What’s It Like To Be An Ex-Nun? with Kelli Dunham and Mary Johnson

What’s It Like To Be An Ex-Nun? with Kelli Dunham and Mary Johnson

Author: Sony Music Entertainment / Jonathan Van Ness December 15, 2021 Duration: 1:17:20
If you’re a regular listener of Getting Curious, you know how much Jonathan loves the Sister Act films. But how realistic were they? This week, former nuns Kelli Dunham and Mary Johnson share what it was like to serve with Mother Teresa (yeah, that Mother Teresa) in the Missionaries of Charity—and why they left the congregation. Kelli Dunham is a comic, writer, nurse, and genderqueer ex-nun. You can follow Kelli on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube @kellidunham—and at kellidunham.com. Make sure to check out Kelli’s storytelling series Queer Memoir at Caveat. Mary Johnson loves life. Her award-winning memoir An Unquenchable Thirst reveals the secret life inside her 20 years as a nun with the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. As a Humanist Celebrant, Mary creates ceremonies for weddings, memorials, and all life’s transitions. Mary is also host of The Book Canopy and is working on a second book and a video series. You can follow Mary on Twitter @_MaryJohnson and at maryjohnson.co.  Want to hear more from Kelli and Mary, and other former Missionaries of Charity? Check out the excellent podcast series The Turning: The Sisters Who Left, inspired by Mary’s Memoir and produced by Rococo Punch and iHeartMedia. Find out what today’s guests and former guests are up to by following us on Instagram and Twitter @CuriousWithJVN.  Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com. Check out Getting Curious merch at PodSwag.com. Listen to more music from Quiñ by heading over to TheQuinCat.com. Jonathan is on Instagram and Twitter @JVN and @Jonathan.Vanness on Facebook. 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
What’s The Value In Community? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:36
JVN sits down with Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon—educator, entrepreneur, and founder of The Village Market—to unpack one of the biggest myths of our time: being self-made. In a culture that glorifies individual success, Dr. Key c…
How Do I Stop Being Such A People Pleaser? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:15
JVN sits down with Kati Morton, a licensed therapist and bestselling author, to dive deep into the world of people-pleasing. Together, they unpack why people-pleasing isn’t just about being nice—it’s about discomfort wit…
Is My Friendship Over? A Friendship Coach Weighs In [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:16
Friendship breakups. Knowing when to hold on—and when to let go. JVN sits down with friendship coach Danielle Bayard Jackson to unpack the complexities of platonic relationships and why they can be just as emotionally ch…
PRETTY CURIOUS |  JVN’s Golden Globes Experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:33
Golden Globes glamour, behind-the-scenes intel, and a whole lot of feels—this episode has layers, and we’re not talking about a haircut. JVN takes us inside their first-ever Golden Globes red carpet, from jaw-dropping fa…
How Do Weight Loss Medications Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
GLP-1 medications are everywhere—on your FYPs, on the evening news, and, as JVN shares, in your own weekly routine. But what do these drugs really do? In this no-holds-barred conversation with Dr. Terry Simpson, a surgeo…