It’s the end of the yesar as we know it and Lissa Rubin is joining me to rundown our 5 favorite things we watched from Movies and TV in 2025. And before that, I talk about why I’m recording this show in Atlanta, the Chicago Bears game, and we cover the Holi-Days like, National Eggnog Day! Then we close it 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 distribution.

Email the show at [email protected]!

In honor of this legend, I’m telling you 10 Facts About Dick Van Dyke that you may not know. Plus I talk about the loss of Rob Reiner, read your messages, and cover the Holi-Days like, National Emo Day!

And for Premium Subscribers, I dig into the Winter Solstice and why we should celebrate it! 

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 [email protected]!

Plus I talk about going to see Stand By Me Live! And the viewing party I joined for the Bears vs. Packers game and so much more! All that in addition to The Tribune from Rhonda and the Holi-Days like Magnum P.I. Day!

Premium Subscribers can stick around after the theme for my 11-20 Rankings of Winter Movies and a great Christmas song to close things out!

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 [email protected]!

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 scalloped corn is made.

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 [email protected]!

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.

Email the show at [email protected]!

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, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution.

Email the show at [email protected]!

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, production, and distribution.

Email the show at [email protected]!

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 Comedy for their support, production, and distribution.

Email the show at [email protected]!

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 expertise, Geoffrey Tice for artwork, Bobby TBD for theme music, and All Things Comedy for their support, production, and distribution.

Email the show at [email protected]!

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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Send us your letters!  

Email: [email protected]

Snail Mail:  C/O The Pen Pals Podcast, 12711 Ventura Blvd, Suite 250, Studio City, CA, 91604

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Pen Pals is produced by Clara Madenwald. Our artwork was created by Geoffrey Tice and Kaela Weeks, and our theme music is by Patrick Keenan of The Winter Sounds.

You can follow Pen Pals on Instagram and Tiktok @thepenpalspod - you can see all of that content thanks to Katelyn Bordini, who runs our social media.

This show wouldn’t be possible without the support we get from you, our Patreon subscribers - thank you! And remember to tell everyone about your two favorite cackling idiots. #growtheshow