The Life Changing Science of Optimism (And How You Can Harness It)

The Life Changing Science of Optimism (And How You Can Harness It)

Author: Sony Music Entertainment / Jonathan Van Ness March 19, 2025 Duration: 48:23
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

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…