My Favorite Murder Minisode 482: Listener Tales that Turn Left

Released: April 6, 2026
Hosts: Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark
Podcast: My Favorite Murder (Exactly Right / iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

This minisode brings a classic batch of listener-submitted “hometown” stories, featuring everything from hilarious accidental 911 calls and wild funerals to online dating red flags, carjacking fails, and snack-driven notoriety. Karen and Georgia inject their trademark humor, empathy, and conversational cadence throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Babysitter Dials 911 Chasing Jonas Brothers (01:24)

• Story Summary: A babysitter in Colombia is asked by a young girl to call the Jonas Brothers. After googling, she dials a number ending in 911, only to reach actual emergency services. She panics, unplugs all the house phones, and tries to hide the incident.
• Unexpected Twist: The US-based Skype phone had grandma’s address attached. Police showed up at grandma’s house back in the States.
• Confession: She only admitted to the mishap years later over wine.
• Quote:

  “I had no other choice but to run around the house and unplug each landline.” — Karen reading (03:41)

• Hosts' banter:

  “I had no other choice is the beginning of everybody’s autobiography of fucked up shit.” — Karen (03:45)

2. Death at a Funeral—A Real One-Up (07:04)

• Story Summary: Listener Adam attends his estranged father’s funeral, where an old friend Fred dramatically collapses and dies mid-service after delivering a eulogy.
• Poignant Observation: Fred and Adam’s dad used to “one-up” each other with travel stories—Fred literally one-ups him by dying at the funeral.
• Quote:

  “Fred had pulled the ultimate one up on my dad by all caps. Dying at his funeral.” — Georgia, reading (10:52)

• Hosts' banter:

  “The ultimate trip.” — Karen (10:56)

3. Red Flags & “Please Don’t Be a Murderer!” (11:58)

• Story Summary: Casey recounts inviting an online date to her rural farm after only two days of chatting. The scene is straight out of a horror movie: remote, patchy cell service, and the power goes out just as he arrives. Both stay for dinner anyway—fast forward, they’re now married!
• Quote:

  “If you’re going to lure a stranger into a dark cornfield, make sure it’s your soulmate.” — Casey, read by Karen (14:28)

• Hosts' banter:

  “Casey, you still don’t know if it’s a long con.” — Georgia (14:34)

4. What NOT to Do During a Carjacking (15:13)

• Story Summary: After escaping an abusive relationship, a woman is held up at gunpoint in her car in New Orleans. She responds by shouting expletives and refusing to hand over her phone or wallet. The would-be carjacker flees after failing to drive her stick-shift car.
• Quote:

  “So he didn’t take anything, and you’re not hurt, and he’s gone. Okay, my baby. Well, you have a good night.” — 911 Dispatcher, read by Georgia (17:46) “If you’re going to do crime, at least learn how to drive a stick.” — Listener A, read by Georgia (18:22)

• Lessons: Don’t resist someone with a weapon. Lock your doors as soon as you get in the car.

5. The Barf Kid and the Tower of Terror (19:08)

• Story Summary: Fiona’s brother wins a Vancouver TV contest for a Disneyland trip by submitting a video about the new Tower of Terror ride, chocolate-smeared and all. The family’s magical experience includes exclusive park access and a news show appearance. The punchline? After all the build-up, he says the ride “wasn’t for me.”
• Quote:

  “Maybe it is true that the family that almost barfs together, stays together.” — Fiona, read by Karen (22:48)

• Hosts' musings: Kids are more likely to win these contests—“They want to give it to a kid.” — Karen (23:04)

6. Snack Enthusiast Avoids a Beating by Out-Psyching Hooligans (23:21)

• Story Summary: Martha’s stepdad Joe, famously messy snack eater, gets encircled by a Glasgow gang in the 1980s. Instead of reacting, he continues to dismantle his Mars bar in a uniquely methodical way. The gang presumes he must be unhinged and leaves him alone. The next day, he’s a local legend.
• Quote:

  “Apparently, when Joe didn’t respond to their taunts and kept on eating his chocolate bar like a beaver, the group had decided he was a stone cold psychopath.” — Martha, read by Georgia (26:53)

• Hosts' commentary:

  “Ideal situation.” — Karen (26:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Let me solve your yearning issue. The songs won’t even be necessary anymore.” — Karen on childhood boy band crushes (06:09)
• “Casey, you still don’t know if it’s a long con.” — Georgia (14:34)
• “If you’re going to lure a stranger into a dark cornfield, make sure it’s your soulmate.” — Casey (14:28)
• “If you’re going to do crime, at least learn how to drive a stick.” — Listener A (18:22)
• “You just gotta keep going in the gray.” — Georgia, on awkward interrupted funerals (11:39)

Important Timestamps by Story

• Babysitter accidentally calls 911: 01:24–05:38
• Death at a funeral: 07:04–11:16
• Online dating in the dark cornfield: 11:58–14:34
• Carjacking gone wrong: 14:55–18:30
• Tower of Terror contest: 19:08–22:57
• Mars bar intimidation: 23:21–27:07

Thematic Highlights

• Comedy from Chaos: Each story demonstrates that in the face of absurdity, fear, or tragedy, humor and a good tale are sometimes the best takeaways.
• Listener Lessons: The hosts and listeners alike highlight what not to do in risky situations, always with both levity and sincerity—lock your doors, resist the urge to impress online strangers, and embrace moments when things go hilariously or horrifically awry.
• Relishing the Relatable: Even wild events are grounded in everyday experiences—awkward family funerals, dating mishaps, and literal sticky situations.

Final Words

Karen and Georgia thank their listeners for sharing wild, touching, and hilarious stories. As always, they sign off with an earnest:
“Stay sexy, and don't get murdered.”

Additional Information

• Hosts: @karenkilgariff, @hardstark
• Submit your stories: myfavoritemurdermail.com
• Catch the show: iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and now on Netflix.