Overview of Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 82: The MFM + Unqualified with Anna Faris (Part 1)
This episode is a Rewind (recap + commentary) of episode 82 — the first half of a two-part crossover between My Favorite Murder (hosts Karen Kilgariff & Georgia Hardstark) and Anna Faris’s Unqualified. Originally released August 15, 2017, the installment was recorded at Anna Faris’s Hollywood Hills home (“the mole room”) and mixes true‑crime storytelling (Karen’s condensed retelling of the BTK case), casual celebrity conversation, a Dating Deal Breakers segment from Unqualified, and an advice call about relationship boundaries.
Episode structure & highlights
- Quick banter about being in Anna Faris’s house, the recording setup, and celebrity awkwardness (paparazzi moment about Chris Pratt).
- Karen’s condensed retelling of the BTK killer case (Dennis Rader): timeline, crimes, police taunting and investigation, capture via floppy disk evidence, and Rader’s profile (church elder, Boy Scout leader, city employee).
- Discussion about death penalty, serial-killer psychology, and public fascination with notorious killers.
- Anna’s Dating Deal Breakers game — humorous segment about quirky/icky partner habits.
- Advice call with “Katie” (25, LA): boyfriend’s co‑worker mocking their relationship; hosts give relationship/advice viewpoints (set boundaries, communicate feelings, evaluate partner support).
- Closing: tease for Part 2 where Anna & MFM trade hosting duties.
Key topics & takeaways
- BTK case (high-level summary)
- BTK stands for “Bind, Torture, Kill.” Karen recounts the Wichita murders beginning in 1974, subsequent victims through the 1970s–80s, the taunting letters/phone calls, and the killer’s capture after sending a floppy disk that led investigators to Dennis Rader.
- Rader’s public life contrasted with his crimes: husband, father, church leader, Boy Scout leader, and local municipal employee.
- Legal outcome: Rader pleaded guilty and received consecutive life sentences; earliest possible release date cited in the episode is 2180 (effectively life in prison).
- Discussion included how Rader blamed a “Factor X” / demon for his impulses and the ethical/learning considerations around execution vs. imprisonment.
- Podcast crossover dynamics
- Hosts enjoyed the casual, in‑home recording vibe and the surprise of collaborating with a high-profile actor-host.
- They reflect on nerves (news of Anna Faris/Chris Pratt separation around that time) and the logistics of a planned crossover that still allowed for organic conversation.
- Dating Deal Breakers
- Lighthearted game revealing each host’s instant “ick” reactions (e.g., calling spaghetti “paschetti,” waxing balls, surprising anal play).
- Shows the culture of teasing/“the ick” and how attitudes evolve with age/experience.
- Advice segment (Katie’s call)
- Problem: boyfriend’s new coworker publicly mocks the relationship (calls him “whipped,” makes comments to/around Katie).
- Hosts’ advice: validate Katie’s feelings; encourage direct communication with her boyfriend; ask him to defend the relationship and set boundaries; assess whether her boyfriend will prioritize/support her — if not, reconsider the relationship.
- Recurrent themes: set personal boundaries, don’t absorb other people’s disrespect, and be clear about what you need from a partner.
Notable insights / quotes
- On podcasting in a celebrity’s home: “The most efficient way to podcast — everybody gets together in one room and talk all at the same time.”
- On BTK/serial-killer fascination: hosts debate whether the public fascination is useful or unhealthy; one point raised — executing notorious offenders removes a potential source of study/interviews.
- Advice rhythm: oft-repeated mantra from the hosts — know your worth; prioritize communication and whether a partner will defend/support you.
Updates & resources mentioned (from the episode / Rewind)
- Mentions for listeners who want deeper dives:
- A Serial Killer’s Daughter — memoir by Carrie Rader (Dennis Rader’s daughter) referenced as a recommended read.
- My Father, the BTK Killer — documentary (episode mentions October 2025 release).
- Monster BTK — iHeart podcast (January 2025) covering the BTK story.
- Mindhunter (TV series) — fictionalized series referenced for its depiction of serial-killer profiling; BTK‑like subplot noted by hosts.
- Legal/forensic note in the episode: investigators used the floppy disk Rader sent to trace and identify him (key piece that led to arrest).
Practical takeaways / advice to listeners
- When a third party disrespects you in your partner’s social/work sphere:
- Communicate how it makes you feel (non‑accusatory “I feel…”).
- Ask your partner to set a boundary or publicly support you; how they respond is revealing about their priorities.
- If your partner repeatedly minimizes your feelings or refuses to defend you, reassess the relationship.
- On consuming true crime:
- Be conscious of the ethical line between curiosity and sensationalizing trauma; seek reputable non‑sensational sources for complex cases.
Where to listen / follow-ups
- Original crossover episode: My Favorite Murder x Unqualified (Part 1 — Aug 15, 2017); Part 2 follows the format reversal.
- For more on BTK: Carrie Rader’s memoir (A Serial Killer’s Daughter), the My Father, the BTK Killer documentary, and the iHeart Monster BTK podcast.
Stay sexy, don’t get murdered — and if you want this episode’s longer details, Part 2 continues with Georgia’s MFM story, another advice call, and the rest of the crossover.