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
When Setting Boundaries Means Going No Contact — with Melissa Urban [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:07
Boundaries aren’t about being mean — they’re about being clear. This week on Getting Better, JVN sits down with Melissa Urban, founder of Whole30 and a leading voice on boundaries, to talk about how to set limits that ac…
How to Pivot Your Career Without Spiraling — with Adam Rippon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:00
Your worth is not tied to your results. This week, JVN is joined by Olympic Bronze Medalist - figure skater, author, and all-around icon Adam Rippon to talk about career pivots, personal reinvention, and why stepping int…
Trump v. Slaughter, Spotify Wrapped, Pantone's Color of the Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:27
This week, we’re talking: JVN’s Euro Hot & Healed Tour, English Breakfasts, Whole Foods hot bars, Simone Biles’ first figure skating lesson, Instagram Close Friends Stories, NSFW shaped lipstick, home renovation revelati…
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…