About This Episode
When Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark first met at a Halloween party in 2014, neither anticipated they'd launch one of the most successful podcasts in history. The two discovered a shared passion for true crime after Kilgariff described witnessing a violent car accident at South by Southwest. Less than two years later, that conversation evolved into My Favorite MurderMurder—a weekly show that would fundamentally reshape how audiences consume crime stories.
The podcast debuted in January 2016 with Feral Audio, opening with episodes on the JonBenét Ramsey case and the Golden State Killer. Within weeks, it charted at #25 on iTunes. By April 27, 2018, it had climbed to #3 on the overall podcast charts and established itself as a regular fixture in iTunes' Top 10 Comedy Podcasts, eventually averaging 35 million downloads monthly as of 2020.
The Format That Worked
My Favorite MurderMurder's appeal lies in its distinctive approach to true crime. Rather than sensationalizing perpetrators, Kilgariff and Hardstark center victims' experiences while weaving in personal anecdotes about mental health, anxiety, addiction, trauma, and sobriety. The hosts openly discuss their own backgrounds—Kilgariff's Irish Catholic upbringing and epilepsy, Hardstark's Jewish heritage—creating a conversational atmosphere that feels less like a true crime lecture and more like discussing cases with informed friends over coffee.
The content spans diverse cases: serial killers like the Night Stalker and Eli Stutzman (the Amish serial killer), cold cases including the Springfield Three and Asha Degree, survivor stories, and historical events such as the 1921 Tulsa race massacre. This variety, combined with the hosts' comedic timing and genuine empathy, distinguishes the show from competitors flooding the true crime podcast market.
From Podcast to Publishing Empire
By June 2016, producer Steven Ray Morris joined the team, appearing officially in Episode 23 ("Making A Twenty-Thirderer"). The show's expanding influence led Kilgariff and Hardstark to found Exactly Right Media in summer 2018, transforming the podcast into a media company. Today, Exactly Right Media hosts 15 shows, establishing Kilgariff and Hardstark as significant players in podcast production.
Their success extended to print. In 2019, they released *Stay Sexy Don't Get Murdered: The Definitive How-to Guide*, a dual memoir that became a #1 bestseller simultaneously on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today lists—a rare achievement that cemented their status beyond podcasting.
The Hosts Behind the Microphone
Kilgariff's comedy background proved essential. Before My Favorite Murder, she was a cast member on HBO's *Mr. Show*, wrote for FX's *Baskets*, and served as creative judge on TruTV's *Talk Show: The Game Show*. Her musical talents—singing and playing guitar for comedic original songs—add another dimension to the podcast. She also co-hosts *Do You Need A Ride?* with Chris Fairbanks and serves as CEO of Exactly Right Media.
Hardstark brought different expertise. Before podcasting, she worked as a food writer and on-camera personality for the Cooking Channel. She's narrated Comedy Central's *Drunk History* twice, bringing comedic timing and narrative skill to the microphone.
A Community Called Murderinos
The show's listeners—self-identified as "Murderinos"—have built an engaged global community. The podcast's emphasis on mental health conversations, combined with true crime storytelling, resonated particularly with audiences seeking more thoughtful discourse around trauma and recovery. The hosts' willingness to discuss anxiety, substance abuse, and therapy normalized conversations often considered taboo in mainstream media.
My Favorite Murder proved that true crime didn't require sensationalism to succeed. By prioritizing storytelling craft, victim dignity, and genuine human connection, Kilgariff and Hardstark created something enduring: a podcast that entertains while respecting the gravity of real tragedies.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Favorite_Murder
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-favorite-murder-with-karen-kilgariff-and/id1074507850
https://www.myfavoritemurder.com
https://www.elle.com/culture/a35433134/my-favorite-murder-karen-kilgariff-georgia-hardstark-interview-2021/
https://www.myfavoritemurder.com/about
