Overview of MFM Minisode 474
This minisode of My Favorite Murder (Exactly Right / iHeartPodcasts) is a short, listener-mail-focused episode with a Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day theme. Karen and Georgia read and react to multiple listener emails—ranging from eerie true-crime finds to heartwarming friendship and family stories—interspersed with sponsor spots and movie promos. The tone is conversational, mixture of chills, empathy, and humor; recurring sign-offs and catchphrases (e.g., “Stay sexy” and “SSDGM”) are used throughout.
Main segments & structure
- Intro + sponsor reads and promos (Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, Lectio, film promo, etc.)
- Listener emails (core of the episode) — several short-to-medium stories:
- A dresser with letters from infamous killers
- A best-friend “sixth sense” accident story
- A hoarding/treasure-find in a great-grandmother’s home
- A family secret about a grandmother who changed identity to escape
- A romantic grandparents’ life story
- A playful “Wienermobile” wedding-rehearsal surprise
- Closing credits, call for submissions, platform notes
Notable listener stories (highlights)
1) “We found the Murderino jackpot in our dresser”
- A sister bought a dresser on Facebook Marketplace; two letters fell out, one from Oregon State Penitentiary, one from San Quentin.
- Letters were traced to criminologist Laura Brand (who has researched/interviewed serial killers and made a documentary about the Toolbox Killers).
- The letters were from Dennis Rader (BTK) and Keith Jesperson (the Happy Face Killer).
- BTK letter: poor handwriting, dated Valentine’s Day 2020, rambled about stamps/mail and referenced Bitteker (Toolbox Killer).
- Jesperson letter: seven pages, detailed and disturbing; included answers to personality-assessment-style questions (e.g., favorite book: The Old Man and the Sea; invisible cloak — escape prison; favorite animal: squirrel).
- Hosts express discomfort about knowing killers’ mundane preferences; appreciation for investigative journalists doing difficult work.
2) Galentine’s “BFC” (Best Friend Connection) accident premonition
- Writer (Maggie) recounts a lifelong psychic-like bond with best friend Chrissy.
- While working at Subway, the writer panicked and correctly guessed a trooper’s accident description: a white Cavalier with black racing flags — it was Chrissy’s car.
- She rushed to find Chrissy alive but concussed after rolling her car. Hosts call it intense and touching; celebrate non-romantic soulmates.
3) Hidden treasure: great-grandmother who hoarded money
- Family cleaning out a grandmother’s home found coins and bills sewn into curtains, glued under chair legs, and dozens of jars hidden in walls and under floors.
- Owner had lived extremely frugally (Great Depression habits) but amassed a hidden stash—reportedly around $83,000.
- Hosts react with delight and the bittersweet wish that she’d cared for herself more.
4) Family secret: Grandma Betty → Sarah Brownstein
- Listener’s paternal grandmother (known as Betty English) was revealed after her death to have been Sarah Brownstein from Pittsburgh; she and friend Dottie ran away in the 1940s to L.A., assumed new identities, married and raised families without disclosing Jewish heritage.
- Additional twist: the listener’s brother was later assigned as an LDS missionary to Donetsk, Ukraine—where the Brownstein family originated—creating an unexpected reconnection with roots.
- Hosts find the story powerful—escape, reinvention, and legacy.
5) Greatest love story (grandparents)
- Listener shares grandparents’ adventurous lives: father was a WWII pilot-artist and prankster; mother was a grounding muse. He built annual Valentine sculptures displayed at a museum later.
- Warm, sentimental piece about art, travel, and lifelong partnership.
6) Hot dog love story (Wienermobile)
- College love met at free hot dogs; years later, a mutual friend and former “hot dogger” arranged for the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to pick up the couple at their wedding rehearsal and drive them to the rehearsal dinner — memorable surprise, eight-year marriage now with kids and pets.
Recurring host commentary & lines
- Frequent reactions: shock, delight, and empathy.
- Sign-offs and mottos repeated: “Stay sexy,” “SSDGM” (stay sexy, don’t get murdered), check drawers when buying used furniture, vouch for your best friend, always look for family history/treasures.
Sponsors, promos & ads mentioned
- Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
- Lectio (prescription medication for lowering LDL)
- Film promos (including a Sam Rockwell film, and repeated Scream 7 promo)
- Quince (clothing / accessories)
- SimpliSafe (home security)
- Squarespace (websites)
- Article (furniture)
- CVS (pharmacy)
- Frog Fuel (collagen recovery drink)
- Mint Mobile (wireless)
Key takeaways
- Minisode format = short, listener-submission driven; mix of true-crime, human-interest, and Valentine’s-themed stories.
- Memorable spooky/crime element: found correspondence from BTK and the Happy Face Killer—illustrates how journalistic archives and discarded items can surface shocking material.
- Strong emotional throughlines: deep friendships, family secrets, the way older generations save or conceal wealth and identity, and surprising acts of love (Wienermobile).
- Practical reminders: check drawers in used furniture purchases; ask family for history; appreciate non-romantic soulmates.
How to submit / credits
- Email submissions: myfavoritemurder@gmail.com
- Instagram: @MyFavoriteMurder
- Listen on: iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts
- Episode credits (selected): senior producer Molly Smith; associate producer Tessa Hughes; editor Aristotle Acevedo; mixed by Liana Squalachi.
Stay sexy. Don't get murdered.