally convinces her family to have her move in with them, highlighting her strength and independence.
• Legacy: Grandma Marian's story serves as an inspiring example of courage and resilience, leaving a lasting impression on her family and the listeners.

Georgia Hardstark [25:31]:
"And she didn't even fucking scream or think twice. She fucking. That's what you."

The hosts laud Grandma Marian's fearless behavior, emphasizing her role as a protector and a pillar of strength within her family.

Shitbag Sisters: Mischievous Prank Calls

The episode also features a lighthearted yet mischievous story titled "Shitbag Sisters," where sisters engage in prank calls that cause confusion and chaos.

Georgia Hardstark [26:16]:
"Much like many feral children left to their own devices growing up in the late 80s, early 90s, my sister Jenny and I would often pick up the phone and keep ourselves busy by making prank calls when we were bored."

Key Points:

• Prank Call Tactics: The sisters call random numbers from the phone book, impersonating legitimate companies to confuse recipients.
• Creative Mischief: One memorable prank involved leaving a message about leaving a bra in a man’s car, leading to bewildered responses.
• Impact on Others: They reflect on the potential consequences of their actions, wondering if they may have inadvertently caused marital issues or other disruptions.
• Nostalgia and Reflection: Georgia reminisces about the simplicity of past entertainment compared to today's digital distractions, highlighting a universal experience of childhood mischief.

Karen Kilgariff [30:27]:
"This is true shitbag behavior."

The candid admission of their mischievous past adds a humorous and relatable layer to the episode, showcasing the hosts' ability to balance dark topics with personal anecdotes.

Conclusion

MFM Minisode 433 is a compelling blend of true crime recollections and personal stories that resonate with listeners on multiple levels. Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark adeptly navigate through each narrative, providing insightful commentary and emotional depth. The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of human nature, the lasting impact of trauma, and the enduring spirit of resilience.

Notable Quotes:

• Karen Kilgariff [02:28]:
  "Dear Karen and Georgia, my hometown was the victim of the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in US History, the Oklahoma City Bombing..."

• Georgia Hardstark [05:07]:
  "We've never covered it because it's just so horrific."

• Karen Kilgariff [07:24]:
  "What?"

• Georgia Hardstark [19:47]:
  "How do you eat a hot dog with a scared grip?"

• Georgia Hardstark [25:31]:
  "And she didn't even fucking scream or think twice. She fucking. That's what you."

• Karen Kilgariff [30:27]:
  "This is true shitbag behavior."

Memorable Moments:

• The emotional recounting of the Oklahoma City Bombing and its personal impacts.
• Grandma Marian's heroic defense against an intruder, showcasing fearless resilience.
• The mischievous yet nostalgic prank calls of the "Shitbag Sisters," blending humor with reflection.

Final Thoughts:

This minisode exemplifies the essence of My Favorite Murder—combining true crime with personal storytelling to engage and resonate with their audience. The hosts' genuine empathy and reflections add depth to each story, making MFM Minisode 433 a memorable and impactful episode for both longtime fans and new listeners alike.

Transcript

[Karen Kilgariff]

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?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, yeah, that's not real life.

[Karen Kilgariff]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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

[Karen Kilgariff]

Learn more about Hyundai at Hyundai USA or call 562-314-4603 for complete details.

[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Karen Kilgariff]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Karen Kilgariff]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Karen Kilgariff]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

See visible.com for plan features and network management details. Goodbye.

[Jorge Ham]

Have you ever wondered, if your pet is lying to you, why is my.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Cat not here and I go in.

[Karen Kilgariff]

And she's eating my lunch?

[Jorge Ham]

Or if hypnotism is real? You will use this suggestion in order.

[Karen Kilgariff]

To enhance your cognitive control.

[Jorge Ham]

But what's inside a black hole?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Black holes could be a consequence way that we understand the universe.

[Jorge Ham]

Well, we have answers for you in the new iHeart original podcast, Science Stuff. Join me, Jorge Ham, as we answer questions about animals, space, our brains and our bodies. So give yourself permission to be a science geek and listen to science stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Hello and welcome to my favorite murder, the Minisode.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Hi, here it is.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Here it is. Small in a container delivered to your ears.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Do you want to go first?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Sure. So this is coming out April 28th.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So important day for you.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Well, the month of April is actually an important memorial, which I did not remember, and maybe you will. The subject line of this email is OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING. 30th anniversary, so it says. Dear Karen in Georgia, my hometown was the victim of the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in US History, the Oklahoma City Bombing. I've been listening to the Podcast for years, but never written in. It's the 30th anniversary of the bombing this April. So I thought this would be the time to write in and remember those who were lost or affected by this tragic event. On April 19, 1995, the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed. This resulted in the deaths of 168 people, including 19 children and over 600 were injured. The building housed agencies like ATF, US Secret Service and US Military Recruiting, a credit union and many others as well as a daycare.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The daycare of like all the workers there.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Y that was kind of the lead in all the stories that like so devastating. Okay, we're back. In the email it says this attack was executed by Timothy McVeigh and an army veteran who believed the government was oppressive and infringing on Americans rights to possess guns. It is also believed that the ATF raid on Waco, Texas furthered his extremist political views and was the reason April 19th was the date chosen for the bombing. He was arrested just 90 minutes after the bombing during a routine traffic stop and at that time police had no idea he had anything to do with the bombing. While still in custody, it was discovered that he was involved. McVeigh was executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001. Terry Nichols, his main co conspirator, is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole. I have many friends whose families were affected as I was born just a year after the incident and any Oklahoman you talk to will likely have a story. I have two personal connections through my mom. She worked for Pat Ryan for many years, the former U.S. attorney in the prosecution and conviction of McVeigh. She has also worked for an attorney for 25 plus years whose son was one of the survivors of the daycare and the bombing. I realize a story of this magnitude needs more time and I wish we could have read about some of the victims. But you can read about each victim on the Memorial museum website, which is memorialmuseum.com this is my hometown and I hope you think of Oklahoma on April 19th and come visit us in our memorial someday. SSDGM K wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. We've never covered it because it's just so horrific.

[Karen Kilgariff]

We've never covered it because to me, when we first started this podcast, it's like talking about serial killers.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Right.

[Karen Kilgariff]

But something like that is so outside of what we even knew to talk about.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Right. We wouldn't be able to tell the story with what it deserves.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Okay, well, let's change pace.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Okay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

My first one is called classic hometown from my grandparents. And it's definitely a classic.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Okay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It says, hello, besties and beasties. My dad, aunt, uncle and I were hanging out with my grandparents in a hotel we were all staying at, and they were all reminiscing about small town life in the 80s. My aunt Cindy's high school graduation came up, which was memorable because a drunk guy got on stage, yelled multiple profanities, and mooned everyone. Remember when mooning was popular, it was.

[Karen Kilgariff]

A really big deal to pull down your pants and show people your ass. It was, it was. It was a statement.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The height of comedy. The drunk guy then attempted to escape through the audience, only to be tackled by the vice principal, who immediately punched the drunk guy in the face multiple times. Oh, no, man, that guy was crazy. Said my dad, referring to his vice principal. If he wanted to punish us, he made us eat lunch with him. It worked because nobody wanted to be around him. He was so crazy, just really intense. That's when my grandma decided to defend him by saying he was a good vice principal. Killed a guy, but I loved him. What? After I got over the absurdity of that statement, I insisted that she tell me everything. Apparently she liked him because he was really nice to the parent. Volunteers. Like the time he cleaned up after a school dance by himself so my grandma could attend church on Sunday. Both my grandparents liked that he ran a tight ship and didn't suffer any. Any, quote, idiots messing with his M.O. and this says. I think this speaks to how type A my dad's side of the family is. A couple years after my Aunt Cindy's wild graduation, their beloved vice principal got promoted to become the principal of a different high school, where he clashed with the bureaucracy of the school district. One day, he walked out of a meeting with the superintendent and calmly told the secretaries to call the police because he had just shot the superintendent.

[Karen Kilgariff]

What?

[Georgia Hardstark]

My grandparents said he did it because he, quote, couldn't handle working with idiots and quote, the stress drove him crazy.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, no.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I googled his name later, and my dad's old vice principal is still in prison. During his incarceration, he got multiple theology degrees and married one of the teachers from the school he'd been principal of. I have no idea if they started dating before or after he became a murderer. Either way, I'm sure it's a wild story. Anyway, I should get back to work now. Maybe later I'll resend the time my sister kind of lived through the plot of while you were sleeping. Oh.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh no.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Stay sexy and don't shoot your boss, even if he's an idiot. Cj, she. Her.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh, my God, cj, You said while you were sleeping, which is the Sandra Bullock Bill Pullman movie from Christmas time. I was thinking of the Julia Roberts movie with the abusive husband where she has to escape.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, my God. Sleeping with the enemy.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Sleeping with the enemy. That's the first thing I thought of.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I fucking love that movie. But while you were sleeping, someone's in a coma, falls in love with her brother, I think, right?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yes. It's like Sandra Bullock sees Peter Gallagher. He's super hot. She's like, I love that guy. He drops on the subway platform where? The L train platform where she works.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah.

[Karen Kilgariff]

She goes to the hospital to make sure he's okay. And the family assumes she's the girlfriend. Just plays along with it. And she loves the family so much. But then slowly but surely she's like, I actually don't give it away, but it just. She loves Mel Pimin.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Guys, you gotta watch it. It is a Sandra Bullock. She was the love of all of our lives back then.

[Karen Kilgariff]

It's a classic. She went from while you were sleeping to fucking practical magic. It's just like, boom.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Speed. Oh, my God. She was moving. She was girl. Yeah. The weather's warming up and soon we'll all be out in the world again talking to people.

[Karen Kilgariff]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Karen Kilgariff]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

One thing I love about telehealth and doing therapy online is that you can schedule your therapy appointment for right before an event that you're worried about. So you are just ready and prepared to walk out the door confidently to talk to people confidently. You work it all out and then you go live your life. That's way harder with traditional therapy to achieve.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah. Let the last voice in your head before you walk into a party. Be a licensed therap. As a listener of this podcast, you'll get 80 off your first month with Talkspace when you go to talkspace.com mfm and enter promo code space80 to match.

[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Karen Kilgariff]

That's talkspace.com mfm promo code space80. Goodbye.

[Georgia Hardstark]

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

[Karen Kilgariff]

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

[Georgia Hardstark]

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.

[Karen Kilgariff]

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

[Georgia Hardstark]

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

[Karen Kilgariff]

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 spot.

[Georgia Hardstark]

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.

[Karen Kilgariff]

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

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, my God.

[Karen Kilgariff]

I mean, get this for me right now.

[Georgia Hardstark]

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

[Karen Kilgariff]

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

[Georgia Hardstark]

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

[Karen Kilgariff]

So this one, the subject line is my hometown murder was on Forensic Files. Three minute read.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Damn.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Right. And then it just starts. Yes, you read that, right. I also believe the story would make a great Columbo movie, but I missed the boat on that one. Five year listener, first time writer. Anyways, love you both to bits. And Karen, I just wanna say that Mr. Show's watch us have Sex is just about my favorite sketch in the history of comedy. Bravo.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Wow.

[Karen Kilgariff]

You should have seen how furious my dad was when he saw that sketch.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You let him watch it?

[Karen Kilgariff]

We were, I think we were just watching the episode and then that one came on. It wasn't like I was in every sketch. So then I was like, I really wanted them to see me performing. And he's like, what the hell are you doing down there? And I was like, oh, I didn't think you'd take it literally. Anyway.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, you're Catholic. Shit.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yes. That's all not allowed. Okay, we're back in the email. I'll try to keep it brief, but this story has many twists and turns in 1966, Deanne and Jean. And I'm gonna assume the name is pronounced Keitel. K, e I D E L, Keedel or Keitel.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Sounds right.

[Karen Kilgariff]

A newly separated couple with four kids living one block from my current home in Phoenix, Arizona, Deanna had been at a nearby bar one night with a man she was seeing. They said goodnight and she drove home, only to never be seen again. Jean moved back into the family home after her disappearance and was quickly ruled out as a suspect as he told police how promiscuous she had become since their separation. And then it just says in all caps. Ugh. Unfortunately, the man she was with at the bar had died of a heart attack the day after Deanne went missing, so he couldn't be questioned.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Suspish.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Right? Then it says unreal with an exclamation point.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Flash forward four months, and Gene had left his kids sleeping at home to go to a nearby laundromat. A fire broke out in the house, killing two of the four children. Good God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

God.

[Karen Kilgariff]

The son, Greg, escaped through a window while his younger sister Laurie was found inside, badly burned but alive. One of her sister. Wait, this sounds familiar. One of her sisters died on top of her, trying to shield her from the flames.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, Jesus.

[Karen Kilgariff]

And the other sister was found dead in her bed. A horrible tragedy. The fire was ruled accidental as they found a melted aluminum pot on the stove. Jean rebuilt the house and raised the remaining two children there.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, my God.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Poor Laurie survived only to endure an abusive at the hands of her father and brother.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, stop.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Flash forward 27 years. In 1993, Laurie, now in her 30s, went to the Phoenix police department to finally report a crime she witnessed as a child, but was too scared of her father to do it sooner. The night her mother disappeared, she and her sister had witnessed Jean beating deann to death. Then he dragged her out by the pool and they watched as he dug her grave in the yard. At only five years old, Laurie didn't understand what was happening and thought her mother was asleep. The next day, Jean poured a concrete slab over the grave. Now, in 1993, Lori was able to show the police exactly where they would find her mother's remains.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, my God.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Right? They used ground penetrating radar to find her skeleton. With a nylon wrapped around her neck and 1960s women's clothing. 58 year old gene was indicted for murder. Spent the remaining 10 years of his life in prison. We take walks by the murder house and I think of that poor lady and her children every single time. Stay sexy and take A harder look at the spouse, for crying out loud. Yeah, Katie, she. Her. I remember that forensic file. This forensic files is so upsetting.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, that last part sounds really familiar. With the concrete slab where it's like, you don't investigate a concrete slab that's getting put in the backyard. I guess. I don't know.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Guess not. But yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

How brave of the surviving daughter to do that. I mean, that is fucking incredible. And like, such a testament. So he probably started the fire too, right?

[Karen Kilgariff]

I mean, I think that's what we probably can assume. Although it could have been a horrible accident. Who knows? Like.

[Georgia Hardstark]

But then he had nothing to do with the heart attack because that is like wild. That's almost like good luck for him because they were like, oh, it must have been that guy.

[Karen Kilgariff]

If anyone knows more than the 1993 forensics have told them to this point, it'd be fascinating.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I'm sure we got a lot of Phoenix murderinos, right?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah, they might know.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Wow, Good one. Okay, this is called a hot dog. And Almost Certain Death. Hello, Karen, Georgia and all others affiliated. I thought I was gonna say afflicted.

[Karen Kilgariff]

I was like, yeah, you could. You could say that. You could call it that. Yeah, for sure.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I was listening to a mini episode. I don't know which one, but hot dogs were yet again the main subject. Who are we?

[Karen Kilgariff]

We don't know anymore.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I started listening to you guys in 2020 and I've always wanted to write in, but I thought I had no stories. My life is pretty regular, so no surprise there. While listening to one of you tell a story about a hot dog, it finally clicked. I do have a story about that one time I almost died, hot dog in hand. The scene, eight year old me at my cousin's house where my mom was very skeptical of sending me. She had an older set of twins that were always getting into trouble. Specifically my male cousin. Think minor theft and harassment of the neighborhood children.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh no.

[Georgia Hardstark]

On this day, because they were both going to be out, my mom weirdly decided to let me go. So me and my cousin Alyssa and her friend all get ready to watch a movie. And of course we went to make a snack. The girls got popcorn ready and some honey buns from the cabinet. I chose a hot dog. What's up? Fast forward. The movie is on, the dog is in bun and we are in the living room. One of them, I'm not sure who, gets spooked by the shadowy figure standing outside the window. Being the youngest, I thought they were just messing with me. So when they told me to go up to the window and look out. I wasn't scared because I thought for sure this was a prank. I get my 8 year old self off the couch, hot dog in hand, and go check out the front window. It's in that moment I'm staring face to face with a man dressed head to toe in black with his hood up. He starts yelling something. I turn around to look at them and just like in a movie, I scream, run. We all trip over each other and scramble down the hallway to my cousin's room. One by one, we file underneath the bed like sardines. It's at that moment I realized I still had the hot dog in my hand. But before I could celebrate, the sound of someone pounding on the bedroom window from outside filled my ears. We all went silent as we slowly heard the window slide open and someone propped themselves up. My heart was beating so fast. I remember thinking, is this thing going to come out of my chest? Next thing you feel is someone fall onto the bed from the window. I see two feet on the floor and then two hands on the floor. The man looks at my cousin, screams, and then starts cracking up. It's at that moment that my cousin Allen starts yelling at Alyssa, freaking out that we didn't let him in the house.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Oh my God, it's the bad boy.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Twin brother, cousin.

[Karen Kilgariff]

He needs to get in, it says.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Turns out he had gotten himself into a fight down the street at the park and ran home to hide from the people. Then this morning when I was listening to Karen tell a story about a hot dog, I realized I have no idea what I did with that hot dog. When I realized it was my cousin and could finally catch my breath.

[Karen Kilgariff]

It's been under the bed all these years?

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's right. They have since moved. And I wonder if when they did, they found the decrepit carcass of what was my hot dog. Good thing those things don't mold, right?

[Karen Kilgariff]

I don't think they can.

[Georgia Hardstark]

They shouldn't. So sstgm and if you're breaking into your house, announce yourself so your little sister and cousins don't fear sudden death. And also keep a tight hold on your hot dog. Love, Kate.

[Karen Kilgariff]

It's so funny to imagine, like a little kid screaming like for their life and hiding while holding a hot dog. Because it's like, was she holding it like eating style? Where it was like up to her mouth or was it sideways? Like what? What are we talking about?

[Georgia Hardstark]

It's like a scared grip. Works for a hot dog. So it's not like it's out of the question, like keep hold of it, you know, A scared grip is perfect.

[Karen Kilgariff]

For a hot dog.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's right.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Maybe that's what it is. That's why at every carnival.

[Georgia Hardstark]

How do you eat a hot dog with a scared grip?

[Karen Kilgariff]

It's gotta be scared whether you're camping, whether you're scared someone's just gonna take it away from you.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You're roller skating at the roller skating rink. Just no casual grip on a hot dog, please.

[Karen Kilgariff]

No. First of all, someone could snatch it out of your hand and eat it themselves or slap it out of your hand, which is the big thing that my cousins and sister love to do is just if you're casually holding anything, slap it out of their hand.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That is. I hate it. And it's the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life.

[Karen Kilgariff]

At the same time, it's always funny.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I know. I think I've seen your sister do that. Literally. I bet you I think I have.

[Karen Kilgariff]

You've seen her slap the hot dog out of my hand.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The weather's warming up and soon we'll all be out in the world again talking to people.

[Karen Kilgariff]

If social situations leave you feeling awkward or drained, therapy can help you build confidence and actually enjoy connecting.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Talkspace, the leading virtual therapy provider, makes getting the help you need easy, accessible and affordable.

[Karen Kilgariff]

While therapy can be costly, Talkspace is affordable and in network with most insurance providers, most insured members have a $0 copay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

One thing I love about telehealth and doing therapy online is that you can schedule your therapy appointment for right before an event that you're worried about. So you are just ready and prepared to walk out the door confidently to talk to people confidently. You work it all out and then you go live your life. That's way harder with traditional therapy to achieve.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah. Let the last voice in your head before you walk into a party. Be a licensed therapist. As a listener of this podcast, you'll get 80 DOL off your first month with Talkspace when you go to talkspace.com mfm and enter promo code SPACE80 to.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Match with a licensed therapist today. Go to talkspace.com mfm & enter promo code SPACE80 to get 80 off your first month and show support for our show.

[Karen Kilgariff]

That's talkspace.com mfm promo code SPACE80. Goodbye.

[Georgia Hardstark]

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

[Karen Kilgariff]

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

[Georgia Hardstark]

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.

[Karen Kilgariff]

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

[Georgia Hardstark]

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

[Karen Kilgariff]

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 spot.

[Georgia Hardstark]

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.

[Karen Kilgariff]

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

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh my God.

[Karen Kilgariff]

I mean, get this for me right now.

[Georgia Hardstark]

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

[Karen Kilgariff]

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

[Georgia Hardstark]

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

[Karen Kilgariff]

Goodbye. The subject line of this email is Great Grandma beats up intruder. Okay, Great grandma.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Nice.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Okay, it says hello all exactly right folks. I've sent several stories, but fingers crossed you'll choose this as it's a favorite. My great grandma, Grandma Marian lived on her own till she was 88 years old. My nana and papa, her son and daughter in law were always trying to convince her to move in with them so they could look after her. But she always insisted she was just fine on her own. Grandma Marian lived in a duplex and down the street was a boarding house. It was a pretty quiet neighborhood for the most part. One day she was in her kitchen when she heard a noise. She walked into the living room to see the front door open and heard noise coming from her bedroom. She looked inside and saw a man crouched down and trying to unplug the phone from the wall jack. Good God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That is just like immediate sinister.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yes. This was an older house that had the heating vents along the wall with beautiful metal scroll work covers. You know the type. Well, unfortunately for this guy, Grandma Marian was a badass bitch and wasn't about to wait and see what his intentions were. She hurried over, grabbed this man by the hair and bashed his face multiple times into that beautiful scrollwork wall vent.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh My God.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Cause she had the advantage. Cause he was bent down looking at something else.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. Oh, she just, like, fucking charged him. Oh, yes, Marianne.

[Karen Kilgariff]

He jumped up, ran out and down the block. When the police showed up, they followed the blood trail to the boarding house and even right to his room. After this, she finally agreed to move in with Nana and Papa. My siblings and I were very lucky to have three wonderful grandparents in the same house, offering a safe place for us whenever we needed, which, sadly, was often. Grandma Marian inspired our love of reading by reading to us whenever we wanted. Aw. Even if it was the same book over and over, when her eyesight got too bad, she would have us read to her. Thank you, ladies, for being such loving advocates of mental health and letting us share in your jokes, stories, and side stories. Stay sexy and make sure you get a good grip on the hair, Rachel.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, Grandma Marion. That's so badass. Because it's not like she walked in and he was, like, rifling through her jewelry box. Unplugging the phone is like premeditation to something else.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yes, it is.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And she didn't even fucking scream or think twice. She fucking. That's what you. You could apologize later if it turns out it was a misunderstanding. Right?

[Karen Kilgariff]

You're in the house. It's too late.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's amazing. Okay. My last one's called Shitbag Sisters. It says, hello. I recently listened to a minisode where you asked for telephone stories, and I have a bunch about my sister and I from the days before caller id. Side note, I was trying to think of the name y'all use for irresponsible slash Holish family members and had already typed Shitbag Sisters in the subject line before remembering Trash dad slash Trash Mom. Or in this case, Trash Sisters was the phrase I was looking for. Shit bag fits as well. So it stays.

[Karen Kilgariff]

It doesn't it. It needs to be like, it's so perfectly more intense than normal for Sister.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Shipbag Sisters. Shipbag Sisters, it says. Anyway, onto the stories. Much like many feral children left to their own devices growing up in the late 80s, early 90s, my sister Jenny and I would often pick up the phone and keep ourselves busy by making print calls when we were bored. In the days of the telephone book, we would pick people at random and create chaos with our calls. My God, we totally fucking did this. Yeah. One of our favorites was to call a person, tell them we were contacting them, because they had recently made a purchase at Venture, a now defunct Midwest chain of department stores where everyone shopped and Tell them they had been chosen at random to receive a $50 gift certificate in a customer appreciation drawing. We even gave them instructions about going to the service desk to pick it up. I can only imagine the confusion we created in the store. I always hoped one day we'd be in the store when someone came to claim their, quote, prize. Sometimes we would look for the couple's listing in the phone book. For those who don't know, the white pages were residential listings with name, address, and phone number. Each year, the phone company would have you fill out how you wanted your listing to appear. And couples would sometimes choose to list both the husband and wife's name. For this particular one, we only called couples. If a man answered, we hung up. If a woman answered, we asked for the man. If she went to get the man on the phone, we hung up. The exact situation we were looking for was for the woman answering to take a message. The message was, quote, could you please let him know that Roxy called and I left my bra in his car yesterday?

[Karen Kilgariff]

No. Oh, no, wait.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It said, I sometimes wonder if we destroyed any marriages, But I'm sure we sounded like kids making prank calls, complete with teen giggling in the background.

[Karen Kilgariff]

I hope so.

[Georgia Hardstark]

God, we were shitbags. It's. We also found a man named Kermit who we would call at random. Ribbit. And hang up.

[Karen Kilgariff]

The phone book. The power of the phone book.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, you could just like. It was like a diary of everyone you knew. Everything about people.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yes.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You could just fuck with them.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Did you ever look up your own name in the phone book as a kid?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, yeah. Oh, my God, we're famous.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah. We were enlisted cause my mom worked at a psychiatric hospital, so we couldn't be in. We weren't allowed to be in the phone book.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That makes absolute sense.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Okay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Our piece de resistance came when I got a phone in my room at 13. For the record, it was a corded, see through phone. I had this that had multicolor inner workings. And it says, I know one of you had one. I fucking totally did.

[Karen Kilgariff]

I wanted that. Got a pink and white phone. That was one of the most gorgeous pieces of technology I'd ever seen. Because it was not a normal looking phone. It was kind of like wide based, and it was very stylized. But that was the phone that I would have picked if they let me get a phone. But they didn't. It was like, Laura got a phone. And they were like, wait a second. No one gets a phone.

[Georgia Hardstark]

This is a bad idea.

[Karen Kilgariff]

No one can handle having a phone.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Because it's just chaotic. I think I want it like at a fucking like county fair bingo game. Which is like the best time of my life.

[Karen Kilgariff]

It was so 80s, though. That is the 80s is like it's a clear phone that you can see the wires and will make the wires pink and blue and yellow and purple and neon.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yes, it says, I know one of you had them. Mine was probably purchased at Venture. I had two windows in my room. One overlooking the backyard and one that had a view into our neighbor's kitchen. The phone was by the backyard window. So for this prank, one of us would be the watcher and the other the dialer. We waited until our neighbors, a mom and dad and two kids a little younger than us, would sit down to eat dinner. The watcher would tell the dialer to call, then watch as someone, usually the dad, got up from the dinner to answer the phone. You know where this is fucking going? And then the watcher would say, hang up. Waiting for the exact moment the dad placed his hand on the handset. Now the family would sit back down and resume eating. Oh my God. Since the dialer didn't get to see into the kitchen, of course, we had to switch roles and repeat the pranks. Prank. We did this prank on and off for years. Oh my God. So total shitbag. This is shitbag behavior.

[Karen Kilgariff]

This is true shitbag behavior.

[Georgia Hardstark]

These are the kinds of stories I think of when I hear people complain about kids today wasting time on their phones and gaming systems. Saying things like, we didn't have these electronics growing up. We made our own fun and found ways to entertain ourselves. We sure did.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Shipbag entertainment that may have led to retail chaos, divorce, horse rivets and cold dinners. Sigh. What was is wrong with us?

[Karen Kilgariff]

Everything.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Everything.

[Karen Kilgariff]

We were abandoned. Why wouldn't they pay attention to us?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Welcome, stay sexy and don't even bother trying to answer the phone at dinner. Jesse. She her. And thank you, Jesse. Because now we need shipbag entertainment stories.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Please.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Shipbag entertainment. Like, what did you do that? Now you're like, you would have throttled.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yourself for back then to pass the time. For example, Andy Withington, my next door neighbor, and I filling our mom's old purses with shit and putting them in the middle of the road and waiting for a car to drive by.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Literal shit.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Literal cow shit. Go out to a field filly. A normal looking purse. I would be like, mom, do you want this purse? And she's like, no, you can have it.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh. I was thinking it was like purses they were currently using with all their stuff in it.

[Karen Kilgariff]

No, no, no, no. It would be an old purse. You get your mom to give you an old purse, go into the field, put a bunch of cow shit. Like sometimes like dried up big old cow pies, fill it up, put it in the center of our street, Eastman Lane, that no one ever went down. It literally was a car every two hours. And then we would climb a tree and wait. Usually what would happen is the car would stop, they'd pick up the purse, they'd drive about 50ft and then slam on the brakes and swear. And sometimes they would reverse and be like, where the hell are you? Whatever.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, my God.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Hilarious.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The whole point was just for them to stop and pick it up.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Exactly.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's amazing.

[Karen Kilgariff]

And just be near some shit. And actually, now that I'm giving this example, it is a literal example of shitbag behavior.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It is. Oh, my God. It is shit bag, shitbag behavior. It's shitbag, shitbag behavior.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Wow. Well, that's perfect. Please send those to my favorite murder at Gmail or wherever you get ahold of us. I don't know.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Yeah, be. Yeah, exactly. Send us your vibes, but definitely send us your stories. This is the place to admit what a shitbag you were, because we all were. Get it off your chest.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Or bust your sister.

[Georgia Hardstark]

All judgment. I'm not gonna say no Judgment. All judgment, but really in a friendly way.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Well, just get it all out at one time.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. Stay sexy and don't get murdered. Goodbye, Elvis. Do you want a cookie?

[Karen Kilgariff]

This has been an exactly right production.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Our senior producers are Alejandra Keck and Molly Smith.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Our editor is Aristotle Acevedo.

[Georgia Hardstark]

This episode was mixed by Liana Squillace.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Email your hometowns to my favorite murdermail.com.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And follow the show on Instagram at my favorite murder.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Listen to my favorite murder on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And now you can watch us On Exactly Right's YouTube page. And while you're there, please like and subscribe.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Goodbye.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Goodbye. To have a murder as gruesome as Jade Beasley's doesn't happen very often down here in Marion, Illinois. An 11 year old brutally stabbed to death. Her father's longtime live in girlfriend maintaining innocence but charged with her murder. I am confident that Julie Beverly is guilty. They've never found a weapon.

[Jorge Ham]

Never made sense. Still doesn't make sense. She found out she was pregnant in jail.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The person who did it is still out there. Listen to Murder on Songbird road. On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jorge Ham]

What would you do if mysterious drones.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Appeared over your hometown? I started asking questions.

[Karen Kilgariff]

What do you remember happening on that.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Night of December 16th?

[Karen Kilgariff]

It actually rotated around our house, looking.

[Georgia Hardstark]

As if it was peering in each window of our home. I'm Gabe Leonors from Imagine I Heart.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Podcasts and Leonhars Entertainment.

[Jorge Ham]

Listen to Obscurum Invasion of the Dragon.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Drones wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

[Jorge Ham]

Have you ever wondered, if your pet is lying to you, why is my.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Cat not here and I go in.

[Karen Kilgariff]

And she's eating my lunch?

[Jorge Ham]

Or if hypnotism is real, you will use this suggestion in order to enhance your cognitive control. But what's inside a black hole?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Black holes could be a consequence of the way that we understand the universe.

[Jorge Ham]

Well, we have answers for you in the new iHeart original podcast Science Stuff. Join me or hitcham as we answer questions about animals, animals, space, our brains and our bodies. So give yourself permission to be a science geek and listen to science stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.