Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

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

This week: our first official TME Spelling Bee, Producer Nathanael learns the Tin whistle, we try the viral smoked salmon, talk GLP-1 & Cannabis usage, coverMifepristone Access in the US over at the Jonathan Van News Desk, and drop this week’s Hot B*tch of the Week.  Catch JVN on tour this weekend: February 6th - Omaha, NE & February 7th - Kansas City, MO 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

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 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

Queer Eye Press Week, WICED Oscar Snubs, Ariana Grande in Sunday in the Park with George, Victoria Beckham the Wedding Crasher, ICE Warrants, Ice Skating Video Games, IU Football.  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 executive 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

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

This week we’re talking: the Final Queer Eye Season, Australia & New Zealand & Comedy Tour, Bag Purchase Update, Supreme Court Abortion Access Hearing, Co-Workers & Politics, and our 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

Why do 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

The Monday Edit, now on YouTube!  This week: Wigs, buying bags, JVN Hairspray Launch, policing language, Gwyneth Paltrow singing, Renee Good, Minneapolis, Reading vs. Audiobooks. 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

High-Functioning Depression—what does it really look like?  ICYMI: JVN is joined by the brilliant Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and researcher, to explore high-functioning depression — what it is, how to recognize it, and why so many people struggle with it in silence. Together, they break down the signs that often go unnoticed, unpack the stigma around seeking help when things "seem fine," and share tools for finding support and healing. Whether you're curious about your own mental health or looking to better understand a loved one, this episode is for you.  Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube.  Follow Dr. Judith Joseph on Instagram @drjudithjoseph  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

We’re talking: Elder millennial moments, AI slop, Diet Soda in 2025, image hangups that are SO last year, life before and after Queer Eye, ADHD self medication, attraction vs. promotion, non-violent communication, failing with grace, anti-aging products, and the Stranger Things Finale.  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

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

This week, we’re talking: Lessons learned in 2025, bringing a sense of play into our every day lives, cubed salmon, jump roping on TikTok, muddling, exploring beauty as an expression of our individuality, AI Babies with buss down wigs, making Republicans “cool,” gay stuff in 2025, and our Hot Bitches of 2025!  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

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

This week, we’re looking back at our favorite Monday Edit moments - just like in the Golden Girls when they sit at the kitchen table with their cheesecake and reminiscence, we're looking back at what was going on in YOUR world this year, the TikTok’s that spent the most time on our FYP, and one of our fave Hot Bitches of the Week!  Stay tuned for an all new Getting Better this week! 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

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

This week, we’re talking: Thanksgiving recuperation, JVN Takes Europe, our continued Jennifer Welch obsession, attachment styles, TikTok hairstylist dramas, Crafty Slaughter LLC, Sami Sage (Betches)’s Incredible breakdown of some Trump admin corruption correlation, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Resignation, mature skincare recommendations, and Irish breakfasts.  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