Mailin’ It! - The Official USPS Podcast

For more than a century, the United States Postal Service has helped bring holiday wishes to those in need through USPS Operation Santa. What began as a tradition of receiving letters to Santa has grown into a nationwide effort powered by the generosity of people who want to make the season brighter for others.

In this episode of Mailin’ It!, hosts Karla and Jeff welcome USPS Brand Marketing Specialist Monica Johnson to discuss the history, growth, and heartwarming impact of Operation Santa.

The conversation begins with real letters from children and families across the country. Some ask for toys and holiday surprises, while others request everyday essentials like clothing, blankets, and shoes. These touching stories reveal how a simple gift can make a meaningful difference in someone's life.

Monica explains how Operation Santa works, from submitting letters to registering as an adopter and fulfilling holiday wishes. She also discusses the safeguards that protect participants' personal information and how the program continues to evolve.

This episode celebrates the generosity and community spirit that make Operation Santa special.

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What would happen to the mail - and the nation’s ability to communicate - if a major Cold War emergency struck? The U.S. government spent decades preparing for that possibility, and the Post Office Department became an important part of its civil defense plans.

Mailin’ It! hosts Karla and Jeff talk with USPS historian Steve Kochersperger and Smithsonian National Museum of American History military history curator Frank Blazich about the Postal Service’s fascinating role in Cold War preparedness.

They explore how roughly 1,500 Post Office buildings were designated as fallout shelters by the mid-1960s, with space for approximately 1.3 million people. Those shelters were stocked with emergency food, water, medical and sanitation supplies, and radiation detection equipment. Postmasters were even prepared to serve as shelter managers, responsible for maintaining order and rationing supplies.

Thousands of postal vehicles were designated for emergency transportation, while special safety notification and change-of-address cards were created to reconnect displaced Americans with their families. The Post Office Net enlisted amateur radio operators to provide a backup communications network if conventional systems failed.

Fortunately, many of these plans were never needed for their intended purpose. But the preparation wasn’t wasted. The infrastructure, emergency planning and nationwide reach that made the Postal Service valuable during the Cold War continue to play an important role when communities face hurricanes, wildfires, natural disasters and other emergencies.

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Returns have become a defining part of online shopping, with U.S. retail returns reaching an estimated $849.9 billion in 2025. In this episode of Mailin’ It, Karla Kirby and Jeff Marino explore how retailers can move beyond viewing returns as simply a cost and instead make them a strategic part of the customer experience.

Nagee Jackson, Director of New Business Acquisition at the U.S. Postal Service, explains why an effective returns strategy starts with understanding customer expectations, product value, return rates and the true cost of bringing merchandise back. He discusses how different products—from clothing and perishables to collectibles and electronics—can require very different approaches.

The conversation also examines USPS return solutions, including Ground Advantage, Priority Mail Return and scan-based returns, which can help businesses align costs with actual return activity. Nagee emphasizes the importance of planning ahead for peak season, analyzing historical return data, establishing clear policies and preparing for the physical volume of merchandise coming back.

For consumers, the episode offers practical advice on what to look for in a retailer’s return policy, including return windows, shipping costs and return methods.

The episode concludes with a look at how USPS sales teams can work directly with businesses to develop customized shipping and returns strategies. In the “Did You Know?” segment, Karla and Jeff highlight John Wanamaker, the pioneering retailer and former Postmaster General whose innovations helped shape both American retail and the Postal Service.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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What if you could hold a piece of the American story in the palm of your hand? In 2026, you can. This episode of Mailin’ It! takes you inside one of the most exciting stamp lineups in a generation—a collection that celebrates the vibrant, diverse, and ever-changing story of American life as the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary. From the Revolutionary heroes who founded the nation to the cultural icons like Muhammad Ali who redefined it, the 2026 stamp collection is a tribute to the American experience. Tune in to discover the history and artistry behind these powerful symbols and see how America’s story can be told, one stamp at a time.

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In an era where technology is advancing at a breathtaking pace, so are the methods of those who seek to exploit it. This episode of Mailin’ It! pulls back the curtain on the darker side of artificial intelligence, revealing how fraudsters are creating hyper-realistic scams that can fool even the most discerning eye. From voice clones that can mimic a loved one in distress to flawless phishing emails, the line between real and fake has never been more blurred. Joined by Stephanie Glad, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Program Manager for Mail Fraud, Karla and Jeff explore the anatomy of these sophisticated crimes, including the terrifyingly effective "Grandparent scam." Stephanie, a security expert who’s worked for both the FBI and CIA, takes our co-hosts through the subtle red flags to watch for—like inconsistencies in video calls and requests for payment via cryptocurrency. Their discussion also touches on preventative strategies, such as multi-factor authentication and what to do if you've been targeted. This is a must-listen for all of us trying to safely navigate our increasingly complex digital world.

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A neighbor goes missing. A stranger moves into his home. A web of forged documents untangles as the U.S Postal Inspection Service helps uncover the true story behind a shocking missing person case. Hosts Karla Kirby and Jeff Marino, joined by Inspector Lyndon Versoza, reveal how a sophisticated fraud ring took over a man’s home after his disappearance, using his identity to orchestrate a scheme that defrauded victims of over $3.9 million. Follow along as they break down the investigation—from a neighborhood watch tip to the final verdict —and share how the Inspection Service brought these criminals to justice by masterfully following the mail paper trail.

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Historian Jim Bruns discusses the Postal Service’s role in the Great Migration, a decades-long movement that saw millions of Black Americans leave the rural South for cities in the North in search of safety and opportunity. This episode explores how the Postal Service became a lifeline during this era, driving expansion in urban neighborhoods and creating new employment opportunities for Black Americans as one of the few federal employers offering stability and advancement. It also examines how the mail laid the groundwork for civil rights organizing, unionization, and voter outreach by helping educate and mobilize new generations.

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In this episode, host Jeff Marino is joined by guests Elvin Mercado and Isaac Cronkhite to discuss how the Postal Service is prepared to deliver during its busiest time of year. Tune in for a deep dive into the planning, technology, staffing, and modernization efforts that will shape this year’s peak season. Hear how automated package processing systems and expanded equipment capacity are driving efficiency while improvements on the retail and delivery side improve customer experience. From major automation upgrades to revamped retail locations, find out what it takes to deliver holiday cheer to millions.

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In this episode of Mailin’ It!, hosts Karla Kirby and Jeff Marino explore how the next generation of marketers is discovering the impact of direct mail through the USPS Direct Effect program. They are joined by Carl Boettner, Postal Service Program Manager for Direct Effect, and Izzie Gerber, a student from UMass Amherst who recently completed the program. They discuss how Direct Effect introduces marketing students to direct mail through hands on learning, competitions, and eLearning courses, all designed to help future marketers understand how physical mail integrates with digital tactics.

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In this episode of Mailin’ It!, hosts Karla Kirby and Jeff Marino jump into the fast-paced world of e-commerce shipping with guest Heather Maday, Senior Director of Sales Enablement at the US Postal Service. Heather shares how USPS has transformed its operations to support today’s eCommerce economy, where shoppers expect speed, visibility, and value with every order. From data driven logistics and new fulfillment technologies to transparent pricing, Heather explains how USPS helps businesses reach customers affordably and efficiently.

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