The Pen Addict

By Relay FM

What's The Pen Addict about?

The Pen Addict is a weekly fix for all things stationery. Pens, pencils, paper, ink – you name it, and Brad Dowdy and Myke Hurley are into it. Join as they geek out over the analog tools they love so dearly. Hosted by Brad Dowdy and Myke Hurley.

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The Pen Addict episodes:

05.03.2023
562: Brad Breaks Stationery
Many new pens crossed the desk of The Pen Addict this week. Which ones survived? Tune in to find out!
04.26.2023
561: BAT!
We tried to let the ChatGPT conversation be one episode and done, but Lamy had other ideas. We discuss their AI design, praise Pilot’s new pen color, get inky with red inks, and Brad shares his love for the Pentel...
04.19.2023
560: Dear LAMY,
Since Brad and Myke can’t talk Lamy into making an Orange Lamy 2000, maybe AI can? They give it a shot this week!
04.12.2023
559: Overbooked My Brain
There were many recurring themes this episode, including one which sent Brad over the edge. So far over the edge that he has implemented a moratorium for the rest of the year.
04.05.2023
558: Gecko Like the Lizard
The Lamy bracket final is upon us-who do you have taking down the title? The venerably Lamy 2000, or the upstart Lamy Safari? It’s a battle for the ages! Brad also recaps his visit to the Atlanta Pen Show, and...
03.29.2023
557: He's British So I Love Him
If Lando Norris used a Lamy pen, which would it be? Maybe one that landed in the Final Four of the Lamy Bracket? Or maybe a Deelite Safari? Let’s find out!
03.22.2023
556: Pen Sommelier
What are we using? Why are we using them? How difficult will Brad make this? Find out this week on The Pen Addict!
03.15.2023
555: Lamy, Call Your Boys
Brad is back from the Baltimore Pen Show, and has tales to tell. Also, Lamy has decided it is bracket season, and boy do we have thoughts.
03.08.2023
554: Block Signature Signature
Our recent signature and handwriting talk sparked some great feedback, which we dig into at the start of today’s episode. Brad then heaps praise on Sailor. That’s right. PRAISE! Brad will also be at the Baltimore Pen Show this upcoming...
03.01.2023
553: Number Green
When you have a product named Sweet Juice Milk, you know there is going to be follow up. Brad gets angsty over the latest Pilot Juice release, discusses his Nahvalur Original Plus review, and Myke decides if he needs a...
02.22.2023
552: Where's the Margarita Version?
What better feedback than Pilot FriXion feedback?! We get a list of use cases for everyone's favorite erasable gel ink pen, talk about Sailor doing Sailor things, and bring Blue Milk into the show lore.
02.15.2023
551: The Traditional Ball Knock
Brad’s review of the Pilot FriXion Ball Knock Zone has finally been published, so maybe this podcast topic can finally be put to bed. One topic we never hope to put to bed are price decreases, which we saw last...
02.08.2023
550: An Oddly Enjoyable Fountain Pen
Brad breaks down a huge range of new content at The Pen Addict this week, including the latest from Schon DSGN, and his thoughts on PLOTTER. A Top 5 Pens update also happened, and a discussion around selling pens.
02.01.2023
549: Less Caps, More Clicks
There is a spy amongst us! Brad and Myke try to sort it out at the beginning of this week’s episode, before digging into the latest and greatest the stationery world has to offer.
01.25.2023
548: Emergency Cufflinks
Batman, Tutankhamen, and now this one? Montegrappa has done it again! Brad and Myke talk about their latest unbelievable pen design, discuss the annual Lamy AL-Star release, and one of the strangest pens to cross Brad’s desk in some time.
01.18.2023
547: Peaking at Average
Sometimes the best laid plans get balled up and tossed right into the bin. That’s how this week’s show progressed, and you know what, it turned out pretty great.
01.11.2023
546: Getting Together and Doing Pen Stuff
The US Pen Show season kicks off this week, and Brad has begun booking travel for later in the year. Will you be attending any pen shows in 2023? Brad also bows to peer pressure … multiple times.
01.04.2023
545: Relax Better
It’s Theme Season, and Brad brings his interesting take on a simple idea to the show today. How will stationary find its way into this theme? Where there is a pen, there is a way.
12.28.2022
544: Things Run Smoother On WNYC
Brad and Myke are back to wrap up 2022 in the only way they know how: talking about stationery! Brad catches Myke up on all of the content goodness over the last few weeks, and they wrap the show by...
12.14.2022
543: Sketchnotes, Revisited
Over ten years ago, we had Mike Rohde as our first ever guest on the podcast. He is back with Brad this week to discuss all things Sketchnote, and the awesomeness that has transpired over the last decade.
12.07.2022
542: This Love Has Conditions
To misquote one of Brad’s favorite singers, Laura Jane Grace, even if his love was unconditional, it wouldn’t save him from questioning their product choices. He questions many of them this episode.
11.30.2022
541: Holiday Gift Guide 2022
Ana is back, with stationery gift ideas in tow! She and Brad break down all of the fun stationery goods they hope to see this holiday season, and give you some ideas along the way.
11.23.2022
540: Just Do the Job Brad!
Brad and Myke answer all of your #ASKTPA questions this week.
11.16.2022
539: Will the GO Go Away?
It’s an old school podcast this week, with Field Notes and TWSBI discussion right from the start. Brad then breaks down the new Writewell launch from Good Made Better, plus explains his choices for the updated Top 5 Fountain Pens...
11.09.2022
538: Lukewarm Takes
Hot Takes are the internet’s favorite currency, but are they a thing in the stationery world? Brad and Myke explore what is, and what isn’t, a hot take, and discover-gladly-that we reside in a more lukewarm territory.
11.02.2022
537: Adjusted in the Wrong Direction
In an episode full of fun and surprises, Myke discovers the biggest one right near the end.
10.26.2022
536: Strange and Cherry
Lamy released pictures of their best collaboration yet, so why is Brad upset? He explains, and also discusses new Kaweco builds and collaborations, and the return of Conid. Finally, he breaks down the Top 5 “Next” Fountain Pens list update.
10.19.2022
535: A Fine Mist of Yama
It’s Horror Story season! Brad and Myke kick things off with two great stories, and an accidental third that needed to be discussed. Then, Brad breaks down his updated Top 5 Beginner Fountain Pens list.
10.12.2022
534: Every Day I Vote For Pens
We discussed the launch of the OKB48 vote last week, and this week, Brad cast his ballot. Brad then attempts to explain a traditional eyedropper mechanism to Myke, with varying levels of success.
10.05.2022
533: Emotional Support Stationery
The most important election of the year is underway, and that is the pen vote at OKB48! Brad breaks down last years list, updates his Top 5 Pen In The Store list, and digs into his first experiences with a...
09.28.2022
532: Nice Cakes
New Sailor releases! Paper discontinuations! Weird products! Planner changes! It’s an all the great things episode of The Pen Addict Podcast this week.
09.21.2022
531: Royal Pen Content
Myke is back, and boy do he and Brad have some catching up to do! From all the King’s Pens, to an oddly-placed Naruto experience, they cover it all in this week’s episode.
09.13.2022
530: Overengineered
Brad is joined this week by C.Y. from Tokyo Station Pens and the Tokyo Inklings Podcast. They met in person at the San Francisco Pen Show for the first time a few weeks ago, but it took until C.Y. returned...
09.07.2022
529: There’s No Such Thing as a Perfect Paper
There are always sacrifices when picking the perfect paper for yourself. Brad breaks down how he tests paper, what he looks for, and the pens and pencils he uses to make decisions on what’s good.
08.31.2022
528: 10:12 AM
Brad is back from the San Francisco Pen Show and has all the tales to tell.
08.24.2022
527: 1-800-FIX-NIBS
Before Brad heads to the San Francisco Pen Show, we have some important things to discuss. Mainly, Hobonichi’s plan to phase in the new Tomoe River paper in time for 2024 planners.
08.17.2022
526: All of the Fruit Combinations
Brad is on a pen show bender-when will it end? Not for several weeks, at least! Brad has signed up for classes in San Francisco, started updating his Top 5 Pens list, and rails on ink bottle design thanks to...
08.10.2022
525: Don’t Leave Me
Brad auditioned for not one, but two new jobs this week. What are they, and will he be leaving Myke in the dust? Tune in to find out!
08.03.2022
524: So?!
It’s DC Pen Show week-will you be there? Brad and Myke won’t, but that doesn’t stop Brad from being the unofficial hype man for the “Supershow.” What will you find there? Maybe some of the new products we discuss on...
07.27.2022
523: Average is Good
What is the P.A.R.? Brad breaks down the stationery grading system he shares with Pen Addict Members each week, and gives out grades for a few popular products.
07.20.2022
522: Your Pen Type
Do you have a pen type? Can you define it? Is there a single pen that encapsulates your pen type perfectly? Brad explores what he looks for when buying and selling pens in an effort to make the best decision...
07.13.2022
521: Un, Deux, Trois, Quatre, BAG
International. Paper. Standards.
07.06.2022
520: National Guacamole Day
How much Ultem is too much? We aren’t there yet, according to Brad. In fact, he wants more Ultem in his pens and pencils. He and Myke discuss that, plus and interesting Sailor North America release, National Mechanical Pencil Day,...
06.29.2022
519: We Tried Harder With This One
What is the ultimate EDC? Could it be the ULTEMate EDC? Brad and Myke discuss a new product from Tactile Turn featuring everybody’s favorite plastic alternative, a wild release from Franklin-Christoph, and Brad’s thoughts on the Kaweco Premium nib
06.16.2022
518: Just Spell it Lewis
Myke is back! Or is he? Brad talks to some person on the other end of the line about all things stationary, including Lamy making some Vista moves, skulls on a stick, and a decade of greatness that culminates in...
06.08.2022
517: Ride or Die Hobonichi
Brad is joined this week by April Wu. April, aka Penguins Creative, is an avid traveller, journaler, and stationery junkie. In short, she is one of us! She also works for DESIGNPHIL…
06.01.2022
516: A Selection of Odd Recordings
It’s #ASKTPA time! We are long overdue in answering your questions, and in typical Pen Addict fashion, didn’t get to all of them!
05.25.2022
515: Peter Piper Picked A Pen of Pepper
We didn’t simply pick one pen this episode, we picked five each. Brad and Myke updated listeners on the current Top 5 Fountain pens, and Brad went further, detailing plans for the start of his 100 pens project.
05.18.2022
514: Through the Moon
This podcast is so hot, we are going to need shades! Specifically, Kaweco branded sunglasses. We also find Cinderella’s Slipper, miss the apex on Montegrappa’s latest F1 pen, and Brad gets what he asks for in relation to the Pilot...
05.11.2022
513: What Do You Think About Nuts?
Brad and Myke talk about some of their favorite things. Orange Mark One? Check. New Sailor pens? Check. Jony Ive’s favorite pen? CHECK!

What's The Pen Addict about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Pen Addict episodes:

562: Brad Breaks Stationery

561: BAT!

560: Dear LAMY,

559: Overbooked My Brain

558: Gecko Like the Lizard

557: He's British So I Love Him

556: Pen Sommelier

555: Lamy, Call Your Boys

554: Block Signature Signature

553: Number Green

552: Where's the Margarita Version?

551: The Traditional Ball Knock

550: An Oddly Enjoyable Fountain Pen

549: Less Caps, More Clicks

548: Emergency Cufflinks

547: Peaking at Average

546: Getting Together and Doing Pen Stuff

545: Relax Better

544: Things Run Smoother On WNYC

543: Sketchnotes, Revisited

542: This Love Has Conditions

541: Holiday Gift Guide 2022

540: Just Do the Job Brad!

539: Will the GO Go Away?

538: Lukewarm Takes

537: Adjusted in the Wrong Direction

536: Strange and Cherry

535: A Fine Mist of Yama

534: Every Day I Vote For Pens

533: Emotional Support Stationery

532: Nice Cakes

531: Royal Pen Content

530: Overengineered

529: There’s No Such Thing as a Perfect Paper

528: 10:12 AM

527: 1-800-FIX-NIBS

526: All of the Fruit Combinations

525: Don’t Leave Me

524: So?!

523: Average is Good

522: Your Pen Type

521: Un, Deux, Trois, Quatre, BAG

520: National Guacamole Day

519: We Tried Harder With This One

518: Just Spell it Lewis

517: Ride or Die Hobonichi

516: A Selection of Odd Recordings

515: Peter Piper Picked A Pen of Pepper

514: Through the Moon

513: What Do You Think About Nuts?