The Pen Pals Podcast
Every week, your pen pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel respond to the letters you send them on topics ranging from free will to freeway etiquette, from mental health to manatees. Seek advice. Tell a story. Vent. Send a letter. It's your podcast, we just talk about it.
Episodes
Dear Pennies and Pallers,
In letter one, Jeff asks us how we would reinvent ourselves with a new identity within 24 hours. Letter two comes from Luke, who asks us about if we have a favorite show or movie where you root for the bad guy.
We also talk about sunglasses, drug dealers, breaking bad, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...
Dear Pennies and Pallers,
In letter one, Ryan asks us if there is a purpose for creating art even if it doesn't reach anybody. Letter two comes from Samantha, who asks us if any crazy world events have dictated where we are today.
We also talk about negative reviews, vibrato, pet nicknames, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dear Pennies and Pallers,
This week we are re-joined by our friend Todd Glass! Letter one comes from Derek, a Paller who asks us about our daily rituals. In letter two, Kristin asks us, what is something that you absolutely love to do or experience, but if you did it all day everyday forever and ever, it would slowly turn into a torturous hellscape? We also talk about peeing in the pool at the pool bar, washing your legs in the sh...
Dear Pennies and Pallers,
Letter one comes from Tony who wants to talk video games! In letter two, Anna & Nat ask for our Christmas light preference.
We also talk about Daniel’s special Rose Gold, out today!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dear Pennies and Pallers,
If you haven't had a chance to listen to the Plugs & Hugs section of last week's episode, I wanted to get you up to speed on a big Pen Pals update...have a listen!
I wish you well, sincerely,
Producer Lissa
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 also talk The Simpsons, Lissa’s book club snafu, a huge update about this show, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 - this letter and our responses address sexual abuse - if you need to you can skip ahead to 39:30). In letter two, Kristin regales us her four-year old’s curiosities. We also talk Disneyland food, not resolving songs, we wish happy birthdays to loved ones, and more!
We wish y...
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 wonders, is showering every nine days enough? In letter two, Cesar asks us about our favorite cheat meals. We also talk about phallic molds, how Andrew hasn't watched our show, pheromones, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
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 mind-blowing stats about shuffling decks of cards. We also talk holding our breath, jeans, magic tricks and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 about how to navigate working at a faith based company. We also talk about Blade Runner, Rory's favorite video game "Conduct Together," our new Tik Tok page (@thepenpalspod), and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
See omnystudio...
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. In letter two, Dan, who recently visited Finland, asks us what's the coldest we've ever been? We also talk about CLEAR, being an away team fan at a game, eagle scouts, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
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 anniversary gift even though they said they wouldn’t. Letter two is from Andy, who wants to know if he can sing.
We also talk Oh Henry, sell you on a timeshare in Punta Cana, Dave Matthews Band, Thomas runs some laps, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pal...
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 paller who asks for advice as they face a separation and are looking to reimagine their midlife.
We also discuss capitalism, artificial intelligence, parrots that mimic people, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
See omnystudio...
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 letter involves a tragic death - if you need to you can skip ahead to 25:00). Letter two comes from a master cheesemaker who wonders how we overcome procrastination. We also talk about an LCD Soundsystem concert Daniel and Lissa attended, fancy cheese, the perfect nachos, and ...
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 wants to know how many tickets we've gotten. In letter two, Rusty asks us how to navigate a relationship with an estranged loved one who is an alcoholic. We also talk about Daniel and Taylor's movie Wine Club, full frontal nudity, Kylie Jenner's Lasik Doctor, and more!
We wish ...
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 finger, what would we choose? Letter two comes M, who asks for advice about confronting her unhelpful husband. We also talk about Langston running his mother-in-law’s Hinge account, the possibility of the apocalypse, mac-n-cheese, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pe...
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 interesting questions about Biff Tanner and his family tree. We also talk writing new material, Rory finds his Australian accent, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 deckhand on a commercial fishing boat, who wonders if we could handle the job.
We also talk Dave’s recent run in the NYC marathon, airport massages, horseback riding, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
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 wants to know our go-to karaoke songs. We also talk movies for kids, sing Whitney Houston, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 start over. Letter two comes from Casey, who wants to know if women have stealthy ways of communicating. We also talk public singing stories, finally talk Physical, bad improv, and more!
We wish you well, sincerely,
Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk and Rory Scovel
See omnystud...
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.
Shootings are not unusual in Belize. Shootings of cops are. When a wealthy woman – part of one of the most powerful families in Belize – is found on a pier late at night, next to a body, it becomes the country’s biggest news story in a generation. New episodes every Monday!
A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.