Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

Curious people, we have so much to talk about! This week on Pretty Curious, JVN and senior producer Chris are diving into the celebrity “IT” couple we can’t get enough of, the shadow side of healing, and living rent free in Republicans heads. Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this episode, or head to JonathanVanNess.com for the transcript. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Find books from Getting Curious and Pretty Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. 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

This week, JVN sits down with existential psychotherapist and author Dr. Sara Kuburic, widely recognized as the @Millennial.Therapist in Instagram, to delve into the phenomenon of "trauma dumping." We’re exploring the nuances between sharing personal experiences and overloading others with unsolicited trauma narratives. Dr. Kuburic sheds light on the psychological motivations behind trauma dumping, its impact on relationships, and how individuals can navigate these interactions with empathy and boundaries. Dr. Sara Kuburic is an existential psychotherapist, consultant, writer, and former USA Today columnist, known for her popular Instagram account, @millennial.therapist, where she shares insights on mental health and self-discovery. Born in Yugoslavia and raised in Canada, Dr. Kuburic completed her doctorate in psychotherapy science at Sigmund Freud University in Vienna. Her diverse background and personal experiences living through wars have fueled her passion for helping others live authentic, meaningful lives. In her new book, "It's On Me," she guides readers toward self-awareness, self loss, and finding out who they truly are. You can find Dr. Sara Kuburic on Instagram @millennial.therapist Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com. Find books from Getting Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. Our senior producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Our theme music is “Freak” by QUIÑ; for more, head to TheQuinCat.com. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.  Go to nordvpn.com/jvn with our link, you’ll get an extra 4 months free on the 2-year plan and it’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Queens, we have so much to catch up on! This week on Pretty Curious, JVN and senior producer Chris are going all in on current events, the Oscars, and debriefing from last week’s Getting Curious on being your authentic self at work - MUCH vulnerability. Buckle up, babes—this episode is serving laughs, feels, and the kind of chaotic curiosity we live for! Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this episode, or head to JonathanVanNess.com for the transcript. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Find books from Getting Curious and Pretty Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. 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

Work takes up more of our lives than almost anything else—so it’s no wonder that it can leave us feeling drained, stuck, and oftentimes further away from who we authentically are. This week, JVN is sitting down with leadership coach and author Mory Fontanez to unpack what it really means to bring your best self to work. Should we be striving for authenticity in professional settings—or is that idea just another workplace myth? How can we balance self-expression with professionalism? And what happens when we start valuing external validation over our own intuition? Mory Fontanez is an executive coach, speaker, and the founder of 822 Group, a consultancy that helps leaders and organizations navigate transformation. She’s also the co-host of the podcast Signal with Mory & Melissa, where she explores everything from workplace dynamics to the power of intuition. Her debut book, Higher Self: Reclaiming the Power of Your Intuition, is out March 11th! You can find Mory on Instagram @moryfontanez, on Tiktok @mory-fontanez, and on her website www.moryfontanez.com Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com. Find books from Getting Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. Our senior producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Our theme music is “Freak” by QUIÑ; for more, head to TheQuinCat.com. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.  Go to nordvpn.com/jvn with our link, you’ll get an extra 4 months free on the 2-year plan and it’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re diving into what’s going on in your world, news that SLAYS, and the news that makes us go “Orrr Norr!” Plus! Thirsty and celebratory IG posts, hot takes on betrayals of trust, and stick around to the end for our Hot Bitch Of The Week! Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this episode, or head to JonathanVanNess.com for the transcript. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Find books from Getting Curious and Pretty Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. 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

Join relationship coach Jillian Turecki, a passionate advocate for self-love and authentic connections, as she tackles the intricate nature of jealousy. Discover how jealousy can serve as a profound teacher, promoting self-reflection and communication in relationships. Jillian discusses transforming envy into a tool for growth, the impact of social media on emotional wellness, and practical strategies for overcoming jealousy in both personal and romantic contexts. It's a transformative conversation aimed at healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

Work-Life Balance, Tattoos, and News That Makes Us Go “Orr Norr”—in this episode of Pretty Curious, JVN and producer Chris are catching up on all things Fab Five live tour shenanigans, debates getting their own tattoos removed, and news that slays this week! Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this episode, or head to JonathanVanNess.com for the transcript. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Find books from Getting Curious and Pretty Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. 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

JVN sits down with journalist and author James Longman to explore one of the most fascinating questions in mental health: can you inherit trauma? Drawing from his deeply personal journey and his new book The Inherited Mind, James unpacks the science behind genetic predisposition, epigenetics, and the interplay between nature and nurture. Together, they explore how trauma shapes our brains, why mental illness remains so stigmatized, and whether healing can be passed down just as much as hardship. James shares his own family’s history, the groundbreaking research that’s reshaping our understanding of mental illness, and the hopeful innovations that might change how we address treatment in the future. James Longman has been a foreign correspondent for ABC news since 2017. Based in London, his work takes him all over the world -- to date, more than 45 countries and counting. He has covered some of the most important international events of our time. He was in Moscow when Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine and spent a month reporting from the Russian capital with the situation deteriorating by the day. He then spent more than 12 weeks in Ukraine and was one of the first reporters to see firsthand the horrors in Bucha. From the fight against the Islamic State group on the Syrian front line, confronting Chechen authorities about abuses against LGBTQ+ people, terror attacks across Europe and further abroad to tagging humpback whales in the Antarctic, Longman has one of the most varied briefs in American network news. His new book, The Inherited Mind, is out now! You can find James Longman on Instagram @jameslongman Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com. Find books from Getting Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. Our senior producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Our theme music is “Freak” by QUIÑ; for more, head to TheQuinCat.com. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.  Go to nordvpn.com/jvn with our link, you’ll get an extra 4 months free on the 2-year plan and it’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into a whirlwind of life lessons and pop culture chaos! Discover the art of letting go of unhelpful goals, along with JVN's game-changing under-eye hack. Explore tips for concealing dark circles using a peach-toned color corrector and other exciting beauty strategies. The conversation dances through nostalgia, from school memories to playful jabs about the Duolingo owl, wrapping up with a heartfelt celebration of Serena Williams. It's all delivered with humor and relatable anecdotes!

In this engaging discussion, certified sexologist and intimacy expert Shan Boodram shares her insights on romance and relationships. They dissect the key ingredients of healthy relationships and differentiate between intensity and intimacy. Shan encourages redefining Valentine’s Day, emphasizing personal love stories and self-reflection. They delve into the impact of societal norms, toxic masculinity, and the evolving dynamics of modern romance, promoting open communication and authenticity in dating. It's a fresh perspective on love that celebrates individual experiences!