Synopsis
Every week, your pen pals Rory Scovel and Daniel Van Kirk 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
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Jack Whitehall | RE: Catchy Tunes & Lords and Ladies
06/04/2022 Duration: 54minDear 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 our second letter, Ashley gives us the gift of land, thus officially turning us into Lords. We also discuss: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Jack doing stand up while high, and more! We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Judd Apatow | RE: Home Improvements & Personal Care
30/03/2022 Duration: 57minDear 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 from Beth, whose husband commented on the softness of Daniel’s hands which leads her to ask about our personal care habits. We also discuss: ASMR, Judd’s take on Covid-19 in film and TV, and more! We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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RE: Potatoes & Psychic Tendencies
23/03/2022 Duration: 54minDear 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 us a recipe to try out. In our second letter, our pal Chris tells us about her secret little psychic power. We also discuss Daniel’s time as a federal agent, Producer Lissa getting a mic, an early letter about a pal dating her dad's drummer, and more! We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Andy Richter | RE: Hometown Legends & Self-Motivation
16/03/2022 Duration: 59minDear 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 sharing the legend of the French spy monkey. In our second letter, Lauren asks us about struggling with motivation. We also discuss: golf, cursive, and more! We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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RE: Car Trouble & Nature vs. Nurture
09/03/2022 Duration: 54minDear 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 challenging relationship with her father who took his own life when she was younger and the impact he might have had on her. We also discuss hotel room availability, coyotes and badgers, comedian Zach Martina, and more! We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Aimee Mann | RE: Naps & Confronting a Mooch
02/03/2022 Duration: 56minDear 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 second letter, Stu asks for advice on how to handle his freeloading relatives. We also discuss: Aimee’s tour, Daniel’s Tom Waits impression, and more! We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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RE: Male Affection & Mystery in Atlanta
23/02/2022 Duration: 44minDear 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 another. She also asks what we had for lunch today. In our second letter, a Pen Pal describes a truly nightmare AirBnB experience in Atlanta, involving baby lotion and a stripper pole. We also discuss: ventriloquism, the transformative power of leaving your comfort zone, the name “Lester,” why you don’t go downstairs, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Chris Garcia | RE: Art of Flirting & Escaping Negativity
16/02/2022 Duration: 01h04minDear 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 flirt without the help of alcohol? In our second letter, a Pen Pal is working hard to get his life back on track, but feels the negativity that surrounds him creeping in. How do you reject negativity? We also discuss: Three Doors Down, being a flirty person, writing “ya” vs “you,” embracing joy, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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RE: Off-Grid Living & Dog Goodbyes
09/02/2022 Duration: 59minDear 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 our homesteads be like? In our second letter, a Pen Pal explains the emotional experience of returning their dog to the animal rescue group. They also ask: what are our travel bathroom strategies? We also discuss: banter, getting into Tool, how big an acre is, go-karting to the office, the Buc-ee’s bathroom, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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RE: Losing Passion & Fruit Essence
02/02/2022 Duration: 53minDear 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 lingering feelings for a high school love. In our second letter, a Pen Pal asks which fruit we think best captures our essences. We also discuss: the advantages of a Communications Degree, the definition of utilitarian, upside down pineapples, philosophical questions at the cheese store, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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RE: Chasing Adventure & Powerful Art
26/01/2022 Duration: 01h02minDear Pennies & Pallers, In our first letter, a Pen Pal describes their incredible experience running a trail race through the Appalachian Mountains, and the strange feelings she had upon returning to normal life. In our second letter, a Pen Pal raves about Pixar’s “Soul,” and asks what art has moved us. We also discuss: a great Cameo from a fan, stinkin’ thinkin’, finding moments of zen, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Sona Movsesian | RE: Gender Norms & Nude Calendar
19/01/2022 Duration: 01h04minDear 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 gender norms and embrace his love of crocheting. He then asks: do we have any interests or preferences that go against traditional gender norms? In our second letter, a Pen Pal shares the (incredible) January edition of the nude calendar he makes for his wife. We also discuss: Sona fighting in her dodgeball league, dick pics, reading greeting cards out loud, having the D’Angelo V, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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RE: Acupuncture Nightmare & Meaningful Possessions
12/01/2022 Duration: 01h06minDear 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 by death explains why they love Victorian-era items and want to own an actual skeleton. They then ask: do we own any odd or meaningful items? We also discuss: calling a Little League game, a wreath made of hair, pressure points, embracing new experiences, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Brett Goldstein | RE: Sitting to Pee & Polyamorous Love
05/01/2022 Duration: 57minDear 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 when we pee? In our second letter, a Pen Pal shares their thoughtful perspective on the joys of polyamorous living. We also discuss: clapping for yourself, poltergeists, going commando, redefining your relationship, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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RE: Buffet Style
29/12/2021 Duration: 30minDear 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, French silk pie, how going for seconds made you a good boy, skipping the rolls, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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RE: Elvis Presley & Christmas Surprise
22/12/2021 Duration: 45minDear 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 second letter, a Pen Pal debates whether or not he should surprise his mother with a Christmas visit, given his mother’s schedule as a nurse and his own medical issues. We also discuss: the origins of Boxing Day, hologram Frank Sinatra, rock documentaries, buying Cameos to plug Pen Pals, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Chris Sullivan | RE: Power of Sports & Movie Languages
15/12/2021 Duration: 49minDear 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 sports, and the community that comes with it. In this week’s second letter, an artist Pen Pal asks for our opinion on translation convention, a storytelling device where characters in film speak the language of the audience, instead of the native language of the character. We also discuss: Chris binging Pen Pals, the new studio, the movie “Annihilation,” the Full House theme song, being a pervert person, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Will Ferrell | RE: Senior Year & Corporal Punishment
08/12/2021 Duration: 58minDear 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 to make his final year memorable - and invites us to his graduation party. Will shares some of his favorite high school memories - and explains how his son is carrying on the tradition of senior year hijinks. In our second letter, a Pen Pal is uncomfortable with his wife’s continued use of spanking as a disciplinary method for their child, and asks if spanking is ever a reasonable punishment. He also asks about our showering order (soap first, then shampoo?). We also discuss: Will’s real-life work as a youth soccer coach, playing the spoons, kegs at the grad party, Will forming a Reptile Club in high school, Lloyd’s bank, Will’s new show “The Shrink Next Door” on Apple TV+, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Skylar Astin | RE: Defining Weird & Social Anxiety
01/12/2021 Duration: 54minDear 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 “weird.” This week’s second letter discusses the struggle of making friends when you have social anxiety. We also discuss: Skylar’s new film “Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas,” finding your passion early, getting weird, dad jokes, and a great Robin Williams story. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Naomi Ekperigin | RE: Travel Hacks & Cabin Antics
24/11/2021 Duration: 56minDear 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 travel hacks. In this week’s second letter, our Pen Pal Chris Sullivan explains how drunken antics at the cabin as a young man ended with him swimming in a fiery lake. Yes, you read that right. We also discuss: the morning radio grind, Dairy Queen Blizzards, packing two days before flights, who gets invited to the cabin, and Naomi’s solo travel stories! We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory ScovelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.