Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

What happens when we start asking AI to help us make decisions about our lives, relationships, and mental health?

JVN sits down with NYU Professor, author, and AI researcher Meredith Broussard to unpack what AI actually is, what it can and can’t do, and how we can make smarter choices about when to use it.

Jonathan and Meredith break down the AI bubble, generative and agentic AI, how AI models are built, and why the benchmarks we use to measure them don’t always tell the whole story. They also get into one of the most personal questions of the AI era: What happens when we start asking machines for advice about our lives, our relationships, and our mental health?

Meredith explains why human expertise and critical thinking still matter, why AI can be especially risky when we’re vulnerable or looking for emotional support, and how relying on machines for connection can change the way we relate to other people. They also explore the environmental costs of AI infrastructure, the realities behind talk of “superintelligence,” and practical guidelines for deciding when AI is useful, and when it’s better to turn to a human.

Because getting better in the age of AI may not mean learning how to use more technology. It may mean getting better at knowing when not to.

Tiktok Algorithm Article: WALL STREET JOURNAL

Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube.

Follow Meredith Broussard on Instagram @meredithbroussard

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

Executive 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 podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re talking: NYC apartment drama, Enough starring Jennifer Lopez, the reflecting pool, and much much more!

Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here.

Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube!

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

Executive 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 podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.
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

Executive 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 podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re talking: JVN’s West Coast tour, last minute hotel switches, scalp treatments, an astrological spelling bee, LOUISIANA v. CALLAIS, our White House Instagram feature, lipstick setting, and AG8!

Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here.

Catch Getting Better & The Monday Edit, now on YouTube!

Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagram @jvn and senior producer Chris @amomentlikechris

Executive 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 podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if burnout isn't a sign that you're broken—but that you've become disconnected from yourself?

Jonathan Van Ness sits down with Qigong master and author Master Mingtong Gu to explore why so many of us feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and stuck in our heads—and how reconnecting with our bodies can help us find our way back.

Together, they unpack what Qi actually is, why modern life keeps us disconnected, and how simple Qigong practices can help regulate stress, build resilience, and create more balance in everyday life. Plus, Master Mingtong leads JVN through guided exercises you can practice at home and shares his remarkable journey from chronic illness to becoming one of the world's leading Qigong teachers.

Whether you're curious about energy work or simply looking for new tools to navigate stress, this conversation offers a grounded, compassionate approach to getting better.

www.chicenter.com/master-mingtong/

Wanna see JVN on stage? Get tix to the Hot & Healed Comedy Tour here.

Full Video Episodes now available on YouTube.

Follow Eric Sedeño on Instagram @ricotaquito

Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn

Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn

Executive 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 podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices