Happy Pride Month, everyone.

Pride is many things—celebration, visibility, love—but it’s also resistance. It began as a protest, led by queer and trans people who demanded to be seen, safe, and free. And while we celebrate today, that original spirit feels more urgent than ever. Across the world, queer and trans communities are facing renewed backlash—their rights questioned, their bodies debated, their joy politicized.

And yet, joy persists.

In today’s episode, Lance is joined by someone who embodies that very dynamic—and that resilience. Joining him, and making a return to the Mission Critical podcast, is Jonathan Van Ness—a voice many know for their humour, beauty, and boldness. Over the past year, Jonathan has navigated intense public attention, scrutiny, and personal transformation. But what’s equally true is that it was also a year of tremendous support and success: their podcast Getting Better grew, their book became a New York Times bestseller, and Queer Eye continues to thrive. Despite the challenges that 2024 brought, they chose to reawaken, to return to joy—not as escape, but as power.

This conversation is about what it means to lead with joy—especially when the world insists on something else. It's about resistance, intention, recalibration and building something lasting from the most authentic parts of who you are.

This is Mission Critical. Let's get into it.

Key Takeaways & Highlights:

• Why joy, for queer people, is both survival and strategy.

• The business decisions and emotional clarity that helped Jonathan rebuild in 2024.

• What it means to build a media and beauty empire rooted in queer identity.

• Honest reflections on public scrutiny.

• The role of activism in brand-building—and when to say no.

• How Jonathan defines success, leadership, and purpose after a year of transformation.