The Midnight Air

The Midnight Air

The Midnight Air is your weekly “overnight radio” podcast from Daniel Van Kirk. Topics range from friendly conversation, pop culture news, film and tv discussions, stories of lore and mysteries, plus the articles from the pages of a small newspaper in rural Wisconsin. This is the easy-listening podcast for people trying to fall asleep or for people that are trying to stay awake. This feed is also the home of the back catalogue for The Pen Pals Podcast. With new episodes of Pen Pals dropping occasionally.

Episodes

December 2, 2025 55 mins

I also fill you in on my Thanksgiving in Rochelle, my love of Death By Lightning, and I’ve got some BIG thoughts on some recent customer service experiences. Plus we cover The Tribune from Rhonda and hit the week’s Holi-Days like Bathtub Party Day!

Premium Subscribers can stick around after the theme for my song of the week and also don’t forget to check the Patreon page if you wanna see how perfect scallop...

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And I tell you about my weekend in Indiana, Kinanesgiving, before reading your emails, and we cover The Tribune with Rhonda! Plus I have a huge soda water issue at the airport and we hit the Holi-Days like Spitesgiving!

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution.

Ema...

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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 Blow Bagpipes Day!
As a bonus for Premium Subscribers, I’ve got the story about an unlikely place in St. Louis where I heard this week’s post-show song!


Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, ...

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November 11, 2025 45 mins

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 bonus for Premium Subscribers, I give my thoughts on two new TV shows, I Love LA and Pluribus. 

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, pro...

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November 4, 2025 43 mins

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 like, Love Your Red Hair Day!

As a bonus for Premium Subscribers there’s some jazz for your listening enjoyment. 

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Com...

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October 28, 2025 43 mins

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 spoke at! Plus listener emails, The Tribune from Rhonda, and the Holi- Days like, National Cat Day!

As a bonus for Premium Subscribers there’s some John Prine for your listening enjoyment. 

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production experti...

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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 favorite portmanteau halloween costume ideas. We also go off topic and talk about brioche, Jason’s running joke with his kids, single parenting, and more!

We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals,
Daniel Van Kirk and Jason Sklar

–––––&...

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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 Holi- Days like, Back to the Future Day. All before we read The Tribune!

Bonus for Premium Subscribers! I share my thoughts on Alien: Earth and dive deep into my feelings about HBO’s Task!

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geof...

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October 15, 2025 61 mins

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 weekend tossing kegs in Wisconsin! And as always there's the Holi- Days like, Love Your Body Day and we read The Tribune!

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy f...

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October 8, 2025 51 mins

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!

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution.

Email the show at: themidnightmailbag@gmail.com

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October 1, 2025 45 mins

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, The Beginning of Pudding Season!

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution.

Email the show at themidnightmailbag@gma...

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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 she’s ever been to. We also talk about Applebees’ Nightclub “The Bees”, the hotel cuck chair, bad fashion choices, and more!

We wish you well, sincerely, 

Your Pen Pals,
Daniel Van Kirk and Dave Holmes

P.S. – Don’t forget to respond to Daniel...

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September 23, 2025 58 mins

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, “German Butterbrot Day!”

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution.

Email the show at themidnightmailbag@gmai...

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September 16, 2025 56 mins

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 emails, Holi- Days like, “Make a Hat Day” and we close things out with The Tribune!

Bonus for Premium Subscribers: I’m giving you my thoughts on the HBO crime drama, Task, and sharing a song that I’m currently loving.

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engi...

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September 9, 2025 44 mins

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 hear about your tattoo! All that before we close things out with The Tribune!

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distrib...

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September 3, 2025 49 mins

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! A bonus for Premium Subscribers, I talk about seeing Jaws in IMAX and my review of Weapons!

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, pr...

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August 27, 2025 44 mins

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 The Tribune.

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution.

Email the show at themidnightmailbag@gmail.com!

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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 that we still carry today. We also talk about the 4th of July boat parade in Lake Tapawingo, tattoos, co-opting rich kid’s hobbies, and more! 

We wish you well, sincerely, 
Your Pen Pals, Daniel Van Kirk and Kyle Ayers

–––––&nda...

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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 you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution.

Email the show at themidnightmailbag@gmail.com!

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August 12, 2025 46 mins

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 reading your emails! I also cover the Holi-days like National Men's Grooming Day and read The Tribune, plus a ton more!

Thank you to Aaron Brungardt for engineering, mixing, and production expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for t...

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