My Favorite Murder Minisode 466 – December 15, 2025

Hosts: Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Podcast Network: Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

Main Theme

This minisode of My Favorite Murder features Karen and Georgia reading and responding to listener-submitted "hometown" stories, tales of brushes with true crime, odd coincidence, and humorous near-misses. The episode maintains the show's signature mix of dark subject matter, wit, empathy, and comedy.

Key Discussion Points & Listener Stories

1. The Murderous Landlord – Loretta and Her Son (02:14–04:16)

• Listener Janavi writes in about her Chicago apartment building, once managed by a sweet elderly woman (Loretta) but marred by her troubled, hoarding adult son. The listener tried befriending him, only to later discover he murdered his mother in a shocking murder-suicide.
• Key Insights:
  • Naivete and youth in assessing risk.
  • The complexity and seriousness of untreated mental illness.
  • Judging potentially dangerous behavior in hindsight.
• Notable Quote:

  "I knew he was a creepy asshole, but it never occurred to me that he could be capable of killing at all, especially his mom in such a horrific way. RIP Loretta. So stay sexy and don't invite murderers to drink beer with you in your backyard." (04:10, Janavi)

2. Psychic Warning—or Luck? – The Falling Tree (04:50–07:32)

• Listener Shaden Berry describes a supernatural experience: as a teen, a sudden, clear thought told her to get out of bed during a storm. Moments later, a tree crashed through her window onto the bed she'd just left.
• Hosts’ reaction:
  • "Holy shit." (06:03, Georgia)
  • Discussion of the line between psychic experiences, luck, and possible guardian spirits.
• Shaden’s Life Update:
  • Sober, successful crime fiction author.
  • Book plugs: Down the Rabbit Hole and At Cafe 64 (07:09–07:18)
  • Overcoming addiction and achieving career/financial milestones.
• Memorable Quote:

  "Now I'm in my 30s. I just bought my first house...I'm three years sober. My debut novel, a crime fiction (because of course it is), came out last year...I couldn't have done it without giving up alcohol. Much love to you both." (06:47, Shaden)

3. Hiding in the Ceiling—A Drunk Escape Attempt (11:01–13:50)

• Listener Kate recounts trying to evade police during an underage drinking raid by crawling into the drop ceiling of a bar’s bathroom—only to fall through the ceiling right above the police.
• Hosts’ reactions:
  • Admiration for the boldness and “Mission Impossible”-esque creativity (“She's running Die Hard in her mind.” – 12:15, Karen)
  • Mock encouragement and warning about drunk decision-making.
• Memorable Quote:

  "Stay sexy and don't deploy a mission impossible escape plan when you're three sheets to the wind." (13:50, Kate)

4. The Pig Roast Guest—It Was Harrison Ford! (15:20–18:31)

• Listener Natalie remembers annual pig roasts on her Wisconsin family farm, once attended by her teacher and his "old college roommate," who turned out to be Harrison Ford.
• Hosts’ reactions:
  • Delight and incredulity at the surprise celebrity guest (“It’s Harrison Ford!” – 16:35, Karen)
  • Reflections on how adults can go unrecognized by children, and the value for celebrities in being treated ‘normally’.
• Memorable Quote:

  "I'm a normal experience Sherpa for my old friend Harrison, who now lives in the weirdest world of all time. All he wants to do is stand in a backyard and drink a beer." (17:01, Karen)

5. Cat Burial Gone Wrong – A Veterinarian’s Caring Response (23:12–24:56)

• Listener Heather, a veterinarian, follows up on a previous story about a listener who tried to give her dead cat a "Viking burial" but ended up traumatized when the remains were recovered by authorities.
• Advice & Reassurance:
  • Explains that found/unclaimed animal remains are handled respectfully—cremated by local shelters.
  • Provides compassion and closure to the original story’s author.
• Notable Guidance:

  "When domestic animals remains are found and unclaimed, the police take them to the local shelter where they are cremated. So, botched Viking attempt aside, your baby was still cremated." (24:17, Heather)

• Hosts’ reactions:
  • Appreciation for Heather’s empathetic, professional response.
  • Discussion about the potential for accidental misunderstandings to trigger investigations.

6. Trash Parent/Childhood Injury Lore—The Trampoline and Broken Bones (25:21–29:55)

• Listener AJ shares childhood tales of injuries ignored by overwhelmed parents—broken bones from trampolines, untreated for years, and the rough-and-tumble chaos of big families.
• Memorable Details:
  • Sister’s broken back at age 10 discovered only at 16.
  • Both parents (including a paramedic father) repeatedly shrugged off injuries, showing a generational gap in safety, attentiveness, and medical care.
• Karen and Georgia’s Response:
  • Baby-boomer/Gen-X attitudes to “tough it out.”
  • Call for more childhood injury stories—so long as everyone is okay now!
• Notable Quotes:

  "My mom didn't believe me and made me get off the trampoline by myself and walk it off. After taking one step and immediately collapsing, I was taken to the hospital and then forbidden from ever touching the trampoline again." (26:10, AJ)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Trying to get partying done?" (02:46, Karen)
  Reflects on youthful priorities in risky situations.
• "Just go for it. Just do it. Why not? Like, if you have a chance, take it. It might not work out the way you think it would. But you will have a story." (14:00–14:07, Hosts)
• "When you're a kid, you don't pay attention to adults... that's the most boring thing in the world." (17:36, Georgia)
• "Stay sexy and don't deploy a mission impossible escape plan when you're three sheets to the wind." (13:50, Kate)
• "Be aware of trampolines. SSDGM." (28:56, AJ)

Timestamps for Noteworthy Segments

• Murderous Landlord Story: 02:14–04:16
• Supernatural Tree Rescue: 04:50–07:32
• Underage Bar Bust Escape: 11:01–13:50
• Harrison Ford at the Pig Roast: 15:20–18:31
• Cat Burial – Vet's Response: 23:12–24:56
• Trash Parent / Trampoline Injuries: 25:21–29:55

Tone & Style

The episode’s tone is conversational, at times irreverent but always empathetic, mixing tragic and comic elements. Karen and Georgia share personal anecdotes, joke about their own reckless or naive younger selves, and show genuine appreciation for listener bravery, honesty, and survival.

Summary

Minisode 466 of My Favorite Murder delivers the classic highs and lows of true crime storytelling seasoned with humor and empathy. From harrowing near-misses to embarrassing escapes, weird celebrity encounters to heartfelt advice from a veterinarian, Karen and Georgia affirm the show's core purpose: processing life (and death) with laughter, openness, and a community spirit. The show closes with an invitation for more listener stories—especially wild childhood injuries—reminding fans that everyone has a tale worth telling.