PRETTY CURIOUS | JVN’s Mom Wants You To Trust Your Instincts And Stop Second Guessing Yourself

JVN sits down with Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon—educator, entrepreneur, and founder of The Village Market—to unpack one of the biggest myths of our time: being self-made. In a culture that glorifies individual success, Dr. Key challenges us to rethink the power of community. Together, they explore why no one truly makes it alone, how the myth of self-sufficiency keeps us isolated, and why collaboration is the real key to overcoming systemic barriers. Dr. Key shares the economic, social, and emotional costs of hyper-individualism, as well as practical steps to start building meaningful, values-driven communities. Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, better known as Dr. Key, is an educator, entrepreneur, and founder of The Village Market, an organization dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black entrepreneurs. Dr. Key challenges us to unlearn the myths of individualism, rethink our obsession with being “self-made,” and explore how collaboration and community are the real keys to overcoming systemic barriers and achieving economic prosperity. Her new book No One Is Self Made is out now! You can find Dr. Key on Instagram @drkeyhallmon. Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com. Find books from Getting Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. Our senior producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Our theme music is “Freak” by QUIÑ; for more, head to TheQuinCat.com. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Beauty, Botox, and the Battle Against Microspending—in this episode of Pretty Curious, Jonathan Van Ness and producer Chris McClure dive into everything from winter skincare updates to political anxieties. Jonathan spills the tea on their latest dermatology adventure—trying Sculptra for the first time—and how/why they low-key tricked their husband into getting Botox. Plus! They break down the art (and financial wisdom) of cutting back on microspending. But it’s not all beauty talk—Jonathan shares reflections on their new comedy tour, Hot and Healed. And in the news? A deep (and slightly panicked) discussion on the Idaho legislature’s challenge to same-sex marriage and what it could mean for LGBTQ+ rights. 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 Producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JVN sits down with Kati Morton, a licensed therapist and bestselling author, to dive deep into the world of people-pleasing. Together, they unpack why people-pleasing isn’t just about being nice—it’s about discomfort with other people’s discomfort, and why it leaves so many of us feeling invisible, drained, and resentful. Kati shares her expert tips on breaking free from the cycle, including practical strategies like “opposite action” and learning to set boundaries without guilt. They discuss why saying no doesn’t make you selfish, how to rediscover yourself when you’ve been lost in pleasing others, and why finding the courage to be disliked might be the most radical act of self-care. Kati Morton, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a highly sought-after public speaker in the field of mental health. Starting with a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, she has built a vast & vibrant online community.  Her YouTube channel - with over 1.4 million subscribers and 130 million views, has made her a prominent figure in translating complex mental health concepts into accessible language. Through her dynamic presence on social media and appearances on top-rated shows such as The TODAY Show, Dr. Phil, Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy, E! News, CBS The Doctors, and The Dr. Drew Show, Kati successfully spreads awareness, reduces stigma, and empowers individuals to prioritize their mental well-being. As an accomplished author of two best-selling books "Are u ok?: A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health," and “Traumatized: Identify, Understand and Cope with PTSD and Emotional Stress”, Kati's dedication to dismantling barriers to mental health services and fostering a supportive global community is unmatched. You can find Kati on Instagram and Tiktok @katimorton and on YouTube @KatiMorton Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com. Find books from Getting Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. Our senior producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Our theme music is “Freak” by QUIÑ; for more, head to TheQuinCat.com. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Beauty, politics, and Grammy predictions—oh my! In this episode of Pretty Curious, Jonathan Van Ness is answering listener questions and talking all things winter skincare to Hollywood hair theories. Need to save your dry, chapped hands this season? JVN offers a three-step moisturizing hack that’ll have your hands softer than ever. Plus! Jonathan’s Hot and Healed tour is kicking off soon! They talk about their creative process and how Pilates and stand-up have been therapeutic recently. From recent legislative attacks on marginalized communities to the cultural complexities of gender expression, they highlight the importance of staying informed and engaged. To round things out, Jonathan and producer Chris McClure queen out over the upcoming Grammys—debating the big categories and dishing on their favorite hairstyles from the nominees. Plus, they explore the Hollywood Hair Theory: could a bold hairstyle change your career trajectory? If you’’re able to support relief for the California wildfires, here are some amazing places doing amazing work that you can check out: Anti Recidivism Coalition  Mutual Aid Pasadena Humane  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 Producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trust—it’s a five-letter word that makes the world go 'round. In this episode, JVN sits down with Rachel Botsman, a leading expert on trust in the modern world, to explore the role trust plays in our relationships, decisions, and even society at large. Together, they dive into why trust isn’t just a feeling but a belief, how impulsivity and unmet expectations erode it, and how to rebuild trust with ourselves and others after it’s been broken. They unpack why “trust is a confident relationship with the unknown,” how learning to navigate uncertainty strengthens our self-trust, and the practical ways to foster trust through small, consistent actions.  Rachel Botsman is a leading expert on trust in the modern world. She has authored three highly acclaimed books—What's Mine is Yours, Who Can You Trust?, and out now, How to Trust and Be Trusted. A sought-after speaker, her TED talks have amassed over five million views. Rachel teaches at Oxford University's Saïd Business School, where she created pioneering courses on trust in the digital age. Her writings have been widely published in the media including the Financial Times, The New York Times, Guardian, Harvard Business Review, and Wired.  She also engages with over 85,000 subscribers through her weekly Rethink newsletter. Rachel has been globally recognized with awards for her pioneering work, including the Women of the Year, British Podcast Awards, Thinkers50, Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People in Business, and named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. You can find Rachel on Instagram @rachelbotsman and on her website www.rachelbotsman.com. Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN. Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com. Find books from Getting Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn. Our senior producer is Chris McClure. Our editor & engineer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall. Our theme music is “Freak” by QUIÑ; for more, head to TheQuinCat.com. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices