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: Buffet Style
Dear Pennies & Pallers, In this week’s letter, a Pen Pal writes about a topic near and dear to our hearts: buffets. We also discuss: the Micro Machines guy…
Popcorn PalsRE: Elvis Presley & Christmas Surprise
Dear Pennies & Pallers, First, a Pen Pal writes about their love for Elvis Presley, and asks how we want to be remembered when we’re gone. In this week’s…
Popcorn PalsChris Sullivan | RE: Power of Sports & Movie Languages
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our Pen Pal (and certified penny) Chris Sullivan! First, a Pen Pal writes about the spiritual power of…
Popcorn PalsWill Ferrell | RE: Senior Year & Corporal Punishment
Dear Pennies & Pallers, The great Will Ferrell joins us this week to read your letters! In this week’s first letter, a high school senior asks what he can do…
Popcorn PalsSkylar Astin | RE: Defining Weird & Social Anxiety
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Today we are joined by our incredibly talented friend, Skylar Astin! In our first letter, a Pen Pal asks about the fluid definition of…
Popcorn PalsNaomi Ekperigin | RE: Travel Hacks & Cabin Antics
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our new Pen Pal, the great Naomi Ekperigin! In our first letter, our Pen Pal Will asks for our favorite…
Popcorn PalsKevin Nealon | RE: Boat Names & Reaching Out
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by the brilliant Kevin Nealon! In our first letter, a Pen Pal living in Japan asks us to name the new boat he…
Popcorn PalsHannah Berner | RE: Inconsiderate People & Consolation Prize
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by the hilarious Hannah Berner! Catch her on tour now, and listen to her podcasts Berning In Hell & Giggly…
Popcorn PalsAdam Cayton-Holland | RE: Swedish Spirits & Work Stress
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Adam Cayton-Holland! First, a Pen Pal shares her supernatural experience in the woods of Sweden…
Popcorn PalsRE: Hanging Brain & Incompatible Love
Dear Pennies & Pallers, First, we have a hot-off-the-presses (night of!) letter from a Pen Pal who was witness to a deeply unpleasant view when her beloved…
Popcorn PalsAndy Samberg | RE: Toilet Paper & Horse Thieves
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by the hilarious Andy Samberg! In our first letter, the best summer camp employee ever asks us about our…
Popcorn PalsKyle Kinane | RE: Father-in-Law Ghost & Something's Missing
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend (and your new Pen Pal), the hilarious Kyle Kinane! In the first letter, our Pen Pal explains that…
Popcorn PalsMatt Walsh | RE: Cosmic Twins & Perfect Day
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Matt Walsh (Veep star! UCB co-founder! Chicago Bears superfan!). In our first letter, a Pen Pal…
Popcorn PalsDave Anthony & Gareth Reynolds | RE: Letting Kids Win & Emailing Ex
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we are joined by Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds of The Dollop podcast for a very special LIVE Pen Pals - recorded at the…
Popcorn PalsRE: Ham Day & A Joyous Life
Dear Pennies & Pallers, In this week’s first letter, a Pen Pal explains their annual Ham Day tradition, a day devoted to eating ham with friends. Our Pen Pal…
Popcorn PalsAnnie Weisman | RE: Cursing Children & Religious Costumes
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we are joined by the brilliant and hilarious Annie Weisman (creator of “Physical”). In our first letter, a Pen Pal is…
Popcorn PalsRE: Sex Slang & Bad Heroes
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week’s first letter kicks off a conversation about obscure sex terms - you might want to consult Urban Dictionary. Our Pen Pal…
Popcorn PalsRE: Existential Dread & Deadliest Catch
Dear Pennies & Pallers, In this week’s first letter, a Pen Pal (who may or may not know our names) expresses concern for the wellbeing of our planet - and…
Popcorn PalsPete Holmes | RE: Grandpa’s Romance & Go-To Drinks
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Pete Holmes joins us this week to discuss soccer goalies, deviled eggs, codependency, eating penguins, and more! In this week’s first…
Popcorn PalsRyan Sickler | RE: Separate Beds & Olympic Medals
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our good friend (and Pen Pal) Ryan Sickler! In our first letter, one Pen Pal makes a convincing case for…
Popcorn PalsRE: Family Legends & Former Friends
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we learn how bargain hunting saved a woman from one of the most famous tragedies of all time. In our second letter, we hear…
Popcorn PalsRE: Animal Magic & Brain Teasers
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week’s first letter attempts to prove the existence of supernatural squirrels. In our second letter, our Pen Pal/certified cool…
Popcorn PalsCasey Wilson | RE: Balcony Kisses & Getting Older
Dear Pennies & Pallers, The amazing Casey Wilson (Black Monday, Happy Endings) joins us for our first full episode as part of the Team Coco network! In this…
Popcorn PalsRE: Favorite Fries
Dear Pennies & Pallers, We’re back with another mini-episode! Stay tuned - our first full-length episode with Team Coco drops July 28th. Today we hear from a…
Popcorn PalsRE: Canine Condolences & Vacation Mourning
Dear Pennies & Pallers, We’ve got another mini-episode for you! Our first full-length episode with the Team Coco network is on July 28th, but until then, we…
Popcorn PalsRE: Pancakes & Power Moves
Dear Pennies & Pallers, We’re now officially part of the Team Coco network! Our first full-length episode is on July 28th, but until then, we’ve got a few…
Popcorn PalsRE: My French Quarter Ghost & Genetic Inheritance - with Noah Eberhart
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Our guest on this final Starburns Audio version of the pod is our friend and OG producer, Noah "NewNo" Eberhart, who finally gets his…
Popcorn PalsRE: Letters of Love & A Question Of Decency
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we have an important announcement. Then we hear from a listener who is working their way through grief by writing letters…
Popcorn PalsRE: Broken Brain Compensation Methods & Random Tearful Grandma Memories
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we hear from listener Megan who describes the compensation methods she uses to deal with her "broken brain," and wonders if…
Popcorn PalsRE: First Date & Back to the Future
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we hear about a listener’s first date with his common law wife, plus an idea for a new Instagram…
Popcorn PalsRE: Advice For Your Younger Self & Must-Have Brands
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For this week's first letter, a listener poses the question: what advice would you give to your younger self? Letter 2 is all about…
Popcorn PalsRE: Parasocial Relationships & Fishing
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we delve into parasocial relationships. In Letter 2, we talk all about fishing! Sincerely, Your Pen…
Popcorn PalsRE: Coming Out & Best/Worst Vacations
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we hear from a bi-poly listener who is currently in the closet and not sure when to come out. In our…
Popcorn PalsRE: Thinking Differently & A Dating Question
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week's first letter poses the question: Would you want to think differently? Here are some links to Jack's project & his show…
Popcorn PalsRE: Mental Breakdowns & True Conspiracies
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we hear from a listener who has recently gotten back in touch with an old friend, only to realize that…
Popcorn PalsRE: Breathing & Guilty Pleasures
Dear Pennies & Pallers! For this week's first letter, we talk about breathing and our obsessions. In our second letter, we dive into guilty pleasures! Plus, we…
Popcorn PalsRE: Drawing Lines in Comedy & Political Leanings
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For this week's first letter, we hear from a comedian who isn't sure how personal he should get with his comedy with regards to his…
Popcorn PalsRE: Classic Cars & Head vs. Heart
Dear Pennies, Pallers, & Pencil Buds, For our first letter this week, we talk about old, classic cars we would buy, and things we've left behind that we miss…
Popcorn PalsRE: A Tattoo Conundrum & Manic Episodes
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we hear from a listener who has some reservations about a life decision his wife is considering. In our…
Popcorn PalsRE: How to Say "I Love You" & A Swedish Treasure Story
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we address the question of when and how to tell someone those 3 magical words. For Letter 2, we hear…
Popcorn PalsRE: Big Changes & Chicago St. Patrick's Day
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we hear from a listener whose father has begun dating again after her mother's death, and wants some…
Popcorn PalsRE: Obscure Words & Quality Smut
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we discuss a listener's favorite obscure words, and play a little guessing game. Then in our second…
Popcorn PalsRE: Thresholds & Getting Back Into Comedy
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, our first letter deals with the thresholds in life -- which ones we hold dear, which we regret, and more. Our second letter…
Popcorn PalsRE: Changes Since 2012 & Folklore
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we discuss the changes that have taken place in the US since 2012. Then for our second letter, we talk…
Popcorn PalsRE: The Girl Scout Experience & When To Call It Quits
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, in our first letter we hear the tale of how the Girl Scouts drove one listener into potentially dangerous situations, and we…
Popcorn PalsRE: Being An Only Child & Knowing A Killer
Dear Pennies & Pallers, In our first letter this week, we receive not only an incredible hotel lobby piano cover of our theme, but also an intriguing question…
Popcorn PalsRE: Having A Second Kid & Guilty Pleasures
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For this week's first letter, we dive into the question of whether one of our listeners should have a second child. Then for Letter 2…
Popcorn PalsRE: Favorite Clubs & Talking To Kids About Drugs
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we talk about our favorite places to perform live comedy. In our second letter, we hear a new cover of…
Popcorn PalsRE: Friends With Benefits & Healthy Boundaries
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, our first letter deals with a tricky issue in a casual romantic situation. In Letter 2, we discuss how to maintain healthy…
Popcorn PalsRE: Predictions & Sharing Your Art
Dear Pennies & Pallers, For our first letter this week, we tackle the subject of predictions. Are they luck? What role do tv and movies play? For our second…
Popcorn PalsRE: Crying For Myself & Favorite Chips
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, our first letter deals with a specific kind of crying -- not for others, but for yourself. Our second letter tells a tale…
Popcorn PalsRE: Seasons & Senses & A Family Question - LIVE on Zoom with Patrick Keenan
Dear Pennies & Pallers, Happy New Year! We started 2021 off with a live show over Zoom with a bunch of you! Luckily we were joined by our good friend, Patrick…
Popcorn PalsRE: Roommate Stories
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we read a letter from a listener who tells the tale of a bad roommate and a fire. This prompts some more roommate stories…
Popcorn PalsRE: Christmas at the Holiday Inn & A Brine Recipe
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we hear all about an ingenious holiday strategy involving a hotel. We also read a tale of familial defiance from an old…
Popcorn PalsRE: Movies & TV To Watch Before Turning 40
Dear Pennies & Pallers, As we get into Chex Mix season, we dive into a letter this week from a listener who is turning 40 next summer and wants to get caught…
Popcorn PalsRE: Holiday Traditions & Would You Rather
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week's first letter delves into the topic of holiday traditions. For Letter 2, we discuss a very important "Would You Rather"…
Popcorn PalsRE: The Turkey Situation & Seeing Any Event From History - Live On Zoom
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we bring you our latest live Zoom show! This episode we took on a Thanksgiving-themed letter, plus discussed what event from…
Popcorn PalsRE: A Message From The Past
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we spend the whole episode discussing a single letter that delves into the topic of time, the nature of why people have a…
Popcorn PalsRE: Three Secrets
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we read a letter full of secrets! Plus: a Tom Arnold/Arnold Schwarzenegger story, and more! Don't forget to get your tickets…
Popcorn PalsRE: Ænima & Fainting
Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we discuss two letters, one involving the pronunciation of a Tool album, and another one all about fainting. Plus, we…