The JV Club with Janet Varney

This podcast is made possible by the generous contributions of our MaxFun Members! As part of the #MaxFunDrive, you can join the community for as little as $5 a month to ensure that The JV Club with Janet Varney continues. Plus, you'll learn all sorts of great gifts, including special bonus episodes of this podcast and many more. For more information and to sign up, go to Maximumfun.org/joinIt’s the final week of #MaxFunDrive, and we’re celebrating with the one and only Rabia Chaudry!! As millions of folks know, Rabia brought the case of Adnan Syed to Sarah Koenig, leading to the Serial podcast. In the years since, Rabia has essentially become JV’s hero, and having her on The JV Club is truly a dream come true. So order up some New York-style pizza, show some love to a tree, and support The JV Club as a Maximum Fun Member!

Let’s kickoff #MaxFunDrive with a no-brainer crossover with the marvelous Moujan Zolfaghari (Mission to Zyxx)! JV and Moujan are back in the podcastin’ saddle after a data-corrupted attempt in 2021. They’re yakking about cats and dogs! About X Files! About Portugal! It’s all waiting for you in this glorious episode!This episode is part of the annual #MaxFunDrive, a celebration of our beloved MaxFun Members. To find out how you can directly support The JV Club with contributions starting at $5 a month (and earn great gifts in the process!) go to Maximumfun.org/join

We’re throwing extracurricular activities into hyperdrive for this chat with the super cool Ali Griffin Vingiano (Apple TV’s The Morning Show), who celebrates the gorgeous hot mess of a teenage bedroom with JV, as the two trade stories about how they littered their walls with their dreams and crushes. Plus! Evviva for Ali's Italy-heavy M.A.S.H.!Music from this show's promo provided by Incompetech.

This week brings you the multifaceted gem that is rapper/singer/writer Dessa, who by the way also happens to host the great podcast Deeply Human! From seasick-stage-surfing to teenage-mood-surfing to creative-outlet-surfing, Dessa brings frank introspection, wisdom and humor to this convo, just as she does in her work… and manages to get some herstorical tidbits out of JV in the process!

Get that cold pizza out of the fridge and keep your hands off Milton’s stapler for this podtacular evidence of the awesomeness of Kelly Landry (@kellylandrylive), with whom JV worked on one of her fave cartoons through 2020 - quarantine-style! Hear about Kelly’s teen-in-rural-Maine adventures between JV and KL telling each other how delightful they are. That’s friendship, baby!

This just in: Bridget Todd is wonderful! Revel in this uplifting chat including academia vs. “real life” joys and experiences, the good in lifting each other up, and the sublime coolness of Downtown Julie Brown! Check out Bridget’s There Are No Girls on the Internet while you’re at it!

This week JV welcomes the extremely cool Rebekah Sebastian, who, in an episode recorded before JV left town, preempted the latest legislative convo about time zones with her very own M.A.S.H. game! She also digs into the dichotomies and attractions of high school, criminology, and Shame & Spirituality!

The JV Club celebrated its 10th anniversary aboard the JoCo Cruise ship last week, with very special guests Aimee Mann and Shalewa Sharpe! Featuring music by the delightful Jim Boggia. Hear Jim’s fantastic cover of “Back Before We Were Brittle” and another M.A.S.H.-related gem; learn about Shalewa’s love of a certain off-brand Mtv local channel, and Aimee’s impressive work as a sizemologist. Happy Birthday, JV Club!

The podcast’s first listener-generated interview! You asked (most) of the questions, and Jen Kirkman was up for the task. Find out what she and Janet have to say about Judy Blume, making out in basements, ironic greeting cards and more in Episode 10 of The JV Club.

One of the most perfectly-suited guests for The JV Club maybe ever! JV welcomes writer and performer Laura Leigh Abby, whose podcast "Seventeen" is a conversation with her teenage self, with diary entries from her teenage years read by Leia Immanuel. Listen in to this episode for a fantastic peek at the kinds of stuff she explores in her own show, a killer M.A.S.H. game, and some love aimed at The Boss.

Creator and Founder of the famed live alt-comedy LA-based show The Uncabaret, Beth Lapides, joins JV this week to talk about her brand new star-filled audiobook, So You Need to Decide and much more! Such as: breaking comedy conventions and glass ceilings, the perfect Cobb salad, and the yet more perfect sex appeal of Mulder and Scully!

Sit in on this chuckle-filled, giggle-infused, laughter-packed episode with the utterly magnificent Georgia King (“Vice Principals”), who patiently discusses with JV what makes a British accent “posh,” and plenty of other things that are far more worth discussing, including the gals bonding over many a gangly-and-bumbling-tall-blonde-kid memory, the glory of tap-dancing, and her upcoming podcast!

JV is thrilled to chat with the wonderful Halle Stanford, who’s living what many of us could consider a dream job: as President of Television at The Jim Henson Company! Hear about Halle’s proud nerdy beginnings in San Diego, including a very memorable and thoroughly delightful tale of her stint as the school mascot. And listen in on a conversation about how to keep evolving and growing stories for kids in a swiftly-changing world! All this and much more in this must-listen!

Why not treat yourself to the human joy that is Hey Riddle Riddle’s Erin Keif? If you don’t yet know this hilarious, kind, incredibly talented improviser and actor, you should! Find out about her teenventures, her dear friend Wizzie, and her brand-new podcast. Plus! You’ll have the chance to ask yourself… what would be in YOUR library of magical objects?

Unbox your 18th century-era pink powdered wig and throw on your ripped collarless Flashdance sweatshirt for this time-bending chat with the sublime Sarah Marshall (You Are Good, You’re Wrong About pods), who delivers her signature thoughtfulness and wit as she and JV talk Oregon, Max Headroom (!), and solving a centuries-old mystery!

It’s Jennie Kwan (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”)! This week, Jennie and JV dig into Jennie’s teenage years in the LA area (& their mutual obsession with the history of LA overall), the “runner’s high,” and the Titanic... without so much of the sinking part. If you’re an ATLA fan and you loved hearing from Jennie Kwan (“Suki”) on the Braving the Elements pod, get ready for this embarrassment of riches!

This week JV is joined by Dani Green, a member of the fantastic Nashville-based band, Birdtalker! Among many things, Dani chats about the communal, emotional benefits of live music in a time when that’s been challenging. And she and JV celebrate certain of life’s delights, including the mighty avocado, the movie Willow, and the marvelous Dev Patel!

No better way to start the New Year off right than with the simply dynamite Bonnie Gordon (Star Trek: Prodigy)! JV and Bonnie do some serious bonding over the joy and anxiety of escape rooms, as well as a little something we all know as “imposter syndrome!” Plus! Bonnie's Peter Pan crush, the adventure of growing up in the bayou, and a M.A.S.H.-generated apartment building of misfit geniuses!

From the recent live show at LA Podfest, Janet is joined by a couple of great beards and the wonderful men sporting them: Charles “Chuck” Bryant (Stuff You Should Know) and Timothy Omundson (Galavant, Psych), and one spectacular woman who happens to ALSO look great with a beard: Natalie Morales (Parks and Rec). Settle in and nibble on your candy necklace for an hour of stories and songs!This episode was originally published in 2016

Put on your 70’s platform shoes! And then take them right back off again because those things are PAINFUL! From the ‘burbs of New Jersey to the busy streets of New York City, it’s the most wonderful P.J. Byrne (“The Legend of Korra,” “Big Little Lies”), who talks Bolin, voting, and so much more!

What a vibrant, funny, unique and awesome person to have in your ears! It’s Jordan Crucchiola, who peps JV up with talk about her many cool podcasts, including Maximum Fun’s very own “Feeling Seen,” along with tales of all the different kinds of relationships - and different types of intimacy - we can have with the people we care about. Plus! Bake those tomatoes! Wonder at those years! Saus that Lito!

It’s summer in December with this week’s dynamic guest, Australian TV host, producer and book author Serena DC (“Hollywood Disclosure”), who talks highs, rock bottoms, and living life between and beyond the peaks and valleys. Plus! Serena takes credit for the invention of cheese (that’s the beauty of M.A.S.H.)!

It’s the wonderful Lexie Henning (Ancient Office Hours podcast) this week on the JV Club, bringing with her some really nuanced, really great conversation and thoughts about her own family history and her passion for Ancient Worlds! So get ready to bend some elements and travel into the past, friends!

Breakdance your way through Episode 157 with one of the busiest and coolest guys around, Dante Basco (Hook, Avatar: The Last Airbender), who reminds us that family, curiosity, and the occasional all-night conversation with friends can yield rich rewards. And find out what it means to “know what you know” (then you’ll know)! This episode was originally published on June 4th 2017

This week we welcome the hilarious, bold, candid and great Fielding Edlow (“Bojack Horseman”), who digs deep into the Whit Stillman-y world of upwardly mobile teens on the island of Manhattan, and marital public honesty in the form of “Bitter Homes and Gardens.” PLUS! BONUS! Hear the Podsongs tune written by Frances Luke Accord inspired by their conversation with JV!

Look out, Lizzy Bennet! The terrific Stephanie Katherine Grant (“The Goldbergs”) is headed your way, and she may just sweep up Darcy in the process! Enjoy this delightful conversation about the reverse storytelling of documentary filmmaking, the business of family, and the temptation of Southern-cooked ribs.

Welcome in the marvelous Merk Nguyen (Ooh You're in Trouble)who chats with JV about the wilds of Washington, the hijinx of Hotel Transylvania, and the dynamic dreaminess of Dragon World, and much more, of course!

Cat Baab-Muguira and JV discuss the high of obsession as a teen when you find an artist (musician, writer, etc!) whose work changes your life… and how that can happen as a depressed adult! Case in point: Cat’s fantastic new book, Poe For Your Problems!

It’s the much-loved-on-Max-Fun-Podcasts comedian Maeve Higgins! The perfect way to celebrate the 2nd week of the Max Fun Block Party — and the release of Season 2 of the delightful series Dinette (watch now!)? Surely. And if you don’t enjoy this episode, which includes peanut butter cakes and New Zealand getaways, you can always email Maeve and JV at "janet@club."

It's a Block Party! Hosts James Arthur from Minority Korner, Renee Colvert Host of Can I Pet Your Dog? and Janet Varney Host of The JV Club Podcast celebrate The Max Fun Block party with a Spooktacular BBQ! They may have misunderstood the assignment but will leave you feeling full on things we’re ready to dish! We answer burning questions like Why is Janet wearing fangs?Is Dean Cain a liberal? Is this gluten free? Listen now wherever you podcast! Check out Can I pet your Dog, Minority Korner and The JV club all on Max fun! You can also watch this podcast on YouTube to see Janet's sweet sweet drac fangs!

It’s Maximum Fun’s Block Party Week, y’all! Listen in as JV continues her quest to complete her "Crimewriters On Collection” with the delightful Lara Bricker, who in addition to co-hosting one of JV’s favorite podcasts, is also celebrating the release of her first cozy mystery novel, “Dead on Deadline!” So crank up the generator and put the horses back in the stable to give your full attention to this East Coast deep dive!

This week, JV catches up with her “Legend of Korra” castmate, Darcy Rose Byrnes (“Ikki”), and the conversation ping-pongs delightfully from Shakespeare to soap operas and from Dorothy Parker to The Doctor, showing off this multi-threat’s many passions and gifts!

This week’s episode welcomes the inspiring comedian and entrepreneur Natasha Pearl Hansen (www.nphcomedy.com) who amps JV up about endings and beginnings, creating, building, and not being afraid to ask questions! Plus: A healthy dose of habanero hummus, The Sweetest Thing, and oh, those adorable Backstreet Boys.

ATTN! If you’re reading this or listening to our ep with powerhouse Lizz Winstead (co-creator of The Daily Show & much more!) THURSDAY, SEPT. 23rd, you can still watch “Do Re #MeToo” TONIGHT! And in this ep, Lizz & JV talk Minneapolis, piano bars, reproductive rights, and heaps more!

Our return from Boys of Summer brings us the comedy legend and powerhouse Paula Poundstone! Listen in on some pretty incredible stories about other luminaries, marvel in the living delight that is Julie Andrews, and learn about a really surprising (and not recommended) way to get some sleep on the road!

Our final Boy of Summer is author/musician/actor Zach Selwyn (Zachariah & The Lobos Riders) also happens to be JV’s prom date and her first… well, you’ll just have to listen to the episode! Dance your way through Bar Mitzvah “fasties,” Dire Straits ballads, summer camp cults and more in this very special episode!

This episode was originally published in 2017Military-schooled Steve Agee (The Sarah Silverman Program) is the guest for the premiere of the “Boys of Summer” series on The JV Club! Tools you may find useful: rock-climbing gear, headphones, a Trans-Am and a bottle of Boone’s.

This week JV catches up with her old pal, the very busy and very wonderful Randall Park (“Wandavision," "Fresh Off The Boat”)! This delightful and humble Boy of Summer contemplates shyness, celebrates a certain special television neighborhood, and reveals his penchant for a hair trim and pleasant conversation.

Be completely delighted by Boy of Summer, Comedian Gastor Almonte (Immigrant Made), who will make you hungry for amazing Brooklyn bodega sandwiches, friendly Nashville bars, and more great conversations with Gastor like this one. Now go fix that boiler!

It’s Boy of Summer Jack De Sena! Known by many of you as “Sokka” from Avatar: The Last Airbender! Having recently had Jack on an episode of her podcast Braving The Elements, JV dives deeper into Jack’s teen years, from his success at completely avoiding arson (no firebending here!) to the “summer camp” of All That. And! Find out which animal genetics Jack would most like to add to his everyday life!

This week JV gets to sit down (Zoomily speaking) with her major talent and friendship crush, Mike Geier, a person we will call the… Consiglieri… of Puddles the Clown. From the creative vein flowing through Richmond to the pronunciation of certain spanakopitas, Mike’s soothing baritone alone will soothe your soul, while this Boy of Summer's humor and humility will inspire you to go for it! Whatever “it” is for you!

The delightful Séan Devlin brings his Boy-of-Summerness to the JV Club with thrills (Fangs!), chills (Muggings!), and spills (Street Luging!). Plus: An Anna Cox episode flashback — to the town of Guelph, Ontario, y’all!

This week’s Boy of Summer and prolific podcaster Dan Cummins ("Timesuck," "Scared to Death," "Is We Dumb?") digs into the maze of awkward social etiquettes with customer service folks, neighbors, and cops, along with jawing with JV about getting some final answers to some lingering much-debated mysteries!

The sublime Jarrett Hill (FANTI podcast) is our latest Boy of Summer, and with him comes further tales of Fairfield, CA (no cow-tipping here!) the glorious mystique of Prince, the importance of reflection and analysis, and N-A-C-H-O-S!

Another information-rich episode of the podcast as Boys of Summer continues with wrestler/author/podcaster Colt Cabana (Wrestling Anonymous), who turns the jock stereotype inside out, takes JV on a magical journey to the rainbow’s end, and goes totally Over the Top.

I mean, it’s Chris Gethard, y’all! This Jersey-proud, deeply funny and deeply honest Boy of Summer talks high school, hot dogs, highs and lows, and so much more in this glorious episode.

Podcast Crossover! JV has one of the hosts from one of her own fave podcasts, Crimewriters On! It’s author/journalist/umpire (& past guest Rebecca Lavoie’s true love) Kevin Flynn! Like a sundae from Friendly’s, this Boy of Summer ep is , has a lot going on, is full of sweet bits, and, of course, refreshing on a summer’s day.

It’s no surprise that this episode with Boy of Summer and Minority Korner (Max Fun’s own!) James Arthur M. is a love-fest (BTW, Happy Pride Month, friends!), but also a laugh-fest and a gab-fest. From Reese in “Election” to Tyra’s smize, there’s plenty to dig into and savor like a gorgeous piece of cake.

This week Boy of Summer and fellow only child Brandon Collins (Drunk Black History) takes JV from high school nautical arts to the fine streets of Manhattan and beyond, inspiring and delighting along the way!

Our first official Boy of Summer is JV’s wonderful and dear lifelong (from 4th grade onward!) friend, author Torran Anderson (His book Piñata Moon is available now!). Hear about the amazing work Torran is doing in partnership with the Navajo nation, and of course, memories that Torran and JV share from their own teen years in Tucson, AZ!