Getting Curious With Jonathan Van Ness

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

So much of our news consumption these days comes from social media and cable news, but whatever happened to local newspapers? Journalist, author, and educator Meg Heckan joins Jonathan to answer that very question. We learn about the history of newspapers, how communities are impacted when their local paper folds, and what we can do to cultivate a stronger news ecosystem that’s more reflective of our society. Plus, we dive deep into what’s at stake for our democracy when local journalism suffers and what the future of the field might look like. Meg Heckman is a journalist, author and educator focused on building a news ecosystem that is robust, diverse and equipped to serve all segments of society. She is the author of “Political Godmother: Nackey Scripps Loeb and the Newspaper That Shook the Republican Party,” and her work has appeared in a variety of periodicals including the Columbia Journalism Review, USA Today, Poynter.org and The Conversation, as well as scholarly publications such as the Newspaper R

This week’s guest needs NO introduction because you’ve definitely seen her all over your FYP! Mikayla Nogueira joins Jonathan for a conversation all about makeup and social media. From how she fell in love with makeup to her favorite budget-friendly products, we get ALL the tips and tricks for flawless makeup application. Plus, we finally learn what under-painting is and how we can use it to make our makeup look amazing in photos! Mikayla Nogueira is a makeup artist and one of the largest beauty creators in the industry with over 17 million followers across her platforms. She’s worked with brands like Charlotte Tilbury, L'Oreal and CVS. She won the American Influencer Award for Emerging Makeup Artist of the Year in 2020 and a Streamy Award for Beauty in 2023. Mikayla is on Instagram @mikaylajmakeup and TikTok @mikaylanogueira. 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.

The Vietnam War caused a ton of strife both domestically and internationally, but so many details were hidden from the public for a long time. Naturally, Jonathan has a lot of questions about this period of time, and historian Dr. Osamah Khalil has the answers! Join us for a deep dive on a fascinating period of American history, as we examine what was happening abroad and at home from 1945-1980. 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 Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Tran

This week we’re uncovering the highs and lows of the beauty industry with someone who's been a part of it for over 20 years! Journalist and influencer Ateh Jewel joins Jonathan for a deep dive into her experience watching the field change over time. From how she made her mark, to the way increased diversity has helped open doors for the next generation, and how she harnessed all that insight to found her own groundbreaking beauty brand. Ateh Jewel is a multi award winning journalist, producer, director, influencer and diversity advocate. She has been in the industry for 20 years specializing in beauty, social commentary and campaigning for more diversity in the beauty industry. She is brand ambassador for Olay Retinol 24 Max and has written for titles such as Vogue, Financial Times, Guardian, Harper's Bazaar, and Glamour to name a few. She was also awarded the CEW 2020 Achiever Award to honor her diversity work for the past 20 years in the beauty industry. Ateh is on Instagram and TikTok @atehjewel. You

Picture it: you’re on a crowded subway and someone sneezes. Or maybe you’re on a plane and the person next to you keeps coughing. Perhaps you shook hands with someone who didn’t wash their hands after going to the bathroom. Interaction with germs is inevitable, but why do some people get sick while others don’t? Social neuroscientist Dr. Keely A. Muscatell tells Jonathan all about what happens when we get sick and why. We go deep on how the innate and adaptive branches fight against pathogens, how social experiences impact our physical health, and what we can do to help prevent getting sick. Dr. Muscatell is a social neuroscientist and psychologist from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research explores how social experiences impact physical health. She is also the director of the Social Neuroscience and Health Laboratory at UNC Chapel Hill. You can find Keely on Instagram @drkeelz. You can follow her lab on X @socneurohealth and find more information about their work here. Follow

Today we’re answering all your burning questions about botox! Dermatologist Dr. Renée A. Beach joins Jonathan to talk all things cosmetic dermatology: what’s the difference between botox and fillers? What’s the best approach for your desired outcome? How should you vet a dermatologist? And most importantly…what can you do to make your fillers last as long as possible?! Dr. Beach is a Canadian dermatologist practicing both medical and cosmetic dermatology in Toronto for more than a decade.  She is the founder of DermAtelier on Avenue – Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology which opened in 2020. Her most recent research analyzed cosmetic trends in patients of all skin tones, and is a reflection of her mantra: Beauty For All. Dr. Beach is on Instagram and TikTok @DermaBeach. You can find more information about DermAtelier on Avenue here. 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.

Have you ever been lucky enough to see the aurora borealis in person? Jonathan’s been dying to see them for years, and after a recent trip to Alaska, they finally did! Afterwards, Jonathan sat down with Professor and Geophysicist Don Hampton to learn more about what’s happening with these lights on a molecular level: Why do they only occur in certain parts of the world? What can they tell us about the atmosphere? And what mysteries still remain about this amazing natural phenomenon? Don Hampton is an Associate Professor at the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Don specializes in researching the interface between Earth’s upper atmosphere and space, characterizing the energy input of the aurora, and studying the effects of auroral energy on the atmosphere. You can follow Poker Flat Research Range on X @PokerFlatRR. You can find more information about Aurorasaurus here. Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Transcrip

Hold on to your lace fronts, because the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15, Sasha Colby, is on this week’s Pretty Curious! Sasha Colby joins Jonathan to talk about her origins in pageants and all things drag: where the industry is going, her advice for up-and-coming performers and some of her favorite products. Plus, she spills the tea on her ponytail line: Sasha Colby Hair! Sasha Colby is an American drag legend and beauty pageant competitor. In 2012, she won the Miss Continental competition, one of the most prestigious drag queen pageant systems in the world. In 2023, she was crowned the winner of Season 15 of RuPaul's Drag Race. She is also the creator of Sasha Colby Hair, which is a collection of luxury ponytail extensions. Sasha is on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @sashacolby. You can find more information about Sasha Colby Hair here. Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this episode, or head to JonathanVanNess.com for the transcript.  Jonathan is o

With November right around the corner, many people are expressing frustration with our current political leaders. So this week civic leader Lauren Baer tells us all about how we can all get involved in politics to create the change we want to see! Is electoral politics for me? What are all the different roles in a campaign? Where can I get started if I don’t already have a degree in politics? Lauren Baer (she/her) is a nationally-recognized civic leader who has built her career generating social impact at scale. She currently serves as Managing Partner of Arena, where she leads the Arena team in convening, training, and supporting the next generation of candidates and campaign staff. An attorney and foreign policy expert, Lauren served for six years as an official in the Obama administration and was the 2018 Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress in Florida's 18th District. If you want to find your place in politics or connect with others ready to make a difference, join Lauren, her team, and hundreds of

This week, nutritionist and holistic wellness expert Kimberly Snyder teaches us about how taking care of ourselves on the inside impacts how we look on the outside. Kimberly walks Jonathan through simple and practical shifts we can all make to take better care of ourselves. From designing morning routines that set the tone for the rest of the day, to finding balance in how we nourish ourselves in a culture that loves extremes, we go deep into the importance of approaching beauty holistically. Kimberly Snyder is a multiple-time New York Times bestselling author, spiritual and meditation teacher, international speaker, nutritionist, and holistic wellness expert.  She is also the host of the top-rated Feel Good Podcast with Kimberly Snyder on the Podcast One Network (with over 24 million total downloads). She has worked with dozens of top celebrities to feel their best, including Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, and Channing Tatum. She is regularly featured by numerous national media outle

If you’re on TikTok or Insta, you’ve probably seen Alexis Nikole Nelson aka BlackForager sharing a recipe for acorn flour, or demonstrating how to identify onion grass. We’re obsessed with her, and we NEED to know more about foraging. So on this week’s episode, we’re getting answers to the questions we’re dying to know: what can we forage based on where we live? What are dangerous plants we should avoid? And what’s the history behind America’s foraging laws? Alexis Nikole Nelson is a forager and outdoor educator using her platform to yell about all the edible plants hiding in plain sight! Her foraging tips, recipe videos, and food history lessons have led Alexis to amass over 5 million dedicated fans across platforms. Her mom said she had to list her accolades so she’s awkwardly going to put them here: James Beard Award for “Best Social Media” 2022, Forbes 30 Under 30, TikTok Tastemaker, Fortune Magazine’s Creator 25 2021. You can follow Alexis on Instagram @blackforager, YouTube @BlackForager and Tiktok

Poor Things fans, this episode is for you! Jonathan sat down with the film’s costume designer, Holly Waddington, to learn all about her designing process and inspiration. From giant sleeves to working with Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos, we learned all about what it takes to be an Oscar-nominated costume designer! Holly Waddington is an Oscar® nominee and BAFTA winner for her work on Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things. Her costume designs for film and TV also include the pilot episode of Hulu’s The Great, written and produced by Tony Macnamara, Lady Macbeth directed by William Oldroyd (which won the BIFA for Best Costume and was nominated for a Critics Circle Award for Technical Achievement for Costume). Holly has worked in Theatre, Dance and Visual Art, creating costumes, sets and installations for productions at Rambert, The Royal Ballet, Complicite, and Handspring, working with notable directors and choreographers including: Kim Brandstrup, The Quay Brothers, Natalie Abrahami and Ben Duke. Holly is on In

The United States is the only high-income country that doesn’t have universal health care…AND we have some of the worst health outcomes for all groups of people. Clearly, some part of this system isn’t working, especially for folks that are already marginalized. But what’s the solution? Dr. Uché Blackstock joins Jonathan for a conversation on equity and racism in the health care industry: what’s the history behind it, who’s the most impacted, and what can we do to fix it? Dr. Uché Blackstock is a physician and thought leader on bias and racism in health care. She is the founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, and is a former associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine and the former faculty director for recruitment, retention, and inclusion in the Office of Diversity Affairs at NYU School of Medicine. Dr. Blackstock received both her undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University, making her and her twin sister, Oni, the first Black mother-daughter legacies from Harvard Medic

Don’t freak out too much…Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) is on Pretty Curious! On this episode, Dr. Lee tells Jonathan how she ended up with her very own hit TLC show, and her approach to dermatological care. We’re talking all about how to take care of our skin, common mistakes, and how to find the right dermatologist. Plus, find out the craziest thing she’s ever popped. Dr. Sandra Lee, also known as Dr. Pimple Popper, is a viral pimple-popping sensation and board-certified dermatologist based in Southern California. She is the star of her own hit TLC series, Dr. Pimple Popper, showcasing behind-the-scenes popping and heartwarming stories of the clients behind her viral videos. Dr. Lee is also founder of a solutions driven skincare line, SLMD Skincare. Dr. Lee is on Instagram @drsandralee and @drpimplepopper. You can find more information about her skincare line here. Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to learn more about the products from this episode, or head to JonathanVanNess.com for t

Sabrina Strings is back on Getting Curious with this stunning revelation: romance is dead! But was it ever really alive? Sabrina and Jonathan celebrate Valentine’s Day with a conversation about the origins and pitfalls of romance. How do you know if you’re in a situationship with a f*ckboy? How did Playboy promote anti-romantic ideals? And what could a world where romance fails, and sexual love prevails, actually look like? Sabrina Strings, Ph.D. is Professor and North Hall Chair of Black Studies at UC Santa Barbara. Her research examines race, gender, and embodiment in science, media, and medicine. She has been featured in dozens of venues, including BBC News, NPR, Vogue, and The New York Times. She is the author of the award-winning book Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia (NYU 2019). Her second book, The End of Love: Racism, Sexism & the Death of Romance was released in January 2024. Find her on the recently released Netflix docuseries The Black Beauty Effect. You can follow Sabr

If you’ve been wanting to color your hair, but don’t know what to expect, then you’ve come to the right place! On this week’s episode, L.A.’s go-to colorist, Liz Jung, and Jonathan talk all about hair color. How much should you expect to pay? How long will it take? And how can you prepare your hair for the transformation? Plus, find out which hair color trends Liz thinks are here to stay. Liz Jung is LA’s go-to colorist for blonde transformations. She was mentored by one of the most sought after hair colorists, Tracey Cunningham. Liz collaborates with Epres, and works at Mare salon in West Hollywood, which serves celebrity clients like Emma Stone, Natalie Portman, and Kathryn Hahn. Liz is on Instagram and TikTok @lizyjung. 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