Rewind with Karen & Georgia - Episode 11: What the Helleven
Digest
This episode of "Rewind with Karen and Georgia" takes listeners back to the 11th episode of their podcast, "What the 11," which featured two particularly disturbing cases. The hosts, Karen and Georgia, reflect on how their podcast has evolved since its inception, acknowledging their initial awkwardness and the feedback they received from listeners. They also discuss the challenges of managing their Facebook group, which has grown to over 2,200 members, and the importance of maintaining a respectful and focused community. The episode delves into the case of the "Cannibal Bus Killer," Vincent Lee, who murdered and partially consumed a fellow passenger on a Greyhound bus in 2008. Karen details the horrific events of the crime and Lee's subsequent mental health diagnosis. The hosts provide updates on the case, including Lee's release from a mental health facility and the ongoing lawsuit filed by the victim's family. They reflect on the complexities of the criminal justice system and the lasting impact of the crime on those involved. The episode also explores the case of Albert Fish, a notorious serial killer and cannibal who operated in the 1920s. Georgia details Fish's disturbing history, including his childhood experiences in an orphanage, his fascination with pain and cannibalism, and the murder of Grace Budd. The hosts delve into the horrific details of Fish's crimes, emphasizing the sheer brutality and depravity of his actions. They highlight the lack of public attention he received due to his age and the horrific nature of his crimes. The podcasters address a correction regarding the identity of the victim's family member that Fish interacted with, clarifying that it was Grace, the victim's sister, not her daughter. They also discuss the impact of Fish's crimes on the family, particularly the years of uncertainty they endured before his confession. The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on the unsettling truth that evil can exist in seemingly ordinary individuals. They use Albert Fish as an example to illustrate the importance of being aware of the potential for darkness in the world, even in seemingly harmless individuals. They also share a humorous anecdote about a line from a murder show that sparked a discussion about common phrases used in true crime narratives, highlighting how certain phrases, often used to describe victims, can inadvertently signal a potential for danger.
Outlines
Revisiting "What the 11" and the Podcast's Evolution
Karen and Georgia discuss the 11th episode of their podcast, "What the 11," which aired in 2016. They reflect on how their podcast has evolved since then, acknowledging their initial awkwardness and the feedback they received from listeners. They also discuss the challenges of managing their Facebook group, which has grown to over 2,200 members, and the importance of maintaining a respectful and focused community.
Reconciling Past Fascinations with True Crime
Karen and Georgia discuss the phenomenon of being drawn to true crime stories, even those involving individuals who were later revealed to be deeply disturbed. They reflect on how their perspectives have changed over time and how they now approach these stories with a more critical lens.
Karen's Career and the Podcast's Beginnings
Karen shares her career experiences, including her work on a game show and a sitcom, which led her to start the podcast with Georgia. She discusses the initial challenges of balancing their work with the podcast and how they eventually embraced the commitment.
The Cannibal Bus Killer Case
Karen introduces the case of the "Cannibal Bus Killer," Vincent Lee, who murdered and partially consumed a fellow passenger on a Greyhound bus in 2008. She details the horrific events of the crime and the killer's subsequent mental health diagnosis.
Case Updates and Reflections
Karen and Georgia provide updates on the Cannibal Bus Killer case, including Vincent Lee's release from a mental health facility and the ongoing lawsuit filed by the victim's family. They reflect on the complexities of the criminal justice system and the lasting impact of the crime on those involved.
Albert Fish: The Brooklyn Vampire
Georgia discusses the case of Albert Fish, a notorious serial killer and cannibal who operated in the 1920s. She details his disturbing history, including his childhood experiences in an orphanage, his fascination with pain and cannibalism, and the murder of Grace Budd.
The Horrific Story of Albert Fish
This chapter delves into the disturbing life of Albert Fish, a notorious serial killer known for his cannibalistic tendencies and sadistic acts. The podcasters discuss Fish's seemingly innocuous appearance, contrasting with his horrific crimes. They highlight his confession to molesting over 400 children and murdering between 6 and 15.
Outro and Murder Show Humor
The podcasters transition to the outro, sharing a humorous anecdote about a line from a murder show that sparked a discussion about common phrases used in true crime narratives. They highlight how certain phrases, often used to describe victims, can inadvertently signal a potential for danger.
Keywords
Cannibalism
The act of consuming human flesh, often associated with ritualistic practices, mental illness, or survival in extreme circumstances. Cannibalism has been documented throughout history and across cultures, with varying motivations and consequences.
Schizophrenia
A severe mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Schizophrenia can significantly impair an individual's ability to function in daily life and can lead to unpredictable and dangerous behavior.
True Crime Podcast
A genre of podcasting that focuses on real-life crimes, often exploring the details of the crime, the victims, the perpetrators, and the legal proceedings. True crime podcasts have gained immense popularity in recent years, offering listeners a glimpse into the dark side of human nature.
PTSD
A mental health condition that can develop after a traumatic event, characterized by intrusive thoughts, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, and emotional distress. PTSD can have a significant impact on an individual's life, affecting their relationships, work, and overall well-being.
Mental Illness
A broad term encompassing a range of conditions that affect an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Mental illness can manifest in various ways, from mild to severe, and can have a significant impact on an individual's ability to function in daily life.
Serial Killer
An individual who commits multiple murders, often with a pattern or signature. Serial killers are often driven by psychological factors, such as a desire for power, control, or sexual gratification.
Greyhound Bus
A major intercity bus service in North America, known for its extensive network of routes and affordable fares. Greyhound buses are often used by travelers seeking a budget-friendly option for long-distance travel.
Albert Fish
Albert Fish was a notorious American serial killer known for his cannibalistic tendencies and sadistic acts. He confessed to molesting over 400 children and murdering between 6 and 15. His crimes were particularly disturbing due to their brutality and the fact that he targeted young children.
Q&A
How has the podcast "Rewind with Karen and Georgia" evolved since its early episodes?
The podcast has become more polished and focused, with the hosts taking a more serious and researched approach to the cases they cover. They have also learned to better manage their online community and address inappropriate behavior.
What are some of the challenges of maintaining a large and active Facebook group for a true crime podcast?
It can be difficult to moderate the group and ensure that all members are respectful and engaging in appropriate conversations. It can also be challenging to manage the influx of content and ensure that the group remains focused on the podcast's theme.
How do Karen and Georgia reconcile their past fascinations with true crime stories, particularly those involving disturbing individuals?
They acknowledge that their perspectives have changed over time and that they now approach these stories with a more critical lens. They are more interested in exploring the psychological complexities of the crimes and the motivations behind them.
What are some of the key differences between Karen and Georgia's approaches to true crime stories?
Karen is more drawn to cases that involve a clear psychological element, while Georgia prefers stories that are more shocking and disturbing. They both appreciate the mystery and complexity of true crime, but their individual preferences shape their choices of cases to cover.
What makes Albert Fish's case so disturbing?
Albert Fish's case is particularly disturbing due to the sheer brutality and depravity of his crimes. He targeted young children, often luring them with promises of candy or money, and then subjected them to horrific torture and abuse before killing them. His cannibalistic tendencies and the joy he seemed to derive from his actions make his case one of the most unsettling in true crime history.
Why is it important to be aware of the potential for evil in seemingly ordinary individuals?
Albert Fish's case serves as a stark reminder that evil can exist in seemingly ordinary individuals. His seemingly innocuous appearance and demeanor belied his horrific crimes. It is important to be aware of this potential for darkness in the world, even in seemingly harmless individuals, and to be vigilant in protecting ourselves and our loved ones.
What are some common phrases used in true crime narratives that can inadvertently signal a potential for danger?
Phrases like "quiet and unassuming," "he mostly kept to himself," and "she lit up a room when she walked in" are often used to describe victims in true crime narratives. However, these phrases can also be used to describe perpetrators, highlighting the importance of being cautious and not judging individuals based on superficial characteristics.
Show Notes
It's time to Rewind with Karen & Georgia!
This week, we’re recapping Episode 11 – What The Helleven – when they made the horrible mistake of covering cannibals. Karen covered the Cannibal Bus murder while Georgia went classic with serial killer Albert Fish.
Whether you've listened a thousand times or you're new to the show, join the conversation as we look back on our old episodes and discuss the life lessons we’ve learned along the way. Head to social media to share your favorite moments from this episode!
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My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories, and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921.
The Exactly Right podcast network provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics, including true crime, comedy, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
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