Just hear those sleigh bells jinglin', ring-ting tinglin’ with guest Annie Lapin, whose paintings involve descriptions by others such as "obfuscating figuration through a remarkable language of painterly abstraction.” You may still not know what that means by the end of this episode, but you WILL know how Annie ruined Christmas.

Slip on your long prairie skirt and straw ribboned hat for Episode 90’s chat with writer and comedian Danielle Koenig, who may or may not end up with a Goodfellas actor, an rare and endangered pet, and a fictional father figure from a beloved 80’s sitcom.

It’s a post-Thanksgiving feast of non-sequitors and tangents with the fantastic Beth Littleford (The Daily Show), with a parade of bad perms, bad boys, and good friends to save us from ourselves.

Episode 88’s guests Hilda Rasula and Lorelei Butters join Janet to talk about the new Mortified Nation documentary, boys in black lipstick, the perfection of avocados, and storyboarding to make your dreams come true. Plus, Jeremy Irons? Really?

A M.A.S.H. game mind-meld gets this week’s guest, the radiant Arden Myrin (Chelsea Lately) literally up on her feet with excitement in Episode 86, where it’s all about breaking the plaid mold, embracing humiliation, and snow, snow, SNOW!

Jump into your station wagon and buckle up for a ramble through the mind of the fantastic Kate Flannery (The Office) as she and Janet discuss flight simulators, the luck o’ the Irish, and the monumentally profound and dangerous influence of... the musical Annie.

It's a laser lightshow of joy with the delightful Lennon Parham (Accidentally on Purpose, BFFs) as she and Janet marching-band their way through memories of snare drums, choir, and late blooming. Oh, and Happy Halloween!

Two very special guests join Janet for this episode: the amazing Starlee Kine (This American Life), and her amazing dog, Oh Papa. Richard Nixon! Child Stardom! Gravity spoilers! Seriously, don't listen to this if you haven't seen Gravity yet but you want to. Otherwise, treat your ears to one of the coolest writers around, New York-style.

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.

Take a break from sneaking out to New York dance clubs long enough to enjoy the delightful Chemda (Keith and The Girl podcast) as she and Janet explore some VERY frank talk about teenage sex, the generation gap between emigrant parents and their kids, and what to do if you get a bump in your ponytail.

Come for advice on the best music to clean a shower by, stay for the volleyball tips. Or just drop in for the occasional rave and Del Taco parking lot hang. It's Christine Woods (HBO's Hello Ladies) and her tiny dragon in Episode 81!

Trom-bone up on your knowledge of marching bands, polar bears, and Peter Panning your way into adulthood with the simply delightful Kate Micucci in Episode 80 of The JV Club. BYOP (Bring your own paintbrush)!

The secrets to perfect skin-- or at least a mother who tells you that you don't have it-- are revealed in Episode 79 with the insanely funny Gillian Vigman (the Hangover trilogy) as she extolls the virtues of managing a football team, frequently being mistaken for a boy, and dating someone named "Spooge."

Pull off those white gloves and get down and dirty with cotillionairess Lauren Ashley Bishop (#nitTWITS) while she and Janet discuss the butterfly feeling of "limerence," playing it safe (or boring?), and when real intimacy is created. If you're not making out with someone to the tearjerker Last of The Mohicans by the time you finish this episode, we haven't done our jobs.

What becomes of an eight year-old who masters the LA public transit system, is the subject of an angry petition at school, and has imperfect feet? Find out with the lovely Ursula Whittaker, who schools Janet on the secrets of parental forgiveness and marrying a charming and hilarious Cuban.

You'll want to laminate Episode 76 of The JV Club, thanks to the fantastic conversational stylings of Jane Espenson (Once, Buffy The Vampire Slayer), who spins yarns about such matters as historically significant dollhouses, disappointing french horns, and the decidedly unromantic quality of The Kentucky Fried Movie.

Episode 75's conversation  provides guest Sara Watkins with innumerable ideas for songs yet-to-be-composed, including tiny horses and boogie boards.

Proud Wisconsinite and Dork Forest podcast creator Jackie Kashian joins Janet for a discussion about the families we love - even as they drive us nuts- to books, books, and more books, with a sprinkling of dogs, dorks, and death thrown in for good measure.

Two special guests join Janet in Episode 73, but only one of them - the fantastic Autumn Reeser (Thrilling Adventure Hour, No Ordinary Family) actually speaks. Topics include summer camp, the perennial talent of speedy typing, and getting attacked by tiny fish. Plus: Janet admits the shocking truth: she's never been to Hawaii.

From growing up as a lovably snobby kid nerd in Chico, CA to making award-winning indie movies, Etta Devine (The Selling) talks saints, science and sugar in episode 72 of the podcast, where coincidental references to both the "N" word and the "V" word occur.

The podcasting machine is revved up and ready with episode 71's guest Emma Bates (Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing) for an in-depth look at love, loss, and the experiences that shape us... including living across the creek from someone named Catbird!

The talent of pleasing other people's parents (but not your own), the allure of knowing your neighbors, and the thrill of wearing a boy's class ring get their due in episode 70 of The JV Club, plus fantastic comedian, author, and guest Laura Kightlinger (The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman) plays a new game, courtesy of previous guest Lucy Davis!

Two Arizona gals talk backyard wonderlands, card catalogs, and being a girl in boy-centric worlds in Episode 69 of the podcast, featuring Janet's dear friend and collaborator, Jessica Makinson (South Park). Includes a Junior Varsity advice segment!

Janet and guest Kristen Schaal (Flight of the Conchords) put the "cyst" back in "sisterhood" with tales of OBGYN terror, Twin Peaks-themed shopping malls, and good boys, bad boys, and no boys at all. Want more? How about the non-revelation of how delicious cereal is?

Hold onto your hats and sew your glasses into your jacket pocket for this illuminating episode with writer and actress Jolie Jenkins (Body of Proof) as she and Janet delight in chagrin over misguided wardrobes, eating lunch in your car, and the powers and pitfalls of having motivational speaking in your immediate family.

The perennially awesome Clea Duvall (Argo, Girl Interrupted) talks bullying, bands, and bringing back your best vintage tees in episode sixty six of the podcast; meanwhile, Janet tries to come off as cool as Clea... and fails (no surprise there!).

Can baton twirling lead to a promising fencing hobby? Can a tree administer psychological advice? Will Michael Caine leave his wife Shakira for Episode 65's marvelous Sara Benincasa (Agorafabulous)? There are only two ways to find out: listen to the episode, or talk to someone who listens to the episode.  C'mon. Do the right thing.

Janet's high school friend and mental health advocate Christina Jasberg travels from Tucson to rug-it-up with an intimate discussion about the roles of family history, brain chemistry, environment, hormones, and Scooby Doo in the life of a person faced with extraordinary challenges, and how our society supports-- and doesn't support-- the mentally ill.

Synergy Alert! Firing on all cylinders (and then some), Janet and Episode 63 guest Sandra Daugherty (Sex Nerd Sandra) give each other brain orgasms with a deep dive into intimacy and honesty, long term teen romance, and roughly 5,000 other things at once.

It's a little bit country, it's a little bit rock 'n roll... and it's everything you'd hope from an eager-to-please Texan with a dream to cheerlead (that word doesn't seem right without an "er" attached). Christy Stratton Mann (King of the Hill, Awkward) sets Janet straight about Donny, Marie, and so much more.

A quick mea culpa about this week's episode with Christy Stratton Mann- and an update on a new episode coming out to replace it!

All quipping aside, Episode 61 with Casey Wilson (Happy Endings) is NOT sponsored... by anyone. But hey, It's all good. There's still plenty to chew on with topics like Girl Scouts, feminism, and the best and worst of Billy Joel.

Janet is joined by returning guest Natasha Leggero and first-time JV "Club Foot" Karen Kilgariff in this live recording from Portland's terrifically fun Bridgetown Comedy Festival. Music! Hats! Eggs!

It's sort of a conversation between Korra and Lin Beifong as Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers) joins Janet in Episode 59, and yes, they DO discuss The Legend of Korra. Other topics include the etiquette of neighbors and barking dogs, the renowned LA Groundlings, and the magnetic pull of a funny gentleman.

This week multiple literal and metaphorical doors are knocked on and opened when Susan Orlean (The Orchid Thief! The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup! Many other amazing books and essays!) and special guest star, her son Austin, stop by to unsettle Scott the Dog. Plus, find out why Janet suggests Susan's nickname be "Puddin."

The world turns upside-down when guest Lucy Davis (original UK's The Office) shocks Janet with the news that in Britain, blankets are called rugs. More startling revelations, hearty laughs, and shameless mutual Emma Thompson idol-worship round out Episode 57!

Doughnuts, Cigarettes, and Hot Sauce, Oh My! It's Episode 56 with Emily Gordon (The Indoor Kids) chock-full of fond remembrances of first kisses, My So Called Life, and the once-pervasive Manic Panic hair dye, the use of which apparently makes you a communist. This week's bonus: Theories on how hot dogs got their name.

Prompting the occasion for a friendly, folksy episode description, Janet's nearby neighbor Constance Zimmer drops by (with fresh-squeezed juice, no less) for a chat ranging from spiders to barbies to what seems like it might be a record-breakingly long game of M.A.S.H.

How do YOU pronounce the word "nougat?" Janet and guest Lynn Chen (The Actor's Diet blog) take a big bite out of the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of food. Also on the menu: when vanity bites you back, doorknocker earrings, and the savory churro of Taiwan.

Nudity, nudity, and more nudity. And some other stories that don't involve nude people in this episode of The JV Club with the delightful Andrea Savage (Stepbrothers), including anecdotes about farting and cologne. Yes, these two women are technically grown-ups.

It's the first anniversary of the JV Club and what better way than to spend it with the one and only* Sarah Silverman?

*Janet discovers that there is in fact more than one Sarah Silverman out there. But this is THAT Sarah Silverman.

It's a campfire-worthy episode of The JV Club with guest Michaela Watkins (Wanderlust) as she and Janet settle in for an evening of conversation about ghosts, close encounters of the litter kind, and pursuing careers in the spiritual realm.

It's an embarrassment of riches... or maybe just an embarrassment of embarrassments in episode 50 (Wow! We made it to 50!) with ridiculously fun guest Carla Gallo (Bones) - complete with revealing stories about prom nights gone awry, blooming late, and... um... cat lockets.

In this second-ever live episode of The JV Club, first-ever returning guest Tig Notaro sits onstage with Janet at SF Sketchfest in San Francisco to discuss the events of her life since the last time they recorded together. What follows is a frank, intimate and emotional discussion... with a very liberal dose of laughter. (Special thanks to SFSF photographer Jakub Mosur!)

A far cry from the overly-tan, dog-frenching Magda of There's Something About Mary fame, actress Lin Shaye gives Janet a peek into her aptly-named girl gang The Coquettes, the challenge of a corkscrew ponytail, and what you can expect from a psychedelic wedding.

Episode 47's guest Erica Rhodes gives Janet a peek into the cruel world adolescent ballet, the passionate poetry borne of a broken heart, and the balance between ambition and contentment. Plus, Janet geeks out over Erica's involvement with the delightful live radio show A Prairie Home Companion.

Take an evening walk down a quiet street or spend an afternoon riding your bike through the woods... or at least listen to Janet and guest Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds) revel in the magic of unstructured time spent alone in this episode, where Paget also proves herself to be the creator of a VERY important masterpiece.

It's an episode filled with mystery as Janet and guest Morgan Walsh (Burning Love) shower praise on the magic of Portland, Oregon and then begin to wonder if they share a dad. Further intrigue abounds with talk of living a double life in high school and the puzzling appeal of the Salton Sea.

Episode 44 brings you guest Kristen Rutherford (Geek and Sundry) and everything that comes along with her, which in this case includes discussions on fairy houses, supermarket birthday cake, and and being horrible in groups. Bonus: Kristen opens a belated Christmas gift from Janet!

It's a teenage diary showdown as Janet and Episode 42 guest Erinn Hayes (Childrens Hospital) marvel at the shocking similarity between their respective angst-scribbles. Further parallels abound as the two discuss being hot in baggy clothes, embarrassingly earnest glamour photos, and marrying Ricky Schroeder.