Chasing Life - podcast cover

Chasing Life

CNN Podcastswww.cnn.com
All over the world, there are people who are living extraordinary lives, full of happiness and health – and with hardly any heart disease, cancer or diabetes. Dr. Sanjay Gupta has been on a decades-long mission to understand how they do it, and how we can all learn from them. Scientists now believe we can even reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer’s dementia, and in fact grow sharper and more resilient as we age. Sanjay is a dad – of three teenage daughters, he is a doctor - who operates on the brain, and he is a reporter with more than two decades of experience - who travels the earth to uncover and bring you the secrets of the happiest and healthiest people on the planet – so that you too, can Chase Life.
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Episodes

Chasing a Cure

Grief is something we all experience at different stages of life, even more so during this pandemic. But what happens when you must mourn the loss of your own child? CNN journalists Andrew Kaczynski and René Marsh received terrible diagnoses within months of each other: their infant children had brain tumors. Yet in the midst of great tragedy, they found strength in chasing a cure for others. So in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Sanjay Gupta shares the great strides being made in...

Sep 07, 202130 minEp. 312

Presenting Hidden Brain: Unlocking Your Purpose

Chasing Life returns on September 7, but until then, here's an episode of Hidden Brain. Having a sense of purpose can be a buffer against the challenges we all face at various stages of life. Purpose can also boost our health and longevity. Cornell University psychologist Anthony Burrow explains why purpose isn't something to be found — it's something we can develop from within. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p...

Aug 24, 202150 minEp. 311

Presenting NPR's Life Kit: How To Deal With Burnout

While season 2 of Chasing Life is in production, here's an episode of NPR's Life Kit you'll love. Burnout is common across the globe, and the pandemic has only exacerbated it. In this episode, experts unpack the signs of burnout and how you can gain more control over your work and your life. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Aug 10, 202124 minEp. 310

Helping Grandma and Grandpa Get Back in the Groove

For the past year and a half, the pandemic has kept many older adults apart from their loved ones. But now that people are getting vaccinated, many older Americans are finally reuniting with their friends and family. On today’s episode, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta gives CNN's Don Lemon advice about reuniting with his risk-averse mother now that they’re both vaccinated, Dr. Preeti Malani explains how to best support the older adults in our lives through the pandemic and beyon...

Jul 27, 202126 minEp. 309

Olympians Go For Gold — Without Fans

The upcoming Tokyo Olympics will be one of the few Games ever to take place during a global pandemic. That means zero fans in the host city, no family or friends allowed and a ban on cheering. What effect will all of this have on the athletes? CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to two-time Olympic rower Gevvie Stone about this week’s competition and her difficult decision to postpone medical residency an extra year to train. Dr. Gupta also hears from an athlete whose Olympi...

Jul 20, 202125 minEp. 308

Let’s Talk About Making Babies (Or Deciding Not To)

It’s been a challenging time to start a family: some had to halt fertility treatments during lockdown, while others re-evaluated whether to have children at all. For today’s episode, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta hands things over to CNN reporter Chloe Melas to talk about the journey of having kids, as well as her own personal story with infertility. Melas speaks with fertility expert Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey about barriers that low-income, minority and LGBTQ patients face when acc...

Jul 13, 202128 minEp. 307

Tig Notaro on the Healing Power of Laughter

Scientifically speaking, what is the purpose of laughter? Why is it so important for our brains and well-being? And how might it help us get back to “normal” as we emerge from the pandemic? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Emmy- and Grammy-nominated comedian Tig Notaro about telling cancer jokes after her 2012 breast cancer diagnosis and why she actually laughed a lot during quarantine. We also hear from humor expert and psychologist Janet Gibson, as well as medical c...

Jun 29, 202125 minEp. 306

The Science Behind a Good Night's Sleep

We all know sleep is vital, so why do many of us still find it so difficult to prioritize? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins about why we sleep in the first place and how to ensure we get a good night’s rest. And neurologist Ying-Hui Fu explores the latest research surrounding sleep, including what regulates the amount of sleep we actually need and what role genetics might play. We also meet Cliff Luther, a man who only needs about four ...

Jun 22, 202127 minEp. 305

Raising Resilient Kids

Remote work, school closures, and no playdates: there’s no question the pandemic upended family life in ways that were simply unimaginable before. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Amanda Zelechoski, a clinical psychologist and a mom of three, about the pandemic’s effect on families’ mental health and children’s development. Anthropologist Robin Nelson explains how the pandemic has isolated many parents and the importance of communities coming together to care for our ...

Jun 15, 202128 minEp. 304

Life Is Like a Game of Poker

Covid restrictions are lifting but it’s still unclear what's entirely safe: Should we eat inside a restaurant? Go on that international vacation? Or attend an indoor wedding? CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at risk tolerance and how we can better assess what risks we are and aren’t willing to take. Psychologist Maria Konnikova shares what she’s learned about calculated risk from studying (and playing!) professional poker. To learn more about how CNN protects listener pri...

Jun 08, 202127 minEp. 303

Matters of the Heart

Heart disease remains the most common cause of death in the United States, and yet it is largely preventable. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta shares his own family history of heart disease and talks with cardiologist Dr. Clyde Yancy about what we can do to keep our hearts healthy, even if our genes make us more disposed to heart issues. And cardiologist Dr. Haider Warraich tells the story of one woman who fought against gender bias to change the way the medical community treats ...

Jun 01, 202128 minEp. 302

The Body That Got Me Through

How should we think about our bodies after this stressful past year? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the power of exercise and the importance of cultivating respect and appreciation for our bodies. Tony Horton, trainer and creator of P90X, shares his tips for setting a realistic workout routine that you can stick with, and weight stigma expert Joy Cox discusses how we can treat our bodies with compassion. And CNN Senior Writer Lisa Respers France shares her own personal...

May 25, 202120 minEp. 301

That's What Friends Are For

Did you know that friendship can actually help your brain, heart and immune system? Now that more and more Americans are getting vaccinated, people are eager to reunite with friends they might not have seen in a while. Dr. Sanjay Gupta met up with his friend, Michelle Pfeiffer (yes, that Michelle Pfeiffer). And friendship experts Marisa Franco and Rebecca Adams explain how the pandemic has made us reevaluate our relationships. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/...

May 18, 202125 minEp. 300

The Change We Need

Can all this change we’ve experienced actually be good for the brain? Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores how neuroscience can help us prepare for the “new normal.” He also invites us into his home for a candid conversation with wife Rebecca about adjusting to their new way of life. And psychologists Lisa Damour and Adam Grant offer their tips for managing our emotions and work-life balance coming out of the pandemic. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more ...

May 11, 202126 minEp. 299

Introducing Chasing Life

For the first time in more than a year, many of us are imagining the next chapter of our lives. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is on a mission to help us approach our new normal mindfully as we balance self-care and productivity. We'll talk to doctors and researchers about the surprising science behind how we can thrive. It’s time to chase life again. New episodes starting May 11th. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about yo...

May 03, 20214 min

It's Not Goodbye

This podcast was born out of a deep need to more fully understand what was happening to our lives, in our country and around the world, during a time of great uncertainty and instability. But now it feels like we, in the United States, may finally be turning a corner. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta says goodbye to the podcast he’s hosted for 14 months and almost 300 episodes, and introduces us to a new series for the next chapter in this pandemic. To learn more about how CNN pr...

Apr 30, 202111 minEp. 298

Dr. Fauci's Long Year

When we look back on this pandemic, who and what will we remember? Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is at the top of that list for many. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Dr. Fauci about the past year-plus of non-stop press conferences and media appearances, and about what comes next. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.c...

Apr 29, 202118 minEp. 297

Vaccines Behind Bars

Covid-19 outbreaks have ripped through America’s correctional facilities, but access to the vaccines inside prisons and jails still varies state by state. On today’s episode, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Dr. Zachary Rosner about current vaccination efforts in New York City’s correctional system and why it’s so important to get this high-risk population vaccinated. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ...

Apr 28, 20217 minEp. 296

India in Crisis

India is fighting a devastating second wave of Covid-19 that has ravaged communities and hospitals across the country. In today’s episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains what went wrong and why it matters to everyone worldwide. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 27, 202111 minEp. 295

When Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

Pandemics and apocalyptic diseases have long fascinated both writers and readers, but will we want to read about living through Covid-19? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta hears from writers and industry experts about the past and future of pandemics in fiction. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Apr 26, 202110 minEp. 294

Tyler Perry’s Pandemic Response

Filmmaker Tyler Perry is receiving an honorary Academy Award this weekend, so for today’s podcast, we revisit a conversation between CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Perry about the quarantine bubble he set up at his studio in Atlanta last summer. They talk about how Perry built his bubble and successfully restarted production without any positive Covid-19 cases on set, and what the experience was like on the inside. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, vi...

Apr 23, 202113 minEp. 293

What on Earth Happens Next?

Shifts in our behavior during the pandemic have impacted the planet, but will these changes last? On this Earth Day, CNN climate reporter Drew Kann talks with Kim Cobb, a climate scientist at Georgia Tech, about the connection between Covid-19 and climate change, and how we can keep up our green habits even after the pandemic is over. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Apr 22, 202111 minEp. 292

An Immunologist Challenges the Status Quo

Immunologist Akiko Iwasaki has gained a huge online following during the pandemic for tweeting out explainers of the latest Covid-19 research, as well as calling out sexism in science. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Professor Iwasaki about treating Covid long-haulers and what we can do to help women and minorities succeed after an incredibly difficult year. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices...

Apr 21, 202112 minEp. 291

An American Success Story

The episode examines how the US dramatically improved its COVID-19 vaccine rollout from a chaotic start with tight supply and difficult scheduling to administering millions of doses daily. Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Claire Hannan discuss the unprecedented nature of the effort, initial challenges, strategic shifts, and the key factors that led to the successful acceleration. They also look ahead to the challenges of vaccinating the remaining population and children.

Apr 20, 202113 minEp. 290

I Got Vaccinated, But My Family Can’t

There are still several countries that have no access to Covid-19 vaccines. CNN reporter Melissa Mahtani shares her opinion about global inequities in vaccine distribution, and how they have impacted her family and her own feelings about getting the vaccine. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Apr 19, 202111 minEp. 289

The Race Between Variants and Vaccines

How worried should we be about these new virus variants? CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains how variants arise, why they’re a threat, and which ones are most common in the U.S. right now. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 16, 20219 minEp. 288

Brazil's Covid Crisis

Covid-19 is wreaking havoc in Brazil right now, with a record number of daily deaths in recent weeks. CNN International Correspondent Matt Rivers provides an inside look at what went wrong in Brazil and how the country’s crisis is a warning for the rest of the world. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Apr 15, 20219 minEp. 287

Hitting Pause on the J&J Vaccine

CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta walks through what we currently know about the CDC and FDA's decision to pause the use of Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine, what this means for people who recently received a J&J shot, and why he isn’t panicking. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Apr 14, 202112 minEp. 286

Vaccine Passports

Vaccine passports might help people feel safe returning to normal and may allow the economy to recover faster, but between freedom and privacy concerns, some experts aren’t in favor. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains the latest on keeping track of who’s been immunized. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Apr 13, 20218 minEp. 285

More Than Just a Hospital

More than a century ago, the people of San Francisco’s Chinatown came together in the face of racism and built their own hospital. Now, Covid-19 has brought the community together again. In today’s episode, CNN’s Harmeet Kaur tells us the origins of Chinese Hospital and how its legacy carries on today. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Apr 12, 202114 minEp. 284
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