My Favorite Murder Minisode 469 – January 5, 2026

Episode Overview

The first minisode of 2026 kicks off with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark reading listener-submitted stories that blend true crime, comedy, and serendipity. This episode delves into jaw-dropping tales of survival, uncanny coincidences, parenting hacks, the kindness of strangers, and unsettling moments with unexpected outcomes—all wrapped in the hosts’ trademark conversational, irreverent style.

Key Discussion Points & Listener Stories

1. Babysitting in a Tornado (01:11–06:04)

• Story: A listener ("S") recounts babysitting two very young children at age 10 during a tornado warning in 2009. With no basement, no instructions from the parents, and power/cell service loss, she bravely evacuated the kids through a soybean field to a neighbor’s basement.
• Karen and Georgia’s Reaction:
  • Shocked at a 10-year-old being left in charge of an infant:

    "Ten. And. No, no, no, no, no." – Georgia (01:31)

  • Amused at the improvisation and outcome, but solidly endorse the decisions made:

    "I think S made the perfect decision." – Karen (06:35)

• Memorable Moment: S is now a career nanny, proving the event was formative, not traumatizing.
• Takeaway: The importance of preparedness, trust, and maybe answering your phone.
• Quote:

  "Stay sexy and answer your phone." – S (06:05)

2. New Year's Eve Gunfire (06:40–10:28)

• Story: Becky describes her sister Mary Beth being struck in the head by a falling .45-caliber bullet on Bourbon Street, New Orleans, during New Year’s celebrations in 1979. The bullet caused a major injury but miraculously did not penetrate Mary Beth’s brain. She walked into the ER under her own power and fully recovered.
• Karen and Georgia’s Reaction:
  • Horrified, incredulous at the injury’s circumstances and Mary Beth’s survival.
  • Commentary on "celebratory" gunfire dangers, with classic dark humor:

    "You can't shoot guns in the air." – Georgia (08:56)
    "That would change your life dramatically...If you're like, I survived basically being shot in the head." – Karen (10:41)

• Notable Quote:

  "So stay sexy and don't let a little old bullet ruin your New Year's Eve celebration." – Becky (10:26)

• Memorable Moment: The heartfelt tribute to Mary Beth, who passed away in 1999:

  "She was a unique and awe inspiring girl that I got to call my big sister. I've missed her every day for the past 25 years, but boy, was I lucky to have her.” – Becky (10:28)

3. The Drunk Tinder Adventure & Kindness of Strangers (11:51–14:51)

• Story: "Cali" shares how, intoxicated and alone late at night in Dorchester, MA, she found herself stranded after her phone died. An Irish pub turned her away, but a Chinese restaurant family let her in, charged her phone, and got her home safely.
• Karen and Georgia’s Reaction:
  • Outrage at the bar’s refusal to help:

    "You kind of have a...obligation then to make sure she doesn't just wander away." – Georgia (13:21)

  • Reflection on the dangers women face, societal responsibility, and past MFM episodes where similar stories have tragic endings.
  • Celebration of her sobriety and happy relationship.
• Memorable Quote:

  "Stay sexy and just stay home. Especially when you’re inebriated." – Cali (14:51)

  • Political closing note:

    "P.S. If this gets read on the podcast, I'd like to say, fuck Trump. Fuck ICE. Immigrants make America great." – Cali (15:09)

4. Childhood Friendship and Serendipitous Reunion (16:21–19:00)

• Story: Emily tells of unexpectedly reuniting with her childhood best friend Angelina at a college graduation 14 years after losing touch because Angelina’s family moved away due to her sister’s sudden death. A touching reflection on fate and closure.
• Karen and Georgia’s Reaction:
  • Amazed at the odds and impact:

    "That's crazy. Right next to her. Not even like at a party..." – Karen & Georgia (19:00)

• Takeaway: Life’s randomness and the sense of cosmic design.
• Quote:

  "It was something I will never forget. An amazing moment of kismet." – Emily (19:00)

5. Parenting Hacks and the 'Lie Dot' (19:10–21:47)

• Story: Hayden describes how her parents used the fake concept of a "lie dot" on her forehead as a child to encourage honesty—so effective she became a committed goody two-shoes. She wonders if it was a brilliant or slightly mean parenting move.
• Karen and Georgia’s Reaction:
  • They both relate, sharing their own parents’ similar tricks and the ease of manipulating children.
  • Amused by the notion of old-fashioned but effective parenting.
• Quote:

  "A dot on the forehead. What's the biggest lie you've said to your children or that your parents have said to you? Yeah, I want those." – Georgia (21:27)

6. The Psychic at Lesbian Poker Night (21:50–24:06)

• Story: Jen recounts meeting a medium at a poker night who offered unsolicited but startlingly accurate information about her deceased grandparents, specifically a warning for Jen’s brother about his heart. The brother heeds the advice, visits a doctor, and discovers severe hypertension in time to begin life-saving treatment.
• Karen and Georgia’s Reaction:
  • Wowed by the specificity and positive impact of the "message."
  • Reference their own experiences and propose an on-air psychic reading for future episodes.
• Memorable Quote:

  "Stay sexy and listen to your grandma, even if it's from beyond the grave." – Jen (24:06)

• Notable Moment:

  "My brother got a full run up, and it was discovered his blood pressure was dangerously high, especially for being so young. The doctor said, 'We need to get this addressed immediately. So it's a really good thing you came in today.'" – Jen (23:34)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Children are so stupid.” – Karen (20:46), joking about the effectiveness of parenting lies.
• “There is a social contract to look out for each other." – Karen (15:38), on bystander responsibility.
• "By the grace of fucking God, it didn't happen to us." – Georgia (15:39), after discussing the dangers of being out drunk.
• “The power came back. She called the kid's mom and told her to get home. Once the storm passed, we walked back across the field..." – S’s tornado babysitting saga (05:14).
• “Let’s get more Mary Beth stories.” – Georgia (10:31), calling for more fan submissions about Becky’s late sister.
• "What's the biggest lie you've said to your children or that your parents have said to you? Yeah, I want those." – Georgia (21:27).

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:11] Babysitting in a Tornado
• [06:40] New Year's Eve Gunfire Survival
• [11:51] Drunken Tinder Night & Kindness of Strangers
• [16:21] Childhood Friend Reunion Kismet
• [19:10] Parenting Hack: The Lie Dot
• [21:50] Lesbian Poker, Psychic, and a Lifesaving Message

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode mixes heart-pounding near-tragedies with laugh-out-loud parenting revelations, all unconventionally guided by the “stay sexy and don’t get murdered” ethos. Karen and Georgia keep things both grounded and absurd, always amplifying the voices of their listeners and fostering a sense of community, reflection, and darkly comic solidarity.

Stay sexy—and answer your phone, help a stranger, trust your gut, and maybe check your forehead for a ‘lie dot.’