
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 14, 2024 • 1h 13min
Kate Welch
Come for the science, stay for the theatre! This week’s guest, author, actor, and game designer Kate Welch blows JV away with news about her BOARDING public high school and all of the delightful mischief those mostly-unsupervised teens got up to. Plus plenty of love for sci-fi, brewskis, and a VERY close look inside one of their mutual buddies.

Mar 7, 2024 • 1h 18min
Beth Lisick
Okay pals! Grab your megaphone, throw on your camo, and head to the nearest fast food drive-through for nerdy hijinx with the truly wonderful writer, performer and caregiver Beth Lisick (NYT bestselling author of the book Everybody Into the Pool; host of "The Electronic Lover" podcast). This ep brings you laughter and goofiness coupled by heartfelt conversation about JV’s mom and other dear folks grappling with dementia. It’s a very special convo!

Feb 29, 2024 • 1h 11min
Jacqueline Lopez
What’s happening in this episode of The JV Club? Oh, just a couple of Korras hanging out together, talking about letting go of “the cool kids” and finding your RPG and “Pride and Prejudice” crew! It’s Jacqueline Grace Lopez (Korra in Nick All Star Brawl 2; General Hospital), and she’s kicking ass on and offscreen (with a little time to play in the Pony-verse thrown in for good measure).

Feb 22, 2024 • 1h 5min
Mallory O'Meara
It’s the other half of the fabulous Reading Glasses pod! Mallory and JV extol the virtues of hobbitry, sublime Providence, and the evergreen perfection of the werewolf-as-puberty motif. So howl your way with us from Massachusetts to (via Brooklyn & LA) the sleepy sweet town of Idyllwild… which might only be improved upon with a werewolf sighting or two.

Feb 16, 2024 • 1h 3min
JV on Maximum Film
Today's movie takes on the guise of a weird '80s teen comedy, then adds in some supernatural phenomena and some axes. So we consult THE JV CLUB's Janet Varney on the peculiarities of Lisa's high school experience, and then make up some Monster Mash-up movies of our own.What’s GoodAlonso - RO-TEL DipJanet - Mochi Muffins from Third Culture BakeryDrea - Chocolate-dipped TwinkiesITIDICThe Oscars Are Adding a New Category: Best Casting2023 Sundance Darling FANCY DANCE Finally Finds a HomeCrunchyroll Merges with Funimation…Now Funimation Digital Downloads Will DisappearStaff PicksAlonso - Perfect DaysJanet - HouseboundDrea - Players

Feb 15, 2024 • 50sec
JV Club update of the week
Julian Burrell- producer and editor of the JV Club- has a quick update regarding this weeks' episode.

Feb 8, 2024 • 1h 2min
Brea Grant
Max Fun Crossover Alert! It's the amazing Brea Grant from the Reading Glasses podcast! JV and Brea get deep into movies, books, punk and emo, with yes, a healthy helping of Fox Robin Hood to boot. So shave your head and grab your drumsticks... and let's goooooooo!

Feb 1, 2024 • 1h 45min
Rerun: Boys of Summer - Paul F. Tompkins
This week with the always wonderful Paul F. Tompkins: build a snow tunnel, sing a few piano tunes, or recite Edgar Allen Poe in the place where his macabre work truly shines, a brightly lit classroom. Boys of Summer continues!

Jan 25, 2024 • 1h 3min
Rerun: Kerri Kenney-Silver
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.

Jan 18, 2024 • 1h 19min
Rerun: Alison Brie
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.