
The JV Club with Janet Varney
Remember what it was like to be an awkward teenager? And remember how some things haven't really changed that much for you since then? Join proud dork Janet Varney as she explores the highs and lows of the bygone years with some of her favorite women as they talk their way through the terrible teens into adult-lescence.
Warning: This Podcast Contains Sincerity.
Latest episodes

Mar 25, 2021 • 1h 14min
Julia Fowler
Following the premiere of “Country Comfort” on Netflix, JV welcomes writer and actor Julia Fowler, who brought all of her Southern charm and humor to the writing of the show. From childhood pageantry to an adolescence of headgear and being bullied, Julia makes an adventure of it all, with plenty of— dare we say it— true grit.Max Fun Drive is coming and there's two ways we'd love you to get involved:Contribute to our upcoming fan-curated episode! To be a part of this episode- which will be exclusively available to Max Fun members- record a 30 second to 1 minute voice memo telling us which JV Club episode or guest really stuck with you and why. Then send it to producer Julian's email, which is julian@maximumfun.org with the subject line "Max Fun JV Club." Tell the network what our show means to you. Email memberstories@maximumfun.org with either a written message or a voice memo OR call (323) 601-8719.

Mar 18, 2021 • 1h 10min
Jenn Welch
If you’ve been longing for JV’s Bruce Springsteen singing impression, this is the episode for you. This week the funny, honest and charming Jenn Welch (LadyHD: A Podcast for Distractible Women) celebrates the sisterhood of busy minds and busy hands, factory towns, and the allure of other peoples’ discarded tissues.

Mar 11, 2021 • 1h 15min
Diona Reasonover
Just a couple of folks celebrating being bad at being goth. JV is joined by the simply marvelous Diona Reasonover (“Periodic Talks” podcast) and her love of board games (yay!) and train rides (double yay!). This, friends, is the episode where the world’s biggest smallest mystery is solved... involving cakey cookies!

Mar 4, 2021 • 1h 11min
RERUN: Kristina Rodgers
A very exciting rerun of the divine Kristina Rodgers, who drops by to bond with JV over Siouxsie Sioux, the Electrical Light Parade, Pottery Barn and oh-so much more!

Feb 25, 2021 • 1h 9min
Kate Willett
Join JV and this week’s awesome guest, Kate Willett (Dirtbag Anthropology) as they rock the world with a new kind of Show Choir extravaganza— for adults with adult problems! Plus: roller coaster makeouts. Forgiving yourself. Area codes. More!Kate Willett's Audible Original, Dirtbag Anthropology is now available at audible.com/dirtbag.

Feb 18, 2021 • 1h 10min
Alexandra Petri
Get musical! Middle Earth-style! With this week’s bright and shiny guest, author and journalist Alexandra Petri (The Washington Post). Social clumping at dances! Star Wars Prequel apologists! And a good old-fashioned Narnia closet.

Feb 11, 2021 • 1h 38min
Annabelle Gurwitch
If your neighbors in Florida were The Bee Gees and your neighbor in NYC was Joey Ramone, you might be this week’s guest, Annabelle Gurwitch (Known for her upcoming book “You’re Leaving When?” and the new Max Fun “Tiny Victories” podcast)! Flimflams, cults-that-might-not-be-cults and Dinners and Movies abound in this episode. Plus! More Ancient Egypt!

Feb 11, 2021 • 2min
JV's personal update
JV shares a personal update.

Jan 28, 2021 • 1h 21min
Rerun: Arden Myrin
A M.A.S.H. game mind-meld gets this week’s guest, the radiant Arden Myrin literally up on her feet with excitement! It’s all about breaking the plaid mold, embracing humiliation, and snow, snow, SNOW!Arden's new book Little Miss Little Compton is out now.

Jan 21, 2021 • 1h 16min
Afiya Augustine
Mummies! Mitochondrial DNA! Austrian crystals! All these treasures and more in this week’s episode with Afiya Augustine (Adult-ish podcast), whose muse is most decidedly back in town.Note: We had some minor audio difficulties in this recording. We did our best to remove every pop and distortion from the recording but there may be a few that slipped through. Thanks for listening!