Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

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, JVN sits down with toy designer and author Cas Holman to help us learn the value of a little playtime! From designing iconic toys to studying how people of all ages learn through play, Cas breaks down how play shapes creativity, problem-solving, and even how we relate to joy. They dig into how gender norms influence the toys we’re given, why play can feel harder than ever in a productivity-obsessed culture, and what happens when we detach play from outcomes altogether. Cas also shares insights from her new book Playful, including the different types of play, what “free play” actually means, and how bringing fun into everyday moments can change how we work, learn, and live. If you’ve been feeling burnt out, stuck, or disconnected from joy — this episode is your permission slip to loosen the rules, have some fun, and remember that play isn’t frivolous. It’s foundational! Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube.  Follow Cas Holman on Instagram @casholman  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  Senior 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

This week, we’re talking: Lessons learned in 2025, bringing a sense of play into our every day lives, cubed salmon, jump roping on TikTok, muddling, exploring beauty as an expression of our individuality, AI Babies with buss down wigs, making Republicans “cool,” gay stuff in 2025, and our Hot Bitches of 2025!  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  New video episodes Getting Better on YouTube every Wednesday.  Senior 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

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 conversation about authenticity, isolation, and what actually makes relationships work. Together, they unpack why so many of us feel disconnected even when we’re surrounded by others, how fear and rumination can quietly shape our relationships, and the ways cancel culture and manipulation can push people into deeper isolation. Morgan breaks down the psychology behind feeling “separate,” how visualization can either heal or trap us, and what it really means to be emotionally safe with another person. From recognizing when you’re being pulled away from connection to learning the key foundations of healthy, successful relationships, this episode is about finding your way back to yourself — and to others — with clarity, compassion, and intention. Whether you’re navigating friendship shifts, romantic relationships, or just trying to feel less alone, this conversation offers grounding tools to help you reconnect. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube.  Follow Morgan Burch on Instagram @goodmorgantherapy  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  Senior 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

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 world this year, the TikTok’s that spent the most time on our FYP, and one of our fave Hot Bitches of the Week!  Stay tuned for an all new Getting Better this week! 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  New video episodes Getting Better on YouTube every Wednesday.  Senior 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

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 actually stick — especially when emotions, history, and guilt get involved. From defining what a boundary really is (hint: it’s not just what you say, it’s what you do), to navigating boundaries at work, in relationships, and even with yourself, Melissa breaks down the practical steps that make boundaries sustainable instead of exhausting. Together, they dive into when “no contact” is the healthiest option, how to recover after a boundary gets crossed, and why patience — with others and yourself — is a key part of the process. JVN also shares their own personal experience going no contact, what self-care looks like when you’re holding firm to your limits, and how to get “back on the boundary horse” when things don’t go perfectly the first time. If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, second-guessing yourself, or holding a boundary without spiraling — this episode is your permission slip to do it differently. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube.  Follow Melissa Urban on Instagram @melissau  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  Senior 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