Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

This week on The Monday Edit, we have a very special guest joining in on the Monday fun: best selling author Anna Malaika Tubbs stopped by to tell us all about her new book, Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us and helps us hone in on real time examples of our Patriarchy is being weaponized today. Anna unpacks how the United States has constructed a unique—and often invisible—gendered hierarchy, one that is inextricably linked to whiteness and a deeply flawed binary system. From the founding fathers to the current Supreme Court, from the erasure of women in the Constitution to the ongoing fight for the Equal Rights Amendment, Dr. Tubbs reveals the mechanisms that have kept women’s contributions hidden and their voices suppressed. Anna Malaika Tubbs is a scholar, advocate, and bestselling author (The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation) whose work brings a fresh, urgent perspective on American history and its gendered systems. With a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Masters in Multidisciplinary Gender Studies from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelors in Medical Anthropology from Stanford University, Anna translates her academic knowledge into clear and engaging stories. Her articles have been published by TIME Magazine, New York Magazine, CNN, Motherly, The Huffington Post, For Harriet, The Guardian, Darling Magazine, and Blavity. Anna’s storytelling also takes form in her talks, including her TED Talk that has been viewed 2 million times, as well as the scripted and unscripted screen projects she has in development. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, former Mayor of Stockton, CA Michael Tubbs  and their three young children. Not A Phase. Trans Lifeline Follow Anna Malaika Tubbs @annamalaikatubbs 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

Matt Rogers, a comedian and co-host of "Las Culturistas," dives into the world of pop culture with flair. He shares the origin story of his podcast with Bowen Yang, alongside vibrant discussions on pride, Tony Awards predictions, and the complexities of identity shaped by cultural icons. With humor, he explores the intersection of personal experiences and social issues, alongside reflections on the absurdities of award seasons and the importance of fostering joy and community in challenging times. It's a delightful celebration of queer culture!

This week on The Monday Edit: the Dry and Salty Environment of Salt Lake City, Supreme Court revoking the safe haven program, Elon’s drug dealer, the West Village Crypto Kidnapping, conspiracy theories, and propaganda we are not falling for! 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

Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her hit book Dumplin’, joins Jonathan Van Ness to discuss the vital role of local libraries amid current challenges. They dive into the importance of exposing young readers to diverse voices, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Their collaborative YA book, Let Them Stare, is also a focal point, showcasing creativity born from personal struggles. The conversation humorously explores their journeys, including a quirky fondness for history and anecdotes about their past experiences in libraries.

This week on The Monday Edit: The Let Them Stare drop, Karen Read Retrial, The Supreme Court Deadlock, eating around friends, and independent bookstores. 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

James Kimmel Jr., a Yale lecturer and expert on revenge and forgiveness, dives deep into our innate desire for vengeance. He discusses how social media amplifies this compulsive behavior, likening it to an addiction. Kimmel shares insights into the psychological and neurological roots of revenge, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness as a healing path. With personal stories, he illustrates the transformative journey from holding onto grudges to achieving emotional liberation, urging listeners to break free from the cycle of resentment.

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.