Shows / Popcorn Pals
Popcorn Pals
Popcorn Pals is a podcast that is serious about movies and… not much else. Each week Daniel Van Kirk and rotating guest hosts discuss new releases and old favorites. This feed is also the home of The Midnight Air, your weekly easy-listening “overnight radio” podcast for people trying to fall asleep or for people that are trying to stay awake, as well as the back catalogue for The Pen Pals Podcast.
Episodes
Popcorn PalsHow Pumpkin Pie Became The Thanksgiving Dessert King!
Plus so much to tell you about my weekend in St. Louis, my review of The Running Man, your emails, The Tribune with Rhonda, and the Holi-Days like National…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Card Games!
And I tell you all how I got a new basketball, Plus we have emails from listeners, The Tribune with Rhonda, and the Holi-Days like, Start A Rumor Day! As a…
Popcorn PalsBizarre Origins of Everyday Phrases!
Plus I reveal why American Airlines really made me sad, highlight my Halloween in Rochelle, emails from listeners, The Tribune with Rhonda, and the Holi-Days…
Popcorn Pals5 Reasons We Like To Be Scared!
As well as The Day of The Dead for Pets, stories from my weekend in Wilmington, a flight from hell, and updates from the Rochelle City Council Meeting I just…
Popcorn PalsPen Pals Podcast - Jason Sklar | RE: Halloween Costumes
Dear Pennies and Pallers, We got a brand new episode for you today with a new guest host and pal, Jason Sklar! In today’s Clifton asks us about our…
Popcorn PalsThe Top Pop Culture 2025 Halloween Costumes!
This Oct 31st it’s all about Demon Hunting, wearing a robe, and I guess Pitbull? Plus your emails, my review of Good Fortune, virtual tennis, and the…
Popcorn PalsHalloween Around The World!
From New England to Mexico and even Japan, a listener email covers this episode’s main topic! Plus, I tell you all about Cubs games in Chicago and my…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Fall Activities
The colors might change but my love for Autumn never will! Plus, I've got great listener emails from you, show news, and the Holi-Days like Hug-A-Kevin Day!…
Popcorn PalsOld People Are Better Than We Think
Old People are better than we think, and I went to Vegas. And I tell you the truth about the Unicorn Girl Podcast. Plus your emails and the Holi- Days like…
Popcorn PalsPen Pals Podcast - Dave Holmes | RE: Best Party Ever
Dear Pennies and Pallers, We’re back again with guest host and Pal Dave Holmes! In today’s letter, Jessica tells us about the best party…
Popcorn PalsUnknown Number: The High School Catfish
The Unknown Number documentary is horrible and I’ve got the most Rochelle story from Denver! Plus so many of your emails and the Holi- Days like…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Chicken Dishes
Top 10 Chicken Dishes that you will not agree with! My apologies for recommending the Unknown Number doc, thoughts on the Emmys, Unicorn Girl Podcast, your…
Popcorn PalsStories from Eureka
Gonna tell you all about my weekend, plus read listener emails, cover the Holi- Days like “Make Your Bed Day” and it turns out that I really wanna…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Fruits
My Top 10 Fruits! Plus thoughts on Alien: Earth, listener emails, fighting a cold, Regal’s Month of Movie Masterpieces and a ton more! Plus The Tribune!…
Popcorn PalsHow To Win At Lotto Scratchers
There’s some fishy stuff going on in the scratchers world. Plus your emails! I also cover the Holi-days like Banana Lover's Day, and as always, we read…
Popcorn PalsPen Pals Podcast - Kyle Ayers | RE: Obsessive Tendencies
Dear Pennies and Pallers, We’re back with guest host and Pal Kyle Ayers! In today’s letter Laura asks if we had any obsessive tendencies as a kid…
Popcorn PalsTop 11 Things You Should Have In Your Car
TOP 11 NOT 10 Non-Safety Things You Should Have In Your Car! I also cover the Holi-days like Helium Discovery Day and read The Tribune, plus a ton more! Thank…
Popcorn PalsMailbag Episode!
White Wine, Romance Novels, and Late Night Candle Hangs…It’s a Mailbag Episode! I’m up at my cabin in Wisconsin talking about life and…
Popcorn PalsWhy Do We Sleep?
But WHY do we sleep?!?! Plus listener emails, National Jump In A Lake Day, The Tribune, and so much more! And for premium subscribers, Midnight Movie Club…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Board Games
My Top 10 Board Games! Plus your “Coming Of Age” emails, tales from The Amish, and Holi-Days like Homemade Pie Day! And we close things out with…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Coming Of Age Movies
In honor of Stand By Me Day, here are my Top 10 Coming Of Age Movies! Plus your emails, stories from my week in Chicago, and the Holi-Days like Legal Drinking…
Popcorn PalsThe Legend of The North Pond Hermit
The Legend of The North Pond Hermit! Plus tales from my weekend in Wisconsin, your emails, and this week’s Holi-Days like International Nude Day! And we…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Gas Stations/Convience Stores
USA Today’s Top-10 Gas Stations sent in my one of you! Plus a Quinten Tarantino conversation with Producer Aaron, your emails, and this week’s…
Popcorn Pals10 Bizarre Summer Solstice Rituals
10 Bizarre Summer Solstice Rituals Still Practiced Today! Plus stories from my trip to Barcelona, the Karen Read Verdict, listener emails, and this…
Popcorn PalsPen Pals Podcast - Ryan Sickler | RE: Bumper Stickers
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Please welcome our Pal and newest guest host, Ryan Sickler! In today’s letter Jacqueline asks about our thoughts on displaying…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Summer Concession Items
Here is my Top 10 Summer Concession Items! I’ve also got emails from you, food tips from my family reunion, and this week’s Holi-Days like Take…
Popcorn PalsHidden Loot In Kansas
Tonight, the story of a notorious bank robber and hidden loot in Kansas! Plus emails from you, and this week’s Holi-Days like National Dirty Book Day!…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Breads
I’ve ranked my Top 10 breads! And 1 that I really dislike! Plus your emails, highlights from my time on the road, and we cover this week’s…
Popcorn PalsThe Last Of Us, Coq Au Vin, and Top 10 Summer Foods
It's unofficially Summer! Tonight I’m ranking my Top 10 Summer Foods! I have to talk about the season finale of The Last of Us, and I read your emails…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Tom Cruise Movies
Tonight I’m ranking my Top 10 Tom Cruise Movies! Plus I have to talk about the insanity of the Karen Read trial and we have daily celebrations for things…
Popcorn Pals10 Most Outrageous Bets Ever Made
I’m in Vegas and we’re running down the 10 Most Outrageous Bets Ever Made! Plus we have celebrations for things like National Nylons Day, your…
Popcorn PalsDC Flight and The Great American Grump Out
I had an insane flight from DC! Going to tell you all about it plus we’ve got listener emails and The Tribune, along with our Holi-Days of the week, like…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Mexican Restaurant Must Haves
My Top 10 Mexican Restaurant Must Haves! We’ve also got a couple listener emails about Summer and Karaoke! Plus so much more! All before we close it out…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Summer Activities
My personal Top 10 Summer Activities! We’ve also got a listener email and it’s National Karaoke Week plus so much more! All before we close it out…
Popcorn Pals10 Bizarre Trends From The 90s!
10 Bizarre Trends From The 90s! Plus I met Rhonda Goldsmith while up in Wisconsin! And it’s National Pizza Cake Day among other random celebrations. All…
Popcorn PalsLAX Drama and 10 Formerly Secret Tunnels That Are Now Open
10 Formerly Secret Tunnels That Are Now Open to the Public! Plus my drama at LAX, and it’s National Beer Day among other random celebrations, All before…
Popcorn Pals10 Bizarre Origin Stories of Brand Names
10 Bizarre Origin Stories of Brand Names! Plus National Burrito Day and other random celebrations, listener emails, new tour dates, and more! All before we…
Popcorn PalsBack In L.A., Talking TV, Travel Highlights, & The Tribune
Back in LA and talking TV! White Lotus, Adolescence, and The Karen Reid Documentary, let’s get into it! Plus highlights from my shows on the east coast…
Popcorn PalsEmails, St. Patrick’s Day, Sloppy Joes, And A Thai Mystery
We’re a day late and I’m in New York City! Travel delays made me push this a day but we’re back for a nighttime hang! I’ve got emails…
Popcorn PalsTriathlon, Pi Day, and the Top 10 Iconic Movie & TV Restaurants
Tonight! I barely did a Triathlon and I’m glad we all lost an hour of sleep. Plus it’s Pi Day later this week and I’m running down the list…
Popcorn PalsTV Talk
Tonight I’m talking TV! White Lotus, Paradise, Severance, Beast Games and more! I also detail my spring cleaning and a quick trip to Vegas.! And as…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Stories of Celebrity Items That Were Lost and Returned!
Tonight it’s the Top 10 Stories of Celebrity Items That Were Lost and Returned. Plus there a ton to discuss in the Daily Holidays! And as always, I read…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Forgotten American Pastimes And Hobbies
Recap of my weekend in Chicago! Plus the Top 10 Forgotten American Pastimes and Hobbies. And as always, I read The Tribune! Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for…
Popcorn PalsSuperBowl Review and the Top 10 Romantic Comedies Of All Time!
Here’s my full SuperBowl review! Plus there are some wild celebrations this week and then I read the Top 10 Romantic Comedies of all time! And as always…
Popcorn PalsPen Pals Podcast - RE: Blankies
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In today’s episode, our friend Allison Dore confessed to us that she still sleeps with a blankie and asks if adults should give…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Jobs You Can’t Get Today
Tonight I run down the Top 10 Jobs You Can’t Get Today! I’ve also got listener emails about gas stations plus what we’re celebrating this…
Popcorn Pals1917 Deep Dive
Tonight I’m doing a deep dive on the movie 1917! I’ve also got listener emails, and it’s National Pie Day in the days we’re celebrating…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Most Popular Gas Station Items
Tonight I’m running down the Top 10 Most Popular Gas Station Items! Plus the days we’re celebrating this week and I give an update on how things…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Strangest New Years Traditions From Around The World
We’re back! Tonight I’m running down the Top 10 strangest NYE traditions from around the word! Plus I talk about being sick for the holidays…
Popcorn PalsPen Pals Podcast - RE: Movies & Acting
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Today's episode is all about movies! We discuss our experiences acting professionally as a comedian, what makes a movie a…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Strangest Christmas Traditions
Top 10 Strangest Christmas Traditions from around from around the world! Also, I started watching Slow Horses, and I have my definitive Xmas Movie List. And as…
Popcorn Pals1985 Mexico Christmas Heist
Tonight I’m telling you the tale of the 1985 Mexico City Christmas Heist. And it’s Stupid Toy Day! Yes that’s real. Plus, The Agency is my…
Popcorn PalsHappy Pastry Day! It’s my Top-10 Christmas-ish Movies! And as always, I read The Tribune!
Happy Pastry Day! It’s my Top-10 Christmas-ish Movies! And as always, I read The Tribune! Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Christmas Movies! Listener emails! The Tribune!
My personal Top 10 Christmas Movies! Listener emails! National Bathtub Party Day and Hooters wings for a year! And as always, I read The Tribune! Plus I’m…
Popcorn PalsListener Emails, Calendar, Melissa Stevens, America's Most Historic Foods
We’re so back! Part 2 of America’s most historic foods! And I’m joined by my friend Melissa Stephens! Plus I read your emails and ask for your help with a new…
Popcorn PalsListener Emails, Calendar, Andrew Youngblood, America's Most Historic Foods
Recorded in Houston with guest engineer Brandon! I run down listener emails, cover the daily observances like National Happy Hour Day, and then Andrew…
Popcorn PalsPen Pals Podcast - RE: Blessings in Disguise
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Allison shared how her breast cancer diagnosis ended up being the best thing ask us if we’ve ever gone though something negative that…
Popcorn PalsDeep Dive on An American Werewolf In London, Listener Emails, A Mini Must List, National Cat Day and more, plus The Tribune!
Deep Dive on An American Werewolf In London, Listener Emails, A Mini Must List, National Cat Day and more, plus The Tribune! Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for…
Popcorn PalsTop 10 Halloween Costumes, My Must List, Emails, and The Tribune!
Top 10 Halloween Costumes, My Must List, Emails, and The Tribune! Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice…
- Popcorn Pals
My Wisconsin Weekend, Listener Halloween Movie Recs, Top-10 Halloween Candies, and The Tribune!
My Wisconsin Weekend, Listener Halloween Movie Recs, Top-10 Halloween Candies, and The Tribune! Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and…