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
How to Overcome Burnout and Find Joy at Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:33
Ever feel like you’re counting down the minutes to Friday? You’re not alone—but it doesn’t have to be that way! This week, JVN is joined by Bree Groff: workplace transformation expert and sought-after consultant for comp…
Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Flood’s Town Hall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:15
Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn This week on The Monday Edit we're talking: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Flood’s disastro…
South Park, Sydney Sweeney’s Jeans, Youngest Medalist Ever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:28
Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn This week on The Monday Edit: Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad, Jeffrey Epstein’s cell,…
Brain Power, Toxic Masculinity , Procrastination: ICYMI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:47
Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn This week, we’re diving into the Getting Better archives with excerpts from: Dr. Wendy Su…
Fact Checking the Epstein Files Talking Points, Devil Wears Prada 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:28
Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn This week on The Monday Edit: we’re giving you a timeline of the MAGA camp’s Epstein talk…
What No One Tells You About Death (But Everyone Should Know) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:51
Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn What actually happens at the end of life—and why are we so afraid to talk about it? This…