Why You Lash Out — The Psychology Behind Big Reactions (with Dr. Nicole LePera)

Why You Lash Out — The Psychology Behind Big Reactions (with Dr. Nicole LePera)

Author: Sony Music Entertainment / Jonathan Van Ness March 18, 2026 Duration: 46:54
Ever wondered why we lash out, shut down, or spiral emotionally, even when we don't want to? On this episode of Getting Better, JVN teams up with psychologist and author Dr. Nicole LePera (The Holistic Psychologist) to dive deep into inner child healing, parts work, and the shocking truth behind our nervous system's reactions. Dr. LePera reveals how our past molds our emotions, why connection is our biological imperative, and how to become your own adult parent. JVN opens up about their own "parts," and together they dissect black-and-white thinking, fear, and emotional overwhelm, uncovering real-world strategies to break free! If healing has ever felt messy, scary, or downright nonlinear, this conversation may help you truly "getting better." Dr. Nicole LePera's new book Reparenting the Inner Child: The New Science of Our Oldest Wounds and How to Heal Them is out March 24th. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube.  Follow Dr. Nicole LePera on Instagram @the.holistic.psychologist Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn  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
WMD Playbook, Escalation in Iran, Daylight Savings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:33
This week we’re talking: prepping for the Hot & Healed comedy tour, self-tape adventures, new Instagram follows, shopping quirks, our weekly spelling bee, dermatologist updates, geopolitical reflections on the military a…
Punch the Monkey, Trump Tariffs, Kristi Noem's Deportation Flights [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:11
This week, JVN & Chris talk: Punch the Monkey, the return of the perm, Supreme Court striking down Trump Tariffs, Kristi Noem’s private jet funded from ICE’s budget, the shelf life of slang, and our hot b*tches of the we…
Bad Bunny, HIV Funding, JVN's Question for Hasan Piker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:23
This week, JVN & Chris talk: calling out sick, Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Performance, Winter Olympics themed spelling bee, the HIV Funding Rollback, Greenhouse gases, and Hasan Piker's POV on 3rd Party voting. Plus! This we…
Epstein Files Deep Dive with Betches co-founder Sami Sage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:52
We’re getting out the red yarn, receipts, proof, timeline, screenshots - f*cking everything - and piecing together the saga of that is: The Epstein Files. JVN and Betches co-founder, Sami Sage, unpack a tangled web that…