My Favorite Murder REWIND – “82: The MFM + Unqualified with Anna Faris Crossover Pt 1”

Podcast: My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Hosts: Karen Kilgariff, Georgia Hardstark
Special Guest: Anna Faris
Date: February 4, 2026 (Rewind from August 15, 2017)

Episode Overview

This episode is a “Rewind” in which Karen and Georgia revisit and reflect on a unique crossover with Anna Faris’s hugely popular podcast Unqualified—recorded in Anna’s Hollywood Hills home just after her very public separation from Chris Pratt. The main event is Karen’s retelling of the BTK killer case, followed by a round of Anna’s famous “Dating Deal Breakers” game, and a candid advice call. The tone is warm, darkly funny, and self-reflective—balancing true crime storytelling with irreverent, confessional humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The History and Vibe of the Original Crossover

[02:40–04:00, 08:48–12:31]

• Karen and Georgia reminisce about being invited to Anna Faris’s mansion at the height of her fame and just post-separation from Chris Pratt.

• They marvel at the eerie, candle-lit “Mole Room” with vintage posters and taxidermy, setting the perfect atmosphere for a true crime chat.

• There’s a mutual recognition of kindred “goth kid” sensibilities and jokes about haunted houses and the strange privacy of celebrities.

  “Her house was like, how can I make it look like the creepiest natural history museum where my people that come over might feel like they could get, you know, murdered?” – Anna Faris [05:01]

  “She was so cool, normal, real. Like, basically, like, we know each other already.” – Karen Hardstark [10:24]

• The tension of avoiding any mention of Chris Pratt is mentioned, including an awkward paparazzi encounter afterward.

2. The BTK Killer—Karen’s Story

[15:47–37:05]

• Karen recounts the case of Dennis Rader, the BTK killer (“Bind, Torture, Kill”), a notorious Kansas serial killer active from 1974–1991.

• The story begins with the harrowing Otero family murders and builds through BTK’s chilling correspondence, his taunting of police, and his decades-long evasion of capture.

• Anna’s reactions range from shock to gallows humor, with Georgia and Karen providing context and sidebars.

• Discussion includes the psychology of serial killers, the effect on Wichita’s community, and how BTK ultimately got caught via digital forensics and ego-driven communication.

  “He was a big serial killer aficionado himself... he said that all serial killers had the same factor X...” – Karen Kilgariff [36:23]

  “This guy was, like, on occasion...There’s certain terminology that you use with like, certain murder phrases, and bound is definitely one of them.” – Anna Faris [18:42]

Notable Asides:

• Why women cut their hair short in Wichita during the murders due to the rumor that BTK targeted long-haired women. [26:17]
• How BTK was hiding in plain sight as a dog catcher, Boy Scout leader, and church elder. [32:47–34:00]
• The psychology of notoriety and why Rader’s need for recognition led to his downfall.

3. The Ethics of the Death Penalty and Serial Killer Fascination

[37:05–43:55]

• Anna prompts deep, unscripted discussion about why some serial killers evade the death penalty while one-off crimes are punished more harshly.

• Karen, Georgia, and a federal prosecutor guest (Amy) weigh in on plea deals, state statutes, and the limits (and pitfalls) of learning from such criminals.

  “Do we weirdly clearly, like, kind of appreciate...the oddness of mentality and value that in a way...?” – Anna Faris [39:43]

• The group debates whether society’s fascination with serial killers means we (collectively) lose out by executing them instead of studying their minds.

4. Pacific Northwest Serial Killers & Creep Detection

[45:55–47:28]

• Anna recalls growing up near Seattle during the Green River Killer murders, reflecting on how people often joke about evil hiding in plain sight.

• The hosts discuss women’s intuition and the tendency to ignore “creepy vibes” out of politeness.

  “There’s the sense of creepiness that we’re taught to ignore. And especially as women.” – Anna Faris [46:57]

5. BTK Case Updates & Pop Culture

[47:55–50:19]

• Karen offers updates: BTK linked (but not charged) to other cases, Kansas’s death penalty law, and cultural depictions (Netflix’s Mindhunter and My Father the BTK; Carrie Rawson’s book).
• The conversation highlights how BTK continues to haunt true crime and pop culture.

6. Dating Deal Breakers Game

[52:43–56:15]

• Anna leads the group through her beloved segment, posing hypothetical red flags (e.g., “He calls spaghetti ‘pasghetti’,” “He gets his balls professionally waxed every month,” “He thinks O.J. was framed,” “He puts a finger up your butt without asking,” “He eats placenta in a shake every morning”).

• The segment is full of playful banter, strong (and evolving) opinions, and laughter.

  “Everyone calm down and shave your balls.” – Georgia Hardstark [53:26]
  “At some point, everybody accidentally becomes a brand.” – Karen Hardstark [13:48]
  “Pasghetti. Still an ick. I think we call it the ick now.” – Georgia Hardstark [56:21]

7. Perspective Changes & Podcasting Ethics

[57:03–60:45]

• Karen and Georgia reflect on how their deal breakers have changed with age, especially on issues like shared custody of pets after a breakup.
• They discuss learning to moderate their opinions, the realities of public podcasting, listener reactions, and the presence of trolls/bots online.

8. Advice Call: Managing a Boyfriend’s “Bro” Co-worker

[61:03–78:23]

• Caller Katie seeks advice: her boyfriend’s coworker makes passive-aggressive, sexist comments about their relationship in social situations.

• The group collectively advises healthy boundaries, addressing the boyfriend’s non-confrontational stance, and the importance of self-respect.

• The discussion segues into deeper points about women's socialization, reciprocal relationship dynamics, and trusting intuition.

  “You don’t have to be the chill girl. Like I feel like we all try so hard to be like, I don’t care, I’m so fuckin’ chill... and you’re allowed to have your emotions and one of those emotions sometimes is pissed the fuck off.” – Georgia Hardstark [74:48]
  “Be selfish in love... know your worth, know your independence, know that you’re young and there's so much life experience.” – Anna Faris [75:19]

Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “This is like the most efficient way to podcast, isn’t it?” – Anna Faris [04:14]
• “Dream house.” (On Anna's creepy, gothy décor) – Georgia Hardstark [05:23]
• “Welcome to our lives.” – Georgia Hardstark [04:45]
• “My goal was, like, how can I make it look like the creepiest natural history museum?” – Anna Faris [05:01]
• “For a serial killer that even if you have no feelings at all, you’re—oh, dude.” – Karen Kilgariff [34:55]
• “The idea that he clearly wanted desperately to be known... he’s the reason he got caught. His own need for ego, that fame.” – Karen Kilgariff [44:30]
• “Everyone calm down and shave your balls.” – Georgia Hardstark [53:26]
• “This person who is taking these weird little, like... love control and love power.” – Karen Kilgariff [43:26]
• “You don’t have to be the chill girl... and you’re allowed to have your emotions and one of those emotions sometimes is pissed the fuck off.” – Georgia Hardstark [74:48]
• “Be selfish in love... know your worth, know your independence, know that you’re young and there's so much life experience.” – Anna Faris [75:19]

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• [02:40] – Intro to the Rewind; remembering the Anna Faris crossover event
• [12:31–15:47] – Transition into storytelling (“Let’s get into Karen’s story about the BTK killer.”)
• [15:47–37:05] – Karen’s BTK story (detailed, with comedic and emotional asides)
• [37:05–43:55] – Death penalty discussion and what society learns or loses from serial killers
• [52:43–56:15] – “Dating Deal Breakers” (hilarious hypothetical red flags)
• [61:03–78:23] – Advice call to Katie about sexist co-worker comments, healthy communication, and self-prioritization

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode showcases what sets My Favorite Murder apart: dark humor, self-awareness, and an ability to balance gravitas with levity. Karen and Georgia’s chemistry with Anna Faris is immediate, and the show becomes a rare meeting ground of comedy, feminist candor, and true crime devotion.

Listeners will enjoy:

• An in-depth yet accessible retelling of the BTK killer and his bizarre psychology
• High-spirited, unscripted banter and confessions about fame, friendship, fear, and boundaries
• Advice delivered with empathy, realism, and wit
• Behind-the-scenes memories and reflections that add warmth and context to the MFM universe

Note: Ads, intros, and outros have been skipped in this summary. All timestamps refer to main content.