Overview of 515 - 10 Year Anniversary Special! (My Favorite Murder — Exactly Right / iHeartPodcasts)
This episode celebrates My Favorite Murder’s 10-year anniversary. Hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark reunite with longtime collaborator/engineer Stephen Ray Morris, reflect on the show’s origin and growth, run through a listener-curated “top moments” list, share favorite episodes and memories (touring, fans, merch, art), and thank the Murderino community. The episode includes sponsor spots and promos, announcements about merch/tour items and the Exactly Right network, and reinforces core MFM catchphrases and ethos.
Key themes & episode structure
- Quick sponsor reads (Talkspace, Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, Pura, SimpliSafe, Netflix promos).
- Opening anniversary banter: where the show started (apartment → Podloft → tour/TV).
- Gifts, nostalgia, and jokes about anniversary “tin”/aluminum.
- Guest appearance: Stephen Ray Morris (episode 23 engineer/editor/cat-sitter) — walk down memory lane.
- Listener-curated top moments (hosts count down the top 10, Stephen is #10).
- Highlights of pop-culture crossovers, book, touring, network-building, fan community, favorite episodes, and pet culture.
- Closing: Then & Now listener vignettes, gratitude, sign-off (“Stay sexy & don’t get murdered”).
Top moments highlighted (listener-curated summary)
- Murderino community — the fanbase and what it’s built (meetups, friendships, live shows).
- MFM Pets — Elvis, Frank, Dottie, Mimi and the importance of pets & fan art in the show’s culture.
- Catchphrases & MFM-isms — “Stay sexy,” “Don’t get murdered,” “Fuck politeness,” etc., and how they entered everyday lexicon.
- Favorite episodes — standout shows mentioned include Mary Vincent, “Deaths at Disneyland” (Anaheim), hometown episodes and other deep dives.
- Creating Exactly Right Media — building a podcast network, curatorially picking shows (e.g., This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas, Ghosted, Brief Recess, Trust Me), and scaling into a business.
- Touring & live shows — early Bell House shock, large venues, hometown shows, meet-and-greets, onstage surprises and memorable audience moments.
- Writing the book — Say/Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered (memoir-style advice), the difficulty and pride of producing a bestselling book (audiobook cameo by Paul Giamatti).
- MFM in pop culture — appearances/references (Simpsons, Jeopardy, Yelllowjackets tie-ins, etc.).
- Origins: combining true crime + comedy — initial concept of friends talking about obsessions; early DIY recording (cheap mics, late-night edits), evolving responsibility re: accuracy and ethics.
- Special guest / crew memories — honoring Stephen Ray Morris for early engineering, editing, and emotional support.
Notable insights & memorable quotes
- “We did this for each other — make yourself laugh/interest yourself first.” (Advice on creative work.)
- “We’re each other’s perfect audience.” (On how hosts shape episodes by trying to entertain one another.)
- “Don’t get murdered / Stay sexy / Fuck politeness” — core phrases that became communal shorthand.
- Reflections on responsibility: as the show gained reach, hosts emphasized media literacy and care about facts when covering true crime.
Community impact & listener stories
- Many listeners wrote in with life changes across the decade: cancer survivorship, going back to school, career changes, marriage later in life, leaving abusive situations, therapy and mental-health progress.
- Hosts highlight examples (10-year “Then & Now” submissions) to show the personal impact the show/community has had.
- Fans contribute art, merch ideas, stories, and form lasting friendships through meetups and live events.
Production, collaborators & cultural moments
- Guest/returning collaborator: Stephen Ray Morris (engineer/editor from episode 23).
- Surprise and past guest highlights: Paul Holes (clip and visit), Paul Giamatti read a chapter of the audiobook.
- Animator: Nick Terry — MFM animated shorts that capture and amplify show moments.
- Pets, fan art, and merch form a visible cultural archive in hosts’ homes and social pages.
- Production credits (from episode): Senior Producer Molly Smith; Associate Producer Tessa Hughes; Editor Aristotle Acevedo; Mixed by Liana Squalachi; Researchers Mary McGlashan & Allie Elkin.
Announcements, merch & calls to action
- 2025 tour merch and 10-year anniversary merch on sale; presale for MFM Collegiate Crew Neck (designed by Vanessa Lilac) ran Jan 15–21. Main store: exactlyrightstore.com.
- Submit hometown stories to: myfavoritemurder@gmail.com (hometowns are an ongoing segment).
- Follow: Instagram @myfavoritemurder. Listen on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get podcasts, and watch video episodes on YouTube or (noted in-episode) video distribution via Netflix.
- Sponsor promos mentioned:
- Talkspace: Talkspace.com/MFM + promo code SPACE80 for $80 off first month.
- SimpliSafe: simplisafe.com/fav for 50% off select systems.
- Hyundai, Pura, and Netflix promos also read.
Quick takeaways
- The episode is equal parts celebration, gratitude, and archival reflection: hosts emphasize how the show started as a hobby and organically grew into a cultural phenomenon.
- The Murderino community is framed as the number-one achievement — friendships, fan art, live show energy, personal transformations.
- Practical advice for creators: make what you love, be responsive to responsibility around real-world topics, and don’t over-polish — authenticity mattered.
- Major milestones include the book, touring, Exactly Right Media, pop-culture crossovers, and expanded video distribution.
Credits: Episode produced by Exactly Right; edited/mixed and produced by the team listed above.