Getting Curious With Jonathan Van Ness

Did you know that between 2006 and 2016, 58% of bars, pubs, and nightclubs that catered to the LGBTQ community closed in London? Sociologist Amin Ghaziani joins Jonathan to explain this phenomena and how the queer community is adapting. The two dig deep into how the norms of the typical gay bar often exclude already marginalized folks in the LGTBQ community, the underground parties like Buttmitzvah and Femmetopia that have filled this void, and the experimental economic models these parties use to disrupt capitalism. Plus, the deep importance of uplifting queer JOY! Amin Ghaziani is Professor of Sociology at UBC, Canada Research Chair in Urban Sexualities, and co-editor of Contexts, the public-facing magazine of the American Sociological Association. Amin has written and edited 6 books and over 60 academic articles, book chapters, and essays, many of which he has published in top disciplinary and subfield journals. He’s won several awards, including a Lambda Literary Award Finalist for Best Book in LGBT St

This week, we have Carol’s Daughter founder, Lisa Price! Lisa tells Jonathan about her decades-long journey to lasting success: from back in the early days when she made and sold products out of her kitchen at a time when there were barely any natural hair products on the shelves, all the way through being inducted into the National Museum of African-American History and Culture. Plus, being on the Oprah Winfrey show, how scent and product are inextricably linked, and an iconic vintage beauty memory. Lisa Price started Carol’s Daughter out of her kitchen in 1993, and now the brand has over 300 aromatic products for the face, hair, body and home. Her clientele include celebrities like Jada Pinkett Smith, Halle Berry, Chaka Khan and Oprah Winfrey. During the Obama administration, Lisa was appointed to the National Women’s Business Council. She is also the author of “Success Never Smelled So Sweet,” a memoir that chronicles her transformation from a young Black woman deep in debt to president of a paradigm-ch

Neil J. Young is here to answer all our burning questions about the history of gay people within the Republican party! Neil and Jonathan go back to the Mattachine Society in the 1950s and the beginnings of the Log Cabin Republicans in the late 1970s when neither political party accepted homosexuality. Then the two examine how gay Republicans were instrumental in taking down Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and advancing the legalization of same-sex marriage. Plus, we touch on the current mindset of this often disregarded group to better understand their political and personal motivations. Neil J. Young is an award-winning historian, writer, podcaster, and author. Neil formerly served as a contributing columnist for The Week and, before that, an opinion columnist for HuffPost. He writes frequently for leading publications, including the Washington Post, the Atlantic, CNN, the Los Angeles Times, Vox, Politico, Slate, and the New York Times. Neil co-hosts and produces the popular history podcast, Past Present. His latest

Did you know that the looks for Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball Tour, Britney Spears’ Femme Fatale Tour, Katy Perry’s Vegas Residency, and Cirque du Soleil were all created by ONE design genius? It’s true! ZALDY is the artist behind this incredible oeuvre…and our guest on Pretty Curious. ZALDY tells Jonathan all about his journey from model to designer, meeting Ru Paul in their Club Kid days, and how the industry has evolved since then. Plus, the two geek out over all things Olympics! ZALDY is a fashion designer based in New York City. Since launching his own namesake clothing line in 2002, ZALDY has designed both stagewear and one-of-a-kind looks for Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Cirque du Soleil, and others. He served as the head designer for Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. collection and won an Emmy in Costume Design in 2019 for his work on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Follow ZALDY on Instagram @zaldynyc. Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this episode, or head

Happy Pride, Curious People! We’re kicking the month off by talking with Angela Chen about the often overlooked “A” in LGBTQIA+. Angela lays down the basics of asexuality, then she and Jonathan talk more deeply about how the "Ace" perspective can offer everyone a new lens through which to think about their relationships to romance, sex, desire, and culture. Plus, compulsory sexuality and its MAJOR role in our cultural understandings of sex. Angela Chen is a journalist, editor, and author. She’s worked as a senior editor at WIRED, a staff reporter at The Wall Street Journal, Vox Media’s The Verge, and MIT Technology Review.  Her reporting and essays have also appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Paris Review, Chronicle of Higher Education, Lapham's Quarterly, National Geographic, and more. She is also the author of Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex. You can follow Angela on X @chengela or on Instagram @angelaetcetera. Follow us on Instagr

We’re MAJOR fans of Irene Neuwirth Jewelry, known for her one-of-a-kind and incredibly gorgeous pieces! Irene tells Jonathan the story of her slow and steady journey from hobbyist at local gem shows to crafting unique pieces for major celebrities. She shares all that inspires her creative vision from her mother’s influence as a painter, to mixing and matching gems in playful ways that break traditional rules of jewelry making, and even the thought behind her individualized packaging. Plus, that time as a young designer when she broke a rare opal! Irene Neuwirth is a jewelry designer from Los Angeles. She began experimenting with jewelry design after college and soon after she found herself inundated with requests for her one-of-a-kind pieces. In 2003, with business partner Tracy Stoll, Irene Neuwirth Jewelry was born. Her jewelry has been worn by celebrities like Naomi Watts, Tracee Ellis Ross, Julianne Moore, Sarah Paulson, and Busy Philipps, and her work has been featured in publications like Vogue, Elle

Have you ever wondered what’s up with double negation, the history of gender neutral pronouns, or why swearing is taboo? Then get ready for this week’s guest, linguist Anne Curzan! Anne and Jonathan talk about how the English language has evolved since the 1300s and how our words are SO powerful because of their central role in our identities and communities. Plus, we talk about how to be a more generous speaker, listener, and caretaker of language. Anne Curzan is the Dean of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan, where she also teaches courses on the history of English, English grammar, language and gender, and the dynamics of conversations. She is a trained linguist and historian of the English language. Her TEDx talk at UM called “What makes a word ‘real’?” has over 2 million views on the national TED site. She earned her B.A. in linguistics from Yale University and her Ph.D. in English language and literature from the University of Michigan. Her book “Says Who?: A Kinder, Funn

Allure Editor in Chief Jessica Cruel just got back from a trip to South Korea and is ready to share all the latest beauty recs from her travels with us! Jessica and Jonathan go deep on her journey to Allure, what she’s seen change in the industry, and where she thinks the future lies. Plus, who better than this Best of Beauty expert to get real with us when it comes to which products are meh and which are MAJOR? Jessica Cruel is the editor-in-chief of Allure, where she leads the development of multi-platform editorial content for digital, social, and video platforms, including the Readers' Choice Awards and Best of Beauty Awards franchises. Jessica joined Allure in 2019, before becoming EIC in 2021. That same year, she spearheaded The Melanin Edit, an Allure platform exploring all things relating to Black beauty and wellness. Prior to joining Allure, Jessica also held editorial roles at Refinery29, SELF, and Popsugar. Follow Jessica on Instagram @jcruel. Allure is on Instagram @allure and online at allu

We’re all so used to turning to our phones for information, but how exactly does it travel across the internet…and what happens if that information is wrong? Renée DiResta is the perfect expert to break it all down for us! Jonathan and Renée dig into the differences and potential dangers of misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda. From generative AI and Father Coughlin, to political polarization and being subpoenaed by Jim Jordan, we cover it all. Renée DiResta is the Research Manager at the Stanford Internet Observatory where she investigates the spread of malign narratives across social networks, and assists policymakers in understanding and responding to the problem. She has advised Congress, the State Department, and other academic, civic, and business organizations, and has studied disinformation and computational propaganda in the context of pseudoscience conspiracies, terrorism, and state-sponsored information warfare. Her latest book, “Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality”

If you’re as obsessed with Dieux Skin’s Forever Eye Mask as we are, then this episode is for you! Co-founder Charlotte Palermino joins Jonathan to share her unique perspective on the beauty industry. From developing brand loyalty through offering products you only need to purchase once, to how we can spot misinformation in a world overflowing with hot new trends, we go deep into how to be a discerning consumer and find the formulas that are best for your unique skin. Charlotte Palermino is a licensed esthetician and the CEO & co-founder of Dieux Skin. After 10 years working in media, building audiences and creating brand equity for award-winning publishers and Fortune 500 companies, Charlotte made the switch to skincare. When she’s not talking about skincare, Charlotte also writes about beauty, food, and culture for publications like The Cut, ELLE.com, Cosmopolitan and Bon Appétit. Charlotte is on Instagram and TikTok @charlotteparler. Follow Dieux on Instagram @dieuxskin. Follow us on Instagram @Cur

Dr. Osamah Khalil is back to tell us all about what was happening in this period of history from the 80s to the very beginning of the new millennium. From the Cold War conservatism of the Regan administration to the Camp David Summit at the end of the Clinton presidency and everyyyyything in between, Jonathan and Osamah walk through these critical few decades and trace the common threads. Plus, we’ll pick up at the beginning of the Bush administration in our upcoming Part 3 episode! Dr. Osamah Khalil is a historian of U.S. foreign relations and chair of the international relations program at Syracuse University. He’s a frequent media commentator and contributor for outlets like the Los Angeles Times, NPR, USA Today, PBS Newshour, The Hill, and Al Jazeera. His new book “A World of Enemies: America’s Wars at Home and Abroad from Kennedy to Biden” is available now. You can find Osamah on X @Osamah_Khalil. You can find more information about his first book, America’s Dream Palace, here. Follow us on Instag

We’re getting personal on this episode of Pretty Curious with Jonthan’s dermatologist, Dr. Ali Shahbaz! The two walk through Jonthan’s psoriasis journey and along the way, Dr. Shahbaz answers all our questions like what are the different types of psoriasis, what are some common triggers for flare-ups, and what are the best treatment options? Plus, Dr. Shahbaz shares the foundations for skin health, fills us in on all the latest technological advances, and busts myths around the so-called rules of aesthetics in the dermatological space. Dr. Ali Shahbaz is a double Board-Certified Dermatologist. Dr. Shahbaz received his undergraduate of Honors in Bachelor of Medical Science at Western University. He then attended The University of Ottawa School of Medicine in Ottawa. Dr. Shahbaz specializes in medical, procedural and cosmetic dermatology. He enjoys treating patients of all ages and skin types. Dr. Shahbaz is on Instagram @alishahbazmd_. Follow Westlake Dermatology on Instagram @westlakedermatology or onli

Seth and Lauren Rogen are on the pod this week to talk with Jonathan all about their incredible organization Hilarity for Charity that’s on a mission to care for families impacted by Alzheimer's disease. Lauren tells the story of how her personal connection to Alzheimer’s joined forces with the pair’s careers in comedy to make a big impact. Plus, we go deep on the science of the disease, the importance of bringing levity to heartbreak, and how to keep your brain healthy. Seth Rogen is an award winning actor, writer, producer, director, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He’s known for his recent work in Hulu’s Emmy Award-winning series Pam & Tommy, the Academy Award-nominated film The Fablemans, and he currently stars in and produces an Apple TV+ Untitled comedy series. Beyond the camera, Rogen became a New York Times best-selling author for his first book, Yearbook. He also is the co-founder of Houseplant, a Canadian cannabis company that creates products like ashtrays and rolling trays that are beautiful w

Start filling the tub and light a candle! This week, we’re talking all about Pursoma’s specialty bath soaks and body treatments with founder and CEO, Shannon Vaughn. Jonathan and Shannon go deep on the importance of ritual bathing and digital detox, the process of salt harvesting, and how baths can improve our sleep. Shannon Vaughn is the founder and CEO of Pursoma, a wellness company that aims to help you live a healthier life by creating products like bath soaks and body oils, designed to detoxify and rejuvenate your body and mind. Pursoma is on Instagram @pursoma and online at pursomalife.com. Follow Shannon on Instagram @shannonvaughn_. Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this episode, or head to JonathanVanNess.com for the transcript. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Find books from Getting Curious and Pretty Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. Our senior producers are Chris McClure and Julia Melfi. Our associate producer is Allison We

Did you know that in ancient Greece, the stereotype that women were “overly emotional” came from the false idea of a “wandering womb?” Neither did we! Dr. Karen Tang joins Jonathan to go deep on the long history of stigma and shame around gynecological care, and to answer all our questions about what it even is. Plus we talk about the state of gynecological care in this election year, draw out the connection between the attacks against abortion care and trans affirming health care, and how to advocate for better care for yourself and your loved ones. Dr. Karen Tang is a board-certified gynecologist and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon who is an internationally recognized leader in reproductive health. She reaches millions of viewers each month with her educational videos about period health, pelvic pain, and reproductive rights. Dr. Tang has been featured in The Washington Post, Self, Glamour, NBC.com, and NPR, among other media outlets. Her new book, It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know Ab

Ever wonder who makes Laverne Cox’s hair look so good? It’s none other than this week’s guest, Dee TrannyBear! Dee tells Jonathan all about their incredible origin story: they started off working in German salons as a high school student and eventually came to America where they found queer community. Then Dee and Jonathan talk shop about all things wigs: which ones to buy, tips for installing, and how much you can expect to pay if you want an expert’s touch. Plus, Dee teases a MAJOR new project. Dee TrannyBear is a master wigologist and haircolorist. Having grown up in Germany, Dee recently came to the U.S. and has taken the industry by storm. They frequently work with celebrities such as Laverne Cox, Alok Vaid-Menon, internationally acclaimed painter Kehinde Wiley, and many other influential leaders across industries. Dee is on Instagram at @deetrannybear. Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this episode, or head to JonathanVanNess.com for the transcript. Jo

Happy Earth Day, Curious People! To celebrate, we’re inviting research scientist Marcus Eriksen from 5 Gyres to the pod. Marcus tells us about his 88 day journey from California to Hawaii sailing on a raft made from 15,000 plastic bottles to research microplastics in the ocean and raise awareness about plastic pollution. Then Marcus answers all our questions like: how did plastic become so popular in the first place, why is so little of our plastic recycled, and what can we do on an individual and systemic level to create stronger policies and more robust solutions? Plus, Jonathan and Marcus go deep on the ongoing Global Plastics Treaty negotiations. Marcus has led expeditions around the world to research plastic pollution and used that research to drive solutions. He co-published the first global estimate of marine plastic pollution and the discovery of plastic microbeads in the Great Lakes, which led to the federal Microbead-free Waters Act of 2015. He and his wife Anna founded 5 Gyres with an 88-day jou

This week, Keeks Reid tells us all about how she followed her passion for beauty all the way Cosmopolitan U.K.! We learn all about the impact of social media on beauty journalism, the difference between micro trends and trends with staying power, and how to find your personal style. Plus, Keeks shares about her exciting next chapter with Jonathan: she’s going to cosmetology school to take her love for hair to the next level! Keeks Reid started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as an Editorial Assistant for Blackhair and Hair magazine. She worked her way up to Acting Editor of Blackhair at just 23 years old. Now she is the Contributing Beauty Director of Cosmopolitan UK, and works with a range of companies, from consumer and trade magazines and websites, to beauty brands and salons. Keeks is on Instagram and TikTok @keeksreid. Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this episode, or head to JonathanVanNess.com for the transcript. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN

You probably learned about the Founding Fathers in school…or maybe you had a deep Hamilton phase like the rest of us, but what about the lesser known figures like John Hancock? Historian Dr. Brooke Barbier joins Jonathan to fill us in on the man behind the famous signature. From his willingness to publicly change his mind, his ability to find the middle ground, and his talent for throwing a killer party to bring all kinds of people together, Brooke illuminates the lessons we can learn from the so-called “King Hancock” of 1775 Boston. Brooke Barbier is a public historian who received her PhD in American history from Boston College, specifically researching Boston’s social and cultural life during and after the American Revolution. Two of Brooke's favorite things are history and beer, so in 2013 she founded Ye Olde Tavern Tours, which offers tours of Boston’s historic sites and taverns (beer is included!). She is the author of two books about revolutionary Boston including “King Hancock: The Radical Influenc

LA Beautologist, Nayamka Roberts-Smith, joins Jonathan to go deep on skincare…literally! Nayamka brings her expertise as an award-winning esthetician to the table to teach us all about our skin and what treatments we can seek out to stay healthy and glowing. Plus, should you brush your teeth before or after you wash your face? Nayamka Roberts-Smith is an award winning esthetician, acclaimed skincare educator, and all-around fountain of knowledge on beauty culture. She’s an internationally known speaker on beauty and women’s issues, and has amassed an audience of over 1 million followers across her social media platforms. Nayamka’s been recognized as the most influential esthetician on Twitter by Sprinklr in 2020. And she’s created ad campaigns for Sephora, Target, Glossier and the U.S. Department of Health. Nayamka is on Instagram and TikTok @labeautyologist. You can find more information about her Masterclasses here. Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this e