Vigorously with Val Kleinhans
Welcome to Vigorously with Val Kleinhans—where music meets perspective, personality, and honest conversation with vigor.
New episodes drop weekly with effort, energy, and enthusiasm—let’s live vigorously.
Inquiries: val.kleinhans@gmail.com
Episodes
177 episodes
A Moments Notice on Side Hustles & Staying Afloat
It's not unheard of for band members and artists to have side hustles. We talk to the king of side hustles this week: Greg Molina of A Moments Notice...
The Search for Whimsy in a Serious World
In this solo episode, Val shares her gripes with the word "whimsy" and how she resolved them. What does Noah Kahan have to do with whimsy? Everything...
Self Deception Created The Soundtrack For Your Dystopian Rebellion
Andreas and Hagge from Self Deception chat with Val about their upcoming album ONE OF US (out May 15th), and dive into the connections it ha...
Getting Lost in the Sauce
Over analyzing. Over thinking. Doing the absolute most when you really don't have to. It's an epidemic! We all do it, and Val is going to break all the noise down to one takeaway nugget that will get you through it all. Val shares h...
Resider Bring Self-Shade to Nu-Metalcore
What does shading yourself look like? Is it more important to roast yourself, or others? Resider chose to take a balanced approach on the subject while they gear up for tour and mo...
Ashley Oken is Living ‘Almost Famous’
Does being a music journalist today look anything like it did in Almost Famous? Is it still just as fun? Are there still opportunities to build relationships in the industry we love? In short, yes.Writer
Izzy T Wants Women To Own Their Violence
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode mentions suicidal ideation and oppression against women. If you or anyone you know is struggling, contact
Robyn Ward Says It’s Metal To Talk About Your Mental Health
The Metal Therapist clocks in from the UK! On this "Work On You Wednesday", Robyn Ward explains her mental health journey, what it takes to be a therapist, and why heavy music is just so therapeutic. Get more Robyn...
Sean Martin Is Turning PTSD Into Songs That Cut Deep
Sean Martin of The Quarantined stops by to share his love of heavy music, his time in the military as infantry, and all the mental health related lessons learned along the way. We also dive into Aversion To Normalcy.Be prepared ...
Unpacking What It Means to Be “Safe”
What does it really mean to be “safe” anyway?I’ve been asking myself this question since I’ve felt the word “safe” become a buzzword. We’re all using it. We’re using it in the literal and figurative way. “I just want someone I feel safe ...
CHNNR on Blending International Roots and a Nu-Metal/Hip-Hop sound
TW: Mentions of mental health disorders and suicidal ideation.CHNNR is a solo artist blending nu-metal and hip-hop in his own unique way. It's kind of hard not to mesh those things when you were raised on both and music...
Crying at Buffalo Wild Wings & Rating Rockstars I’ve Met
Why is emotional regulation important? Does it mean you have to stifle yourself at all times? Maybe it's all just about balance. Val explores the topic of emotional regulation this week while sharing some fun stories about emotionally regulatin...
Veronica Bordacchini on Growing Up Italian, Fleshgod Apocalypse & 00s Gaming Nostalgia
Veronica Bordacchini of Fleshgod Apocalypse stops by to talk their upcoming spring tour in the US. Val and Veronica get deep about growing up Italian, while sharing some fun thoughts on horror and makeup too.Get more Fleshgod Apocalypse...
Because I Got Sued …Free Speech, The Afroman Way
Arguably the talk of the past week, Afroman has made headlines centered around a defamation trial. A court case he would end up winning. How did he win? What does this mean for musicians and content creators? What does it mea...
Kenny Hickey Reveals Type O Negative Studio Secrets & the Rise of SUN DONT SHINE
Guitarist and vocalist Kenny Hickey created a decades long career that began with the niche and devoted audience found in Type O Negative. We knew about the guitar work, we knew about the vocals, but this episode dives in to what Kenny i...
The Kelly Osbourne Comments Have Gone Too Far
Val examines the Kelly Osbourne of it all griping that the comments surrounding her body are simply too much. She asks, At what point does ‘concern’ stop being compassion and start being entitlement?Let's leave everybody's bo...
Mark Winters on Curiosity, Aerospace Engineering & Songwriting with Good Vibes
Musician, mentor, and overall positive guy Mark Winters stops by to chat with Val about the importance of staying curious, learning music as an adult, and finding the bright spots when the world looks dark. Check out Mark's <...
How to Get Social When You’re Afraid To
Have you ever entered a room and felt incredibly alone? Was it because you felt you weren't worthy? Were you afraid to even open the door? Val chats about all of those social anxieties this week and offers tips on how to quell them....
DONT YOU DARE on Sacramento’s Metalcore Roots and the Reality of Starting Out
What is it really like to start a band in 2026? DONT YOU DARE can tell you. They're in the middle of the fight right now. Noah and Matt join Val for a conversation about Sacremento's metalcore roots, thei...
Zahna on Brian “Head” Welch, Marriage, and Surviving the Music Industry
Zahna is an EARTH-SHATTERING VOICE that refuses to be silenced. Trust me, you'll hear all her highs, lows, cleans, and growls! Val chats with solo artist Zahna about her journey in the music industry (in general and as a fema...
Lane Kennedy's Mindset: Mindful Intention, Your DNA, and What It Can Teach You
Val chats with wellness expert Lane Kennedy about mindfulness and what are DNA can tell us about staying mentally healthy.Lane's journey began with an autoimmune diagnosis, leading her to a life free from alcohol and demonstrating...
Plastic Rhino Reveal a New Sound and Heavier Horizons
Val chats with Atara Glazer from Plastic Rhino about their new (MUCH heavier) single "Dark Horizon," their choice to stay independent, and their journey in the music industry._______________________________________________________...
I Almost Fell Out of Love with My Hobby
Have you ever loved something so much… and then one day realized you hadn’t touched it in months? Val almost fell out of love with her hobby—and it scared her more than expected. In fact, sometimes, it’s an indicator that we're depressed and we...
Tori Kravitz on Warped Tour and Succeeding in Music and Media
Music and media connoisseur Tori Kravtiz has been in the game as a pit reporter for Warped Tour and publicist for your favorite bands for a minute. If you were ever going to learn some tips and tricks on how to be succeed in eithe...