Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Hot Is Jewelry? with Irene Neuwirth

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re MAJOR fans of Irene Neuwirth Jewelry, known for her one-of-a-kind and incredibly gorgeous pieces! Irene tells Jonathan the story of her slow a...

How Can We Be More Effective With Language?

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered what’s up with double negation, the history of gender neutral pronouns, or why swearing is taboo? Then get ready for this wee...

PRETTY CURIOUS | What's It Like To Run Allure Magazine? with Jessica Cruel

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Allure Editor in Chief Jessica Cruel just got back from a trip to South Korea and is ready to share all the latest beauty recs from her travels with u...

What’s the State of Misinformation? with Renée DiResta

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re all so used to turning to our phones for information, but how exactly does it travel across the internet…and what happens if that informatio...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Dieux We Know What Works for Our Skin? with Charlotte Palermino

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re as obsessed with Dieux Skin’s Forever Eye Mask as we are, then this episode is for you! Co-founder Charlotte Palermino joins Jonathan to...

What Was The U.S. Up To From 1980-2001?

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Osamah Khalil is back to tell us all about what was happening in this period of history from the 80s to the very beginning of the new millennium. ...

PRETTY CURIOUS | What’s the Deal with Psoriasis?

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re getting personal on this episode of Pretty Curious with Jonthan’s dermatologist, Dr. Ali Shahbaz! The two walk through Jonthan’s psoriasis...

How Does Hilarity For Charity Bring Light To Alzheimer's? with Seth & Lauren Rogen

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Seth and Lauren Rogen are on the pod this week to talk with Jonathan all about their incredible organization Hilarity for Charity that’s on a missio...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Can Baths Improve My Wellbeing?

06 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Start filling the tub and light a candle! This week, we’re talking all about Pursoma’s specialty bath soaks and body treatments with founder and C...

Why Does Gynecological Care Affect Us All?

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that in ancient Greece, the stereotype that women were “overly emotional” came from the false idea of a “wandering womb?” Neither...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Did You Become A Master Wigologist?

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder who makes Laverne Cox’s hair look so good? It’s none other than this week’s guest, Dee TrannyBear! Dee tells Jonathan all about thei...

Where Does Plastic Go?

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Earth Day, Curious People! To celebrate, we’re inviting research scientist Marcus Eriksen from 5 Gyres to the pod. Marcus tells us about his 8...

PRETTY CURIOUS | What’s It Like To Work For Cosmo U.K.?

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Keeks Reid tells us all about how she followed her passion for beauty all the way Cosmopolitan U.K.! We learn all about the impact of socia...

Who Was John Hancock?

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You probably learned about the Founding Fathers in school…or maybe you had a deep Hamilton phase like the rest of us, but what about the lesser know...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Can We Supercharge Our Skincare Routine?

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

LA Beautologist, Nayamka Roberts-Smith, joins Jonathan to go deep on skincare…literally! Nayamka brings her expertise as an award-winning estheticia...

What Happened To Local Newspapers?

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

So much of our news consumption these days comes from social media and cable news, but whatever happened to local newspapers? Journalist, author, and ...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Is Your Makeup SO Gorgeous? with Mikayla Nogueira

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s guest needs NO introduction because you’ve definitely seen her all over your FYP! Mikayla Nogueira joins Jonathan for a conversation a...

How Did The Vietnam War Start?

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Vietnam War caused a ton of strife both domestically and internationally, but so many details were hidden from the public for a long time. Natural...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Has The Beauty Industry Evolved? with Ateh Jewel

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re uncovering the highs and lows of the beauty industry with someone who's been a part of it for over 20 years! Journalist and influenc...

What Happens When We Get Sick?

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Picture it: you’re on a crowded subway and someone sneezes. Or maybe you’re on a plane and the person next to you keeps coughing. Perhaps you shoo...

PRETTY CURIOUS | What’s The Deal With Botox?

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re answering all your burning questions about botox! Dermatologist Dr. Renée A. Beach joins Jonathan to talk all things cosmetic dermatolo...

What’s Up With The Northern Lights?

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever been lucky enough to see the aurora borealis in person? Jonathan’s been dying to see them for years, and after a recent trip to Alaska...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Did You Become a Drag Legend? with Sasha Colby

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hold on to your lace fronts, because the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15, Sasha Colby, is on this week’s Pretty Curious! Sasha Colby joins ...

How Do You Get Involved In Politics?

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With November right around the corner, many people are expressing frustration with our current political leaders. So this week civic leader Lauren Bae...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Are Inner And Outer Beauty Related?

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, nutritionist and holistic wellness expert Kimberly Snyder teaches us about how taking care of ourselves on the inside impacts how we look o...

What Is Foraging? with Alexis Nikole Nelson (aka BlackForager)

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re on TikTok or Insta, you’ve probably seen Alexis Nikole Nelson aka BlackForager sharing a recipe for acorn flour, or demonstrating how to...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Do You Design Oscar-Worthy Costumes?

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Poor Things fans, this episode is for you! Jonathan sat down with the film’s costume designer, Holly Waddington, to learn all about her designing pr...

Is Health Care Fair?

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The United States is the only high-income country that doesn’t have universal health care…AND we have some of the worst health outcomes for all gr...

PRETTY CURIOUS | Should I Pop My Pimples? with Dr. Pimple Popper

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t freak out too much…Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) is on Pretty Curious! On this episode, Dr. Lee tells Jonathan how she ended up wit...

Is Romance Dead?

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sabrina Strings is back on Getting Curious with this stunning revelation: romance is dead! But was it ever really alive? Sabrina and Jonathan celebrat...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Can You Give Your Hair Color A Glow-Up?

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve been wanting to color your hair, but don’t know what to expect, then you’ve come to the right place! On this week’s episode, L.A.’...

Can Marijuana Legalization Save Us All?

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For the last 54 years, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug: a category that carries drastic criminal penalties and also includes hard d...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Can Hot & Cold Treatments Improve Our Health?

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every celebrity on your FYP has probably posted a cold plunging video—and maybe you want to try it too! But how does cold plunging actually work, an...

How Do You Survive A Home Invasion?

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What should you do if someone breaks into your house? How can you prevent someone from stealing your identity? What’s the best way to protect yourse...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Do You Do Makeup On Queer Eye? with Senoj Byrd

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Queer Eye’s head of hair and makeup department, Senoj Byrd, joins Jonathan to celebrate the release of Season 8! Jonathan and Senoj chat about the c...

Why Am I So Obsessed With Video Games?

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Fortnite. League of Legends. The Sims. Candy Crush. From playing with your friends as a kid to competing with a team in an esports competition, there’...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Can I Take Hotter Photos?

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Rudewicz (aka @rudepolaroids) is *the* expert in capturing your inner glow on film. NYC’s hottest nightlife photographer and Jonathan go behind...

What’s It Take To Be A Cool Mom? with Busy Philipps

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

She’s not like a regular mom, she’s a cool mom! This week, Busy Philipps joins Jonathan to talk all things Mean Girls and what it takes to be a co...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Can We Level Up Our Nails? with Mei Kawajiri

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mei Kawajiri (aka @nailsbymei) has actually touched Madonna’s hands…while she was doing her nails! She also happens to be the nail artist for *the...

Is White Supremacy A Covert Killer?

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you loved our episode on the women of the far right then this one’s for you! We’re returning to the world of white nationalism to uncover the c...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Did You Shape The Hollywood Hair Scene? with Adir Abergel

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From Tina Turner to Kristin Stewart, this week’s guest has worked with practically every iconic celeb. Celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel spills the...

How Can We Be Happier In 2024? with Gretchen Rubin

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a new year and there’s a new topic that Jonathan’s curious about! We’re talking about happiness with the expert herself, Gretchen Rubin f...

What Conversations Are We Looking Back On? (ICYMI)

27 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For our *last* episode of the year, we’re giving you a montage à la Golden Girls. Join Jonathan, as they look back on some of their favorite conver...

How Wrong Was The Supreme Court On Abortion? (ICYMI)

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

2023 was a year of big decisions for the Supreme Court, including recent news that they’ll be reviewing the constitutionality of mifepristone in the...

What’s The State Of HIV Research?

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

December is World AIDS Month, so we’re bringing back Dr. Celeste Watkins-Hayes to learn about recent developments in HIV research. We’re also cove...

How Do Deep-Sea Fish Get It On?

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever watch Finding Nemo and wonder about the scary-looking fish with the gnarly teeth and the light on its head? Well then you’ve come to the...

PRETTY CURIOUS | What’s Your Approach To Beauty? with Jenn Harper

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cheekbone Beauty came to Jenn Harper in a literal dream. Now her brand is on the shelves of Sephora Canada and on the Met Gala red carpet. Jenn tells ...

How Can We Achieve Financial Security? with Tori Dunlap

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re taking on all of your financial questions. What the heck is a Roth IRA? How should you approach spending money? What’s a high-yiel...

What’s The State Of Intimate Partner Violence in the U.S.? with Sonya Passi

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Curious Now, we’re getting an update on legislative efforts to advocate for survivors of intimate partner violence. Sonya Passi joins J...

How Do You Become A Gardener? with Mark Peacock

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What kind of flower is Agnes van Rhijn from The Gilded Age? How can you start a garden when you don’t have a lot of space? Can Jonathan do an accura...

PRETTY CURIOUS | What’s Our Holiday Gift Guide? With Tan France

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s Pretty Curious. we’re still talking all things skincare, hair care, beauty, self-care, and beyond - but we’re turning the mic to ...

What Is Swedish Death Cleaning? with Ella Engström, Johan Svenson, and Katarina Blom

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever look around at your living space and suddenly realize that you have way too much stuff? Well, you might need to take some inspo from the t...

How Is Gender-Affirming Care At Risk In TN? With Chase Strangio & L.W.

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every other week on Curious Now, we cover updates on the gender-affirming care bans being put in place all over the U.S. But this week, we’re taking...

What’s The History Of Eyeliner? with Zahra Hankir

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kohl. Mebari. Kajal. Eyeliner. It may go by many names, but most people know exactly what this iconic makeup tool is, and how to use it to enhance the...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Do You Bring Botanicals To Your Brand? with Leigh Joseph

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What do you get when you combine sustainably sourced botanicals with Indigenous plant science? Sḵwálwen Botanicals! Ethnobotanist and founder of Sḵ...

What Is Fairness In Sports? with Caster Semenya

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s guest has not one, but TWO Olympic gold medals. Middle-distance runner Caster Semenya joins Jonathan to discuss what fairness in athleti...

What’s It Like To Be Queer In England? with Travis Alabanza

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Writer and performer Travis Alabanza joins Jonathan on this week’s Curious Now to talk about some of the differences between club culture in the U.S...

Why Do We Play With Dolls? with Freyja Hartzell

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dolls play a huge part in our childhoods. Whether it was your best friend, or it gave you the creeps, your doll probably had some role in making you w...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Do I Do My Makeup? with Gigi Goode

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You might know this week’s Pretty Curious guest from Season 12 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race." This week, model and artist Gigi Goode joins Jonathan t...

How Do Tsunamis Happen? with Dr. Tina Dura

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

More than half of the world’s population lives near a coastline. And where there’s a coastline, there’s the potential for a tsunami. This week, ...

What’s Happened Since The Ohio Train Derailment? with Justin Garner and Emily Wright

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On February 3rd, a train derailed right outside of East Palestine, Ohio. Toxic substances were released into the air, thousands of gallons of oil leak...

What Are Golden Passports? with Professor Kristin Surak

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Your passport tells a story of where you’re from—and where you’re allowed to go. But what if you wanted to rewrite that story? Professor Kristin...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Do You Paint Your Face? with Danessa Myricks

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine a beauty playground where every makeup product is multi-use, you’re encouraged to get creative, and everyone is welcome. You’re imagining ...

What Was Going On In The Middle Ages? with Dr. Janina Ramirez

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Warrior princesses. Gender-bending Vikings. Nuns who were writing about orgasms and writing world-class music. This week, Dr. Janina Ramirez is taking...

Could A Single Vote Save Abortion Rights? with Sister District

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From reproductive rights to school curricula to traffic and infrastructure, state legislatures make decisions about our everyday lives, all across the...

What’s It Like To Be A Jeopardy! Icon? with Amy Schneider

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

She’s a Jeopardy! champion, an advocate for trans rights and representation, and this week’s guest on the podcast. Who is Amy Schneider? Amy joins...

PRETTY CURIOUS | How Are You Serving Bombshell Beauty? with Trace Lysette

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether she’s on the basketball court or the red carpet, this week’s Pretty Curious guest knows how to turn a look. Actress, producer, and ballroo...

What’s The Cultural History Of The Calorie? with Dr. Athia N. Choudhury

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What’s in a calorie? So much more than what you see on a box of cereal or a restaurant menu. The story of the nutritional calorie is the story of U....

How Has TikTok Changed Elections? with Annie Wu Henry

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you haven’t seen this week’s Curious Now guest on your TikTok feed, you’ve definitely seen her work. Annie Wu Henry was a breakout star of Jo...

Who Are The Women Of The Far Right? with Dr. Eviane Leidig

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a group of far right influencers lurking on your social media feeds. They post organic recipes, millennial mom advice, and #glowups. And the...

PRETTY CURIOUS | What Is Beauty Beyond The Binary? with David Yi

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Pretty Curious, a new series where every other Monday, we’ll be talking all things beauty—skincare, haircare, self-care, and beyond. Fo...

How Can I Be A Good Plant Parent? with Christopher Griffin aka Plant Kween

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Gather your plant fam and tell all the green gurls—there’s royalty on the podcast this week! Christopher Griffin aka THE Plant Kween joins Jonatha...

How Can We Support Intersex Rights? with Alicia Roth Weigel

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a new week—and we’re debuting a new series! Welcome to Curious Now, where every other Monday, we’ll be covering topical issues like elect...

What’s The History Of Pockets? with Dr. Hannah Carlson

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know the feeling when you try on a dress and realize—it has pockets? Those pockets were more than 500 years in the making! Dr. Hannah Carlson jo...

What’s Happening With The Supreme Court? with Strict Scrutiny

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What’s better than one constitutional law expert? THREE! This spring we had the honor of speaking with Professor Melissa Murray about the Supreme Co...

Are Killer Whales Misunderstood? with Dr. Deborah Giles

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Southern Resident killer whales are a lot like us. They have family meals, chat in different dialects, and sleep side by side. They even engage in an ...

How Cool Are Caves? with Professor Kathleen R. Johnson

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Getting Curious is going spelunking! Caves are full of evidence about our Earth’s past: they can tell us about monsoons in Laos and sea surface temp...

What’s The Science Of Sleep? with Dr. Gina Poe

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We spend one third of our lives sleeping. But WTF is going on during those hours?! This week, Dr. Gina Poe gives us an A to Zzzz crash course in all t...

Who Were History’s Queer Seamen? with Dr. Seth LeJacq

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sea daddies! Sea queens! Land hoes! This week, we’re getting wet and wild with Dr. Seth LeJacq to learn what life was like for queer sailors in the ...

Who Are Hollywood’s Paparazzi? with Dr. Vanessa Díaz

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paris. Lindsay. Kim. We know the celebs in paparazzi photos, but what about the people behind the cameras? This week, Professor Vanessa Díaz takes us...

Are Parasites Out To Get Us? with Dr. Sebastian Lourido

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Parasites are everywhere: in our bodies, in our water, even in our cats’ litter boxes. Are they agents of chaos—or just misunderstood? This week, ...

How Can We Ease Eco-Anxiety? (ICYMI) with Dekila Chungyalpa

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, Earth hit record-high temperatures—three times. We’re feeling the heat of climate change, literally, and it’s f*cking scary. To help ...

How Do Cops Get Away With Robbery? (ICYMI) with Professor Saleema Snow

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine a situation where the cops can take your car, your house, and your cash. You could be waiting years to get your possessions back, without an a...

How Does The Universe Get It On? with Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is life one big cosmic orgy? To wrap up our Pride Beyond Borders series, we’re going big… with an episode all about our universe! Dr. Chanda Presc...

What’s It Like To Be Gay In China? with Dr. Travis S. K. Kong

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What do 90 young, gay men in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have in common? They’ve all spent years sharing their stories with this week’s ...

What's Haitian Vodou? (Part Two) with Professor Eziaku Nwokocha

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What’s it like to enter a religious or spiritual space as a queer person? In Haitian Vodou, the divinities are ready to accept LGBTQIA+ practitioner...

What's Haitian Vodou? (Part One) with Professor Eziaku Nwokocha

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A spiritual practice that has a divinity dedicated to the protection of lesbians?! Tell us more! This week, for our Pride Beyond Borders series, we’...

What Are The Global Politics Of Drag? with Professor Kareem Khubchandani

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This June, we’re celebrating Pride Beyond Borders! And to kick off our series, we’re exploring global drag culture with Professor Kareem Khubchand...

How Many Hard Rights Can One Supreme Court Take? with Professor Melissa Murray

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the coming weeks, the Supreme Court of the United States will hand down decisions that could have major implications for LGBTQIA+ rights, racial ju...

What Makes Gems So Precious? with Dr. Gabriela Farfan

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re dripping in jewels this week on Getting Curious! What does it mean for a diamond to be “hard”? Are lab-grown gems made to perfection? What...

How Did New Orleans Become New Orleans? (Part Two) with Dr. Kathryn Olivarius

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New Orleans was one of America’s most important cities in the early 1800s. It was also one of the most deadly. This week, to mark the new season of ...

How Did New Orleans Become New Orleans? (Part One) with Dr. Kathryn Olivarius

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New Orleans is a city in a swamp—a city, some argue, that should have never been built. So how did it become one of America’s most important sites...

Why Do We Gossip? with Dr. Meltem Yucel

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You didn’t hear it from us, but this week’s episode is so juicy that you’ll want to tell everyone about it. Dr. Meltem Yucel joins Jonathan to d...

How Do Great Apes Go Wild? with Dr. Laura Simone Lewis

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chimpanzees and bonobos know how to live it up. They hang out with their friends, they take self-care breaks, they eat fresh fruit, and when it’s ra...

How F$^*#d Up Is Fatphobia? (ICYMI) with Dr. Sabrina Strings

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What do Enlightenment-era paintings, 19th-century American fashion magazines, and Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” have in common? They’re all ...

Why Is The Titanic So Iconic? with Dr. Meaghan Walker

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The RMS Titanic sank 111 years ago this week. It may have been on its maiden voyage, but this trip was the culmination of more than 200 years of marit...

Where Did All The Malls Go? with Alexandra Lange

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the late 1990s, American malls were the place to be. Families from around the world vacationed at the Mall of America. Teens flocked to Britney Spe...

How Are Iranians Making History? (Part Two) with The Iranian Diaspora Collective

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A note from team Getting Curious: This episode contains descriptions of violence that are at times graphic.   Women in Iran aren’t allowed to da...

How Are Iranians Making History? (Part One) with The Iranian Diaspora Collective

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A note from team Getting Curious: This episode contains descriptions of violence that are at times graphic.   If you haven’t heard about the wom...

What’s It Like To Be Young And Queer In America? with Queer Youth Assemble

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today is March 31, 2023. It’s International Transgender Day of Visibility. And Queer Youth Assemble has organized the March For Queer & Trans Youth ...