Dear Pennies & Pallers,This week we are joined by the hilarious Andy Samberg!In our first letter, the best summer camp employee ever asks us about our preferred toilet paper orientation (over or under?).In our second letter, a Pen Pal learns that they are the great-great-grandson of a horse thief. Rory asks: is stealing a horse that bad?We also discuss: Andy getting competitive in recreational soccer, why Wood is a great name for a caddy, the fear of splash back, learning family history later in life, and Andy’s brawler grandfather swimming in the East River to blow off steam.We wish you well, sincerely,Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

Pen Pals with Daniel & Rory

RE: Toilet Paper & Horse Thieves w/ Andy Samberg

Dear Pennies & Pallers,This week we are joined by our friend (and your new Pen Pal), the hilarious Kyle Kinane!In the first letter, our Pen Pal explains that her home is haunted by the ghost of her husband’s father. She wants to know: how can you go #F2F (face-to-face) with a spirit? In this week’s second letter, our Pen Pal has landed the “job of his dreams,” but still feels like something is missing. What happens when you finally reach the goal you’ve been chasing for so long?We also discuss: Daniel walking out of The Thin Red Line, stolen bikes, ouija boards, feeling grateful, and more.We wish you well, sincerely,Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Father-in-Law Ghost & Something's Missing w/ Kyle Kinane

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Matt Walsh (Veep star! UCB co-founder! Chicago Bears superfan!). In our first letter, a Pen Pal describes losing a cousin that felt like a “cosmic twin”. We discuss the power in feeling truly connected with another person - be it a relative, friend, or stranger. Our second letter asks the question: what is your perfect day? We also discuss: Matt’s new Veep rewatch podcast: Second in Command, the Chicago Bears, Daniel’s background acting career, and a fancy dinner at the Chili’s in Encino. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Cosmic Twins & Perfect Day w/ Matt Walsh

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we are joined by Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds of The Dollop podcast for a very special LIVE Pen Pals - recorded at the High Plains Comedy Festival in Denver, Colorado!In our first letter, a Pen Pal wants to know: if you are competing against a child, should you always let the kid win?In our second letter, a Pen Pal reconnects with an ex-girlfriend, but isn’t sure how to handle things with their current partner. We also discuss: the airline industry, arm wrestling, birthday performer day rates, Mouse Man, and more. We wish you well, sincerely,Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Letting Kids Win & Emailing Ex w/ Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds

Dear Pennies & Pallers, In this week’s first letter, a Pen Pal explains their annual Ham Day tradition, a day devoted to eating ham with friends. Our Pen Pal wants to know: what time of year is best for a Ham Day? In our second letter, a Pen Pal receives the impossibly horrible news that his mother only has months left to live — and asks how to fulfill the promise he made with her to lead a joyous life. We also discuss: being sweet dumb, Uncle Mike’s conversational skills, ham flavored ice cream, avant-garde pranks, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Ham Day & A Joyous Life

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we are joined by the brilliant and hilarious Annie Weisman (creator of “Physical”). In our first letter, a Pen Pal is shushed for cussing in front of her cousin’s children and wants to know if she was really in the wrong.In our second letter, a 13 year old Pen Pal reaches out and explains his complicated feelings about growing up in the Hasidic Jewish community. We also discuss: our upcoming live show at the High Plains Comedy Festival, Eric Stoltz, how to pronounce “shush”, life in Fairfax, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Cursing Children & Religious Costumes w/ Annie Weisman

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week’s first letter kicks off a conversation about obscure sex terms - you might want to consult Urban Dictionary. Our Pen Pal wants to know: when do you ask what a new sex term means, and when do you just pretend to understand it? In our second letter, a Pen Pal asks how we respond to the all-too-familiar feeling of being let down by our heroes. We also discuss: terrible ASMR, having a #RRGT, thieves, Tiger Woods, and many, many sex terms. Send your snail mail to: C/O The Pen Pals Podcast 5419 Hollywood Blvd Ste C #121, Los Angeles, CA 90027 We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Sex Slang & Bad Heroes

Dear Pennies & Pallers, In this week’s first letter, a Pen Pal (who may or may not know our names) expresses concern for the wellbeing of our planet - and looks for any tips on how to ward off existential dread. In our second letter, we are asked if a person’s favorite television show can be a red flag. We also discuss: our new PO Box, climate change, the reality show “Alone”, and identifying with Richard Drefyuss in "Stand by Me". Send your snail mail to: C/O The Pen Pals Podcast 5419 Hollywood Blvd Ste C #121, Los Angeles, CA 90027 We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

​​RE: Existential Dread & Deadliest Catch

Dear Pennies & Pallers, Pete Holmes joins us this week to discuss soccer goalies, deviled eggs, codependency, eating penguins, and more! In this week’s first letter, our Pen Pal learns that her grandfather is back in the dating game, and explains her mixed feelings about the situation. In our second letter, we are asked to name our favorite drinks (and the perfect number of beverages to stop at). We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Grandpa’s Romance & Go-To Drinks - with Pete Holmes

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our good friend (and Pen Pal) Ryan Sickler!In our first letter, one Pen Pal makes a convincing case for non-traditional sleeping arrangements. This week's second letter forces us to debate whether or not we could medal in Olympic curling.We also discuss: The HoneyDew podcast, reverse crying, the power of training, and going to concerts alone. We wish you well, sincerely,Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Separate Beds & Olympic Medals - with Ryan Sickler

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week, we learn how bargain hunting saved a woman from one of the most famous tragedies of all time. In our second letter, we hear from a Pen Pal who went through hell, and attempt to unravel the letter’s tangled web of relationships. We also discuss: the Titanic soundtrack, self growth, the delicious basil from Rochelle, and what we call asterisks. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Family Legends & Former Friends

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week’s first letter attempts to prove the existence of supernatural squirrels. In our second letter, our Pen Pal/certified cool teacher Ethan shares some of his favorite riddles. Plus we talk: the Cracker Barrel peg game, the joys of being gullible, and trying to be the first podcast in space. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Animal Magic & Brain Teasers

Dear Pennies & Pallers, The amazing Casey Wilson (Black Monday, Happy Endings) joins us for our first full episode as part of the Team Coco network! In this week’s first letter, we hear about a fling that may have moved a little too fast. In our second letter, we hear from a friend of the show struggling with depression amid changing life circumstances. Plus we discuss: meatball subs, green flags, and Casey’s fantastic new book. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Balcony Kisses & Getting Older - with Casey Wilson

Dear Pennies & Pallers, We’re back with another mini-episode! Stay tuned - our first full-length episode with Team Coco drops July 28th. Today we hear from a Pen Pal with some controversial French fry opinions. We discuss the hierarchy of fast food fries, the wide selection at Spencer’s Gifts, and the danger of pogo sticks. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Favorite Fries

Dear Pennies & Pallers, We’ve got another mini-episode for you! Our first full-length episode with the Team Coco network is on July 28th, but until then, we hope you enjoy these teasers. Today we hear from a Paller who experienced a series of tragic losses. We discuss the unparalleled love of a good dog, the awkwardness of flight sobbing, and why we don’t like the word “bologna.” We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

RE: Canine Condolences & Vacation Mourning

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.