The JV Club with Janet Varney

Janet and guest Carly Craig (Role Models) share a metaphorical school locker together and fill it with a conversation about the companionship of volleyball and the isolation of swimming (echoing Mary Lynn Rajskub's ep!), the liberation of writing your own material, and yes, the benefits of cooking with grapeseed oil.

Direct download: JVC42_Carly_Craig.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:52am PDT

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

Direct download: JVC41_Leslie_Bibb.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

If a low-key conversational podcast episode can be described as zany and madcap, this might be that episode. Which is just a nice way of describing an oft-interrupted Episode 40 with the disarming, adorable Vanessa Ragland (Pop My Culture podcast), who takes it all in stride with Janet as they romp through a discussion about being the happy weird kid, ill-timed bathroom breaks and oh-so-much-more.

Direct download: JVC40_Vanessa_Ragland.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Guest Janie Haddad Tompkins (Janie and Aaron Does Hollywood) and Janet delve into a cornucopia of topics including  the fear of inappropriate earthquake attire, the extremely specific cache' of growing up on a small island in the 80's, and boys, boys boys.

Direct download: JVC39_Janie_Haddad_Tompkins.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Writer and comedian Tess Rafferty (The Soup) joins Janet to debate the pros and cons of Barbie dolls, the pressure of "The Five Year Plan," the delights of a good table setting, and how to reconnect with the art of your art.

Direct download: JVC38_Tess_Rafferty.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:45am PDT

It's a long one! The longest yet! Alison Rosen (Alison Rosen is Your New Best Friend, The Adam Corolla Show) lounges on the rug with Janet to give you an earful of wonderings about the parallel between old-school modems and human emotions, how it feels when your pediatrician recommends you go to a fat camp, and making friends with uncertainty.

Direct download: JVC37_Alison_Rosen.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

The charming Kathleen Rose Perkins (Episodes) recounts the joys and challenges of being a certified bird-owner, being heard in a family of boys, and what we're really doing when we're eating eggs. Want more? Find out where Kathleen's future home is, courtesy another glorious game of M.A.S.H.!

Direct download: JVC36_Kathleen_Rose_Perkins.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

It's a trip around the world with Episode 35's guest Amy Acker (Person of Interest, Angel) -- or at least a trip around Dallas, Japan, and pumpkin festivals, with a little high school drill team, country western dancing, and a horrible arachnid encounter thrown in for good measure. Plus a return to the classic, irrefutable fortune-telling game, M.A.S.H.!

Direct download: JVC35_Amy_Acker.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Janet and guest and friend Stephanie Escajeda ramble down memory lane, stopping to reflect on the joys of Mexican holidays, shooting hoops with your brothers (all nine of them!), dating your local version of Johnny Depp (complete with the heartbreak that follows), and the level of nerdiness it takes to have a life-size poster of Albert Einstein on your wall.

Direct download: JVC34_Stephanie_Escajeda.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Episode 33 was recorded live at the LA Podcast Festival on Saturday, October 13th and features the ridiculously cool Lizzy Caplan and the insanely talented Priscilla Ahn. You can expect references to nerdy apocalypse movies, boobs, and some surprising fantasy career choices (thanks to Lizzy). You can also expect gorgeous songs courtesy of Priscilla Ahn.

Direct download: JVC33_Live_at_LA_Podfest_with_Lizzy_Caplan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

This episode of the JV Club was recorded in 2011 and features the stunningly awesome Tig Notaro... as she and Janet deconstruct the intense appeal of Chrissie Hynde, taking the road (or roads) less traveled to find your individual success, and the peculiar & delightful fate of her GED.

Direct download: JVC32_Tig_Notaro.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Tensions are high as the final two contestants of Burning Love (Janet and Abigail Spencer) face off to discuss counterculture of surfing, discovering Barbra Streisand, the rush of a flea market find, and the emotional magnetism of the City of Angels.

Direct download: JVC31_Abigail_Spencer.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Zut Alors! It's the merveilleuse Montreal-born Jennifer Finnigan (Better With You) joining Janet to celebrate the thrill of a good scary movie, the magic of a potluck, and how a little girl who wanted to be a nun ended up winning three daytime Emmys.

Direct download: JVC30_Jennifer_Finnigan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Think an episode with a scientist will be all about genetics, space travel, and neurons? Think again. Janet and guest Cara Santa Maria (Talk Nerdy To Me) delve into their shared experience of a childhood attending LDS church, ballooning raver pants, and the puzzle of sexual identity, finding a partner who can stand you, and the appeal of androgyny.

Direct download: JVC29_Cara_Santa_Maria.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:37am PDT

Bad home perms! "Flesh" colored tights! Platonic love affairs! Janet and awesome guest Erin Gibson (Throwing Shade) jaw a little about suburban Texas and a lot about women in comedy, the way girls learn to compete, and then wonder why everything has to be so... complicated.

Direct download: JVC28_Erin_Gibson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Podcast darling Elizabeth Laime muses about the drunken poodle purchases, being at the bottom of a cheerleading pyramid, reconnecting with your junior high crush... and the heartbreak of loss when it visits you young. This could be considered a three-tissue episode.

Direct download: JVC27_Elizabeth_Laime.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

The 26th episode of The JV Club finds Janet delighting in the glorious Grey DeLisle with a conversation about red lipstick, giant hair bows, oversharing with your son, and having a grandmother whose uncommon beauty caused car accidents. Disclaimer: the ladies essentially forget to make references to Azula and Korra. Whoops!

Direct download: JVC26_Grey_Delisle.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Community fans rejoice! JV Club guest Yvette Nicole Brown rounds out the ladies of the beloved NBC series with a gab about bidding farewell to the snowstorms of Ohio, the undeniable genius of The Golden Girls, and the heart-swelling lyrics of DeBarge.

Direct download: JVC25_Yvette_Nicole_Brown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Honeyhoney founder and lead singer Suzanne Santo joins Janet for a relaxed ramble about the joys of Cleveland, Ohio, naked lady hangouts, and how to handle it when your mom reads your diary. Plus: two amazing Honeyhoney songs!

Direct download: JVC24_Suzanne_Santo.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:45am PDT

In an unusual departure from the standard JV Club routine, Janet interviews her first male guest: Julian Melson, who also happens to be transgender. In other words, teen Julian was a teenaged girl. Technically. Together they discuss Burt Reynold's magnetism, the allure of professional wrestling, and being honest about who you really are.

Direct download: JVC23_Julian_Melson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Episode 22 of The JV Club welcomes the wonderful Kulap Vilaysack (Childrens Hospital, Who Charted?) for a frank and emotional discussion about tumultuous families, getting comfortable with 'being a threat,' and the kind of sweet sweet lovin' that can only come from "Red Light Special" by TLC.

Direct download: JVC22_Kulap_Vilaysack.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Episode 21 of The JV Club finds Janet and guest Alison Brie (Community, Mad Men) spontaneously writing a movie pitch, discussing the bathroom-centric challenges of leotards, and even catching a few cooties with a fan-made cootie catcher. If you don't know what that is, it's not what it sounds like.

Direct download: JVC21_Alison_Brie.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Who ruined a competition for her whole team? Who showed up with a VERY surprising prom date? Does anyone actually like the word "horny?" Celebrate the dying of your taste buds with Janet and guests Dannah Feinglass Phirman (Word Girl) and Danielle Schneider (Players) in Episode 20 of the JV Club.

Direct download: JVC20_Dannah_Phirman_and_Danielle_Schneider.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Janet's extreme addiction to the much-lauded Design*Sponge is evident in Episode 19 with DS founder Grace Bonney, who pontificates on her erstwhile love of Phish, the satisfaction of abandoning Laura Ashley, and the glory of My So Called Life.

Direct download: JVC19_Grace_Bonney.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Episode Eighteen of The JV Club defies you to find another podcast that covers ALL of these conversation essentials: stationary hewn from elephant poo; a fear of what we'll call "Plastic Man arms;" and using blood to secure a first class airplane ticket. These popular topics and much more -- with the wonderful Maria Bamford, no less!

Direct download: JVC18_Maria_Bamford.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:09am PDT

If you have an irrational fear of abandoned construction equipment or an intense love of John Waters' original Hairspray, this is the discussion for you. It's also for you if you like fantastic people, because April Richardson (Chelsea Lately) couldn't be cooler. She and Janet discusses zines, gender-bending, and why getting grounded doesn't work when you have lots of pen pals-- in Episode 17 of The JV Club.

Direct download: JVC17_April_Richardson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Melanie Lynskey gracefully navigates Janet's extreme doting, a dog bark or two, and way too many questions about the film Heavenly Creatures in Episode 16's foray into life in New Zealand, crushing on Beck, and whether freezing in place creates magical invisibility.

Direct download: JVC16_Melanie_Lynskey.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:59am PDT

It's a two-fer-one this week with Burning Love's co-creator, Erica Oyama, and one of the series' stars, Beth Dover! If old gum commercials are right, that means double the fun-- with tidbits about working at the South Korean version of Disneyland, martial arts in Alabama, fictitious daring nursing home escapes, and a stirring rendition of "Angel of Montgomery."

Direct download: JVC15_Beth_Dover_and_Erica_Oyama.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Continuing the celebration of the release of the new webseries Burning Love, Janet and guest Deanna Russo verbally-cross-country-run themselves over a lot of ground, including the Lyme Disease bullseye, the pitfalls of posing for Playboy, and a complex coding system for words like "tampon." They even manage to squeeze in an old fashioned round of "M.A.S.H."

Direct download: JVC14_Deanna_Russo.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:11am PDT

The radiant Malin Akerman (Rock of Ages, Watchmen) sits down with Janet to reflect on the familiar comfort of a Sears catalog, the perennial sexual appeal of a good drummer, bluffing your way into Catholic school, and proof that there's no poetry quite like angsty teenage poetry.

Direct download: JVC13_Malin_Akerman.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:10am PDT

It's imaginary-mimed-pedicure time! Janet and guest Mary Lynn Rajskub pretend to get their feet pampered while they discuss the lone wolf aspect of swim team, vomiting in a tent, and guys who make pottery... with a pinch of accidentally stumbling into a new kind of love.

Direct download: JVC12_Mary_Lynn_Rajskub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

She tackled television journalism on all the major networks. But before that: She survived the hormones of four older sisters. She learned how to make beer work in her favor. She dated an Eagle. Join guest Connie Chung for a chat about family, friends, and career... and see what happens when Janet... um... puts the moves on her.

Direct download: JVC11_Connie_Chung.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:16am PDT

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.

Direct download: JVC10_Jen_Kirkman_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Is it easy to go from the bustling streets of Jakarta to the country roads of Archer City with a little Dallas in between? Don't miss this rare opportunity to find out what "wall bangs" are, how to con your way into an internship on a popular talk show, and maybe even learn a little Indonesian... all courtesy of Angela Kinsey from NBC's The Office.

Direct download: JVC9_Angela_Kinsey.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:49am PDT

Celebrate living in the moment-- which in this case includes "moments" devoted to excessive cheek blush, dead teeth, and the raw sexual power of Night Court and Three's Company-- from one of the creators and stars of NBC's BFFs, Jessica St. Clair. This episode also requires audience participation, via several non-rhetorical questions for the listener!

Direct download: JVC8_Jessica_St_Clair.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Kerri Kenney-Silver (Wanderlust, The State) hunkers down on Janet's floor to charm and delight with the classics: poorly-received cheerleader tryouts, inevitable class clownism, and accidentally forming a band that ended up touring with Neil Young.

Direct download: JVC7_Kerri_Kenney-Silver.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Capsizing school buses. Pen pal cruelty. Nude photography. In other words, just another high school memoir. Note: this episode also contains a high amount of violently loud outbursts of laughter in the form of A. Cackles* (*Natasha Leggero) and B. Guffaws* (*Janet Varney).

Direct download: JVC6_Natasha_Leggero.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:12am PDT

Possibly the only Saturday Night Live cast member who not only founded The Groundlings but who also sported a chic BACK BRACE in high school, Laraine Newman reminisces over rubber animal erasers, evil gym coaches, and the wonders and woes of having two teenage daughters of her own.

Direct download: JVC5_Laraine_Newman.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

When should parents start letting their children pour their own cereal? Could an addiction to My Little Ponies be Kentucky Derby-related? Can anyone really BELONG to thunder? Another hard-hitting episode of The JV Club explores the the mind and memories of this week's guest, the marvelous Maggie Lawson (Psych).

Direct download: JVC4_MaggieLawson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:23am PDT

Finally, a conversation that covers two of the most seminal influences on contemporary culture: playwright George Bernard Shaw and the oft-overlooked screen gem Mannequin Two: On the Move. All this and more with Gillian Jacobs, who turned heads as a child with an impressive array of homemade Halloween costumes long before she graced Community's collegiate hallways.

Direct download: JVC3_Gillian_Jacobs.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Episode 2 of the JV Club brings together Janet and guest June Raphael (NTSF:SD:SUV:, Bride Wars). And they don't waste any time getting into it about the perils of lip gloss, getting gooey over their favorite iconic redheads, and the fascinating topic of... well, mole people.

Direct download: JVC2_June_Raphael.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am PDT

Throw on your tunic and Birkenstocks for a chat about small towns, the fierce passion of Celine Dion, and the importance of special effects in high school stage productions of Agnes of God.

Direct download: JVC1_Christina_Hendricks.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:59am PDT

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