Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

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

Introducing Deepak Chopra: How to Ask AI The RIGHT Questions To Grow, Heal, and Live a More Fulfilled Life from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay ShettyDo you ever feel like you're just going through the motions? Do you ever feel lonely even when you're around people? Today, Jay welcomes back the legendary Deepak Chopra after six years, to discuss the unexpected intersection of spirituality and artificial intelligence. Together they unpack the beautiful blend of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge innovation. Jay reflects on his first meeting with Deepak and how their bond has evolved over the years. The conversation quickly flows into one of the most fascinating questions of our time: Can AI actually support our spiritual growth, rather than distract from it? Deepak shares his insights on the mysteries of the universe, the unseen forces that shape our reality, and why he believes consciousness, not matter, is the foundation of everything. Jay and Deepak break down the fears surrounding AI, from misinformation to war, and why it’s so important for us to grow spiritually alongside our technology. They explore how storytelling, creativity, and love are deeply human qualities that no machine can replicate, and how we can use these gifts to shape a better, more compassionate world. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Ask AI Better Questions to Unlock Wisdom How to Use Technology to Support Emotional and Physical Healing How to Find Purpose Through the Art of Storytelling How to Train AI to Reflect Inclusivity and Diversity How to Embrace Consciousness as the Foundation of Reality How to Create a Sacred Relationship with Technology Deepak reminds us that the answers we’re looking for often begin with a better question. And with the right mindset, even the most advanced technology can become a tool for inner transformation and collective healing. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.  Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there!  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:41 What If the Universe Is Just a Giant Digital Simulation? 12:36 How to Train AI to Unlock Ancient and Hidden Knowledge 13:39 Blending AI and Spirituality to Understand Consciousness 18:23 Could AI Really Lead to Human Extinction? 22:34 What’s Actually Holding Humanity Back From Progress? 23:37 How the Human Brain Transformed Over Time 26:11 The 2 Things That Set Humans Apart From All Other Species 27:16 Can Technology Lead Us to True Peace and Prosperity? 28:10 Will AI Replace Our Jobs or Unlock Human Creativity? 30:46 Do You Think AI Can Ever Have a Soul? 31:45 The Gender and Racial Bias Hidden in AI Systems 32:33 How to Build More Inclusive and Equitable AI Models 33:32 Why a Shared Vision Can Solve Any Problem We Face 36:13 Would You Trust AI to Know You Personally? 36:57 How You can Use AI to Get Better Sleep 37:29 Can AI Actually Give You Good Relationship Advice? 38:07 How AI Can Help You Find and Nurture Love 38:29 Why Personal Growth Solutions Should Never Be Generic 39:41 Your DNA Holds the Footprints of Human History 42:33 Rethinking the Big Bang: What Science Still Can’t Explain 44:31 Is Everything You See Just a Projection? 47:48 Why Fear of the Unknown Limits Our Growth 48:52 Want Better Answers? Ask Better Questions 51:41 The True Secret to Longevity Isn’t What You Think 54:30 How Your Brain Turns Experience Into Reality 55:08 Why Consciousness Is Still Life’s Greatest Mystery 56:28 The First Question You Should Always Ask AI 58:38 How ChatGPT Can Spark Deeper, More Intelligent Questions Episode Resources: Deepak Chopra | Website Deepak Chopra | Instagram  Deepak Chopra | TikTok  Deepak Chopra | Facebook Deepak Chopra | YouTube Deepak Chopra | X Digital Dharma: How AI Can Elevate Spiritual Intelligence and Personal Well-BeingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

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

This week, we’re talking: travel fatigue, negative self talk, the price of Presidential pardons, Ron Vara, and the end of music’s longest feud. Plus! Our breakdown of The White Lotus finale. 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

Procrastination, honey! We’ve all been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt. But whether it’s fear or misalignment - we’re uncovering the real reasons why we procrastinate, how to handle the procrastinator in your life, and how we can change the narrative on negative self talk to set ourselves up for success. Marie Forleo, New York Times Best Selling Author of Everything Is Figureoutable and host of The Marie Forleo Podcast and MarieTV, breaks down Procrastination with Jonathan Van Ness on this week’s episode of Getting Better. Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube. You can follow Marie Forleo on Instagram @marieforleo. On TikTok @marieforleo. And on YouTube @marieforleo. 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: idealistic Maine seaside towns, Kelly Clarkson and her wink, Tariffs, Georgia’s Abortion Law, Mario Kart World, and Hot B*tch Of The Week: Cory Booker. 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

We’re diving into the world of love, self-awareness, and the power of releasing the old labels that no longer serve us. JVN is joined by the wise and wonderful Yung Pueblo (aka Diego Perez) to talk about how we can all love BETTER. We’re getting into why we need to move beyond "masculine energy" and "feminine energy,” why the foundation for love is self-awareness, and how growth and love go hand in hand. Plus! Diego's dishing out some daily practices that will help you show up with more love and compassion. Diego Perez (aka Yung Pueblo) is a meditator and #1 New York Times bestselling author who is widely known by his pen name, Yung Pueblo. He has sold over 1.5 million books worldwide that have been translated into over 25 languages. Online he has an audience of over 4 million people and over 1 billion views per year. His writing focuses on the power of self-healing, creating healthy relationships, and the wisdom that comes when we truly work on knowing ourselves. Diego’s new book, How to Love Better, is available now! Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube. You can follow Yung Pueblo on Instagram @yung_pueblo. 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

Welcome to The Monday Edit! This is the official Getting Better companion podcast where JVN and senior producer Chris are diving into all things BTS from the pod, answering listener questions, and breaking down the world at large. This week, we’re talking: Doechii, Hannah Einbinder’s HRC speech, the White Lotus, the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on U.S. vs. Skrmetti, and the campaign for the Dolly Parton International Airport. Plus: Full video episodes now on YouTube every Monday! 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

This week, JVN and Antoni Porowski serve up a delicious conversation on the intersections of food, identity, and personal growth. From Antoni’s culinary journey to the ways food connects us to our past, present, and future, they explore how what we eat can reflect who we are. Antoni opens up about the role of food in self-care, how cooking can be a mindful practice, and the lessons he’s learned from years of sharing meals with friends, family, and the Fab Five. Antoni Porowski is a New York Times Bestselling author, host and executive producer of No Taste Like Home from Studio Ramsay Global for National Geographic, and Emmy-winning producer and star of Netflix’s hit series Queer Eye. Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube. You can follow Antoni on Instagram @antoni. 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.  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

Welcome to The Monday Edit! This is the official Getting Better companion podcast where JVN and senior producer Chris are diving into all things BTS from the pod, answering listener questions, and breaking down the world at large. This week, we’re talking: astrological sister signs, the ongoing Bhad Bhabie & Alabama Barker feud, the great Cybertruck recall of 2025, and the recent attacks on the HIV social safety net. We’re giving you laughs and learning over here - plus: Full video episodes now on YouTube every Monday!  Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris New video episodes of 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

Getting Curious just got a Queer Eye makeover all its own! Today we’re entering a new era of the podcast - Getting Better! We’re so excited you’re joining us on this next chapter. This podcast will help guide you through life’s shared challenges—and leave you feeling a little bit better. This week JVN and Gretchen explore the art (and science) of feeling optimistic in an era of stress, burnout, and uncertainty. Together, they unpack the difference between real optimism and toxic positivity, why small daily habits have an outsized impact on our well-being, and how understanding ourselves can lead to a more joyful life. From finding delight in the ordinary to overcoming the “optimism drought” so many of us are feeling, Gretchen shares actionable insights that will leave you inspired to cultivate happiness—on your own terms. Gretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential voices on happiness, habits, and human nature. She’s the author of multiple bestsellers, including The Happiness Project and The Four Tendencies, and the host of the Happier podcast. In her newest book, Secrets of Adulthood (out April 1st), she distills decades of research and personal insight into practical wisdom for living a fuller, more meaningful life. Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube. 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, and check out Gretchen’s YouTube for more video content! Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Find books from Getting Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. 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. 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

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

Jealousy—it's messy, maddening, and sometimes downright mortifying. But what if we told you it’s also one of our greatest teachers? This week, JVN is sitting down with relationship coach extraordinaire and author Jillian Turecki to unpack the real meaning behind our green-eyed moments. From romantic jealousy to career envy to the kind of retroactive spirals that have you side-eyeing your partner’s ex from ten years ago—Jillian breaks down why we feel jealous, what it reveals about us, and how we can transform it into a tool for growth rather than a source of self-sabotage. Jillian Turecki is a relationship coach, teacher, podcaster, writer, and speaker who has devoted her life to helping people revolutionize their relationships with themselves. For over 20 years, Jillian has maintained a deep commitment to authenticity, compassion, and inner transformation as she follows her insatiable curiosity about what makes relationships thrive. Between Jillian’s podcast, “Jillian on Love,” her newsletter, “Love Weekly,” and her social media community, Jillian reaches millions of people who seek her actionable, compassionate, direct, and research-driven insight. As the founder of Jillian Turecki Coaching, Jillian has changed the lives of countless individuals around the world through her transformative workshops, courses, retreats, and one-on-one coaching sessions. Her new book, It Begins With You is out now! You can find Jillian on Instagram @jillianturecki 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

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