Are You Burnt Out? Learn How To PLAY Again!

Are You Burnt Out? Learn How To PLAY Again!

Author: Sony Music Entertainment / Jonathan Van Ness December 31, 2025 Duration: 52:46
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

You know that feeling when you’re just trying to figure it all out, and you need a guide who’s equal parts insightful and hilarious? That’s the space where Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness lives. Hosted by the beloved Jonathan Van Ness of Queer Eye, this podcast turns genuine curiosity into a powerful engine for personal growth. Each episode feels like a vibrant conversation with a deeply empathetic friend who isn’t afraid to ask the big, awkward, or wonderfully silly questions. Jonathan sits down with a diverse array of experts, authors, and thinkers, weaving together discussions that are as enlightening as they are unexpectedly funny. The result is a unique blend of education, comedy, and culture that tackles everything from societal issues to the intimate details of self-improvement. You’ll find yourself laughing one moment and having a profound revelation the next, all while feeling less alone in the challenges of modern life. This isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about the ongoing, messy, and beautiful process of understanding ourselves and the world. Produced in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment, the podcast delivers consistently engaging audio experiences that are both a lifeline and a joy. Tune in for a weekly dose of warmth, wit, and the kind of conversations that leave you feeling genuinely better equipped to navigate your own path.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness
Podcast Episodes
Location Reveals on X, TikTok Karens, Advice for Mature Skincare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:15
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 breakdow…
How To Spot BS — with Jennifer Welch from "I've Had It" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:01
Today, we’re refining our BS reader with one the BEST in the biz - Jennifer Welch - from “I’ve Had It”! Together, JVN and Jennifer dive into how to hold people accountable, discern the news we’re watching, and call out h…
How To Protect Your Peace - The Art of Self-Care with Heather McMahan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:33
Travel nightmares, cocktail jazz, & laughing gas…oh my! This week, JVN is joined by comedian and certified delight, Heather McMahan (host, Absolutely Not) They’re talking: baths vs. showers, jazz scatting, preferred ques…
Cynthia Erivo’s Reflexes, Hilary Duff’s Return, the Last Penny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:26
This week, we’re talking: JVN’s return to yoga, which comedian makes JVN pull an oblique & an intercostal muscle, the process of becoming a U.S. Citizen, the perils of ankles being in weird positions, “Going Up on A Tues…
How To Build Financial Self Confidence with Financial Feminist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:07
Money isn’t just about math — it’s about mindset. This week, JVN welcomes back financial educator, Her First $100K founder, and Financial Feminist Podcast host Tori Dunlap to the pod to talk about how we can break free f…