Shows
Canadian True CrimeAlfred and Rosemary Podgis [2][Part 2 of 2] Was Canadian Teenager David Curtis an innocent party who unexpectedly found himself in the middle of a very bad situation? Or was there something more sinister at play? In this episode: the trial.The intention of this series is to take a look back at a shocking crime sensationalized through headlines across the US and Canada, and explore its impact on relevant communities.Some names have been changed to respect the privacy of those involved.Canadian True Crime donates monthly to those facing injustice.This month...2025-03-041h 13
Canadian True CrimeAlfred and Rosemary Podgis [1]A two-part series - A teenager from Nova Scotia is invited to stay with his wealthy school friend on the Jersey Shore, but finds himself at the centre of an American horror story.The intention of this series is to take a look back at a shocking crime sensationalized through headlines across the US and Canada, and explore its impact on relevant communities.Some names have been changed to respect the privacy of those involved.Canadian True Crime donates monthly to those facing injustice.This month we have donated...2025-02-2558 min
PodGis with Ava ValE142 - Canda Won, BudCongratulations Canada! In this episode Ava talks about the recent Four Nations hockey tournament and tells some university stories. Check out her Patreon for more exclusive PodGis content!2025-02-2248 min
Pretty Heady StuffAva Val gets bravery, but wonders why comedy can be so cowardly when it comes to trans livesAva Val is a comedian, actor, writer and musician based in Toronto. She’s made multiple appearances at Just For Laughs and The Halifax Comedy Festival, and recorded stand-up sets for CBC Gem, Crave TV, and CTV. She has a weekly podcast of her own called PodGis, which is a great place to get a taste of her high energy, clever comedy.
Val released her debut special, So Brave, earlier in the year. The special coincided with what Val called her 3-year “hormoniversary,” or the third year she’d been taking hormones as part of an ongoing “mid-life crisis,” in her words: t...2024-12-2042 min
My Dad Stole My LimelightLimelight Mailbag with Ava ValIn this installment of the Limelight Mailbag episodes, I am joined by talented and hilarious comedian, musician, and actress, Ava Val (she/her). We unpack this month’s limelight-stealing submission — our first anonymous story! 🌈 Connect with Lauren Deborah and MDSML: -Follow Lauren on Instagram: @hilaurendeborah -Join the FREE mailing list: hilaurendeborah.substack.com -Tip or buy something from the hi, lauren deborah! shop: buymeacoffee.com/hi.laurendeborah -Say hi or share a limelight-stealing story: mydadstolemylimelight@gmail.com 🌈 Connect with Lauren’s guest: -Watch Ava’s brand new comedy...2024-08-2744 minMy Dad Stole My LimelightLimelight Mailbag with Ava ValIn this installment of the Limelight Mailbag episodes, I am joined by talented and hilarious comedian, musician, and actress, Ava Val (she/her). We unpack this month’s limelight-stealing submission — our first anonymous story! 🌈 Connect with Lauren Deborah and MDSML: -Follow Lauren on Instagram: @hilaurendeborah -Join the FREE mailing list: hilaurendeborah.substack.com -Tip or buy something from the hi, lauren deborah! shop: buymeacoffee.com/hi.laurendeborah -Say hi or share a limelight-stealing story: mydadstolemylimelight@gmail.com 🌈 Connect with Lauren’s guest: -Watch Ava’s brand new comedy...2024-08-2744 min
11 WINS PODCASTJoyous Expression w Ava Val - Ep.201 - Disciplined Stoners PodcastAva Val is a comedian/musician/actress from Toronto. Her honest and insightful-yet-silly & spontaneous account of her transgender journey has turned heads across North America, earning her repeat appearances at renowned festivals such as Just For Laughs, JFL Toronto and Vancouver, Off-JFL/Zoofest, the Winnipeg and Ha!ifax Comedy Festivals, The Arctic Comedy Festival, and many others, as well as earned her a writing role on the 30th season of "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" and a spot on "Roast Battle Canada" season four. Though she has taped numerous standup performances for CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, CBC Radio's Laugh Out...2024-07-131h 37PodGis with Ava ValE129 - BobaShe's back from Halifax and LOADED WITH ESTROGEN!!
In this episode of PodGis, Ava speaks at length about her new hormone regimen, her recent experience at the Halifax Comedy festival, the weird heteronormative grooming she received when she was young, her prized "Lounge Dragon" video, and a hot take about Marvel superhero Tony Stark/Iron Man.
2024-05-151h 10PodGis with Ava ValE125 - I Wanna Be a Jeans Model
We're in for a "shorty" this week! This is just a little something to tide PodGis fans over while Val wraps up her Canadian tour.
At any rate, she has a delightful little time talking about jeans models, the prejudices against Alberta that she is cautious not to overindulge, some schmuck's (accidentally transphobic?) terrible first impression, JK Rowling and the "just don't look" approach to battling transphobia, and she concludes with another classic timespeak hungus bungus.
2024-04-1031 minPodGis with Ava ValE120 - Swingin' Like BertuzziIn this episode of PodGis, Val laments the recent lost of a priceless cherished personal item; the recent cancellation of Just For Laughs and the concept of bankruptcy protection; an applicable, practical theory on considerate and self-aware people in public; Todd Bertuzzi; the ubiquity of hacky pronoun jokes and "I identify as" jokes in the comedy community; people who abuse the word "woke"; her "Lady and the Tramp" viewing-style suggestion; and lastly, on her vocal progress and on the act of graciously comparing your current self to your younger self.2024-03-061h 13PodGis with Ava ValE118 - "Are You a Drag Queen?"In this episode of PodGis, Val discusses NEW MERCH, finalizing her legal name and gender changes, an episode involving a botched people-pleasing impulse and her ensuing regret, a run-in at a burlesque show that all trans women would despise, an old crowdwork video, surgery-obsessed trans women who sew insecurities in others, and the origin story of Val's constant self-awareness.
Is she a narcissist? If so, she's the BEST DAMN ONE AROUND2024-02-141h 15PodGis with Ava ValE116 - Deplorably Unscrupulous
"PodGis with Al Val" Episode 116 - "Deplorably Unscrupulous"AvaGis is back once again! And this time it has all gone off WITHOUT A HITCH!In this comeback episode, Val packs a extra whippaload of bonus content, discussing the wild things that have kicked off 2024 like the guy who got stuck in the urn and the "Jew tunnel" in NYC. She then goes off to cover a wide range of topics such as "Palworld" and the decay of society's opinions of plagiarism; musical genres; a theory on why the Canadian comedy industry and the standard Canadian comedy club show structure...2024-01-251h 44PodGis with Ava ValE107 - Xzibit Vs. Martha Stewart's FriendCheck check check check it out! Spread thine legs and enjoy another episode of PODGIS! In this episode, Val talks about prepping for her upcoming special taping, her previous experience taping a special, and talks *at length* about one of the more obscure but hilarious video games she's always enjoyed as one of her favourites.2023-09-1250 minPodGis with Ava ValE103 - American Gladiators: The Tragedy of the Little Guy
Hello and good day! Thanks for always coming back to these rip-roarin' episodes of PodGis.In this sporty episode, Val talks about dry-clean only fabrics, backhanded fashion compliments, consumers marketing a company's product for them (ie. McDonald's Grimace Shake), adoption and orphancy. And THEN Val speaks at length about her latest binge watch of the American Gladiators documentary! What a trip!In addition, Val talks about bad words, shame, criminal kinks, Dennis Rodman, and a whole lot more about American Gladiators.
2023-07-181h 37PodGis with Ava ValE098 - Mhmmm...Ahoy there! Yarr. Welcome to another PodGis on the open seas!
In this episode Val flies solo once again, doing her best to retain your ass by discussing a range of topics, including being the "Realest There Ever Was" despite being a people-pleaser; old gimmicky dirty comedians; her Pride Month Egale anti-hate campaign; dysphoria and how Val navigates it for herself; a fun way of being smug, and performative allyship; new merch(!); people who claim that "comedy is dead"; the Green Party if they were transphobic; the indistinct, confusing lyrical genius that is "Jump Around" by House...2023-06-131h 22PodGis with Ava ValE097 - The Realest One There Ever WasAhoy there! I just want to say thank you for sticking with PodGis through the thick and the thin. 2023-06-061h 26PodGis with Ava ValE096 - The Wired EpisodeAfter getting over the worst intro in PodGis history, Val rips into another timeless episode, telling a *super compelling* water cooler bra story, the first almost fully-automated McDonald's (and A.I. in general), what kind of crime is best, porn-related brain rot and anal sex, Val's experiences performing murder mystery dinner theatre, another "ALchives" entry involving the high school 'attendance lady', Caitlyn Jenner, and a comedian's "process of panic".
Have a good week if you're a good person!
2023-05-231h 27PodGis with Ava ValE093 - I Have a Trans FriendAnother rip-roarin' episode of PodGis! Just always remember to keep your PodGis items in your cart to a maximum of 16 PodGises, or you might get shot in the genitals!
In this episode Val talks about one-way meme/video conversations with fans; rappers' misogynism; racism; ChatGPT's misogyny; ethical fur; dictatorships; and being afraid of getting into trouble.
Be a good person! Bye!
2023-05-021h 12PodGis with Ava ValE091 - PelicanHelp yourself to a joyous slice of fun with this BONUS episode to commemorate the launching of PodGis on video! (Have you seen episode 90?? Hurry over to YouTube or anywhere podcasts are available and get yourself caught up!)
In this episode Val tackles (or more, caresses gently to the ground) big issues like artificial intelligence, dumb things to put on a resume, recently being the subject of a research paper, “not” enjoying fight videos, phone conversations, legitimizing her career to her relatives, and massage chairs.
If you’re enjoying these episodes don’t forget to like, su...2023-04-1849 minPodGis with Ava ValE090 - Audio, Video, Disco
LOOK AS US GO! Emphasis on “LOOK”, dontcha know! Use your eyeballs and feast on the majesty that is VideoGis as she kicks off a new era of podcasting on YouTube.
"But wait!" You surely are saying as you listen to the audio. "What about me?" ...Don't worry, we still got you with piping hot, fresh PodGis every week, the same way you've always enjoyed it. Even though PodGis has gone video, audio episodes will continue as scheduled, with the promise that I, Al Val, will do my best to be mindful of my audio list...2023-04-1848 minPodGis with Ava ValE088 - Pirate ConclaveHALLOW HALLOW HALLOW (in British)
Welcome to another PodGis! Algis gets right into it, riffing a little British stuff off the top before she hunkers down, focuses up, and gets some PodGissing done! Hurdling over a bizarre riff about a waterlogged corpse, she proceeds to hit her stride in speaking on belonging to a pirate conclave with her fans, her recent experience rocking out on guitar onstage at a live performance of Dan Galea's "Inter-Dan-Mensional", background singing techniques, a new botox opportunity that she's conflicted about, and closes out the podcast airing her grievances about Succession's very...2023-04-0455 min
PodGis with Ava ValE086 - Sometimes Maybe Good...Hello there! Grab your bag (for the last grab-baggin' time?) and join Algis for a heavin' helpin' of PodGis!
She kicks off the episode talking about vocal feminization training, then recalls her favourite 3 second YouTube clip that always stands out in her head. She then excitedly shares some reflections on being in a band and performing alongside profoundly skilled musicians. She talks about her insecure impulses, about her love for blues-inspired music, some songs that annoy her and make her deliberately bad-faith misinterpret the lyrics, about how angry the Bachelor/Bachelorette contestants make her. She ends the...2023-03-2156 minPodGis with Ava ValE085 - Spoiler Alert!Uh Oh! SPOILER ALERT! This episode is so fun so sorry if you weren't sure whether or not this PodGis would be fun! I SPOILED IT.
SPOILER ALERT Algis (AKA Al Val) starts out in a weird little mood but never addresses it until the very end SPOILER ALERT but instead rips right into an exciting musing about SPOILER ALERT PodGis eventually moving to video format! And then SPOILER ALERT she talks about doing the Just For Laughs Festival and also showcasing (auditioning) for them, but SPOILER ALERT she also talks about 'stealing' a comedian's 'essence' and...2023-03-161h 04PodGis with Ava ValE082 - How 'bout some TWINE!Hello there and welcome welcome to another bangin' episode of PodGis! Featuring Al Val AKA ALGIS (cue cool DJ scratches)...
In this episode, Algis wastes no time gathering your bags and getting going, promoting her iconic role in "Drag Heals" (streaming on OutTV/Apple TV every Friday at 8:30pm EST, and available to stream anytime after episodes air!); she then discusses being a trans spokesperson for the entertainment industry, does another segment of "Clanker of the Week" (pitting "Clanker in the News" vs. "Clanker in my Grill"), and talks about doing things that some people think are...2023-02-2046 minPodGis with Ava ValE081 - Clanker of the WeekHey you! Grab your bags and get in the car because we're going on a journey through an absolute HONK HONK silly billy time! Val opens right out the gate with an excitable intro to match her excitement that PodGis will be expanding to a video platform! So stay TUNED! After that, Val kicks off a new weekly segment called "Clanker of the Week" in which she highlights a particularly clankacious person who deserves to put a pot on their head and give it a good clankaround. After that, Val discusses growing up wishing she had an angelic soprano...2023-02-1549 minPodGis with Ava ValE078 - My Guest and FriendWelcome to a VERY special episode of PodGis, indeed! For just the second time in the history of PodGis, Val invites a special guest to join her in the "studio" to hang out, chit-chat and have the silliest time!
This episode's guest is Val's dear friend (and oft-mentioned PodGis character) Noah, who is a very talented actor in Toronto. Noah and Algis get into it right away, discussing houses designed to make you uncomfortable, yet focused; Noah defends their palate and the two have a taste test of a favourite scotch of Noah's; they discuss scents, and...2023-01-241h 22PodGis with Ava ValE076 - F*#k TownWelcome to F*#k Town, population ALGIS!
In this episode, Val talks a lot about Batman inside jokes and goes on a classic tangent, inventing a new Batman villain on the spot called "The Ostrich". She then talks about the prospects of PodGis and the exciting new future ahead, and closes it out with some observations on the recent "discourse" and "controversy" around the streamer known as F1nnster. Enjoy, and remember to always keep a keen eye on the skies for the threat of Batman's justice.2023-01-0552 minPodGis with Ava ValE070 - Clank Those Thoughts CleanHello hi hello! Welcome to PodGis! Al Val's unofficially official podcast!
In this hairy scary episode, Val braves the growing fog outside her window and discusses the string of shows she'd recently had and the simple things that can make a set suddenly interesting and inventive; online dating and her cynicism towards the dating landscape; people who have an "INNUENDO ONLY" sense of humour; a funny memory involving Val's friend's Jamaican parents; tolerating boredom; being superficial on dating apps and in searching for a partner in general; an awkward run-in with a pizza guy; her insecurities about...2022-11-0244 minPodGis with Ava ValE069 - YouyouyouyouyouLet's start out by saying this first: in this episode of "PodGis", Val gets a ton of mileage out of a silly sounding stutter he accidentally exclaims. Otherwise, in this episode Val discusses voting and democracy; she discusses her hairline surgery - the grotesqueries, the discomforts and the triumphs of it all; Chance the Rapper's recent trans-related controversy, and the broader implications regarding male insecurity and sexuality; a tale about a man who got handsy during a horrifying moment in a film premiere; attending a seminar about writing environmentally-conscious content, ending in some thoughts on the subjective nature of...2022-10-2552 minPodGis with Ava ValE067 - Unapologetic Marble LoverTime for a real "Open Concept" podcast! In this episode of PodGis, Val excitedly shares her new housing arrangement; debriefs about her experience writing for "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" and how it all started with her feet somehow; the mental anguish or trying to look sexy and the 22 Minute afterparty; an awkward and baffling encounter at a public bathroom that Val CANNOT get out of her head; minimizing your life; her current struggling of "turning off the funny" in sexy situations; and finally, Val tries her best to tackle the news story regarding the trans high school teacher who...2022-10-081h 11PodGis with Ava ValE066 - Get Confident, Bitch!CONFIDENCE!!! We're talking confidence today!!!
In this PodGis episode, Val may be tired but she PULLS THROUGH for a nice little chitchat about writing political satire versus standup, a little crash comedy lesson, the time she was compared to Woody Harrelson in bed, being told to 'be more confident', a segment called "PeeveGis" about a specific confidence-related pet peeve, and lastly she discusses religious thought-shaming, having a penile tumescence, and the importance of second thought.
Always remember: GET CONFIDENT, BITCH!2022-09-1948 minPodGis with Ava ValE065 - The Wheatest Podcast of AllUh oh oh boy! It's time for another "PodGis Excluuu"! Val kicks this one off being hella annoying (just trying to get those followers down, baby!), then discusses the origins of 'EXCLU'; the rise and fall of the generation-defining Cheese Factory rap group; and explores when things are wheat versus when they are chaff. Val then issues a definitely not apology for her emotional outburst in the previous episode; tells an "Am I the Asshole" segment; marvels at "chasers"; then ends on some inward observations regarding her psyche during the writing progress in her new sketch writing job.2022-08-3151 min
PodGis with Ava ValE057 - 'Oh, Okay' The MagicianHappy 57th episode to people whose favourite number is 57! This one is JUST FOR YOU!
In this episode of "PodGis", Val discusses (at great length) the number 57, her upcoming headlining week of shows at JFL Toronto (tickets available online Friday June 17!), then talks about her charming brother and the ways in which he laughs at her; she then tells a story about an unconfident magician, about magicians in general, and about invoice quality and how she's trying to step her game up. HAPPY FIFTY SEVEN!
OH, OKAY!2022-06-1446 minPodGis with Ava ValE056 - "Drag Heals" Cut My D*** Off!HELLO MY LOVELIES!!!! AL VAL HAS RETURNED AND "PODGIS" IS BACK!
Oh boy, so much to catch y'all up on! Val rips right into it, describing her new setup; proposing a new catchphrase for all trans people (across the entire spectrum!); a new term for her favourite colour; talking about her recent big move across town; and speaks at length about her recent experience filming season 3 of "Drag Heals" for OutTV. As always, this episode is full of life, encouragement, and introspection!2022-06-061h 03PodGis with Ava ValE053 - Wobble Bobble!Hey hey hey happy 'Trans Day of Visibility'! Get your WOBBLE BOBBLE on and have a super visible day, trans friends!
In this fun, frolicking episode Val begins by offering some positive, optimistic thoughts on Trans Day of Visibility (as well as some observations on her own hormonal and... physical... progress). She then dives into two of the more ridiculous takes she's observed online in regards to the Will Smith/Chris Rock "Oscars slap" incident (I know, I know...), after which she describes her new favourite Twitter account @ClubPhotos_, then ends on some parting thoughts about teaching...2022-03-3147 minPodGis with Ava ValE052 - The Roast RevelationHello, PodGis listeners! Check out this episode, why dontcha??
In this episode, Val starts out joking about the "UNCUT JAHHHMZ" valley girl, and the idea of being one's 'muse'; after which, she tells you the full details of a hilarious Instagram video that made her laugh so hard she cried on the couch and got a headache. Finally, for the second half of this episode of "PodGis", Val digs pretty deep and personal, reflecting on a painful recent 'roast battle' experience, and reflecting on how she represents herself and her community onstage.2022-03-2349 minPodGis with Ava ValE050 - Positive EntropyOh no! Al Val is sick with Covid :( But that won't stop her joking and hanging out with you! It does, however, make her sound hella raspy. It is what it be!
In this one, Val talks about sad balloons; how her high school experience differs significantly from modern media's portrayal of being that age; the first time she got drunk; her life principle about "Positive Entropy"; and closes on an anecdote that illustrates how set in her ways Al Val can be. When you like something you like it, and YOU like PodGis!2022-03-0749 min
Starting OutSO #52 Al Val - I’m Funnier Than JeremyI really wasn’t going to do anything to mark doing 52 episodes of the pod, but what the hell. This is a special episode because I had been wanting to have the amazing comedian Al Val on for a while. And the timing of this was even more special as she has recently come out as trans and is in the process of transitioning to female. Al talks about being cast as a munchkin in Jr. Kindergarten as her first validation into show business, and then getting a script for “Who’s on First?” in Grade 5 propelled her even further...2022-02-0255 min