How Can I Make Romance Work For Me?

12 February 2025 - 54 mins explicit
Podcast Series Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

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,...

54 mins

Series Episodes

Rewind: What’s the Astrology for 2026? Playing

Rewind: What’s the Astrology for 2026?

2026 will be BIG astrologically speaking… Discover how astrology is shaping the year's biggest shifts, both personally and globally, with renowned astrologer Aliza Kelly. From planetary movements to understanding your unique birth chart, explore practical ways astrology can guide you through 2026's transformative energies. Aliza Kelly is a renowned celebrity astrologer, author, columnist, and host of the podcast, AstroloTea! Catch Aliza in ⁠LA⁠ at The Elysian on May 14th, and in ⁠NYC⁠ at Joe’s Pub on July 14th.  Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour ⁠here⁠.  Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on ⁠YouTube⁠.  Follow Aliza Kelly on Instagram ⁠@alizakelly⁠ Follow us on Instagram ⁠@gettingbetterwithjvn⁠  Follow 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 ⁠[email protected]⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

35 mins

30 September Finished

What Taking a Break Looks Like, Scarf Spelling Bee, JVN's Favorite Fragrances Playing

What Taking a Break Looks Like, Scarf Spelling Bee, JVN's Favorite Fragrances

explicit

This week, we’re talking: our hiatus, AOC, scarf spelling bee, voter registration, and our HBOTW! Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here.  Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube!  Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn  Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris  Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 mins

24 August Finished

How to Work With Yourself, Not Against Yourself with Gretchen Rubin Playing

How to Work With Yourself, Not Against Yourself with Gretchen Rubin

explicit

Gretchen Rubin is back on Getting Better for a happiness check-in with JVN! This week, they’re talking about what actually helps us understand ourselves, and why knowing how we respond to expectations can make it easier to change our habits, navigate relationships, and create a life that feels better. Gretchen breaks down her Four Tendencies framework — Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, and Rebel — and explains how our tendencies can shape everything from motivation to relationships. JVN and Gretchen also get into managing negative emotions, the importance of our environment, balancing self-acceptance with growth, and why slowing down can sometimes give us the clarity we’ve been looking for. Plus, Gretchen shares what she’s learning from her latest creative obsession, watercolor, and gives us a look at her upcoming Four Tendencies workbook. Check out Grethcen’s Four Tendencies workbook here.  Watch the stories from our AU Docket Drop here. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube.  Follow Gretchen Rubin on Instagram @gretchenrubin Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn  Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn  Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

54 mins

19 August Finished

Lindsay Clancy Case Breakdown, HIV Social Safety Net, Going with the Flow Playing

Lindsay Clancy Case Breakdown, HIV Social Safety Net, Going with the Flow

explicit

This week, we’re talking: the Lindsay Clancy case, HIV Social Safety net, getting better at going with the flow, english breakfast recs, and much more!   Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here.  Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube!  Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn  Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris  Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

38 mins

17 August Finished

How to Use AI Without Losing Your Humanity w/ Meredith Broussard Playing

How to Use AI Without Losing Your Humanity w/ Meredith Broussard

explicit

What happens when we start asking AI to help us make decisions about our lives, relationships, and mental health? JVN sits down with NYU Professor, author, and AI researcher Meredith Broussard to unpack what AI actually is, what it can and can’t do, and how we can make smarter choices about when to use it. Jonathan and Meredith break down the AI bubble, generative and agentic AI, how AI models are built, and why the benchmarks we use to measure them don’t always tell the whole story. They also get into one of the most personal questions of the AI era: What happens when we start asking machines for advice about our lives, our relationships, and our mental health? Meredith explains why human expertise and critical thinking still matter, why AI can be especially risky when we’re vulnerable or looking for emotional support, and how relying on machines for connection can change the way we relate to other people. They also explore the environmental costs of AI infrastructure, the realities behind talk of “superintelligence,” and practical guidelines for deciding when AI is useful, and when it’s better to turn to a human. Because getting better in the age of AI may not mean learning how to use more technology. It may mean getting better at knowing when not to. Tiktok Algorithm Article: WALL STREET JOURNAL Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube.  Follow Meredith Broussard on Instagram @meredithbroussard Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn  Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn  Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 hour

12 August Finished

JVN in Italy, Displaced Anti-Fauci Energy, Curl Hacks Playing

JVN in Italy, Displaced Anti-Fauci Energy, Curl Hacks

explicit

This week, we’re talking: NYC apartment drama, Enough starring Jennifer Lopez, the reflecting pool, and much much more! Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here.  Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube!  Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive content, bonus episodes, and more! www.patreon.com/jvn  Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris  Executive Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support from Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

38 mins

10 August Finished

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