Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

Dive into celestial shifts as hosts discuss the transition from Taurus to Gemini, unraveling the mysteries of astrology. Explore the complexities of birthright citizenship amid recent Supreme Court updates. They also delve into a controversial offer of a Qatari Boeing 747 for Trump, while reflecting on its geopolitical implications. In lighter moments, listeners join the buzz around potential surprises at the 2025 AMAs and the healing power of self-compassion in dealing with friendship traumas. It's a whirlwind of insights and entertainment!

Aliza Kelly, a renowned celebrity astrologer and author of five books, joins for an enlightening chat. They dive into how astrology serves as a powerful tools for self-care and personal growth. Aliza emphasizes the importance of understanding one's birth chart, exploring how key placements influence identity and behavior. The conversation also touches on astrology's role in healing, the significance of cosmic cycles, and how these insights can foster community and connection. Personal anecdotes enrich the discussion, making astrology relatable and empowering.

This week on The Monday Edit - we’re making public push back fun with Strict Scrutiny’s co-host Leah Litman talking all about her new book Lawless: How the Supreme Court Came to Run on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes. We’re also talking about why public schools are becoming the battle ground for the separation of church and state with Alessandro Terenzoni, VP of Public Policy from Americans United for Separation of Church and State - we’re going IN on the supreme court this week, if you can’t already tell. Plus! We’re serving you a healthy dose of queer joy (like we always do over here on the Monday Edit, duh!). Leah Litman is a professor of law at the University of Michigan and a former Supreme Court clerk. In addition to cohosting Strict Scrutiny, she writes frequently about the Court for media outlets including The Washington Post, Slate, and The Atlantic, among others, and has appeared as a commentator on NPR and MSNBC, in addition to other venues. She has received the Ruth Bader Ginsburg award for her “scholarly excellence” from the American Constitution Society and published in top law reviews. Follow her on X @LeahLitman and Instagram @ProfLeahLitman. Alessandro Terenzoni is Vice President of Public Policy at Americans United. He leads Americans United’s policy team in its critical work to promote positive policy that defends and supports church-state separation at the federal and state levels. Before joining Americans United, he was Deputy Director of the Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs. He led the office’s civil-rights enforcement and technical-assistance work, ensuring that DOJ grant recipients did not unlawfully discriminate based on race, sex, religion, disability, and other protected bases. 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 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

In this engaging conversation, Dan Harris, a best-selling author and former ABC News anchor, dives into embracing failure and overcoming fear. He shares how his own setbacks propelled him toward growth and reflects on the psychological impact of failure, highlighting the importance of mindfulness. The discussion emphasizes self-compassion after mistakes and tackles the societal pressures of perfectionism. With humor and raw honesty, Dan offers listeners practical tools to navigate their challenges and find resilience.

This week on The Monday Edit: JVN takes Miami, threats to due process, Barbra & Mariah & Ariana, when to stop drinking coffee, and some history making Tony Nominations. Not A Phase. Trans Lifeline 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 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

Neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuku is joining Getting Better this week teaching us to how to care for the brain. Do supplements really work? And the research and science proven brain-changing benefits of exercise, sleep, movement and food. We're diving into memory and how our brains actually memorize. And diving into how we keep our minds and brains from aging to prevent cognitive decline, white matter changes, cortical thinning. So how do we begin taking better care of our brain so that our learning capabilities, memory and cognitive abilities stay young. Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube. You can follow Dr. Wendy Suzuki on Instagram @wendysuzuki. Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Our senior producer is Chris McClure. Our editor, engineer, & videographer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Our theme music is composed by Chris McClure & 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: espresso martini mayhem, the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, Trump 2028, tennis obsessions, and our POV on Michelle Obama’s act of self care. Not A Phase. Trans Lifeline Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris New video episodes Getting Better on YouTube every Wednesday. Our Senior Producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leah Thomas, author of The Intersectional Environmentalist, stopped by Getting Better to help us get a grip on how we can be sustainable from home, understand why environmental justice IS social justice, and why joy should be at the center of all activism. Leah Thomas is an award-winning environmentalist based in Los Angeles. A passionate advocate for the often-overlooked intersection between social justice, environmentalism, and culture, her work is shaped through the lens of eco-feminism. She is the author of the bestselling The Intersectional Environmentalist, a widely taught resource in university classrooms nationwide. In 2024, Leah founded Green Girl Productions, a media company that produces cultural and community events around environmental and social issues across the country. She is the founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, a groundbreaking non-profit and resource hub, where she currently serves as a board member. Beyond her advocacy, she has also lent her expertise as a climate solutions consultant for major companies like Apple. As a leading voice in the environmental space, Leah understands how to enact tangible change on a community and societal level by making environmentalism both digestible and accessible. Recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 List and TIME100 NEXT, Leah is an established public speaker who has presented on prestigious stages including Dreamforce, TED, and Aspen Ideas. In her free time, Leah finds creative expression through crafting as an act of self-care and community-building, and to inspire her audience to embrace more sustainable, hands-on practices. Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube. You can follow Leah Thomas on Instagram @greengirlleah. Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Our senior producer is Chris McClure. Our editor, engineer, & videographer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Our theme music is composed by Chris McClure & 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: deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, the U.K. Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman, J.K. Rowling’s Cigar, Nicola Coughlin, and Lady Gaga at Coachella. Not A Phase. Trans Lifeline Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris New video episodes Getting Better on YouTube every Wednesday. Our Senior Producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gabrielle Bernstein, best selling author and manifestation expert, stopped by Getting Better to help JVN understand the POWER of manifestation. What mental blocks do we carry with us that make it nearly impossible to manifest the life we want? How can we start TODAY? What does Family Systems Therapy have to do with it? We’re gonna find out! For nearly two decades, Gabby Bernstein has been transforming lives—including her own. The #1 New York Times bestselling author has penned ten books, including Self Help, The Universe Has Your Back, Super Attractor and Happy Days. Gabby was featured on Oprah’s SuperSoul Sunday as a “new thought leader.” The New York Times identified Gabby as “a role model for a new generation of spiritual seekers.” She is a regular guest on Good Morning America, Today and Live with Kelly and Mark, among other leading media outlets. In 2023 she launched the innovative gabby coaching app to democratize spiritual self-help and be your coach—anytime, anywhere. In her weekly podcast, Dear Gabby, she offers up real-time coaching, straight talk and conversations about personal growth and spirituality. From her start hosting intimate conversations with twenty people in her New York City apartment, Gabby has grown to speaking to tens of thousands in sold-out venues throughout the world. Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube. You can follow Gabby Bernstein on Instagram @gabbybernstein. Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Our senior producer is Chris McClure. Our editor, engineer, & videographer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Our theme music is composed by Chris McClure & 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