
Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness
Join Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye) each week for their next exciting endeavor! “Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness" is here to empower listeners (and also make them laugh) by using curiosity as a tool for personal growth. In a world that often feels overwhelming—where it’s easy to feel stuck, frustrated, or helpless—Getting Better offers a lifeline. Each week, Jonathan Van Ness, alongside experts and thought leaders, guides us through our shared challenges—confidence, productivity, mental health, happiness, relationships, and more—helping us emerge thriving, invigorated, and most importantly - a little bit better.
Join us every Wednesday for brand new episodes, and catch full video episodes on YouTube! And tune in every Monday for brand new episodes of our companion show: The Monday Edit, where JVN and senior producer Chris giving you a behind the scenes look at the creation of Getting Better, hot takes on today’s headlines, and all in all share with you how the sausage gets made!
Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastsales@sonymusic.com
Latest episodes

Jul 22, 2024 • 36min
PRETTY CURIOUS | Is Red Light Therapy Fierce Or Not?
Red Light Therapy is all the rage…but what exactly is it? The legendary Dr. Barbara Sturm is here to tell Jonathan ALL about it. The two go deep into the science of inflammation, the difference between Red and Blue Light Therapy, Dr. Sturm’s iconic Blood Facial, and more! Then the two talk all about what to take to build a brand that lasts based on highly-researched formulas that really work.
Dr. Barbara Sturm is a German doctor, orthopedics specialist, aesthetics expert and an anti-inflammatory pioneer. Dr. Sturm brought her experience in joint tissue inflammation into aesthetics in 2012, creating her MCX facial treatment, which is now recognized by many as the ‘Blood Facial.’ In 2014, her full anti-inflammatory collection, Molecular Cosmetics, was born. Today, Dr. Sturm has seven Spas & Boutiques worldwide, which are home to her high-performance treatments and serve as education hubs for her patients.
Dr. Sturm is on Instagram @drbarbarasturm and online at drsturm.com.
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 producers are Chris McClure and Julia Melfi. Our associate producer is Allison Weiss. 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

Jul 17, 2024 • 53min
Are We Any Happier in 2024? with Gretchen Rubin
Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year?? Gretchen Rubin is back with Jonathan to check in on our New Year's resolutions. We get real about how difficult it can be to find balance in our chaotic world, and the importance of finding fulfillment because after all, happy people are engaged people. We learn all about how Jonathan’s been relating to social media, Gretchen’s heated socks, and how to use our tendencies to reinvest in our goals. Plus, Gretchen shares the research she and her team has conducted with the Habits for Happiness Quiz.
Gretchen Rubin is the author of many bestselling books, such as The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, and The Four Tendencies, which have sold millions of copies in more than thirty languages. Her most recent book is Life in Five Senses. She’s also host of the popular podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and founder of award-winning Happier app, which helps people track their happiness-boosting habits.
You can follow Gretchen on Instagram @gretchenrubin. You can find more information about Gretchen, here and you can listen to Happier wherever you get your podcasts.
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 producers are Chris McClure and Julia Melfi. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 15, 2024 • 42min
PRETTY CURIOUS | Are Y2K Trends Making A Comeback? with Fat Mascara
Jess & Jenn from Fat Mascara are here for the beauty podcasting collab of the century! We talk about the evolution of beauty related media, how they’ve seen the industry change, and all the major tips & tricks they’ve picked up from all the founders and icons they’ve interviewed throughout the years. Plus, Y2K nostalgia, chunky highlights, and the beauty counters of their childhoods.
Hosts (and friends) Jessica Matlin and Jennifer Sullivan are the hosts of the incredible beauty podcast, Fat Mascara. Fat Mascara leads the global beauty conversation with candor, humor, and unparalleled access to the celebrities, experts, and industry insiders who make the beauty world turn. They’re giving you sharp analysis of the news and trends, advice, and product recommendations on Wednesdays. And on Fridays, they interview people involved in the big business of beauty like Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian, and Jessica Alba, as well as makeup artists, hair stylists, and other industry experts.
Listen to Fat Mascara wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Fat Mascara on Instagram @fatmascara. Jess is on Instagram @jessicamatlin and Jenn is on Instagram @jenn_edit.
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 producers are Chris McClure and Julia Melfi. Our associate producer is Allison Weiss. Our 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

Jul 10, 2024 • 55min
What's Going On With Sharks?
We are getting into all the Shark Week fun here on Getting Curious with Dr. Gavin Naylor! Jonathan and Gavin dive deep into all things sharks: Are attacks really becoming more common, or is that just our perception? Why are there only 530 species of sharks, and what makes them so resilient? What does intrauterine cannibalism mean? And Dr. Naylor tells us about how he’s able to study the marvels of evolutionary biology through his focus on sharks and what makes them so unique.
Dr. Gavin Naylor is the director of the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History. He focuses his research on evolution, genetics, biogeography and the natural history of sharks. Dr. Naylor is also interested in the exploration of the biodiversity of sharks and rays, phylogenetic inference, protein folding, molecular evolution and the origin of architectural novelty.
You can follow the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History on Instagram and YouTube @FloridaMuseum
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 producers are Chris McClure and Julia Melfi. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 8, 2024 • 43min
PRETTY CURIOUS | How Does Acupuncture Work? with Dr. Eileen Li
If you’re anything like us, then you have endless burning questions about acupuncture: How exactly does it work? Can it relieve my stress? Indigestion? Headaches? Chronic pain? Acne? Dr. Eileen Li joins Jonathan to answer all this…and more! She shares her approach to treating the body’s whole health with both a Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine perspective, and how acupuncture can bring out our inner beauty. Plus, are Blue Zone Diets all they’re cracked up to be?
Dr. Eileen Li is a second generation licensed acupuncturist & Chinese medicine herbalist, and licensed physical therapist. Her journey began as a physical therapist, obtaining a clinical doctorate at Simmons University in Boston, MA. From there, she worked in the physical rehabilitation field specializing in chronic pain research, pediatrics, geriatrics, inpatient psychiatry, and schools. She then decided to further pursue a career in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. With ten years of clinical experience from all different facets of healthcare practices, Dr. Li continues to expand her knowledge as our medicine evolves and specializes in orthopedics, chronic and acute pain, anxiety, sleep, stress, digestive issues, and general wellness.
Follow Dr. Eileen Li on Instagram and TikTok @anew.acu.
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 producers are Chris McClure and Julia Melfi. Our associate producer is Allison Weiss. Our 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

Jul 3, 2024 • 47min
What's The Biden Administration Doing For The Environment?
White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi is here to tell us all about the major policy efforts that are making historic gains in the fight against climate change. Jonathan and Ali cover it all: from Ali’s journey to this work, to environmental justice concerns, to the many ways in which investing in these policies help strengthen local economies. Plus, how people just like you can get involved in a greener future with the American Climate Corps, which trains young people in clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience skills to help tackle the climate crisis.
Ali Zaidi serves as Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor. In this role, he leads the White House Climate Policy Office, which coordinates policy development and President Biden’s all-of-government approach to tackle the climate crisis, create good-paying union jobs, and advance environmental justice. Zaidi helped design and negotiate the President’s historic climate and clean energy investment agenda – including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Zaidi has also worked for the Obama Administration and the state of New York. Ali immigrated from Pakistan and grew up outside Erie, Pennsylvania. He received an A.B. from Harvard University and J.D. from Georgetown University.
You can follow Ali Zaidi on X @alizaidi46.
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 producers are Chris McClure and Julia Melfi. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 1, 2024 • 40min
PRETTY CURIOUS | How Are My Table Manners? with Jessie & Lennie Ware
Jessie & Lennie Ware sat down with JVN for a good old chit-chat on their podcast Table Manners, and we’re bringing you some highlights from that incredible conversation, plus some of our standard Pretty Curious fare! We go deep on how Jessie puts together looks for her album covers, Lennie’s classic red lip, and Whitney Houston’s “I Look To You.” Plus, does Jessie think vocal rest is meh or MAJOR?
Jessie Ware is an English singer and songwriter. She came to prominence following the release of her 2012 debut studio album, Devotion. Her fifth studio album, That! Feels Good! just came out last year. Jessie has won seven Brit Awards nominations including one for Best New Artist and four for British Female Solo Artist and two Mercury Prize nominations. In 2018, Jessie and her mom Lennie began co-hosting the Table Manners podcast all about family, food and the art of a good old chit-chat.
Jessie Ware is on Instagram and TikTok @jessieware. Follow Table Manners on Instagram @tablemannerspodcast and listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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 producers are Chris McClure and Julia Melfi. 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

Jun 26, 2024 • 41min
How Fun Is Alan Carr?
Jonathan and Alan recently met at Adele’s Vegas residency show and were instantly obsessed with each other! The two sit down for a truly delightful conversation about the journey of Alan’s career from working as a call center operator to becoming a UK comedy icon. The two chat about what it’s like to be a gay comedian, The Friday Night Project, and the challenges of working out new material as an established voice. Plus: Amy Weinhouse, Australian accents, and Drag Race UK!
Alan Carr is a comedian, broadcaster, and writer. Alan has won three British Comedy Awards, two National Television Awards, and a BAFTA TV Award. Alan can be seen presenting his hit panel show There’s Something About Movies on Sky One, hosting BBC One's Interior Design Masters, and guest judging on Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK. He’s also the host of the Life’s A Beach Podcast.
You can follow Alan Carr on Instagram @chattyman, and the Life’s A Beach Podcast @lifesabeach.podcast.
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 producers are Chris McClure and Julia Melfi. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 24, 2024 • 38min
PRETTY CURIOUS | What’s The Deal With Hyperpigmentation?
Desiree Verdejo took a leap of faith: she left the grind of New York corporate law and opened a boutique in Harlem, which eventually led her to found Hyper! skincare. Desiree joins Jonathan to talk all about how she made this massive pivot over time and to follow your own instincts. Plus the two go deep on hyperpigmentation for sensitive skin of all shades, ingredients and formulas, and what’s next for the brand.
After leaving the world of corporate law, Desiree Verdejo moved to Harlem to open a beauty boutique specializing in Black-owned indie brands. She began to notice a hole in the market, which inspired her to launch the brand Hyper! – a skincare line focused on targeting hyperpigmentation for deeper skin tones and sensitive skin types. Hyper! was an Allure Best of Beauty 2022 award winner.
Follow Hyper! on Instagram and TikTok @hyperskin. Desiree is on Instagram and TikTok @desiree.verdejo.
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 producers are Chris McClure and Julia Melfi. Our 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

Jun 19, 2024 • 53min
Where Have All The Gay Bars Gone?
Did you know that between 2006 and 2016, 58% of bars, pubs, and nightclubs that catered to the LGBTQ community closed in London? Sociologist Amin Ghaziani joins Jonathan to explain this phenomena and how the queer community is adapting. The two dig deep into how the norms of the typical gay bar often exclude already marginalized folks in the LGTBQ community, the underground parties like Buttmitzvah and Femmetopia that have filled this void, and the experimental economic models these parties use to disrupt capitalism. Plus, the deep importance of uplifting queer JOY!
Amin Ghaziani is Professor of Sociology at UBC, Canada Research Chair in Urban Sexualities, and co-editor of Contexts, the public-facing magazine of the American Sociological Association. Amin has written and edited 6 books and over 60 academic articles, book chapters, and essays, many of which he has published in top disciplinary and subfield journals. He’s won several awards, including a Lambda Literary Award Finalist for Best Book in LGBT Studies. Amin’s been featured in places like The New Yorker, Time magazine, BBC Radio 4, CBC Radio, and The New York Times, among others. His latest book “Long Live Queer Nightlife: How the Closing of Gay Bars Sparked a Revolution” was just published in the US on March 26th.
You can follow Amin on Instagram and X @amin_ghaziani.
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 producers are Chris McClure and Julia Melfi. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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