Podcast Summary: "Rewind with Karen & Georgia - Episode 22: The Girls with the Episode Twenty Two"

Introduction

In Episode 22 of Rewind with Karen & Georgia, hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, along with guest Marc Maron, take listeners on a nostalgic journey back to one of their early episodes titled "The Girls." Released on December 4, 2024, this episode revisits the dynamics and stories from their initial foray into the My Favorite Murder podcast. The trio delves deep into historical true crime narratives, personal anecdotes, and the evolution of their podcasting journey.

Revisiting Episode 22: "The Girls"

The episode begins with Karen and Georgia reminiscing about the inception of My Favorite Murder. They reflect on how their initial discussions lacked extensive research but were driven by genuine curiosity and conversation. Karen humorously remarks, “[02:30] Karen Kilgariff: Welcome everybody, to my favorite murder the podcast, the highly professional true crime podcast that asked the question, what if two women who were slightly interested in true crime and had free time on their hands and liked to have conversations and make up facts and not do a lot of research how to pod.”

Georgia adds her perspective, emphasizing their empathetic approach despite the seemingly casual start: “[02:59] Georgia Hardstark: Hey, everyone. This is my favorite murder a podcast where we talk about our favorite murders, which is kind of insulting to people who have been murdered. But we don't mean it that way. We're trying to be fucking cool and interested and like, we have so much, like, empathy.”

Deep Dive: The Legend of Sawney Bean

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to exploring the infamous legend of Sawney Bean, an alleged Scottish clan known for cannibalism and heinous crimes in either the 1400s or 1700s. Karen narrates the gruesome tales associated with the clan, highlighting their portrayal in folklore and skepticism surrounding its authenticity.

• Historical Context and Analysis

  Karen provides a detailed account of Sawney Bean and his family: “[22:27] Georgia Hardstark: The Sawney Bean clan is an infamous Scottish family from either the 1400s or the 1700s... these were people who were forced in these extreme measures. They didn't have anything else to eat.”

  The hosts discuss the possibility of Sawney Bean being a product of English propaganda aimed at demonizing the Scots, citing historian Dr. Louise Yeoman: “[12:34] ...she also said if James had successfully led an expedition to face down a well-armed group of bloodthirsty cannibals, he would have never heard the end of it.”

• Urban Legend vs. Historical Fact

  The authenticity of the Sawney Bean story is scrutinized, with mentions of lack of concrete evidence: “[34:56] Karen Kilgariff: ...the Legend of Sawney Bean first appeared in what they called British chapbooks, which were rumor magazines of the day. [36:00] Georgia Hardstark: Ye old Internet…”

  Marc Maron contributes by challenging the plausibility of such legends: “[37:06] Georgia Hardstark: To me, that's the biggest. Like that to me is the most like you can be like, well, maybe it was less victims and maybe his name was something different or spelled differently.”

Personal Stories and Anecdotes

Karen and Georgia share personal experiences related to comedy shows, dealing with hot venues, and managing their on-stage behaviors. These anecdotes serve to humanize the hosts and provide listeners with relatable content.

• Comedy Show Challenges

  Karen recounts a night at a comedy show that went awry due to technical issues: “[04:49] Georgia Hardstark: ...there was no air conditioning and we both looked like we had. We were crossing paths in a sauna.”

  Georgia discusses overcoming personal discomfort in public settings: “[05:32] Georgia Hardstark: I have a habit of making assumptions...”

• Handling Missteps and Corrections

  The hosts humorously address past inaccuracies in their storytelling: “[13:07] Georgia Hardstark: So do you think if you had said, I don't know what they are, you wouldn't have cared?”

  They emphasize the importance of accuracy while maintaining their conversational tone.

Reflections on History and Storytelling

The conversation transitions into broader reflections on how historical narratives are shaped, the role of urban legends in understanding past societies, and the impact of storytelling on public perception.

• Impact of Propaganda

  Karen discusses the use of cannibalism tales as political propaganda: “[39:28] Karen Kilgariff: ...cannibalism has a long history as a means of political propaganda used by the dominant culture against those they want to colonize.”

• Modern Interpretations of Historical Events

  The hosts draw parallels between historical injustices and contemporary issues, showcasing the enduring relevance of true crime storytelling.

Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes

As the episode wraps up, Karen and Georgia express their enthusiasm for future topics, contemplating a shift towards survivor stories: “[59:35] Georgia Hardstark: Yeah. I went to prayer.”

They also reflect on the evolution of their podcasting style, moving away from wordplay in episode titles to more straightforward naming conventions: “[68:05] ...we just pick a phrase from the episode and name it that.”

Notable Quotes:

• Karen Kilgariff on Initial Podcast Approach:

  “[02:30] Karen Kilgariff: Welcome everybody, to my favorite murder the podcast...”

• Georgia Hardstark on Empathy in Storytelling:

  “[02:59] Georgia Hardstark: ...we have so much, like, empathy...”

• Marc Maron on Historical Authenticity:

  “[37:06] Georgia Hardstark: To me, that's the biggest. Like that to me is the most like you can be like, well, maybe it was less victims and maybe his name was something different or spelled differently.”

Conclusion

Episode 22 of Rewind with Karen & Georgia serves as both a nostalgic recounting of the podcast's early days and a deep dive into one of true crime's most enduring legends. Through engaging storytelling, personal anecdotes, and critical analysis, Karen, Georgia, and Marc Maron provide listeners with a rich, multifaceted exploration of historical narratives and their modern interpretations. This episode not only revisits past episodes but also sets the stage for future discussions, promising an ongoing blend of humor, empathy, and true crime investigation.