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: Getting Fired & Vanished Grandpa
Dear Pennies and Pallers, In letter one, Sancheri wants to know our best “getting fired” stories. Letter two comes from Nick, whose grandpa disappeared without…
Popcorn PalsRE: Caveman Tour Guide & Praise + Sandwiches
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Letter one comes from Kameron, who wants to know how we’d impress a caveman on a date. In letter two, Jen gives us some praise and…
Popcorn PalsRE: Touring Artists
Dear Pennies and Pallers, It’s just the two of us - no producer, no engineer - and that's part of the reason we only got to one letter...but it's a good one!…
Popcorn PalsBilly Wayne Davis | RE: Pillows & Best Friend’s Girlfriend
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Billy Wayne Davis! Kameron sent in some pillow talk for letter one. In our second letter, Kevin…
Popcorn PalsRE: Big City Living & Spooky Google Earth
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Our first letter comes from Jack, who is moving to New York and wants advice on how to do it right. Letter two is from Jennifer, who…
Popcorn PalsRE: Bisexuality & Potable Water
Dear Pennies and Pallers, This episode is brought to you by a couple of Chris's! Our first Chris asks us if he should reveal his bisexuality to his wife. Our…
Popcorn PalsRE: Workplace Boundaries & Body Disposition
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Happy New Year! Letter one is from Ana, who recognizes difficulty with establishing professional boundaries within certain careers…
Popcorn PalsRE: Never Been Kissed & Childhood Smells
Dear Pennies & Pallers, In letter one, K wants advice for how to start dating in her 30s, as someone who has never had a real kiss. Letter two is from Meagan…
Popcorn PalsTodd Glass | RE: Deja Vu & Being Yourself
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Todd Glass! Letter one comes Gemma, whose colleague lacks emotional boundaries at work. In our…
Popcorn PalsRE: Words of Affirmation & Wedding Attire
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Our first letter comes from Kevin, who wants his partner to tell him he’s pretty. Letter two is from Clay, who is getting dressed up…
Popcorn PalsJackie Kashian & Sean Patton | RE: Streaming Services & Disney Songs - Live from Come & Take It
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are coming to you live from the Come & Take It Comedy Festival, and are joined by our friends Jackie Kashian and Sean…
Popcorn PalsDierdre Friel | RE: Emotional Unprofessionalism & Liking Your Name
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Dierdre Friel! Letter one comes from a teacher whose colleague lacks emotional boundaries at…
Popcorn PalsRE: Warm Desserts & Drugs
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Letter one comes from Allison who knows the way to our hearts - she wrote in asking how we feel about warm vs cold desserts. Letter two…
Popcorn PalsRE: Atypical Families & A Good Death
Dear Pennies & Pallers, In letter one, Zak & Fran ask for advice on how to share about their family dynamics without bringing down the vibe at gatherings…
Popcorn PalsRE: Belonging & School Lunch
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Letter one comes from LB who wants to know what it means to belong. In letter two, Catie asks us about our favorite school lunches! We…
Popcorn PalsCipha Sounds | RE: Heteronormative Roles & Unsolicited Advice
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend (and penny) Cipha Sounds! In letter one, Suzy asks for our thoughts on heteronormative roles in…
Popcorn PalsChad Daniels | RE: Turning 40 & Chips
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Chad Daniels! Letter one comes from a pal who is feeling conflicted about turning 40. In our…
Popcorn PalsRE: Offensive Comedy & Bird of the Year
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Patrick sent in letter one, asking what to do when you are deeply offended by stand up comedy. In our second letter, Pascale tells us…
Popcorn PalsRE: Hypnotherapy & Cabin Recap
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Letter one comes from Benji, who is a big proponent of hypnotherapy (Content warning: the discussion of this letter addresses sexual…
Popcorn PalsMatt Braunger | RE: Restaurant Ordering & Safe Words
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Matt Braunger! Our first letter comes from MK who asks about restaurant ordering etiquette. In…
Popcorn PalsJay Larson | RE: Celebrity Crushes & Setting Boundaries
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Jay Larson! Letter one comes from Becky who dug Tony Danza in the 80s and wants to know who we…
Popcorn PalsRE: Career Boomerang & Sex Talk
Dear Pennies & Pallers, We got our first letter from Rob, who left his job then eventually came back to it. Letter two is from a pal who is working on…
Popcorn PalsRE: Words & Saving Musical Heroes
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Our first letter this week comes from Emma, who writes in about the importance of words. Letter two is from Kristal, who asks us which…
Popcorn PalsJordan & Lauren Scovel | RE: Younger Self & Meat
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by two of our MOST special guests, Jordan and Lauren Scovel! Letter one comes from Dale, who reflects on…
Popcorn PalsRamin Nazer | RE: Meaningful Friendships & Letting Go
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Ramin Nazer! Letter one comes from Tim, who would like some tips on how to build meaningful…
Popcorn PalsRE: Bereavement Leave & Childhood Neighbors
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Our first letter is from Angela, whose company has a ridiculous bereavement policy. Then we hear from Taylor, who gives a breakdown of…
Popcorn PalsRE: Vacations & Another Woman - Live on Moment House
Dear Pennies & Pallers, We’re coming at you live in-studio, brought to you by Moment House! Thanks to those of you who tuned in. Our first letter is from Alex…
Popcorn PalsSklar Brothers | RE: Skilled Trades & Yard Games
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by two of our best buds, Randy and Jason Sklar! Our first letter comes from Timmy (along with Adam and Vern)…
Popcorn PalsRE: Late vs. Manipulative & Dogs
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Letter one comes from Adam, who asks if the way he deals with his wife’s chronic lateness is manipulative. In our second letter, Amy…
Popcorn PalsRE: Conflicting Viewpoints & Learning Names
Dear Pennies & Pallers, We are celebrating the start of our 4th year today - happy birthday, pals! We have so many great memories tied to this show, and they…
Popcorn PalsRE: Our Favorite Things
Dear Pen Pals, This week we’re bringing you some of our favorite moments from the last four years! Cracker Barrel, the first #SAGA, Sandwich Talk, and more!…
Popcorn PalsRE: The Mashed Patatreon
Dear Pen Pals, We weren’t able to record an ep this week; in true Pen Pals fashion, we have to postpone our anniversary episode! #subjecttochange #wheniswhat…
Popcorn PalsDoug Benson | RE: Social Eating & International Stand Up
Dear Pen Pals, For our 200th episode, we are joined by our dear friend Doug Benson! In our first letter we hear from Matt (age 46), who see food as sustenance…
Popcorn PalsSara Schaefer | RE: Over-Gifting & Real Magic
Dear Pen Pals, This week we are joined by our friend Sarah Schaefer! We have a letter from Phil whose family over-gifts throughout the year. Letter two came…
Popcorn PalsRE: Covid Conundrum & Losing Your Virginity
Dear Pen Pals, Letter one comes from Dan, who shares with us his wife’s pandemic fears. In letter two, Joel asks us about our first time. We also talk about…
Popcorn PalsRE: Family Cabin & Celebrity Interactions
Dear Pen Pals, In letter one, our pal Megan wants her family to get on board with improving her family’s cabin. Letter two is sent from Josh, who asks about…
Popcorn PalsRE: Soul-Saving & Officiating a Wedding
Dear Pen Pals, We got a letter from J, whose mom is working hard to try and reel her back into religion. In letter two, a pal writes in for advice on…
Popcorn PalsHaley Joel Osment | RE: Pizza & Talent Shows
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Haley Joel Osment! Letter one is all about pizza, baby! For letter two, our pal Sancheri asks us…
Popcorn PalsKurt Braunohler & Hannah Berner | RE: Lasting Impressions & Baby on the Way Out - LIVE at Moontower
Dear Pennies and Pallers, We’re coming atcha live from the Moontower Comedy Festival, joined by our friends Kurt Brunohler and Hannah Berner! Our first letter…
Popcorn PalsRE: Playing the Victim & Mouth and Foot Painting
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Letter one comes from Jules, who needs advice about a friend who too often plays the victim. In our second letter, VL writes us to ask…
Popcorn PalsRE: Condolences
Dear Pennies & Pallers, We have an additional letter this week from Michael, who shared with us the sad news that our pal Sara has passed away. Dealing with…
Popcorn PalsRE: Marriage Trauma & Unconventional Beauty
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Our first letter is from our pal Major Tom, who is dealing with trauma in his marriage (content warning, this first letter addresses…
Popcorn PalsSeaton Smith | RE: Not Having it Together & Sensational News Stories
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Seaton Smith! Our first letter is from Matt, who wants to know if it’s okay to not have it all…
Popcorn PalsRose Byrne | RE: Walking Around Australia & Absent Parent
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our dear friend Rose Byrne! Max wrote in about his journey walking around Australia, and his love for Millie…
Popcorn PalsRE: Real Love & Thoughts While Flying
Dear Pennies and Pallers, Our first letter comes from A, where she asks about the line between relationships being hard work and relationships not being right…
Popcorn PalsRE: Now and Then & Gardening
Dear Pennies & Pallers, We got a letter from our pal Jenna who observes some lovely changes between this current generation and those that came before. Letter…
Popcorn PalsJack Whitehall | RE: Catchy Tunes & Lords and Ladies
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we’re joined by Jack Whitehall! In our first letter, our pen pal Jake laments over songs that get stuck in his head. And in…
Popcorn PalsJudd Apatow | RE: Home Improvements & Personal Care
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by Judd Apatow! In our first letter, Brian writes in to ask if we are handy fellas. Our second letter comes…
Popcorn PalsRE: Potatoes & Psychic Tendencies
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Our first letter comes from our pen pal Jen, who knows the way to our hearts - she wrote in about her love of potatoes, and even gives…
Popcorn PalsAndy Richter | RE: Hometown Legends & Self-Motivation
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Andy Richter! Our first letter comes from Matty, who put his hometown of Hartlepool on the map by…
Popcorn PalsRE: Car Trouble & Nature vs. Nurture
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Our pal Cam wrote in with a car trouble story and a question about pests. Our second letter comes from Eva, who shares about a…
Popcorn PalsAimee Mann | RE: Naps & Confronting a Mooch
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by the legendary Aimee Mann! Our first letter addresses our pen pal Kristen’s question: naps or no? In our…
Popcorn PalsRE: Male Affection & Mystery in Atlanta
Dear Pennies & Pallers, In our first letter, a teacher in rural Montana explains how proud she is to see her male students openly showing affection towards one…
Popcorn PalsChris Garcia | RE: Art of Flirting & Escaping Negativity
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we’re joined by our friend, the hilarious Chris Garcia! In our first letter, a Pen Pal wants to know: how (and where!) do you…
Popcorn PalsRE: Off-Grid Living & Dog Goodbyes
Dear Pennies & Pallers, In our first letter, a Pen Pal describes her plan to construct an off-grid homestead with her partner. She wants to know: what would…
Popcorn PalsRE: Losing Passion & Fruit Essence
Dear Pennies & Pallers, In our first letter, a Pen Pal asks for advice as they come to terms with a lack of passion in their long-term relationship and some…
Popcorn PalsRE: Chasing Adventure & Powerful Art
Dear Pennies & Pallers, In our first letter, a Pen Pal describes their incredible experience running a trail race through the Appalachian Mountains, and the…
Popcorn PalsSona Movsesian | RE: Gender Norms & Nude Calendar
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by the hilarious Sona Movsesian! In our first letter, a male Pen Pal explains how he learned to overcome shitty…
Popcorn PalsRE: Acupuncture Nightmare & Meaningful Possessions
Dear Pennies & Pallers, In our first letter, a Pen Pal has a wild experience at a deeply strange acupuncture clinic. In our second letter, a Pen Pal fascinated…
Popcorn PalsBrett Goldstein | RE: Sitting to Pee & Polyamorous Love
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week’s new Pen Pal is the always brilliant Brett Goldstein. Our first letter gets right to the point: how often do we sit down…