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Happy Pride Month! This week on Getting Better, we're heading backstage on Broadway for a dazzling deep dive into the artistry, creativity, and sheer magic that brings iconic productions to life. Jonathan sits down with the Hair & Makeup team behind the 9-Time Tony Nominated production of CATS: The Jellicle Ball: Makeup Designer Rania Zohny & Tony Award Winning Hair Designer, Nikiya Mathis. Together, they unpack the intricate process of designing for the stage - from creating unforgettable character transformations to building wigs and makeup looks that can withstand eight shows a week. Plus, they take us behind the curtain of the iconic “Memory” transformation and share what it really takes to create Broadway magic night after night. Whether you're a theatre kid, a beauty lover, or just someone who appreciates a fabulous transformation, this episode is serving artistry, history, and a whole lot of Pride. Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Instagram @catsjellicleball Follow Nikiya Mathis on Instagram @nikiyamathis Follow Rania Zohny @raniasmakeup Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure.Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we're talking: JVN's U.K. Tour, seaweed pressed scarfs, visits with grandparents & friends abroad, JVN Hair Wave Spray, Nando's Peri Peri, “The Crash,” CATS Spelling Bee, over-packing, hot yoga, Obsession, stretching, January 6th rioters, alone time, and our hot bitch of the week! Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube! Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A lot of us have a complicated relationship with movement - blamed, shamed, or stuck in routines that don't truly serve us. But what if movement wasn't about perfection, punishment, or performance? What if it was a powerful tool for connection, self-care, and resilience? This week, we're diving deep into the psychology behind group fitness and movement's ability to heal, empower, and transform lives. From JVN's personal journey of finding community through yoga and gymnastics to hosting a joy-filled adult gymnastics experience with Airbnb, he explores how movement can help us reclaim our mental health, confidence, and sense of belonging. We break down how to create inclusive, nurturing spaces that honor the whole person - taking into account family stress, gender identity, trauma, and systemic barriers - so movement becomes a source of liberation, not shame. Dr. Tess Kilwein, a sports psychologist, is dedicated to making group fitness accessible and affirming for all bodies and minds. Her work on the psychology of movement shows us that movement is a radical act of self-love and collective healing. Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Dr. Tess Kilwein @unapologeticpsych Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Giving birth is a MAJOR medical event, and we're learning about how to get the best possible experience for YOU with Jen Hamilton, the New York Times #1 bestselling author of Birth Vibes . From birth plans and building the right support team to navigating fear, nursing, and the reality of “bad” birth stories online, Jen shares practical advice and compassionate insight for every kind of parent-to-be. Whether you're considering a hospital birth, home birth, epidural, natural labor, VBACs, supporting someone going through their birthing process, or you have absolutely no idea where to start whatsoever, this episode is here to help you feel informed, confident, and supported through your pregnancy journey. BIO: Jen Hamilton is a labor and delivery nurse recognized for her expertise in maternal and newborn care. Drawing from frontline experiences, Hamilton guides families through childbirth, managing high-stakes scenarios that require precision, empathy, and rapid decision-making. Her ability to explain the complexities of labor and delivery, combining clinical knowledge with storytelling, has established her as a speaker who clarifies the childbirth process. Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Jen Hamilton on Instagram @_jen_hamilton_ Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we're talking: Morning routine optimization, TikTok controversy analysis, Jen Hamilton's bestselling journey, The Sopranos, Lost, Lincoln Memorial Swimming Pool, Time travelers, and our Hot B*tch of the Week. Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube! Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We're unpacking the mindset of money with Mrs. Dow Jones (Haley Sacks)! What money mindsets will set you up for the most success? Why is "girl math" low-key not great? What is treat culture and a "money date?" What role does money play as a proxy for security, status, and self-worth? We're gonna figure out and get better money habits together! You don't need to have everything figured out - you just have to start somewhere. Catch Haley's podcast " Financial Tea" wherever you listen! Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Haley Sacks on Instagram @mrsdowjones Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we're talking: JVN's UK tour, Sally Field lore, crossed wires over wifi, scarf game, Swedish Death Cleaning, Edie Beale, South Korea & Japan travel, a financial-themed Spelling Bee, “How My Mom Tried To Kill Me Pt. 4”, more True Crime, Hantavirus, HIV funding, Irish curls, Mother's Day, and coffee! Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube! Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2026 will be BIG astrologically speaking… Discover how astrology is shaping the year's biggest shifts, both personally and globally, with renowned astrologer Aliza Kelly. From planetary movements to understanding your unique birth chart, explore practical ways astrology can guide you through 2026's transformative energies. Aliza Kelly is a renowned celebrity astrologer, author, columnist, and host of the podcast, AstroloTea! Catch Aliza in LA at The Elysian on May 14th, and in NYC at Joe's Pub on July 14th. Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Aliza Kelly on Instagram @alizakelly Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today we're talking: JVN's West Coast tour, last minute hotel switches, scalp treatments, an astrological spelling bee, LOUISIANA v. CALLAIS, our White House Instagram feature, lipstick setting, and AG8! Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube! Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure.Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we're talking: JVN on the West Coast, responding vs. reacting, self diagnosing from TikTok, the cocaine salmon, gifting etiquette, a very French spelling bee, and of course - our HBOTW! Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube! Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure.Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today we're talking: JetSet Pilates, JVN & Michelle Kwan Take Paris, Ulta Beauty World, Tina Knowles sightings, being triggered by Britney Spears mics, seeing folks from the Pretty Curious era, New York sized bees, what we're getting better at this week, JVN's continued worked on perfectionism, speaking on vocal fry, Alex v. Alix, 4/20 Spelling Bee letting go of friendships, HBOTW's - French Pharmacy & CNP Laboratory, and Rachel Zegler's Olivier Award Win. Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube! Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Disagreements are everywhere right now - and let's be honest, they can get messy fast. But what if arguing didn't have to wreck your relationships… or your nervous system? This week on Getting Better, JVN sits down with Dr. Julia Minson, a Harvard decision scientist and leading expert on disagreements, to unpack why we clash, how we can do it better, and the small shifts that make a huge difference. From dinner table debates to full-on conflict spirals, we're getting into the psychology behind why being “right” isn't always the win you think it is. Together, they explore the gold standard for healthy disagreement, where conflict actually comes from, and the real-life tools you can start using today to stay grounded, curious, and connected - even when you deeply disagree. How to Disagree Better by Julia Minson out now! Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Dr. Julia Minson on Instagram @juliaminson Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week: we've compiled our favorite Monday Edit Spelling Bee's for your listening pleasure! Regularly scheduled TME's will be back next Monday - but don't forget to tune in this Wednesday, April 15th for a brand new episode of Getting Better with Harvard decision scientist Julia Minson talking all about how to disagree better. Divaaaa, do we need that now more than ever or what? Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube! Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
GLP-1... 4-LIFE? JVN is joined by Dr. Liz Kazarian for a candid conversation on GLP-1 medications, the future of obesity care, and JVN's personal journey with the medication. They cover: Food tracking—helpful or harmful? How does family medicine shape patient care? Do you take GLP-1s forever? Plus - what it takes to sustain long-term health on this “miracle” medication. Dr. Liz Kazarian is a board-certified family medicine physician specializing in obesity medicine, with a clinical focus on women's health, preventive care, and chronic disease management. She earned her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Virginia. As part of PMA Health, Dr. Kazarian provides comprehensive, patient-centered care, with an emphasis on long-term wellness and individualized treatment plans. Her approach integrates lifestyle, behavioral, and medical strategies to support sustainable health outcomes, particularly in the treatment of obesity and related conditions. She sees patients in the Northern Virginia area and is committed to helping individuals build practical, lasting approaches to better health. Disclaimer:This episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment, including GLP-1 medications. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you've heard on this podcast. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Dr. Kazarian on Instagram @drkazarian Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we're talking: JVN's birthday, Inner Child Work, weekend milestones, hack-a-rella sickness, what WE'RE getting better at this week, Afroman on TikTok, Broadway-Themed Spelling Bee, covering up hickeys, Alexandra Paul & Animal Rights Activists, and Dunkin Donuts Banana Iced Coffees. Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here. The Monday Edit, now on YouTube! Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ever wondered why we lash out, shut down, or spiral emotionally, even when we don't want to? On this episode of Getting Better, JVN teams up with psychologist and author Dr. Nicole LePera (The Holistic Psychologist) to dive deep into inner child healing, parts work, and the shocking truth behind our nervous system's reactions. Dr. LePera reveals how our past molds our emotions, why connection is our biological imperative, and how to become your own adult parent. JVN opens up about their own "parts," and together they dissect black-and-white thinking, fear, and emotional overwhelm, uncovering real-world strategies to break free! If healing has ever felt messy, scary, or downright nonlinear, this conversation may help you truly "getting better." Dr. Nicole LePera's new book Reparenting the Inner Child: The New Science of Our Oldest Wounds and How to Heal Them is out March 24th. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Dr. Nicole LePera on Instagram @the.holistic.psychologist Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What if getting dressed could actually help you feel better? This week, JVN sits down with Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief Nikki Ogunnaike to talk about dopamine dressing, personal style, and why fashion is so much deeper than just clothes. Together, they get into how to figure out what your style really is, why “everything is fashion,” and how vintage, retail, and finding a good deal can all shape the way we express ourselves. BIO: Named editor-in-chief of Marie Claire (US), Nikki Ogunnaike is among a new wave of women driving fresh relevance across fashion titles (The Washington Post saluted her and her peers in a recent collective profile). Previously at Harper's Bazaar in the role of senior digital director, she has a strong following through social channels and an all-around style that resonates with younger readers. In this new chapter for the reliable women's magazine, Ogunnaike's direction signals broader representation of faces and voices through fashion, beauty and news coverage, while appearing sharper and more accessible than ever. Nikki is a Nigerian-American style expert who cut her teeth at publications such as Vanity Fair, InStyle, Glamour, ELLE, and GQ. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Nikki Ogunaike on Instagram @nikkiogun Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What happens when you meet someone who looks like your long-lost twin… and then they also have an iconic backstory to match? JVN is joined by Matt Newman (aka MattLovesHair on social media) for one helluva delightful conversation. From photoshoot fiascos, an ANTM-era detour, and Matt's origin story as an OG Drybar stylist. From there, it's all the hits - strip club stories, “DollarStoreJVN,” frat hazing, first love, and how social media can shape (and sometimes warp) the way we see ourselves. Then we go deeper: how gender expression evolves, what it takes to feel safe being seen, and the confidence it requires to live more honestly—even when the world has opinions. And yes… JVN talks about potentially chopping their hair off, what it was like cutting their hair back in the day, and what it taught them about identity, control, and change. If you've ever felt like you were editing yourself to fit the room, this one will hit—and leave you feeling a little braver. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Matt Newman on Instagram @mattloveshair Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, JVN & Chris talk: Softwave Skin Treatments, "Friend of Dorothy," the ANTM Documentary, Murder in Glitterball City, the weekly Spelling Bee, U.S. presence in Iran, and ICE Detention Centers. Plus - JVN answers your listener questions, and we drop this week's Hot B*tch of the Week. The Monday Edit, now on YouTube! Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Cindy Eckert (Addyi) joins JVN to talk all things women's sexual health, libido, and the science behind desire. Cindy breaks down her TIME100 Health feature, gives a preview of her upcoming Paramount+ documentary The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs & Who Has Control, shares the iconic story of Addyi (often called the “female Viagra”) and her fight for better access to women's health care. Jonathan and Cindy also unpack the science of libido, how hormones, stress, and stigma affect sexual wellness, and why sexual health is directly connected to quality of life. If you've ever wondered about low libido, women's sexual desire, Addyi, or how to talk about sexual health without shame - this episode is for you! Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Cindy Eckert on @cindypinkceo Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, JVN & Chris talk: Punch the Monkey, the return of the perm, Supreme Court striking down Trump Tariffs, Kristi Noem's private jet funded from ICE's budget, the shelf life of slang, and our hot b*tches of the week! The Monday Edit, now on YouTube! Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer, Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall. Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How Enneagrams can help YOU! This week, JVN dives into the world of the Enneagram with coach and expert, Courtney Smith. This is the personality system that doesn't just describe your behavior… it describes your motivation. JVN learns their type and discovers why two people who look NOTHING alike (hi history!) can actually operate from the exact same psychological blueprint. We're talking: What the Enneagram actually is (and what it definitely is not). The 9 types and their core fears + desires. Instincts — the part that explains your relationships, stress, and habits. Why people-pleasing and codependence show up. How mistyping happens (and why most of us do it). And yes… JVN's official type reveal. BIO: Courtney Smith combines her experience as a management consultant with her expertise in a variety of tools and practices (including the Enneagram) to offer coaching and consulting services tailored to the individuals and organizations she works with. She is committed to helping all of us see how we unwittingly limit our lives and how to unlock more present, intentional, and richer ways of being in this world. The best way to access her tools now is by joining her new newsletter. Courtney works with a variety of clients one-on-one to identify places in their lives where they feel stuck and would benefit from an outside perspective. Using the Enneagram, somatic practices, and other pragmatic tools, Courtney helps her clients break through their patterns and limiting beliefs, and more fully experience aliveness, connection, integrity, appreciation, effectiveness, authenticity, clarity, support, and freedom. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, JVN & Chris talk: calling out sick, Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Performance, Winter Olympics themed spelling bee, the HIV Funding Rollback, Greenhouse gases, and Hasan Piker's POV on 3rd Party voting. Plus! This week's HBOTW. The Monday Edit, now on YouTube! Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We're getting out the red yarn, receipts, proof, timeline, screenshots - f*cking everything - and piecing together the saga of that is: The Epstein Files. JVN and Betches co-founder, Sami Sage, unpack a tangled web that tracks 50 years into the past and traces all the way to today. From concrete evidence to conspiracy theories - this is just the tip of the iceberg, and we'll be keeping an eye on this EVER unfolding story here on the pod. Sami Sage, host of Morning Announcements and co-founder of Betches Media. Catch Morning Announcements wherever you get your podcasts. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Sami Sage on Instagram @sami Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fresh off the release of the tenth and final season of Queer Eye, Jonathan Van Ness sat down with Abbie to chat about their upcoming Australia tour of their new show Hot and Healed. They open up about the challenges of being in the public eye, the importance of authenticity and self-care, and their passion for learning new things like comedy. Plus, JVN addresses the absence of Karamo from the Queer Eye press tour. LINKS Buy tickets to JVN's Hot and Healed Tour https://www.tegdainty.com/tour/jonathanvanness/ Follow Jonathan Van Ness on IG @jvn Check out @itsalotpod on IG at https://bit.ly/itsalot-instagram Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/ial-review Follow LiSTNR Entertainment on IG @listnrentertainment Follow LiSTNR Entertainment on TikTok @listnrentertainment Get instructions on how to access transcripts on Apple podcasts https://bit.ly/3VQbKXY CREDITS Host: Abbie Chatfield @abbiechatfield Guest: Jonathan Van Ness @jvn Executive Producer and Editor: Amy Kimball @amy.kimballDigital and Social and Video Producer: Oscar Gordon @oscargordon Social and Video Producer: Justin Hill @jus_hillIt's A Lot Social Media Manager: Julia ToomeyManaging Producer: Sam Cavanagh Find more great podcasts like this at www.listnr.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melissa Murray & Kate Shaw, two of the three hosts from the HIT podcast Strict Scrutiny join JVN on this week's episode of Getting Better to break down the biggest legal and political stories shaping our lives right now — from ICE and Minneapolis, the TikTok data debate, and the Supreme Court cases that could change everything. Check out Strict Scrutiny wherever you get your podcasts! They talk: voting rights, power, accountability, what the headlines miss…and whether there's still reason for hope. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Strict Scrutiny @strictscrutinypodcast Follow Melissa Murray @profmmurray Follow Kate Shaw @kateashaw Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chris Appleton takes a seat in JVN's chair! JVN and Chris talk about how vulnerability not only changed Chris' life, but allowed him to write his debut memoir Your Roots Don't Define You. Plus! JVN and Chris talk: bleach and tones, celebrity clientele (like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Katy Perry to name a few), Met Gala tea, how red carpet moments come together to make absolute perfection. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Chris Appleton on Instagram @chrisappleton1 Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Queer Eye Season 10 is upon us! This week, JVN gets personal and reflects on the last decade making Queer Eye. They also catch up with iconic heroes Tammye Hicks, Kathi Dooley, and Angel Flores on this very special celebration episode! Queer Eye Season 10 is now streaming. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Tammye Hicks @mamatammye Follow Kathi Dooley @kathidooley Follow Angel Flores @arkangeljoy Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jonathan Van Ness is one of the most recognisable and beloved figures in pop culture today - but in this conversation, they open up about the chapters of their life few people truly understand. Jonathan speaks candidly about addiction, relapse, sex addiction, and living with HIV, including the moment they realised contracting HIV ultimately saved their life by forcing them to confront a dangerous relationship with meth. With extraordinary honesty, Jonathan reflects on survival, recovery, shame, joy, and what it really means to heal. We also talk about identity, coming out as non-binary, people-pleasing, impulse behaviour, and why healing isn’t a destination — it’s a lifelong practice. Alongside the heavy moments, Jonathan brings humour, warmth and deep compassion, sharing how movement, group fitness, love, and chosen family helped them rebuild a life they want to stay in. This is a powerful, vulnerable and deeply human conversation about staying alive, finding joy after trauma, and learning how to come home to yourself. For information about Jonathan's upcoming Hot and Healed Tour head here. THE END BITS: Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us on Instagram here. Discover more Mamamia podcasts here. Feedback: podcast@mamamia.com.au Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. We’re giving away a Your Reformer Pilates bed (worth $3,400) Subscribe to enter. CREDITS: Guest: Jonathan Van Ness Host: Naima Brown Executive Producer: Bree Player Audio Producer: Tina Matalov Video Producer: Josh Green Recorded with Session in Progress studios. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why do smart, curious people join cults? JVN is joined by investigative journalist Ellen Huet, who spent years interviewing more than 125 former members to expose how a movement built around empowerment, intimacy, and “sexual wellness” spiraled into coercion, manipulation, and abuse of power. Together, we break down how wellness culture can blur boundaries, why charismatic leaders are so effective, and how language around healing and liberation can be weaponized. They explore what OneTaste and Orgasmic Meditation (O.M.) actually promised, how social pressure and taboo minimization kept people trapped, and what finally led to an FBI investigation and federal trial. Most importantly, we talk about why smart, curious people join cults, how to spot red flags before it's too late, and what to do if someone you love might be caught in one. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Ellen Huet on Instagram @ehuet Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Play isn't something we grow out of — it's something we desperately need to return to. When was the last time you truly played — without trying to be productive, impressive, or good at it? This week on Getting Better, JVN sits down with toy designer and author Cas Holman to help us learn the value of a little playtime! From designing iconic toys to studying how people of all ages learn through play, Cas breaks down how play shapes creativity, problem-solving, and even how we relate to joy. They dig into how gender norms influence the toys we're given, why play can feel harder than ever in a productivity-obsessed culture, and what happens when we detach play from outcomes altogether. Cas also shares insights from her new book Playful, including the different types of play, what “free play” actually means, and how bringing fun into everyday moments can change how we work, learn, and live. If you've been feeling burnt out, stuck, or disconnected from joy — this episode is your permission slip to loosen the rules, have some fun, and remember that play isn't frivolous. It's foundational! Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Cas Holman on Instagram @casholman Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Connection isn't just about being around people — it's about feeling seen. This week on Getting Better, JVN sits down certified mental health coach and founder of the SEEN Method, Morgan Burch, for a powerful conversation about authenticity, isolation, and what actually makes relationships work. Together, they unpack why so many of us feel disconnected even when we're surrounded by others, how fear and rumination can quietly shape our relationships, and the ways cancel culture and manipulation can push people into deeper isolation. Morgan breaks down the psychology behind feeling “separate,” how visualization can either heal or trap us, and what it really means to be emotionally safe with another person. From recognizing when you're being pulled away from connection to learning the key foundations of healthy, successful relationships, this episode is about finding your way back to yourself — and to others — with clarity, compassion, and intention. Whether you're navigating friendship shifts, romantic relationships, or just trying to feel less alone, this conversation offers grounding tools to help you reconnect. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Morgan Burch on Instagram @goodmorgantherapy Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Boundaries aren't about being mean — they're about being clear. This week on Getting Better, JVN sits down with Melissa Urban, founder of Whole30 and a leading voice on boundaries, to talk about how to set limits that actually stick — especially when emotions, history, and guilt get involved. From defining what a boundary really is (hint: it's not just what you say, it's what you do), to navigating boundaries at work, in relationships, and even with yourself, Melissa breaks down the practical steps that make boundaries sustainable instead of exhausting. Together, they dive into when “no contact” is the healthiest option, how to recover after a boundary gets crossed, and why patience — with others and yourself — is a key part of the process. JVN also shares their own personal experience going no contact, what self-care looks like when you're holding firm to your limits, and how to get “back on the boundary horse” when things don't go perfectly the first time. If you've ever struggled with people-pleasing, second-guessing yourself, or holding a boundary without spiraling — this episode is your permission slip to do it differently. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Melissa Urban on Instagram @melissau Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we're talking: Going no contact, All Her Fault, the Fanning Sisters, ADHD flow states, JVN's new favorite European city, Miss Universe pregnancy rules, Norway's royal family, Matthew Morrison's dance breaks, thirsty little c*nts on Tiktok, "rebranding" domestic terrorism, Bari Weiss, blocking CBS news, Glogg, Tumeric, and success with semaglutides. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris New video episodes Getting Better on YouTube every Wednesday. Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Your worth is not tied to your results. This week, JVN is joined by Olympic Bronze Medalist - figure skater, author, and all-around icon Adam Rippon to talk about career pivots, personal reinvention, and why stepping into a new chapter can be one of the most powerful moves you make. They're talking all about growing up in the golden age of 90s and 2000s figure skating, deep dives on Oksana Baiul's online persona, and straight men with a little flourish— plus Adam's early predictions for the 2026 Winter Olympics. They also dig into what it means to prepare for a new phase of your career or life, navigating long-distance relationships, a cosmetic procedure kiki, and Adam's new med-spa venture. And of course: how to know when it's truly time to make the pivot — and what it looks like to do it with confidence. Catch Adam's podcasts Intrusive Thoughts and The Run Through (which he co-hosts with Ashley Wagner and Sarah Hughs) anywhere you get your pods. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Adam Rippon on Instagram @adaripp Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we're talking: JVN's Euro Hot & Healed Tour, English Breakfasts, Whole Foods hot bars, Simone Biles' first figure skating lesson, Instagram Close Friends Stories, NSFW shaped lipstick, home renovation revelations, Christina Aguilera at the Eiffel Tower, honey on toes, Trump v. Slaughter, Spotify Wrapped, and Pantone's Color of the year - “cloud dancer” aka white. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris New video episodes Getting Better on YouTube every Wednesday. Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Relationships aren't just about chemistry or communication — they're shaped by the attachment style running the show behind-the-scenes. This week, JVN sits down with author, educator, and founder of The Personal Development School, Thais Gibson, to break down the four core attachment styles and how they shape the way we love, communicate, and connect. If you're trying to make sense of the way you are in any relationship, this episode gives you the roadmap to understand yourself more deeply and build the connections you actually want. From early childhood patterns to the subconscious programs we carry into adulthood, Thais explains how our nervous system learns to stay safe — and how we can recondition it to build healthier, more secure bonds. They're digging into the traits of secure, anxious, dismissive, and fearful-avoidant attachment, how to identify your style, and how each one impacts intimacy, conflict, boundaries, and communication. Thais also shares the five pillars for transforming your relationships, practical tools for rewiring old habits, and why positive framing at work can shift your entire dynamic. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Thais Gibson on Instagram @thepersonaldevelopmentschool Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The one and only Jonathan Van Ness returns to the show this week!! Drew and JVN talk about their Oscar wishes for Wicked: For Good, meeting Beyonce, figure skating lore, college cheerleading, being fascinated with the OJ trial as a kid, Titanic hyperfixations, when smoking people out goes wrong, and so much more. JVN IG: https://www.instagram.com/jvn/JVN Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jvn_official?lang=enFollow The Comment Section on IG! https://www.instagram.com/thecommentsection/ Discover more on www.disaronno.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today, we're refining our BS reader with one the BEST in the biz - Jennifer Welch - from “I've Had It”! Together, JVN and Jennifer dive into how to hold people accountable, discern the news we're watching, and call out hypocrisy in both everyday life and in U.S. politics. Jennifer leads by example how we can practice accountability at home, in friendships, on social media, and with our elected leaders — without losing our joy or our sense of humor. Jennifer Welch is a designer and cohost of the hit podcast “I've Had It” and “IHIP News,” where she and her best friend Angie “Pumps” Sullivan say what so many of us are thinking about politics, culture, and everyday nonsense. I've Had It has turned into a viral space where elected officials get pressed on their choices, not their talking points. Jen has marched for justice — including the No Kings Rally this past June in Oklahoma City where she and JVN marched together. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Jennifer Welch on Instagram @mizzwelch Follow I've Had It on Instagram @ivehaditpodcast Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we're talking: visits to Drew Afualo & Suzanne Lambert's podcasts, the Finlandia Trophy, Thanksgiving prep, Paul Revere, JVN's upcoming European tour, Carmen Sandiego, “Where In The World Is JVN,” horses in the stable, Mikayla Noguiera's haircut, Zara Larsson, the return of the salmon chunks, the death of Tierra Walker and abortion access in America, the release of the Epstein files, Chris' Wicked: For Good, algorithm resets, Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris New video episodes Getting Better on YouTube every Wednesday. Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure.Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Travel nightmares, cocktail jazz, & laughing gas…oh my! This week, JVN is joined by comedian and certified delight, Heather McMahan (host, Absolutely Not) They're talking: baths vs. showers, jazz scatting, preferred quesadilla orders, comedy in 2025, mid-flight medical emergencies, eyelashes, meeting people where they're at, finding rituals that ground you, healthcare in the UK, The Golden Bachelor, and much much more! Heather McMahan is an actress, comedian, and podcaster whose sharp humor and self-deprecating storytelling have made her one of the most beloved voices in comedy today. Her Netflix special Son I Never Had! debuted in 2023 to widespread acclaim, holding a Top 10 position for a full week. Known for her candor, relatability, and ability to find humor in chaos, Heather has toured internationally, selling out iconic venues including Radio City Music Hall during her Comeback Tour. She's been called “an auditory David Sedaris for the millennial set” by The Hollywood Reporter and continues to connect with fans across stand-up, television, and her hit podcast: Absolutely Not Catch her in The Bamboozled Tour continuing this spring. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Heather McMahan on Instagram @heatherkmcmahan Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we're talking: JVN's return to yoga, which comedian makes JVN pull an oblique & an intercostal muscle, the process of becoming a U.S. Citizen, the perils of ankles being in weird positions, “Going Up on A Tuesday,” chickens in the Philippines, shark attacks, Cynthia Erivo's reflexes, Megyn Kelly's grift, The Devil Wears Prada 2 Trailer, Vulture's article on Ziwe, reframing your view of self care, the trauma behind “Don't Be Tardy,” the last penny, JVN bidding at auctions incorrectly as a kid, and Jack Schlossberg. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris New video episodes Getting Better on YouTube every Wednesday. Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure.Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Woke Mind Virus? How about the Whiteness Mindset! JVN welcomes psychologist and author Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter to dig into his new book, How I Know White People Are Crazy and Other Stories, and explore how a “whiteness mindset” shows up in everyday life. We talk about what it is, who exhibits it, how it drives control and denial, feeds our collective stress, and why naming it is the first step toward healing. From suppressing emotions to the lack of representation in mental health, Dr. Lassiter offers practical ways to care for ourselves and each other. We get into news hygiene (don't doomscroll first thing!), how celebrity culture can hijack important conversations, and what living under chronic threat does to the body and brain. Whether you're unpacking your own conditioning, supporting someone you love, or just trying to stay human in a loud news cycle, this episode gives you tools to regulate, relate, and repair. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Dr. Jonathan Matthias Lassiter on Instagram @lassiterhealth Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Elyse Myers, (writer/creator) stopped by to talk to JVN all about her new book That's A Great Question, I'd Love To Tell You, living with ADHD, and navigating parenthood after being diagnosed with Autism as an adult. From masking and people-pleasing to boundaries and self-acceptance, Elyse shares the before/after of getting language following her diagnosis. Plus! We also dig into how she writes and why the Midwest is low-key the best. Elyse Myers is a writer and comedian who achieved mainstream recognition as a digital content creator. Deemed "The Internet's Best Friend," Myers continues to serve her audience of more than 10M+ with relatable stories, twisted Q&A's over coffee, and acts as an advocate for countless topics such as ADHD, imposter syndrome, body image and more by allowing herself to be seen, unfiltered in a genuine and hilarious way. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Elyse Myers on Instagram @elyse_myers and Tiktok @elysemyers Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Money isn't just about math — it's about mindset. This week, JVN welcomes back financial educator, Her First $100K founder, and Financial Feminist Podcast host Tori Dunlap to the pod to talk about how we can break free from money shame and finally feel confident with our cash! From debt and credit cards to saving, investing, and taxes, Tori breaks down the emotional and practical sides of money management — and why so many of us tie our self-worth to our bank accounts. They're talking about how to build real financial confidence, stop saying “I'm bad with money,” and start making choices that align with your values. Whether you're paying off debt, dreaming about investing, or just trying to chill every time you check your balance — this episode will help you rethink what financial freedom really means. BIO: Tori Dunlap is a financial educator, author, and entrepreneur best known as the founder of Her First $100K, a multimillion-dollar company dedicated to financial feminism and helping women build money confidence. After saving $100,000 by age 25 and leaving her corporate marketing job, she grew her platform into a top podcast and New York Times bestselling book of the same name, Financial Feminist. Today, Tori reaches millions with practical tools for tackling debt, saving, and investing, and was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for her work reshaping how women talk about money. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Tori Dunlap on Instagram @herfirst100k Follow The Financial Feminist @financialfeministpodcast Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we're talking: some big considerations following last week's hypnosis episode, Halloween, money shame, soft-pitching “The Cancelistas,” speaking on panels, smoked fish, Ralph Lauren Christmas, the continued government shutdown, SNAP benefits, the White House Ballroom renovation, $230 Million from the Justice Department, Kristi Noem's private jet, being a Patriot for Gymnastics, and the Louvre burglary. Check out the JVN Patreon for a BTS vlog and post-show debrief of The Drowsy Chaperone at Carnegie Hall starring JVN, Laverne Cox, Dylan Mulvaney, Betty Who, Alex Newell, Peppermint, and many many more! www.patreon.com/jvn Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris New video episodes Getting Better on YouTube every Wednesday. Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Hypnosis is not just swinging watches, stage magic, or Scooby Doo fodder - it's a tool we can all use to help rewire our brains. This week, JVN talks with Melissa Tiers, founder of The Center for Integrative Hypnosis in New York City. Melissa is a hypnotist whose work spans decades and has helped people effectively rewire their brains for the better. We're talking about self-hypnosis techniques, debunking misconceptions, and the mass hypnosis plaguing us all. BIO: Melissa Tiers is the founder of The Center for Integrative Hypnosis in New York City and co-founder of the Ethical Coaching Collective. She's an award-winning author, coach, and hypnosis trainer known for blending neuroscience and mind-body techniques to help people create lasting change. Melissa has received the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association's Pen & Quill Award three times and the National Guild of Hypnotists President's Award for excellence in her field. Her work has been featured in Marie Claire and More Magazine, and she has spoken at international hypnosis conferences across the U.S., U.K., and Europe. Melissa is also the author of several books, including Integrative Hypnosis and Keeping the Brain in Mind. Melissa's free class - Emotional First Aid: Free Training for the Resistance Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Melissa Tiers on Instagram @melissatiers Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We're living in a time when mental health terms are EVERYWHERE. But is our obsession with therapy-speak helping us grow, or just confusing us more? This week, JVN sits down with psychotherapist and author Joe Nucci to talk about his new book PSYCHOBABBLE and the rise of pop psychology online. Together, they unpack what a psychotherapist really does, how self-diagnosis can backfire, and why therapy buzzwords like “attachment styles,” “boundaries,” and “trauma” often lose meaning when they go viral. From the truth about mindfulness (and why it's not for everyone) to spotting real insight amid the noise, this episode dives deep into how we talk about mental health—and what it actually means to get better. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Joe Nucci on Instagram @joenuccitherapy Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Take the online quiz and introduce Ollie to your pet. Visit https://www.ollie.com/better today for 60% off your first box of meals! #ToKnowThemIsToLoveThem Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Planned Parenthood President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson is here and we are fired up! Alexis is leading the fight to protect reproductive freedom at a time when access to healthcare is under attack across the U.S.—and she's breaking it all down for us. JVN sat down with Alexis to talk about the real-world impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, how rural communities are being left behind, and why Planned Parenthood remains an essential lifeline for millions. Plus: what we can all do to stay informed, get involved, and fight back for equitable care. BIO: Alexis McGill Johnson is the President and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, a leading advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights. She is also the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), a national nonprofit organization that is the country's most trusted name in sexual and reproductive health. Alexis McGill Johnson is a renowned social justice leader, lifelong political organizer, and a tireless advocate for reproductive rights and access to quality, affordable health care. Alexis has served in both organizations' leadership for more than 15 years: as a former PPFA board chair, former Planned Parenthood Action Fund board member, and former Planned Parenthood Federal PAC chair. In those roles Alexis helped expand Planned Parenthood Action Fund's advocacy power, and since taking leadership has led the organization through challenges — from its exclusion from Title X to the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Alexis McGill Johnson on Instagram @alexismjpp Planned Parenthood on Instagram @plannedparenthood Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Visit www.imforpp.org for more info. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Comedian, actor, producer, and all-around icon Mae Martin is here and we are thriving! Mae's the co-host of the Handsome podcast with Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster, and they've got a brand new Netflix show Wayward (which hit #1 on Netflix on opening weekend) out now with effing Toni Collette that we are absolutely obsessed with. JVN sat down with Mae ahead of the release to talk all about finding humor in the scariest of times, turning pain into power, and the very real teenage experiences that inspired Mae's new show. Plus: queer intrigue on TV, eating boiled eggs in your parents' basement (relatable), and what it's like to dive into the entertainment industry at such a young age. From A-list thrillers to how we gaslight young people to just getting the ball rolling on your next big idea, this episode is giving you everything! Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Mae Martin on Instagram @hooraymae Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices