Caroline Hirons, arguably the most important figure in British beauty, stopped by this week’s Pretty Curious and is holding serious court, babes. Caroline gives the best skin in the biz, and she’s breaking down all the goodness she’s got going on over at her skincare brand, Skin Rocks. Plus! We’re talking Gen Alpha skincare, English breakfasts, and just exactly how the “Caroline effect” has taken over the British beauty space. Caroline grew up around the beauty industry, as both her mother and g...
Sep 09, 2024•35 min•Ep 438•Transcript available on Metacast We’re looking for a man in politics. Thick thighs. 6’4”. Blue eyes. Abraham Lincoln, course - or as we’re lovingly referring to him on this episode: GAY-braham Lincoln. That’s right - today we’re exploring whether or not “America’s best president” was also a soft-top zaddy! And to do that - we’re bringing in experts from the upcoming film, Lover of Men. We’ve got Shaun Peterson (the director) and Thomas Balcerski (one of the film’s historians) joining JVN to give us the receipts, proof, timeline...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep 437•Transcript available on Metacast Buckle in, sweetie - we’re getting hot & steamy and going behind the paywall for a very special preview of our Apple Podcast Subscription show, “Ask JVN”! What’s Ask JVN, you ask? Well babes, it’s our scintillating little show where we talk about sex - and other things too. It’s giving Talk Sex With Sue Johanson. JVN & Chris (Producer on the Curious Pods), talk current events, TikToks that make us LOL, and answer all the burning questions you submit on Instagram & AskJVN.com. Is it rude to call ...
Sep 02, 2024•35 min•Ep 436•Transcript available on Metacast There’s a group of far right influencers lurking on your social media feeds. They post organic recipes, millennial mom advice, and #glowups. And they’re using this content to promote white supremacist ideas. This week, Dr. Eviane Leidig joins us to discuss who these women are and how they’re spreading hate on social media. Dr. Eviane Leidig is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellow at Tilburg University. Her research specializes in the global far-right, gender, and online radicalization, r...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 435•Transcript available on Metacast Fumiko Takatsu, creator of the Face Yoga Method, stopped by Pretty Curious to help JVN find some easy, physiological, and fun ways we can keep our faces looking and feeling hot- at any age! Fumiko gave us amazing insight into what it takes to be a leader in the field, and how she’s inspired and helped so many people with her techniques! For nearly two decades, Fumiko Takatsu’s Face Yoga Method has used her proven combination of breath, mindset, and Face Yoga Poses to revolutionize the way people...
Aug 26, 2024•36 min•Ep 424•Transcript available on Metacast Do you ever feel the need to “gather” someone online? Or maybe someone in your life? It’s perfectly human! But maybe we should think twice about how we go about making that correction - and how we can make it in the most loving way possible. To help you and us do that, we’ve got adrienne maree brown back on the pod! Following her 2020 visit to Getting Curious, adrienne is here to talk all about the ideas in her new book, Loving Corrections, and help all of us give and receive feedback better! ad...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 433•Transcript available on Metacast We’re not a little bit obsessed with Nécessaire, we’re big-BIG time obsessed with Nécessaire and its co-founder, Randi Christiansen! Bodycare, one of the more niche corners of the beauty industry, is beyond important to our wellbeing. After all, as Randi says, “skin doesn’t stop at the neck!” Plus, we’ve got a JVN Hair Update, a word to the wise for all of you extension girlies about the scalp damage you could be facing, and the 411 on heatless rollers! Randi Christiansen is the CEO and co-found...
Aug 19, 2024•44 min•Ep 432•Transcript available on Metacast We’re telling the truth, the HOLE truth, and nothing BUTT the truth this week. It’s all about anal health today on the pod, and we’re sitting down with one of the most esteemed butt doctors in the biz: Dr. Evan Goldstein - or as we call him “the Robin Hood of anal.” Dr. Goldstein is here to get us together and answer all the burning questions - literally. How do we wipe? What is the scoop on fiber? And what is a fistula? Asking for a friend… Dr. Goldstein is the founder and CEO of Bespoke Surgic...
Aug 14, 2024•59 min•Ep 431•Transcript available on Metacast Princess Diana. Lady Gaga. Tilda Swinton. No, this is not a fever dream, it’s just a sampling of the illustrious career of the awe-inspiring hairstylist, Sam McKnight - this week’s Pretty Curious guest! Buckle your seat beats, sweeties, JVN sat down with the iconic and truly one-of-one creative to pick his brain about navigating such an unbelievable and influential career. This episode is giving you 90s fashion lore, hot takes on the media's portrayal of the fashion industry, and some major gard...
Aug 12, 2024•42 min•Ep 430•Transcript available on Metacast Today on Getting Curious, we’ve got THE Olympic runner to watch - Nikki Hiltz! This episode is coming to you on the eve of their race at the Women’s 1500m semifinals, but JVN caught up with Nikki in the salon chair for a podium worthy haircut just before Nikki left for gay Paris! We're talking track & field 101, how Nikki shows up as their authentic self in every race, and what exactly IS a steeplechase? Nikki Hiltz is a nonbinary professional track and field athlete and is the first openly nonb...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 429•Transcript available on Metacast We've got makeup artist extraordinaire Keita Moore on the pod today, sharing everything you need to know about finding THE foundation for you! Whether you’re a makeup novice or a glam aficionado, Keita's quick tips & sage advice are not to be missed! We're diving into skin prep for the best makeup coverage, color matching, and how to sanitize that ancient palette in your rotation. Keita Moore is one of the most sought-after makeup artists in the industry with dual bases in both New York City and...
Aug 05, 2024•39 min•Ep 428•Transcript available on Metacast If you’ve ever seen a “What I Eat In A Day” video, glanced at a tabloid in the checkout lane, or even turned on the TV, you’re likely familiar with the problematic and often toxic messaging about food and our relationship with it. JVN and Emmeline Clein delve into the complexities of eating disorders, shedding light on their often misunderstood and stigmatized nature and how they’re deeply embedded in our culture. Emmeline, both in this episode and in her book Dead Weight, advocates for a more h...
Jul 31, 2024•59 min•Ep 427•Transcript available on Metacast On this week’s Pretty Curious, JVN and Samantha Barry, Editor-in-Chief of Glamour Magazine, delve into the intersections of beauty, politics, and media - and how Samantha’s extensive newsroom background primed her for magazine leadership. They’re talking: Gen Alpha skincare, the ever evolving media landscape, and how to find County Cork, Ireland relative to the palm of your hand. Samantha Barry is the Americas Editorial Director of Glamour Magazine, where she oversees content development and con...
Jul 29, 2024•41 min•Ep 426•Transcript available on Metacast Curious People…the Summer Olympics are finally upon us!!! As we prepare for the most major event of the season, we also get curious about how Olympians prepare. Robert Andrews joins Jonathan to talk about working with countless elite athletes– including Simone Biles–to eliminate stress in their lives so they can focus on their sport. The two go deep into the world of Sports Psychology: what goes on in the brain when you incur an injury, quieting the pressures that surround competition, and sport...
Jul 24, 2024•57 min•Ep 425•Transcript available on Metacast Red Light Therapy is all the rage…but what exactly is it? The legendary Dr. Barbara Sturm is here to tell Jonathan ALL about it. The two go deep into the science of inflammation, the difference between Red and Blue Light Therapy, Dr. Sturm’s iconic Blood Facial, and more! Then the two talk all about what to take to build a brand that lasts based on highly-researched formulas that really work. Dr. Barbara Sturm is a German doctor, orthopedics specialist, aesthetics expert and an anti-inflammatory...
Jul 22, 2024•36 min•Ep 424•Transcript available on Metacast Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year?? Gretchen Rubin is back with Jonathan to check in on our New Year's resolutions. We get real about how difficult it can be to find balance in our chaotic world, and the importance of finding fulfillment because after all, happy people are engaged people. We learn all about how Jonathan’s been relating to social media, Gretchen’s heated socks, and how to use our tendencies to reinvest in our goals. Plus, Gretchen shares the research she and ...
Jul 17, 2024•53 min•Ep 423•Transcript available on Metacast Jess & Jenn from Fat Mascara are here for the beauty podcasting collab of the century! We talk about the evolution of beauty related media, how they’ve seen the industry change, and all the major tips & tricks they’ve picked up from all the founders and icons they’ve interviewed throughout the years. Plus, Y2K nostalgia, chunky highlights, and the beauty counters of their childhoods. Hosts (and friends) Jessica Matlin and Jennifer Sullivan are the hosts of the incredible beauty podcast, Fat Masc...
Jul 15, 2024•42 min•Ep 422•Transcript available on Metacast We are getting into all the Shark Week fun here on Getting Curious with Dr. Gavin Naylor! Jonathan and Gavin dive deep into all things sharks: Are attacks really becoming more common, or is that just our perception? Why are there only 530 species of sharks, and what makes them so resilient? What does intrauterine cannibalism mean? And Dr. Naylor tells us about how he’s able to study the marvels of evolutionary biology through his focus on sharks and what makes them so unique. Dr. Gavin Naylor is...
Jul 10, 2024•55 min•Ep 421•Transcript available on Metacast If you’re anything like us, then you have endless burning questions about acupuncture: How exactly does it work? Can it relieve my stress? Indigestion? Headaches? Chronic pain? Acne? Dr. Eileen Li joins Jonathan to answer all this…and more! She shares her approach to treating the body’s whole health with both a Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine perspective, and how acupuncture can bring out our inner beauty. Plus, are Blue Zone Diets all they’re cracked up to be? Dr. Eileen Li is...
Jul 08, 2024•43 min•Ep 420•Transcript available on Metacast White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi is here to tell us all about the major policy efforts that are making historic gains in the fight against climate change. Jonathan and Ali cover it all: from Ali’s journey to this work, to environmental justice concerns, to the many ways in which investing in these policies help strengthen local economies. Plus, how people just like you can get involved in a greener future with the American Climate Corps, which trains young people in clean energy, c...
Jul 03, 2024•47 min•Ep 419•Transcript available on Metacast Jessie & Lennie Ware sat down with JVN for a good old chit-chat on their podcast Table Manners, and we’re bringing you some highlights from that incredible conversation, plus some of our standard Pretty Curious fare! We go deep on how Jessie puts together looks for her album covers, Lennie’s classic red lip, and Whitney Houston’s “I Look To You.” Plus, does Jessie think vocal rest is meh or MAJOR? Jessie Ware is an English singer and songwriter. She came to prominence following the release of he...
Jul 01, 2024•40 min•Ep 418•Transcript available on Metacast Jonathan and Alan recently met at Adele’s Vegas residency show and were instantly obsessed with each other! The two sit down for a truly delightful conversation about the journey of Alan’s career from working as a call center operator to becoming a UK comedy icon. The two chat about what it’s like to be a gay comedian, The Friday Night Project, and the challenges of working out new material as an established voice. Plus: Amy Weinhouse, Australian accents, and Drag Race UK! Alan Carr is a comedia...
Jun 26, 2024•41 min•Ep 417•Transcript available on Metacast Desiree Verdejo took a leap of faith: she left the grind of New York corporate law and opened a boutique in Harlem, which eventually led her to found Hyper! skincare. Desiree joins Jonathan to talk all about how she made this massive pivot over time and to follow your own instincts. Plus the two go deep on hyperpigmentation for sensitive skin of all shades, ingredients and formulas, and what’s next for the brand. After leaving the world of corporate law, Desiree Verdejo moved to Harlem to open a...
Jun 24, 2024•38 min•Ep 416•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jun 19, 2024•53 min•Ep 415•Transcript available on Metacast 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 me...
Jun 17, 2024•35 min•Ep 414•Transcript available on Metacast 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 oft...
Jun 12, 2024•57 min•Ep 413•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Olympi...
Jun 10, 2024•37 min•Ep 412•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jun 05, 2024•50 min•Ep 411•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jun 03, 2024•36 min•Ep 410•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
May 29, 2024•55 min•Ep 409•Transcript available on Metacast 
