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 PalsRE: Gifting Books & The Perfect Album
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Tom wants to know our favorite books to give as gifts. Letter two is from Alex, who asks for our favorite album. We…
Popcorn PalsRE: Innocent Until Proven Guilty & Kids’ Existential Questions
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one is from Lulu, who is struggling with how to treat her neighbor who has been accused of a heinous crime (content warning -…
Popcorn PalsAndrew Youngblood | RE: No Body Odor & Cheat Meals
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Andrew Youngblood! Letter one comes from Emma, who insists she doesn't have any body odor and…
Popcorn PalsRE: Iowa State Fair & Deck of Cards
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one is from Stuart, who runs a saltwater taffy stand at the Iowa State Fair. In letter two, Chris hits us with some…
Popcorn PalsRE: Diner Regular & Faith-Based Companies
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Jen tells us about becoming a regular at a diner with an overbearing server. Letter two comes from Steve, who asks us…
Popcorn PalsLuke Null | RE: The One & Being Cold
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Luke Null! Letter one comes from a listener who asks for advice about a long-term relationship…
Popcorn PalsThomas Lennon | RE: Anniversary Gifts & Singing - LIVE from SF Sketchfest
Dear Pennies & Pallers, We are coming to you live from SF Sketchfest, with our friend Thomas Lennon! In letter one, Ryan asks us if he should get his wife an…
Popcorn PalsRE: Small Town America & Reimagining Life
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Shannon writes to us asking what our predictions for the future of small town America are. Letter two comes from a…
Popcorn PalsRE: Reclaiming Birthdays & Master Cheesemakers
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Pat asks for advice about reclaiming their birthday after a traumatic event has tarnished it (Content Warning: this…
Popcorn PalsTaylor Ortega | RE: Speeding Tickets & Estranged Loved Ones
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Taylor Ortega! Letter one comes from a listener who just got her first speeding ticket and…
Popcorn PalsLangston Kerman | RE: Liquid Fingers & Unhelpful Husband
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Langston Kerman! In letter one, Kate asks if we could shoot a different liquid out of each…
Popcorn PalsRE: Overreactions & Biff to the Future
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from Chris, who overreacted to someone picking apples from someone’s tree. In letter two, Woody poses some…
Popcorn PalsDave Holmes | RE: Sad Eventualities & Fishing Boat Deckhand
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Dave Holmes! In letter one, Coble asks us how to navigate loss. Letter two comes from Nōn, a…
Popcorn PalsRE: Parenting Multiple Kids & Karaoke
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from Chelsea who asks for thoughts on having kids that require different parenting styles. In letter two, Andrew…
Popcorn PalsDierdre Friel | RE: Turning Back Time & Girl Codes
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are rejoined by our friend Dierdre Friel! In letter one, Bdubs asks us what we would do if we could go back in time and…
Popcorn PalsRE: Hamburger Helper & Body Hair
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from The Tempted Father, who has never used Hamburger Helper but yearns for the ease of meal prep. In letter two…
Popcorn PalsChris Sullivan | RE: Holiday Dishes & House Fire Possessions
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are rejoined by our friend Chris Sullivan! In letter one, Amanda asks us about our favorite holiday dishes. Letter two…
Popcorn PalsRE: Burning Man & Reffing
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from Caleb, who writes to us from Burning Man! In letter two, Greg loves reffing and wants to know what we’ve tried…
Popcorn PalsRE: Near-Death Experiences & Office Lunches
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Erin shares their near-death experience from childhood. Letter two comes from John, who got in trouble for his love of…
Popcorn PalsTiffany Haddish | RE: Bad Magic & Trips vs. Vacations
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Tiffany Haddish! Letter one comes from Adam, who loves magic but has experienced some bad magic…
Popcorn PalsRE: Tool & Travel Bets
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Luke asked for a recap of Daniel’s first Tool show. Letter two comes from Ryan, who bet his friend Ben that he…
Popcorn PalsRE: Elopement vs. Ceremony & Procrastination
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from a pal who is conflicted about the idea of having a big wedding ceremony. In letter two, the Gaggle Gals…
Popcorn PalsRE: Wildlife Encounters & Missed Connections
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Chelsea shares a story with us about a magical encounter she had in nature. Letter two is from Kelly, who asks us…
Popcorn PalsEric André | RE: Hulk Hogan & The Cannabis Line
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Eric André! Letter one comes from a Hulk Hogan fan, who wants to know how long it would take…
Popcorn PalsKumail Nanjiani | RE: Stoneman Willie & Sports Aggression
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Kumail Nanjiani! Letter one comes from Emily, who tells us all about Stoneman Willie, a legend…
Popcorn PalsRE: Aging & Work Trips
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Anton asks us how we’ll feel when we age. Letter two comes from Marly, who went on a work trip and drove through…
Popcorn PalsRE: Pizza Hut Circumcision & Difficult Break Up
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from Rob, who gives us our very first reverse Patreon letter and provides more details on his circumcision as an…
Popcorn PalsLaura Peek | RE: Laundry & Advice for Past Selves
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Laura Peek! In letter one, Noah wants to talk all things laundry! Letter two is from Amanda…
Popcorn PalsIfy Nwadiwe | RE: Public Stress & Lying in Interviews
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Ify Nwadiwe! Letter one is from J, who asks about ways to publicly deal with stress. In letter…
Popcorn PalsRE: Relocating & Mind vs. Body
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Scott shares his experience moving out of the country as a kid. Letter two is from Kendall, who asks about a “would…
Popcorn PalsRE: Family Legacy & Surprising Yourself
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Zach sent us a letter about his complicated family dynamics, and wonders if his kids should have a relationship with his estranged…
Popcorn PalsBen Roy | RE: Gross Satisfaction & Who Not to Fight
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Ben Roy! In letter one, Chelsea asks us if there is any gross task that we get satisfaction…
Popcorn PalsJoe Nicchi | RE: Buffet Game Plan & Service Staff Treatment
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Joe Nicchi! Letter one is from Scott, who has turned buffet strategy into a science. In letter…
Popcorn PalsRE: Outgrowing Friends & Grim History
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Sophia feels distance between her and her roommate, and wants to know when to let the friendship go. Letter two is…
Popcorn PalsRE: Bickering Couples & Animal vs. Human Life
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from Rachel, who is friends with a couple that constantly bickers. In letter two, Adam asks us if animal life or…
Popcorn PalsRE: Homesickness & Cottagecore
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Patronie Daniel asks about getting homesickness on the road. Letter two comes from Sean, who discusses the difference…
Popcorn PalsSarah Silverman | RE: Dealbreakers & Neighbor Feud
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Sarah Silverman! Letter one comes from B.L. Bogues, who cares strongly about compatibility in…
Popcorn PalsNick Kroll | RE: Ridiculous Fights & Biological Parenthood
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Nick Kroll! In letter one, Ellen tells us about some ridiculous fights she’s had with her…
Popcorn PalsRE: Unconditional Love & Broken Phone
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from Amy, whose dad opened up to expressed his love for her. In letter two, Luke tells us about a #SAGA that started…
Popcorn PalsRE: Lake Snacks & Insider Knowledge - Live In-Studio!
Dear Pennies and Pallers, A huge thank you to everyone who tuned in for the live recording of our birthday show! In letter one, Katherine wants to know our…
Popcorn PalsCarl Tart | RE: Renaissance Fair Wedding & Questionable Coaching
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Carl Tart! In letter one, Adam asks us about memorable weddings we’ve attended - his favorite…
Popcorn PalsJerry O’Connell | RE: Funny Kids & World’s Largest
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Jerry O’Connell! Letter one comes from Hunter, who wants to hear our favorite stories of kids…
Popcorn PalsRE: Photographs & Oatmeal is Breakfast Chili
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Vince asks about how many pictures we have of ourselves. Letter two is from Nicki, who has a fun food math problem for…
Popcorn PalsRE: Seasons of Life & Nic Cage
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Shazza writes in about the differences between who she is now and who she once was. Letter two comes from The Cage…
Popcorn PalsMandy Moore | RE: ER Stories & Desert Island Songs
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Mandy Moore! Letter one comes from Crystal, who wants to know about our crazy ER stories. In…
Popcorn PalsRhys Darby | RE: Sensual Ghost Encounters & Dangerous Hobbies
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Rhys Darby! In letter one, Jacqueline asks what we would do if we experienced a sensual ghost…
Popcorn PalsRE: Kissing your Kids & Slides or Sleds
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from Justin, who wants to know when he is supposed to stop kissing his sons on the lips. In letter two, Tim asks…
Popcorn PalsRE: Gifts from the Universe & Wedding Officiant
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Mikey introduces us to his dog Ruby, who he believes plays a part in him turning his life into what he always wanted…
Popcorn PalsRE: Fading Passions & Ham Salad
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from Kelsey, who designed an awesome Pen Pals poster and asked us about passions dying out as time goes on. In…
Popcorn PalsIrene Tu | RE: Escape Rooms & Phallic Artwork
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Irene Tu! In letter one, a scorned, petty lover is mad that his wife did an escape room without…
Popcorn PalsJon Gabrus | RE: Male Hygiene & Disney for Kids
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Jon Gabrus! In letter one, the internet has bombarded Ellie with the suggestion that men don’t…
Popcorn PalsRE: Foreign Exchange Student & Pockets
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from Emerson, whose dad took their foreign exchange student on a road trip to remember! In letter two, Cam is…
Popcorn PalsRE: UFOs & Second Date Policy
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Major Tom writes in about UFOs! Letter two comes from M, who went on a first date with someone who has a second-date…
Popcorn PalsShane Mauss | RE: Teleportation Fears & Free Work
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Shane Mauss! Letter one comes from Erich, who has a genuine fear of teleportation. In letter…
Popcorn PalsRE: Dating a Friend’s Ex & Mental Health + Art
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Luke wants to date his friend’s ex. Letter two is from Alex, who is struggling to hold onto creative inspiration as…
Popcorn PalsJay Chandrasekhar | RE: Playing Favorites & Altering Music History
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Jay Chandrasekhar! Letter one comes from Diana who wants to know about playing favorites with…
Popcorn PalsRE: Transgender Child & Ruined Wedding Dress
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Tyler asks for ideas for how to create the most supportive environment for their transgender child. Letter two is from…
Popcorn PalsRE: Vegas Romance & AI
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one is from Kevin, whose unassuming Vegas work trip turned romantic! In letter two, Dan asks about our thoughts on AI, and the…
Popcorn PalsNick Thune | RE: When to Walk Away & Pure Excitement
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Nick Thune! In letter one, our friend Will tells us how he walked away from a job that went…
Popcorn PalsBeth Stelling | RE: Inappropriate Laughter & Sex Work
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Beth Stelling! Letter one comes from Michael who asked us about a time when we couldn’t control…