How Can I Make Romance Work For Me?

How Can I Make Romance Work For Me?

Author: Sony Music Entertainment / Jonathan Van Ness February 12, 2025 Duration: 52:05
Jonathan sits down with certified sexologist and intimacy expert Shan Boodram for a Valentine's Day deep dive into the world of romance, sex, and relationships. Together, they explore how to make love work for you—whether you’re single, coupled, or somewhere in between. Shan breaks down the key ingredients of a healthy relationship, explains why we often confuse intensity for intimacy, and shares how to bring more fun, safety, and fulfillment into dating and hookup culture. Plus, they get into the psychology of comparison, the myths around monogamy, and why your Valentine's Day should be about your love story—whatever that looks like. Shan Boodram is a certified sexologist, intimacy expert, and author known for her engaging approach to sex education and relationships. She holds certifications from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and the American Board of Sexology, and has earned a Master of Science in Psychology. Boodram has gained widespread recognition through her work on various media platforms. She appeared as a sex expert on Netflix's "Too Hot to Handle" and currently hosts the "Lovers and Friends" podcast. Her media presence extends to major networks, including appearances on "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," "The Talk," "The Real," and "The View." You can find Shan Boodram on Instagram @shanboodram, on TikTok @shanboody and on her website www.loversbyshan.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

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
Ten Seasons of Queer Eye: The Heroes Who Changed Us [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:27
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 celeb…
Queer Eye's Final Season, Bag University, Mifepristone SCOTUS Hearing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:21
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…
When Wellness Turns Dangerous: Inside the OneTaste Cult [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:55
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”…
Minneapolis, Policing Language, Bag Advice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:21
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 co…
Do I Have High-Functioning Depression? ( Dr. Judith Joseph) – ICYMI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:40
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…
Are You Burnt Out? Learn How To PLAY Again! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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, JV…
Feeling Isolated? Do This ONE Thing To Rebuild Real Connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:17
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 conversatio…
Cleansing Our 2025 Algorithms - ICYMI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:00
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…