Did you know, in 2023, more than 39,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the United States and six territories, with Hispanic and Black individuals each accounting for more than a third (Source. CDC)

In this episode of LOVERS, Shan sits down with Jonathan Van Ness for a conversation about receiving an HIV diagnosis, the years he kept it private, and the moment he decided he wanted the story to come from him. Jonathan shares what it felt like to catch himself holding back during interviews, how choosing to speak changed his relationship with his own truth, and the sense of relief that followed once he stopped protecting something that shaped so much of his life.

They also talk about the realities of HIV today, why knowing your status matters, and how tools like PrEP fit into the larger picture of staying informed and reducing stigma.

Follow Jonathan Van Ness
Website → https://jonathanvanness.com/
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jvn
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/jvn
JVN Hair → https://jvnhair.com/
Podcast → https://jonathanvanness.com/podcasts/
Books → https://jonathanvanness.com/books/

Want more Lover?
Shan’s AI trained to give you her advice → http://loversbyshan.com
Receive the weekly Love Letter → http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter
Join the Lovers Community → https://www.loversbyshan.com/community
Explore quizzes and worksheets → http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes

<div>Did you know, in 2023, more than 39,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the United States and six territories, with Hispanic and Black individuals each accounting for more than a third (Source. CDC) In this episode of LOVERS, Shan sits down with Jonathan Van Ness for a conversation about receiving an HIV diagnosis, the years he kept it private, and the moment he decided he wanted the story to come from him. Jonathan shares what it felt like to catch himself holding back during interviews, how choosing to speak changed his relationship with his own truth, and the sense of relief that followed once he stopped protecting something that shaped so much of his life. They also talk about the realities of HIV today, why knowing your status matters, and how tools like PrEP fit into the larger picture of staying informed and reducing stigma. Follow Jonathan Van Ness Website → <a href="https://jonathanvanness.com/">https://jonathanvanness.com/</a> Instagram → <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jvn">https://www.instagram.com/jvn</a> YouTube → <a href="https://www.youtube.com/jvn">https://www.youtube.com/jvn</a> JVN Hair → <a href="https://jvnhair.com/">https://jvnhair.com/</a> Podcast → <a href="https://jonathanvanness.com/podcasts/">https://jonathanvanness.com/podcasts/</a> Books → <a href="https://jonathanvanness.com/books/">https://jonathanvanness.com/books/</a> Want more Lover? Shan’s AI trained to give you her advice → <a href="http://loversbyshan.com">http://loversbyshan.com</a> Receive the weekly Love Letter → <a href="http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter">http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter</a> Join the Lovers Community → <a href="https://www.loversbyshan.com/community">https://www.loversbyshan.com/community</a> Explore quizzes and worksheets → <a href="http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes">http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes</a>
</div>

Lovers by Shan is an education-first space where listeners come to better understand their own intimate lives through the life lessons and expertise of others. Shan Boodram’s mission is to empower everyone to be their own intimacy expert in the bedroom and beyond by treating guests of the podcast as educators in their own right.

Past guest include Kelly Rowland who taught us about being a sensualist. Becky G who shared the importance of healthy love in an unhealthy body. Kerry Washington who warned about the dangers of keeping secrets. Kamie Crawford who taught us about the joys of breaking up. Jesse Reyez who reminded us that it's alright to admit you're the one who let a good one get away.

When we paused in 2023 we had 5.1 million listeners and 8 million YouTube views. Excited to see how many lives we can impact in 2025 with our fresh look and approach.

Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/  

Lovers by Shan is an education-first space where listeners come to better understand their own intimate lives through the life lessons and expertise of others. Shan Boodram&rsquo;s mission is to empower everyone to be their own intimacy expert in the bedroom and beyond by treating guests of the podcast as educators in their own right. Past guest include Kelly Rowland who taught us about being a sensualist. Becky G who shared the importance of healthy love in an unhealthy body. Kerry Washington who warned about the dangers of keeping secrets. Kamie Crawford who taught us about the joys of breaking up. Jesse Reyez who reminded us that it's alright to admit you're the one who let a good one get away. When we paused in 2023 we had 5.1 million listeners and 8 million YouTube views. Excited to see how many lives we can impact in 2025 with our fresh look and approach.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media <a href="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-stringify-link="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://lemonadamedia.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;