Dear Penpal
A podcast about letter writing and penpalling, hosted by Judit and Parker. Episodes offer practical tips for finding penpals, organizing correspondence, and building lasting friendships via snail mail. The show features listener stories and conversations with penpal enthusiasts, welcoming both beginners and experienced letter writers. It aims to build a community around the joy of handwritten letters.
Episodes
Episode 36: Cottage Mail, Royal Mail Lore & Building a Snail Mail Club
This week Parker is joined by Daisy and Chloe from Country Cottage Correspondence, their very charming English cottage mail club filled with handwritten letters, original lino prints, stickers, seasonal stories, recipes and little pieces of everyday countryside life. We talk about how the club started, what they’ve learned only a few months in, and the less-romantic side of running a mail subscrip
Episode 35: Martina Calvi, the Queen of Junk Journaling 💌✂️
Episode 35: Martina Calvi, the Queen of Junk Journaling 💌✂️This week we somehow got Martina Calvi on Dear Penpal (!!), and this one is for every junk journal, stationery and snail mail girlie.Martina takes us all the way back to the journal she started at eight years old, through sharing her pages online and realizing people actually cared about this wonderfully scrappy way of saving memories. We
Episode 34: Building a Colorful Empire with Alex Mason
This week Parker is joined by Australian artist Alex Mason, whose bright, textured florals have made their way onto everything from surfboards and bedding to phone cases, stationery and swimwear. 🌸🎨Alex takes us behind the scenes of art licensing, how it works, what artists actually get paid, and why she’s now turning down licensing deals to build her own products instead. She also shares the mess
Episode 33: Birthday Hauls, Pen Show Regrets & 8 Unanswered Letters
It’s our last Parker + Judit duo episode of the year, so naturally we have a LOT to catch up on.Judit is back with a belated birthday stationery haul, a fancy new fountain pen, red shimmer ink on the way, and a casual little pile of eight penpal letters waiting for replies. Parker finally got her Martina Calvi sticker book in the mail, and we’re already plotting a Paper Source trip for the Martina
Episode 32: Shell Flower from Teenage Junk Journals to an Iconic Pouch
This week Parker is joined by Elle from Shell Flower, who originally got our attention by asking who she needed to bribe with stickers to get on the podcast, which is, frankly, the correct strategy. We talk about Elle rediscovering her teenage journals filled with candy wrappers, menus, scraps and little memories, and how that eventually helped lead her back to creating and building Shell Flower.
Episode 31: Fancy Letter Paper, Penpal Confessions & a Music Rabbit Hole
Parker is running low on letter paper, which turns into a discussion about where to buy the good stuff, and why anything monogrammed instantly feels fancier.Judit shares her latest fountain pen want, Parker has a penpal confession, and Judit updates us on messaging some ghosted penpals. We also talk about sending postcards instead of full letters sometimes, Parker’s postcard hoarding, the travelin
Episode 30: Journal the Day Away with Haeshah Davis
This week Parker is joined by Haeshah Davis of @PlanninginHD to talk about journaling without the pressure to make every page perfect.We get into journal therapy, finding a journaling style that actually works for you, fountain pens and ink obsessions, using the stationery you’ve been saving, and why so many of us are craving analog hobbies again.Haeshah also tells us how her Postcard Pal Exchange
Episode 29: How Do You Actually Make a Product? with Menmin Made
This week we’re talking with Paulina Hoong, the artist and founder behind Menmin Made, about turning creative ideas into real products.Parker is currently trying to figure out manufacturing for her sticker book, so she had LOTS of questions: How do you find a manufacturer? What happens when a sample is wrong? How much back-and-forth is normal? And what happens when an entire order goes sideways?We
Episode 28: Button Makers, Sticker Books & The Vegas Postcard Betrayal
the internet said 10,000 postcards. there were maybe twelve. 😭💌This week Parker got a button maker and has been making the most chaotic sticker and washi collage buttons, reached out to two publishers about making her own sticker book and we are manifesting a response, did her first DTIYS on her new iPad and is getting back into her creative zone, and her camera roll is basically entirely Dear Pen
Episode 27: Building Hollywood Hunnies with Paige & Millie
paige has put a hard stop on dolphin art and we respect it 🐬🚫Paige and Millie (@hollywoodhunnies) went to art school together, moved to LA together, share a junk journal, and built Hollywood Hunnies together, because you need a best friend who loves washi tape as much as you do. We talked about production design and painting and baking and buttons and sourcing sticker sheets, how LA's creative
Episode 26: Nurturing Whimsy, Film School & 1,750 Letters with Minna from Craftoholic Mail Club
she got her first 50 subscribers from fruit notepads. the rest is history. 🥹✨Minna (@meenoush_) grew up with a mom who had a craft room, went to film school, worked at a stationery store, and then started posting the notepads she was making on social media. Fifty subscribers later the Craftoholic Mail Club was born. Now she sends 1,750 letters a mailing, makes all her own rules, keeps it fresh eve
Episode 25: From Art School to Stationery Shop-Nagi Lifestyle with Vivian
three orders placed back-to-back. zero regrets. 🥹✨Vivian from Nagi Lifestyle is an art school graduate who started a stationery shop, tracking inventory by hand, moving into her first warehouse, and is about to do her first expo at the SF Pen Show. We talked about all of it including the money transparency trend in the vendor community and what nobody tells you about owning a creative business.CON
Episode 24: Stationery Regrets, Ghosted Penpals & Sticker Book Obsession
$100 on sticker books. 3D printed sparkly pen trays. hashtags are apparently dead. welcome to episode 24. 🖊️✨💌Parker 3D printed two sparkly pen trays, Judit ordered more fountain pens and signed up for a doodling with a fountain pen workshop at the SF Pen Show, Parker spent over $100 on sticker books and is now staring at a messy craft desk wondering where it all went wrong. We hit 1,000 Instagram
Episode 23: 5,500 Letters, Army Reserves & Becoming a Boss with Hannah from The Tiny Project
this one genuinely made us want to go write five thousand letters 🥹💌Hannah Gustafson (@hannah_thetinyproject) runs The Tiny Post snail mail club, 5,500 subscribers, art and junk journal workshops, a farmers market with 30 plus vendors and a neighbor house band, and she does it all while serving in the Army Reserves. We talked about building something from nothing, what it actually means to become
Episode 22: We Got Royal Mail, Juicy Pen Reviews & Parker Went to Disneyland
juicy is a fountain pen word and we are using it 🖊️👑This week listener mail, a very juicy Benu pen review, the royal family actually wrote back and we are not okay about it, and Parker came home from Disneyland with the most wonderful analog goodies. A very good episode. Very juicy.CONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcastEmail: dearpenpalpodcast@gmail.comWrite to us: PO Box 223, Benicia, CA 9
Episode 21: Tech Girlie Turned Mail Artist-Sunday Breakfast Club with Bash
she mailed 500 copies around the world from Sydney and we are obsessed 🍵💌This week we are talking with Bash from Sunday Breakfast Club (@sundaybfastclub), artist, mail club founder, craft meetup regular, and the person behind some of the most stunning themed slow morning mail we have ever seen. The matcha edition. The Italian edition. The way everything she makes feels like a warm drink and a slow
Episode 20: All Your Mail, Our Podcast Journey & What Comes Next
20 episodes. we cannot believe it either 🥹💌This week we handed the whole episode to you and your PO box letters. And since episode 20 felt like a moment worth pausing on, we also talked about what this podcast journey has actually been like, what surprised us, and our goals for the next 20 episodes. CONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcastEmail: dearpenpalpodcast@gmail.comWrite to us: 290 E L
Episode 19: Your Questions, Our Pens & A Penpal Update
you asked, we answered 🖊️💌This week we are answering your questions, giving you an update on the ever growing fountain pen situation (it has grown), and doing an honest check in on where our penpal lives are at right now. No guest this week, just us, your questions, and a lot of pen talk.CONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcastEmail: dearpenpalpodcast@gmail.comWrite to us: 290 E L St, PO Box
Episode 18: Frugal Penpal Tips From Two People Who Just Bought a Lot of Stationery
we are not the most qualified people for this. and yet. 🛍️💌This week a listener asked Parker and Judit for frugal penpal tips. This same week Parker and Judit bought a lot of stationery. We are doing it anyway. We also have an honest penpal life check in and an update on Parker reaching out to stationery brands for gifted products because transparency is important to us.CONNECT WITH US:Instagram:
Episode 17: Parker's First Fountain Pen, Decorated Journals & Launching Our Traveling Sticker Card
new era unlocked 🖊️🎨💌This week is a cozy life update episode, Judit decorated her journal and something in her has been awakened, Parker got a Paper Republic and her first fountain pen and some ink and there is no going back now. We are gushing over Martina Calvì's sticker book, launching our very first community traveling sticker card project, and reading your messages because you are all so
Episode 16: Zines, Snail Mail Clubs & Junk Journaling with Emily from Junk.This.Universe
she found us. she mailed us her zine. judit subscribed. 🥹✂️💌This week Parker and Judit are talking with Emily (@junk.this.universe), zine maker, snail mail club founder, junk journal lover, former Disney cast member, traveling journal curator, and someone who mailed over 100 letters on a Wednesday evening like it was completely normal. Her snail mail club junk.this.zine sends a different themed zi
Episode 15: Judit Has 26 Penpals, Listener Mail & A Letter from Poland
we have some things to report 👀💌This week Parker and Judit are reading your messages, sharing a truly beautiful letter that arrived at the PO box, and a penpal update from Poland, an actual art restorer, and addressing the most important news of the week which is that Judit currently has 26 active penpals. Twenty six. We talk about it.CONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcastEmail: dearpenpalp
Episode 14: Collecting Analog Treasures at Disneyland for Your Penpals & Junk Journal
We are going to Disneyland and we are doing it for the penpals & junk journals 🏰💌This week Parker and Judit break down almost everything you can collect, save, buy, and lovingly hoard at Disneyland to send to the people you love through the mail (or just keep for yourself). We are talking pressed pennies, actual mailboxes inside the park with its Disneyland postmark, park maps, food packaging
Episode 13: Mail Art & Decorating Envelopes with Paper Source Content Creator Brenna Malmberg
Your envelopes are about to get a serious upgrade ✉️🎨This week Parker and Judit are talking with Brenna Malmberg (@brennamedia) — San Diego based mail artist, Paper Source content creator, and someone who has completely transformed the way we think about envelopes. We talk about her process, her Posca pens, what it's like to create content for a brand you love, mailing things from London like
Episode 12: The Art of Slowing Down with Pressed Flower Artist Hope Steinle
This week we sat down with Hope Steinle (@hopesteinle) — pressed flower artist, founder of The Wildflower Post snail mail club, and a genuinely open guest. We talked about pressing flowers from her Kansas garden, saving color when flowers dry, her husband's handmade flower presses, the bug situation (you'll have to listen), and what it looks like to grow something beautiful slowly and on y
Episode 11: Listener Mail, Penpal Updates & Our Hot Takes
A cozy and very honest episode 💌We're reading your messages and checking in on our real life penpal situations and sharing some updates. CONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcastEmail: dearpenpalpodcast@gmail.com#DearPenpalPodcast #Penpals #SnailMail #LetterWriting #Stationery #Stickers #ListenerMail #PenpalLife #SnailMailCommunity
Episode 10: Penpal Search, Royal Mail & Postcard Stamps
400 downloads in?! We're celebrating! 🎉💌This week Parker announces the penpal starter set giveaway winner, shares a community penpal search update (the connections you've all been making are everything!), and goes down a Royal Mail rabbit hole; turns out you can write to royal families and sometimes get a letter back. Which one should we try first?Plus: fountain pens that arrived from Japa
Episode 9: Interview with Janielle from SF Junk Journal Club & PO Box Mail
Local stationery and junk journal communities are thriving! 📓✨This week we're talking with Janielle from SF Junk Journal Club (@sfjunkjournalclub) about running a local junk journal meetup, the recent SF Stationery Festival, and how in-person stationery communities are popping up everywhere!FIND SF JUNK JOURNAL CLUB:- Instagram: @sfjunkjournalclubCONNECT WITH US:- Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcast
Episode 8: Pressing Flowers for Penpals, Postcard Swaps & Our First Listener Story
Spring mail vibes! 🌸📮This week we're diving into flower pressing (how to actually pack them without breaking!), the postcard swap experience, why postcards are having a moment, Judit's fountain pen update, and we're reading our FIRST listener story!CONNECT WITH US:- Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcast- Email: dearpenpalpodcast@gmail.com- PO Box: 290 E L St, PO Box 223, Benicia, CA 94510, USA
Episode 7: Stationery Cart Chaos, Fountain Pens & The Moldy Sticker Book Story
This week we're keeping it real and having FUN! 📮Parker's stationery cart is a disaster, she might have been too sparse with penpal extras, we found some HILARIOUS Postcrossing posts, Judit wants to know if she should get a fountain pen, and we're debating vintage vs. new stationery (spoiler: Parker had a moldy sticker book experience 😱).CONNECT WITH US:- Instagram: @dearpenpalpodcast-
Episode 6: Junk Journals & Building a Creative Mail Club in Australia with Meow Mail
Today we're diving deep into junk journals, creative entrepreneurship, and running a mail club from Australia! 📮We're sitting down with Nicky from Meow Mail (@meowmail.co), a monthly junk journal magazine mail club based in Australia. We talk about her creative process (how does she come up with SO many unique page designs?!), the reality of working hours and avoiding burnout, shipping int
Episode 5: Penpal Letter Share (Parker Cried!), Our PO Box, Intro Cards & The Stamp Mystery
Fair warning: Parker definitely got emotional reading one of her penpal letters in this episode 😭💌In Episode 5, we're opening up and sharing actual letters we've received, announcing our brand new PO Box (yes, you can write to us!), breaking down penpal intro cards and surveys (do you really need one?), and trying to solve the mystery of why Judit uses 20+ stamps on her mail!Send us letter
Episode 4: Postcrossing vs Instagram Swaps & Penpal Etiquette
In this episode, we're breaking down the difference between Postcrossing (the official website system) and Instagram postcard swaps (informal community exchanges), what "proof" means in each context, and how to write postcards that aren't boring.PLUS: The real talk about penpal etiquette and how long should you wait to write back? Spoiler: it's okay to go in waves!IN THIS EPI
Episode 3: Interview with Hello From Toronto + Themed Letter Tips
Our first guest episode is here! 🎙️Meet Handan from @hello.from.Toronto — an illustrator and designer who went from advertising in Turkey to running her own mail club in Toronto. After working at Paper Place and designing for Indigo, she took the leap to build something beautiful on her own.In this episode: themed letter tips, Handan's inspiring journey, what it takes to run a mail club, and r
Episode 2: Do You Need a PO Box? Plus Our Favorite Stationery Shops
Welcome back to Dear Penpal! In Episode 2, we're diving into the practical side of penpalling: should you get a PO box, what stationery essentials do you actually need, and where can you find affordable, cute supplies?STATIONERY SHOPS & RESOURCES MENTIONED:- ZenPop - zenpop.jp - Neko Neko Post - nekonekopost.com- Fantastic Japan - fantastic-japan.com- Bungu Store - bungu.store- SugarFantas
Episode 1: Your Penpal Journey Starts Here
Welcome to Dear Penpal! In our first episode, we're covering the essentials: how to find your first penpal, create a tracking system to stay organized, and write a great first letter.Whether you're brand new to penpalling or looking to expand your circle, this episode will help you get started with confidence.RESOURCES:Penpal subscriptions & creators we love:- Neko Neko Post - nekonekopost.com- @m
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