The JV Club with Janet Varney

Janet Varney shares an important announcement about the JV Club

Transcribed - Published: 13 February 2025

Recorded in a cozy hotel room at SF Sketchfest, Janet and Janeane Garofalo sit wedged between the wall and the bed, following whatever tangent might present itself. Does Janet get left in the dust in matters intellectual, political and otherwise? Sure. Is that okay? It’s going to have to be, because Janeane is smart, fast, and fantastic.

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2025

Longtime JV pal Tony Hale ("Veep”) relives the fond and not-so-fond memories of his youth... but for goodness’ sake DO NOT ASK HIM ABOUT ANYTHING pre-7th grade! Plus: Asthma, cigarettes, and unfortunately artfully dodging being the artful dodger.

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

Hear her on The JV Club before she rises to the top of the arm-wrestling world! It’s Edi Patterson (The Groundlings), who bonds with Janet over the appeal of the celluloid “horndog,” pygmy unicorns, and being the good girl.

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2025

Whether you’re camping for a music festival in Florida or hitting a warehouse party in New York, this week’s guest Star Stone has some valuable advice about what to eat, and what questions to ask before you do!

Transcribed - Published: 16 January 2025

Whether you’re in Birkenstocks or combat boots or some other fine shoe, traipse on into this conversation with author/illustrator MariNaomi (“I Thought You Loved Me”) for a pre-2025 chat about Marin County, edgy high school subway-related plays, and even a side helping of Tupac!

Transcribed - Published: 9 January 2025

It’s delight and joy personified with Boy of Summer Jon Heder, whose dedication and generosity as an Eagle Scout extended all the way to trying to fix Janet’s broken computer a few weeks ago. Find out how he and his twin brother Dan spent their teen years in Oregon, Jon’s mission in Japan, and then find out which imaginary creature his M.A.S.H. future holds!

Transcribed - Published: 2 January 2025

Janet accuses guest Leslie Bibb (Iron Man) of having a Harper Lee novel-worthy childhood in Episode 41, amidst a pow-wow covering the dangers of altruism, being fearless in your fashion statements, and standing on the balls of your feet.

Transcribed - Published: 26 December 2024

You don’t need to take 3 buses to visit this chat with JV and the magnificent Dr. Jon Paul (BFF: Black, Fat, Femme pod), who brings their warmth, insight and humor to this week’s episode!

Transcribed - Published: 19 December 2024

Get ready for an incredibly intimidating and bitter rivalry this week. But— it’s not between JV and the fantastic Kelly McCaughan (Catholic Guilt)— it’s a long-held feud between Kelly’s high school and another which shall not be named. So grab a fistful of triple creme brie and let’s GO!

Transcribed - Published: 12 December 2024

It’s a mother and daughter reunion this week, at least when it comes to “The Legend of Korra!” JV is joined by her fabulous co-star Alex McKenna ("Red Dead Redemption 2") who voiced Senna, Korra’s mom!

Transcribed - Published: 5 December 2024

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the U.S.! And what better way to celebrate gratitude and family than this chat with Maggie Robertson?

Transcribed - Published: 28 November 2024

Get ready for a San Francisco-style hair-buzzing with one of the shining stars of You’re the Worst, Aya Cash, as we dash from Buddhism to dental care jewelry (yep) to the startling discovery of youth that not every citizen is a Bay Area liberal

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2024

Step into our lovely world of comedy, horror, and goth gorgeousness with this week’s guest, Morgana Ignis (Hazbin Hotel)! From carefully planned bus routes to skateboards that chew off your boot heels, this episode is all about journeys… in all kinds of forms! So smash that burger, fold that slice, and let’s roll!

Transcribed - Published: 14 November 2024

We’re off to Iowa with this week’s hilarious guest, Rebecca Hanson (Mystery Science Theatre 3000)! Is it our own tiny, fun version of the Iowa caucuses? Not really! Do JV and Rebecca get a bit state-of-the-union about it all? It’s the right week for it! So grab that weird-textured sushi and pull up a beanbag!

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2024

You’ve heard our Tegan & Sara and Juliet Landau episodes, now meet the woman who helped make them happen! It’s filmmaker Chen Drachman (But I’m a Shoe)

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2024

Grab your passport and get ready to dazzle French crowds with your voice, just as this week’s guest, Ethio-Jazz Singer-Songwriter Meklit Hadero did!

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2024

Janet Varney has a new podcast with John Hodgman! Every episode they'll showcase a new state and explore its iconography-- especially it's often complicated, pretentious and latin motto.

Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2024

Are you there God? It’s our guest, Jen Kober! Take a saunter from the bayous of Louisiana and end up with Cirque du Soleil— yes, Cirque de Soleil!! — with this charismatic and hilarious comedian. (No wonder she won all those student council elections!)

Transcribed - Published: 10 October 2024

This week we’re very excited to take you to the island of Mauritius, where LAZOU (Nuances podcast) spent her teenage years! So fill a bowl with mouth-watering lychees, throw on a lab coat, and get ready for a thoughtful, fun, and yes, we’ll say it— nuanced conversation with LAZOU!

Transcribed - Published: 3 October 2024

Hearken back to a time when you were expected to know your athlete bf’s bench press number with the fantastic Stephanie Kerbis (tons of stuff including the show she did with JV, Your Daily Horoscope), who’s ready for the best kind of street pizza— and knows there’s a musical out there for everyone!

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2024

Polish up on your Russian with the amazing Sarah Natochenny (Pokemon), who joins JV for an IN-PERSON chat (Y’all, it’s been awhile!) touching on the caché of being a freshman singing with the seniors, Broadway taking a backseat to voiceover and a whole career in editing, and much more! So grab some cheesy balls and let’s do this!

Transcribed - Published: 19 September 2024

Settle into this conversation with the ever-well-spoken and delightful Boy of Summer James Urbaniak (The Venture Bros.) who will emphatically set the record straight about his high school dating life! So grab that bag of potato chips and let’s dig in!

Transcribed - Published: 12 September 2024

You don’t have to have your pilot’s license to fly high into this conversation with JV and Boy of Summer Rob Huebel (Childrens Hospital), who talks NYC improv, poltergeists, and the awkwardness of puppet bath time. So slick that hair back and throw those Wayfarers on!

Transcribed - Published: 5 September 2024

You don’t have to have your pilot’s license to fly high into this conversation with JV and Boy of Summer Rob Huebel (Childrens Hospital), who talks NYC improv, poltergeists, and the awkwardness of puppet bath time. So slick that hair back and throw those Wayfarers on!

Transcribed - Published: 5 September 2024

It’s the legendary Jenette Goldstein (Aliens, Titanic, T2) who graces us with her presence on this week’s ep! From doing theatre at the storied Beverly Hills High, to a move to England that changed everything, to her current amazing and delightful creations (where the alphabet starts at “D!”), Jenette might just be the humblest icon around!

Transcribed - Published: 29 August 2024

Boys of Summer 2016 hums along with considerably more relaxed ease than you’d feel if you had to drive a double-decker, British-steering-wheel-on-the-right-side bus through Savannah with Clint Eastwood counting on you. Luckily if you’re Gary Anthony Williams (The Boondocks, Rick & Morty), you navigate everything with grace, humor, and killer improv chops.

Transcribed - Published: 22 August 2024

Tune up your singing voice— or at least your talk-singing voice for this delightful conversation with Boy of Summer Jim O’Heir (Parks and Rec), who has surprised his teen-era friends by becoming an actor, so don’t expect any 16-year-old Jims playing Harold Hill. But there’s still time! For now, grab some Spanish croquettes and listen in!

Transcribed - Published: 15 August 2024

It’s our great honor to welcome one of the most unique Wicked Witches in the history of Oz! It’s the great Michael Hitchcock (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), who defiantly takes us from Ohio and springs us into Illinois (these puns will make more sense after you listen, but they probably won’t be any funnier). This episode is an instant Boys of Summer Classic!

Transcribed - Published: 8 August 2024

Saddle up for an early ride on the internet — OG Pokemon fans, anyone? — with our delightful Boy of Summer Ryan Copple (Voyage To The Stars), who also takes us on a catfishing journey with a moral at the end, and so much more. So dive into that ramen, and let’s umami!

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2024

Get ready to see and be seen at a cool kids PL near you (c’mon- surely you know “PL” stands for “parking lot!”) with this week’s Boy of Summer, Adam Macias (That Was Wild), who takes us to the suburbs of Sacramento for teen bands, local acronyms, and dollar scoops!

Transcribed - Published: 25 July 2024

Move over, Gilbert and Sullivan: it’s Malina and Varney! This week JV sits down with the great Joshua Malina (Scandal, The West Wing) to yak about theatre, summer camp, and pranks, pranks, pranks! So do NOT get on that rocket ship thinking you’re about to receive an award!

Transcribed - Published: 18 July 2024

It’s an episode long overdue… with Boy of Summer and producer/host/Max Fun co-owner Julian Burrell! So put on your feathered hat, grab your leather pouch, and head the Ren Faire in the hot Corona sun! Those turkey legs aren’t going to eat themselves...

Transcribed - Published: 11 July 2024

His name is Greg Levine, he’s a Boy of Summer, he’s got a fantastic podcast of his own (Parks and Recollection) recalling episodes and hijnx working as a writer on Parks and Rec, and he’s (as evidenced in his teen pic) super! So grab a sleeve of Double Stufs and get in here!

Transcribed - Published: 4 July 2024

His name is Greg Levine, he’s a Boy of Summer, he’s got a fantastic podcast of his own (Parks and Recollection) recalling episodes and hijnx working as a writer on Parks and Rec, and he’s (as evidenced in his teen pic) super! So grab a sleeve of Double Stufs and get in here!

Transcribed - Published: 4 July 2024

Prepare to be dazzled by this fabulous *QUEEN* of Summer! JV welcomes the truly wonderful Robin Fierce (RuPaul’s Drag Race) for this inspiring conversation covering family, fashion, compassion, and passion, to name but a few! So comb that fabulous mane and let’s GO, ThunderCats!

Transcribed - Published: 27 June 2024

It’s your Boy of Summer, comedian and pal Josh Gondelman! From high school halls in Massachusetts to comedy clubs in Boston at a fresh-faced nineteen, we defy you not to fall in love (or a little bit more in love) with this delightful human being! So grab your summery iced coffee and a great croissant, and dig in!

Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2024

It’s your Boy of Summer, comedian and pal Josh Gondelman! From high school halls in Massachusetts to comedy clubs in Boston at a fresh-faced nineteen, we defy you not to fall in love (or a little bit more in love) with this delightful human being! So grab your summery iced coffee and a great croissant, and dig in!

Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2024

There are so many reasons to listen to the delightful Ruth Gamble (Hobo Code), including stories of singing for non-singers, tackling people-pleasing, and the sublime person that is Bill Pullman (who happens to be featured in Ruth’s new project!). So lean into the perfect smell of rain and dig into that lasagna!

Transcribed - Published: 13 June 2024

Hey! Stop copying your friend's math homework and grab a slice for this chat with comedian Rachel Feinstein (Catch her special "Big Guy" on Netflix now!), who takes you from the suburbs of Maryland to the streets of NYC, possibly in a poodle skirt. Now if we can just find all of those special guests we promised Rachel...

Transcribed - Published: 6 June 2024

Head down from Queens to catch a Broadway show with teen-era Gillian Pensavalle (The Hamilcast, TCO), where the Rockette *might* even wink at you!

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2024

Unwrap that See’s Candy and get ready to savor the deliciousness of this conversation with Juliet Landau (The film A Place Among The Dead; Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe including Audibles: "Slayers: a Buffyverse Story").

Transcribed - Published: 23 May 2024

Please bid a warm welcome to the fantastic Rebecca Delgado Smith (From the podcast "The Alarmist"), for this chat that takes you to Puerto Rico, Florida, Donner Pass, and even aboard the luxurious but ill-fated ocean liner of legend, all with a healthy dose of school (theatrical) spirit!

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2024

Come listen to this hug of a conversation with the darling and wildly talented Daphne Overbeck, who talks family, self-discovery, compassion and art… all the while being simply hilarious and inclusive! So go ahead, sink into that tiramisu!

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2024

Do not hesitate to jump into this listen with human delight comedian Ellie Hino (Soft Bones), who helps JV fully comprehend the world of water parks in the Wisconsin Dells, plus lots of teen-times overlap between these new fast friends. Oh, and Ellie is just the right amount of flamboyant (see episode for details)!!

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2024

Attention all Punk Rock Girls and Dead Milkmen (youngsters— it’s a band)! Settle in with the fantastic author and podcaster Mur Lafferty (Chaos Terminal, I Should Be Writing) for a chat with JV covering sci-fi storytelling, zero dating, and the icing-est part of a cake!

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2024

Grab your best bean pie and your Giggle Gloss for this chat with the supremely delightful Dulcé Sloan (Hello Friends! Stories of Dating, Destiny and Day Jobs), who talks teen times in the Atlanta area and gives some tantalizing tidbits around her brand new book, plus some SUPERB M.A.S.H. action!

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2024

Author, teacher, and longtime listener Katherine Finstuen (author of the book Dearly Befuddled) hops on podcast this week to talk “useless” degrees (no such thing!), peddling ice cream, and reading, reading, reading! Plus: a delightful hippo blast from the past!

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2024

Grab your favorite potion and pull up a broomstick with soul sisters Lane Moore (author of the book You Will Find Your People) & JV as they get Practical with their Magic!

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2024

This romp of an episode brings you the out-and-out awesome Biz Ellis, from the beloved Max Fun One Bad Mother pod! So get ready for a high school the size of a small metropolis, an utter lack of dating, and our second week of the crucial and delightful Max Fun Drive!

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2024