Although I'm immensely drawn to horror on screen, retellings of true crime can make me feel suddenly involved and I typically don't seek them out. This could mean a documentary series on Netflix, for example, "Making a Murderer," or podcasts, novels, and more. Well, in my early days of listening to podcasts I was mostly searching for those under categories like comedy, sci-fi, myth, or horror stories. It was through a conversation with a friend that I was nudged toward the show.

I listened to the first episode of the show and realized I cheated myself by not diving into the genre earlier. It was with excitement that I listened to these early episodes and started raving about them to friends. Funnily enough, not everyone is as embracing toward a listening experience involving grisly murder and bloodshed as you'd think. The few who are though, can talk about the subject with a flare in their voice that just locks you in for a thrilling audible adventure. That's the two hosts of the show.

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark weekly showcase a murder, missing person case, survivor story or otherwise chilling tale along with Steven Ray Morris who helps run the show. Karen is a writer and comic, always perfectly inserting a comedy break in the show, and Georgia has empathy and individuality that makes any listener feel like distant friends of the group. Their fanbase is referred to as "murderinos" and their live shows often are planned around the country.

The last thing I expected to gain from this show was knowledge. Not expecting to learn any more than the stories of serial killers, stranglers, cultist, or serial-killing cultist stranglers, I walked away with insight on how to be more alert in situations and how survivors amazingly fought for their lives and won! When interacting with strangers I'm careful with how much I share even more so than before. In situations where things could easily go South, like letting someone use your phone, noticing a stranger approach too close, hearing faint noises when you're home alone, all of these situations you can hear take a dark turn in the podcast.

Recently I was home alone and got the eerie feeling that someone might have been in my backyard. My dog lost his cool and started barking like crazy toward the back of the house, which made me feel like there really was danger present. Without hesitation, I got up and shut off the lights of the rooms I was in. If someone was outside I wouldn't want them seeing which part of the house I was in. I didn't look out the blinds but I did move quickly to turn on all the outside lights and sit still listening for any noises like people outside. Another ominous growl from my dog made me consider what I had in the house to defend myself. I armed myself and took off my slippers and socks because I was better off with the grip of my feet on the tile then I would be with either of those on. Around 25 minutes passed and since nothing alerted my dog, my mind was at ease once again and I felt I was safe. I didn't get super excited when my dog requested to be let out, and I waited until there was another person inside before letting him go.

Needless to say, there was no danger present at the time but while in the moment I was thinking on my feet about how best to keep myself safe.

I strongly believe that listening to episodes of My Favorite Murder has helped me critically think about the dangers that exist in the world and how special each and every one of our lives are to protect. Engaging with a subject involving twisted individuals can take its toll too, so I'm sure to balance that with the most upbeat of pop music and musical soundtracks that keep me positive and happy! The hosts are the reason you come back to either start or replay the episodes. The murder and it's often unbelievable details are why you stay.