PodGis with Ava Val

*If you are religious (mostly specifically Catholic), fair warning: Algis goes a little harder on this one!*

In this delightfully rambunctious episode, Al Val talks about being forced by his fanatic grade 3 teacher to dress as a saint for Halloween; the online gaming community's hard-to-interpret adoption of gay culture; the world's biggest poop, which somehow tangentially turns into reflections on heaven itself, which then tangentially spirals into the pope, Catholicism, and church music.

Yeah, I guess this one flew off the topical rails. But it's like the sign on Al's front door (written in lamb's blood, of course) reads: "Don't get me started on religion".

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! Al Val is once again back after life knocked her down for a bit; HOWEVER, this episode is sure to delight and make you giggle into your cold beverage!

In this triumphant return of an episode, Al Val talks about this year's Euro Cup, along with a couple soccer stories from her teen years (don't worry non-sports-fans, they're not too 'sport'-y); Pride month, corporate pandering and people who hate on queerbranding; and then Al closes with her thoughts on the French Prime Minister's relationship with his former high school teacher. WARNING: gratuitous French accent.

Fresh out of a hot cry session, Al Val gets right into the issues that matter in another episode that mixes the deeply personal and profound with the silly and irreverant.

Al advises on the many things that make a dick pic ineffective; tells a poignant, deeply poetic and personal story about homophobia, repression, and redemption (AKA the time she got suspended from her University Improv Troupe); the simple additive-subtractive nature of bravery vs. fear; then she ends on another vivid personal tale - this one about the time she performed Tom Green's "Bum Bum Song" in front of her Grade 5 Class to woo her hot teacher.

FOIL BEGONE!

Al Val has shaken off the loathsome foil and in this one Al is back to their delightfully silly, optimistic ways! Al talks about being a chump and avoiding that chump life; 'Wheelies' and this generation's stigma against rollerblading, as well as another brief tale of childhood heartbreak; 'Boomer' internet confusion; and a profound realization on transness and triumphing over newly learned agoraphobia.

Al Val has come a long way, and damnit that's something worth celebrating! So let's get silly.

Al Val is back with a firm message to any fans that are cruel to other people. GO ON, 'GIT! And same goes to you, depression! GO ON, GIT! GIT!

In addition, Al talks a lot about crying and getting emotional, an emerging subgroup of new Al Val admirers, wearing a skirt at work that one time, masculinity & repression & butt hygiene, therapy, and a whole bunch of other personal stuff. This one's reeeeal close to the heart! Take care of yourselves!

What an absolute HOOT! You bet your bottom dollar we're on a roll now.

Al Val sheds last week's Loathsome Foil and gets into a silly little reminiscent rumpus, waxing poetic about the buffet experience at Mandarin; Movie theatres AND a guaranteed way to get a laugh in the theatre during the previews; Al Val's childhood "am I trans?" moment; doing battle with modesty/self-esteem, and being a "SOOOO RANDOM" person; grown trans adults who detract from the human rights cause because they also seriously think they're Jedi; and naturally, Al Val's brief but thoroughly cynical thoughts on religion in general.

See you next week!

Al Val discusses being on the cusp of a depressive "Loathsome Foil" episode and all the feels she's dealing with, but still forges onward with some insights on her pen pal friendship with Kentucky Fried Chicken; other people's embellished stories that end with "...and then everyone clapped"; The French crossdressing Duke in the movie "Elizabeth"; Al's totally scientific, totally legitimate concerns about Elon Musk's hyperspeed underground train; and a brilliant "House Turtle Party" that Al thinks Elon should put ALL of his focus and resources into.

Have a good week, and be good to each other, AH?!

We're on episode (unlucky??) THIRTEEN! What a wild ride.

Al Val talks about watching back their "New Wave of Standup" set (available for free on CBC Gem in Canada!) and the dumb, cringey thing Al did at the very end; Al talks about cool slang that sounds weird when she uses it; some more gender insights; two PIPING HOT CATCHPHRASES that are super cool, will totally catch on, and are epic tools to help you live a better life and to leave incredible impressions in social situations; a little bit about video game characters that totally ease into being genocidal murderers; the "Planet of the Ape" series; THEN she brings it all together for a callback finale that will spin your puffy marshmallow nipples.

In this one, Al Val gets deeply personal with some recent gender revelations and upgrades, but always sprinkles in goofs and riffy gags aplenty, touching on rap lyrics Al misinterpreted, 'morning wood' and the general characterization of a penis, chaos via egg selection, the time Al met a tax income guy who lived up to 'tax guy' stereotypes, and a dream Al had about a heavenly Apple Strudel that had hellish consequences.

Hey we're back! And SILLIER than a horse wearing pants. Now THAT is silly!

In this one, Al gets a bit nostalgic, with the usual deviations along the way. We cover everything, including: The best number of all the numbers; The Magic School Bus and a highly recommended MSB-themed prank; "Small Talk with Al Val", the hit new radio show pumping out the classics; Al's 'First Leather'; and Tales from the time Al went to a Lithuanian Summer Camp as a child.