Why Millions of Books Travel Free Through the Mail

In this true-crime episode of Mailin’ It, hosts Karla Kirby and Jeff Marino sit down with Postal Inspector Stefan Hinds to explore an investigation that began with a Hampton, Virginia, shooting and ultimately exposed a sophisticated identity theft and check fraud network. A search of an apartment uncovered cash, printers, phones and counterfeit checks, leading investigators to a broader scheme involving “card cracking,” in which fraudsters recruited people to provide access to their bank accounts so counterfeit checks could be deposited and funds withdrawn before the checks bounced. The investigation expanded to a Chesapeake hotel, where inspectors discovered stolen mail, check-washing equipment and master postal keys, eventually connecting the operation to ringleader Christopher Warren through financial records, surveillance and his own social media activity. Warren was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $305,000, while other members of the conspiracy also received prison sentences. The episode concludes with a look at Project Safe Delivery, the Postal Service’s efforts to strengthen collection boxes and replace physical postal keys with electronic security, along with advice for customers on reducing the risk of mail theft. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How did the U.S. Postal Service help build the American West? In this episode of Mailin' It, USPS Historian Steve Kochersperger takes us on a journey through 250 years of postal history, revealing how the movement of the mail helped shape the nation's growth, transportation systems, commerce, and even criminal investigations. You'll hear incredible stories about: How postal workers secretly transported mail aboard early railroads. The challenges of delivering mail during the California Gold Rush. How express mail companies evolved into financial institutions like Wells Fargo and American Express. The truth behind the Pony Express and why it lasted only 18 months. The innovative "mail on the fly" system that kept trains moving while exchanging mail at full speed. The secretive "Silk Train" that transported millions in gold across the country. The deadly Tunnel 13 train robbery and the groundbreaking forensic investigation that followed. Why damaged mail is still delivered today—and the fascinating history of "crash covers." Plus, stick around for a fun "Did You Know?" segment about the one-of-a-kind Texarkana Post Office, where you can stand in both Texas and Arkansas at the same time. Join us for an unforgettable look at the people, innovations, and remarkable moments that helped the Postal Service connect—and protect—a growing nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Step behind the scenes of a remarkable 90-plus year partnership between the USPS and the Library of Congress as NLS Director Jason Broughton shares how the Free Matter for the Blind program delivers specialized print and audio materials to millions of Americans with print disabilities. This episode goes through the evolution of the program’s technology stack and highlights the diversity of their 300,000-title collection. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, this special episode of Mailin’ It! explores how the country’s history has been documented for over a century in the corner of envelopes. Hosts Karla Kirby and Jeff Marino are joined by Smithsonian National Postal Museum Curator of Philately Daniel Piazza to examine how U.S. postage has evolved from simple delivery receipts into a "miniature scrapbook" that reflects American culture. Listeners will uncover the stories behind the stamps that have chronicled the American experience, from the 1865 Abraham Lincoln mourning stamp to an Apollo 11 master die that traveled to the moon in 1969, revealing how these miniature works of art have preserved the people, events, and achievements that shaped our country. Taken together, they map the story of a nation and reveal how its identity has evolved over time. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When a mysterious company filed a fraudulent foreclosure claim due to an alleged unpaid $3.8 million loan on Graceland, it sparked one of the most audacious real estate schemes in recent history. In this True Crime episode of Mailin’ It!, hosts Karla Kirby and Jeff Marino are joined by U.S. Postal Inspector Jan Bodón to uncover how the U.S. Postal Inspection Service foiled the plot to steal Elvis Presley’s iconic family home. Inspector Bodón takes listeners behind the scenes of the complex investigation, detailing how a trail of forged documents, digital breadcrumbs, and a burner phone led law enforcement from Tennessee to an overly ambitious fraudster in a small Missouri town. Tune in to this episode to hear the incredible twists that resulted in a nearly five-year federal sentence and gain insights on how to defend your home against deed fraud. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When a package arrives at your door, it’s easy to focus on what’s inside rather than what it’s shipped in—but the United States Postal Service is working to change that. In this episode, our hosts sit down with USPS Chief Sustainability Officer Jennifer Beiro-Reveille to unpack how the Postal Service is helping boost the “circular economy” by keeping packaging waste out of landfills. Discover how the USPS is turning throwaway materials like cardboard and shrink wrap into valuable resources, crushing its greenhouse gas emission targets, and how BlueEarth® services help securely and sustainably process e-waste and undeliverable mail. Tune in for this eye-opening look at how the USPS is ensuring its efforts with smart recycling, electric vehicles, and green innovation are moving customers towards a more sustainable future. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What actually happens after you drop a letter in a blue collection box or click “ship” on a package? And why does tracking sometimes look confusing even when everything is moving as it should? In this episode of Mailin’ It!, hosts Karla Kirby and Jeff Marino dive into the questions Postal Service customers ask most often and break down what is happening behind the scenes of the nation’s mail network. From package tracking and shipping costs to mail forwarding, delivery safety, scam prevention, and the rollout of new USPS delivery vehicles, we explore how the Postal Service handles the everyday situations customers encounter most and also learn about the online tools and customer support resources available to help make mailing and shipping easier. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the midst of World War II, a massive mail backlog threatened to cut off news and hope for millions of American soldiers. With morale at a low point, the mission fell to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit deployed overseas. In this episode, our hosts are joined by retired U.S. Army Colonel Edna Cummings, who has championed the fight to bring their incredible story out of the shadows. Discover how these unsung heroes achieved the seemingly impossible—clearing a two-year backlog of 17 million letters. This is a powerful story of resilience, leadership, and long-overdue recognition you won’t want to miss.    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What tech goes into powering a modern delivery network? Go beyond the iconic mail truck and into the world of technology-driven logistics and robotics at the postal service. Join the Mailin’ It! team as USPS’s VP of Applied Engineering Lina Malone pulls back the curtain on the organization’s massive tech innovations – from colossal, automated sorting hubs to a digital backbone that can predict failures before they happen and pinpoint delivery window times.  USPS is building the speed and intelligence needed for mail and package delivery in the 21st century. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the capital of the Confederacy, wealthy socialite Elizabeth Van Lew had a secret. She was one of the Union’s most effective spymasters. From her family’s antebellum mansion in Richmond, Van Lew built a sophisticated intelligence network sharing vital information with Union generals, including Ulysses S. Grant. After the war, she was rewarded with a presidential appointment as the first female postmaster of a major Southern city. In this role, she modernized the Richmond Post Office by introducing free city-wide mail delivery, installing collection boxes, and championing diversity by hiring women, African Americans, the city’s first Black letter carrier. Be sure to listen in as this episode uncovers the risks she took, the spy skills she used, and the legacy she left on both the Postal Service and American history.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.