My Favorite Murder Minisode 451: Grandparents Day Gone Wild
Release Date: September 1, 2025
Hosts: Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark
Theme: Listener hometown stories about unforgettable grandparents—some heartwarming, some hilarious, and most with a wild twist. Karen and Georgia celebrate Grandparents Day with tales of donkey crimes, near-fatal construction incidents, rebellious grannies, swinger surprises, dog heroics, and mortifying funerals.
Episode Overview
In Minisode 451, Karen and Georgia dedicate the episode to “Grandparents Day,” reading fan-submitted stories about their wild, tough, or unexpectedly racy grandparents. The episode is a blend of touching, funny, and jaw-dropping accounts—each story peeling back the curtain on the secret lives and legendary exploits of grandmas and grandpas. There are mysteries, near-death survivals, secret sex tapes, feisty old ladies, and even a dog that goes from town menace to hero.
Key Discussion Points & Memorable Stories
1. Two Stories of the Same Murder
[02:12-05:10] Listener: James from NYC
- Setting: Ischia, Italy, right after WWI.
- Plot: Listener recounts the murky circumstances of his great-grandfather’s death. Two conflicting family stories emerge:
- Official Version: Killed by a donkey—his great-grandfather tried to shoot an ornery donkey; the animal kicked the rifle, which fired and killed him.
- Alternate Version: He was shot by an army captain upon discovering an affair with his wife.
- Aftermath: The grandmother was raised by her own grandparents and went on to become a legendary, resilient woman.
- Memorable Moment:
“Stay sexy and don't get shot by a donkey or your captain whose wife you’re having an affair with.” — James [05:08] - Karen & Georgia Commentary: Amusement at the donkey story (“Who would shoot a donkey for being ornery?” [05:27]), and some lighthearted banter about searching for James at every Williamsburg pizzeria.
2. The Phineas Gage Grandpa
[05:45-09:41] Listener: Lily
- Setting: Minnesota, 20 years ago.
- Story: Lily’s grandpa survived a gruesome accident—fell off a ladder, was impaled with rebar entering his head and exiting under his eye. Stayed conscious the whole time, even offered his own saw to the firefighters.
- Firefighters’ response: Practiced the cut on spare rebar to not hurt him; a firefighter stood holding cardboard to shade his eyes.
- Memorable Quotes:
- Karen: “He was conscious the entire time.” [06:23]
- Georgia: “No, thank you. Just put me under, right? Oh, fuck.” [06:25]
- “The man was nearly rebar shish kebabbed to death. But it’s the knee that finally took him down.” — Karen [08:28]
- Aftermath: Fully recovered, played pickleball until recently. Family gave fire station the saw that saved him.
- Shout-out:
“Shout out to all the first responders and medical professionals. They were the real heroes then and now.” — Lily [09:36]
3. Grandma Inger: Sex, Cigarettes, and TSA Fights
[12:21-15:02] Listener: Sarah (she/her)
- Setting: Denmark & US.
- Plot: Danish grandma-in-law, Inger, was a proud “zero fucks” lady who prioritized “parties” (swinger events) until her doctor made her choose between partying and cigarettes. She chose cigarettes:
“She could smoke multiple times a day and didn’t have the stamina to keep up anymore.” — Sarah [13:25] - Feisty moments: Got into regular arguments with TSA, eventually required family escorts at US security.
- Heartfelt ending:
“When I see my impish kiddo flash a quick smile and tease her grandpa, Inger’s son, I know she has more than a little of Inger’s spirit.” — Sarah [14:44] - Karen & Georgia: Laughing about raising a kid with "just little parts" of Inger's boldness.
4. Catholic Grandma’s Secret Orgy Tapes
[15:16-18:08] Listener: Casey
- Setting: Sacramento, California, via Peoria, Illinois.
- Story: After Grandma Mary’s death, family discovers not old family films, but reels of her participating in orgies—an apparent double life behind devout Catholic and Avon lady persona.
- Memorable Reactions:
- Karen: “Grandma was a swinger and these were her big orgy sex tapes.” [17:09]
- Georgia: “Vintage orgy sex tapes!” [17:15]
- Takeaway:
“I realize the story has absolutely nothing to do with murder, but is arguably just as horrifying.” — Casey [17:52] - Call for Stories: Karen suggests a themed call for “Or So We Thought” stories:
“Or so we thought. Please email them to myfavoritemurder@gmail... about anything!” [18:25]
5. Grandma Sandy: The Funeral from Hell, Plus Secret Nipple Piercings
[21:00-24:07] Listener: K (they/them)
- Setting: Ford Automotive, post-abuse freedom.
- Highlight: Grandma Sandy, the survivor and hard worker, is remembered fondly until her funeral exposes her wild side.
- Listener, at 15, accidentally says “Oh shit” into the microphone at the funeral, then falls down the steps (22:06–22:17).
- At the wake, learns grandma had pierced nipples, was a party buddy, and once brought weed brownies to the Ford Christmas party.
- Memorable Quotes:
- “Grandma’s big saggy boobs pierced. I love it.” — Georgia [24:13]
- Karen: “There are certain people you’d just like to see in a certain light. But I guess not.” [24:22]
- Takeaway:
“Don’t forget grandmas can have a wild side, too.” — K [24:07]
6. Smokey, the Notorious Dog Turned Town Hero
[24:38-28:19] Listener: Annalise
- Setting: Edenderry, Southern Ireland, 1940s.
- Story: Smokey, once the “menace” of town (dangerous to children), escapes the pound and saves the family from a fire by raising the alarm, becoming a hero with songs and press clippings.
- Twist: Grandpa Sean O'Connell, the rescued, went on to become a detective/hero himself.
- Family Poem:
“Oh, darling Sue, I do love you. I love you in your nightie when the moonlight flits across your tits. Jesus Christ Almighty.” — Grandpa Sean [28:01] - Georgia:
“Doom dog saves a family. Must Smokey be destroyed?” — Georgia [26:38]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “Who would shoot a donkey for being ornery? That’s what they’re famous for.”
— Karen Kilgariff [05:27] - “No, thank you. Just put me under, right?”
— Georgia Hardstark [06:25] (reacting to the rebar/grandpa story) - “She chose cigarettes [over sex parties] because, and I quote, she could smoke multiple times a day and didn't have the stamina to keep up anymore.”
— Sarah [13:25] - “Grandma was a swinger and these were her big orgy sex tapes.”
— Karen Kilgariff [17:09] - “Grandma’s big saggy boobs pierced. I love it.”
— Georgia Hardstark [24:13] - “Maybe don't shoot the bad dog.”
— Annalise [28:16]
Episode Structure & Flow
- Opening: Grandparents Day introduction and theme reveal ([02:00])
- Story 1: James’ mysterious Italian great-grandfather ([02:12])
- Story 2: Grandpa survives being impaled and the hero fire crew ([05:45])
- Story 3: Danish grandma-in-law’s wild life ([12:21])
- Story 4: Grandma’s secret swinger reels ([15:16])
- Story 5: Funeral mishaps and nipple piercings ([21:00])
- Story 6: Town menace dog becomes the family’s savior ([24:38])
- Closing: Hosts urge listeners to call their grandparents and reflect on memories ([28:21-28:31])
Listener Takeaways
- Grandparents are full of surprises—sometimes heroic, sometimes wild, often hilarious.
- Behind every sweet old lady or old-school grandpa may be stories of resilience, rebellion, or (yikes) real-to-reel orgies.
- Family stories can grow and shift over time—and sometimes, the real story is way better than the family legend.
Final Message
Karen:
“Grandpa, grandma, grandparent, have a great Grandparents Day. Call your grandparents if you still have them. You will miss them when they're gone.” [28:21]
Georgia:
“Stay sexy and don’t get murdered.” [28:28]
This episode is a must-listen for the laughter, heart, and reminder that even the most buttoned-down relatives may have a secret (or scandalous!) past.