Chasing Life

In a world marked by war and political polarization, it can certainly feel at times like we have all lost touch with the art of compromise – the wisdom to recognize that real progress demands sacrifice. Except, that’s not entirely true. Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with social psychologist Peter T. Coleman, author of “The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization,” to discuss the fundamentals of navigating difficult conversations, how our brains evolved to handle conflict, and why reaching a compromise is not always the best solution.

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Americans are sugar obsessed. Can we cut back without making life feel less sweet? This Halloween, sugar studies expert Laura Schmidt shares tips for taming your sweet tooth. Plus, why she says we need to stop debating if sugar is addictive.

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Sara Sidner is a hard-hitting CNN journalist. Ananda Lewis is a content creator and former 90s MTV host. Both are living with breast cancer. Both are also the best friends of CNN's Stephanie Elam who asked them to sit down and talk – and get real – about their fears, their determination and their newfound joy after this devastating diagnosis. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Chasing Life brings you this special conversation between three friends about a journey that is all too familiar for so many. 

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Overwhelmed, stressed, constantly anxious – that's life as a parent, right? If you feel this way, the good and bad news is that you’re not alone. CNN’s Chief Medical Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a father of three teenage girls, turns to parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy – known online simply as ‘Dr. Becky’ -- for advice. And they get personal.

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The brain is one of the most complex and mysterious organs in our body, and neurosurgeons are at the forefront of unraveling its secrets. But what’s it really like behind the scenes in the operating room, and how do neurosurgeons view the brain’s deepest mysteries? Sanjay sits down with Dr. Theodore Schwartz, a leading neurosurgeon and author of Gray Matters, to delve into the personal experiences that have shaped their careers, explore the impact of AI on brain surgery, and how their work pushes the boundaries of what we know about the human mind.

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The U.S. government recently proposed rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug — basically signaling it has some accepted medical use and a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. But what does this mean in the real world exactly? Sanjay talks with “The Pot Doc” Dr. Staci Gruber, Director of the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) program in Boston, to explore the possible impacts of this rescheduling on research, healthcare, and yes – even you. 

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Antibiotics have been hailed as a "miracle drug" since the discovery of penicillin in 1928. But now, more bacteria are developing resistance to antibiotics, making them difficult or nearly impossible to treat. One recent study estimated that these so-called “superbugs” could cause nearly 40 million deaths worldwide between now and 2050. Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to researchers exploring the use of naturally occurring viruses that destroy bacteria, to see if they can be used as an alternative treatment method when all else fails, and before time runs out. This special report originally aired December 3rd, 2023.

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One of the most dangerous plays in football, the kickoff, is getting a makeover this year. The NFL introduced new rules aimed at reducing injuries while also making the game more exciting. Sanjay talks with Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s Chief Medical Officer, about the future of football, how to balance safety with excitement, and what it’s like to be brain doctors who love a dangerous game.

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Anxiety and depression are surging on college campuses, according to research from the University of Michigan. Two in five teens say they feel persistently sad or lonely, in a recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sanjay sits down with psychologist Dr. Nance Roy to unpack why college student mental health was declining long before the pandemic, what’s impacting students’ wellbeing, and some steps to foster a healthy semester.

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New developments in actor Matthew Perry’s death are shining a light on the ethics and efficacy of using ketamine as a therapeutic drug. To learn more about the promise and pitfalls of ketamine treatment, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to David Feifel, one of the first clinicians in the country to use ketamine to specifically treat depression.

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This has been the hottest summer on record for nearly 100 US cities. Extreme heat isn't just uncomfortable, it can also cause a lot of harm -- even death. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Dr. Gaurab Basu, a Harvard assistant professor and climate change expert about the very real effects of extreme temperatures on the human body. 

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We've all heard about the importance of wearing sunscreen, but recent headlines have raised questions about the safety and effectiveness of certain ingredients found in chemical sunscreens. In this special Chasing Life: Spotlight, CNN Medical Correspondent Meg Tirrell investigates some of the questions and concerns surrounding sunscreen. She speaks with skin cancer researcher Dr. Rachel Neale and Dr. Laura Vandenberg, who studies potential effects of certain sunscreen chemicals on hormone function. Hear about the latest findings on ingredient safety and how they could impact your daily sun protection routine. 

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How would you define a “good” life? Is it being married with kids? Traveling with friends? Basking in fame and fortune? The Harvard Study on Adult Development has spent nearly 90 years examining what makes people happy and healthy over a lifetime. The director of the study, Dr. Robert Waldinger, has shared the findings in his book, “The Good Life: Lessons from the Longest Scientific Study on Happiness.” He tells Dr. Sanjay Gupta why no one should expect to be happy all the time, and how men and women measure happiness differently. 

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Nearly 11,000 athletes are competing in the Paris Olympic Games right now. They’ve been training their bodies to compete at the highest levels of sport. But what kind of mindset does it take to bring home the gold, silver or bronze medal? How do they navigate nerves and perform under pressure? Cognitive scientist, Dartmouth College President and former athlete, Sian Beilock says that practicing under pressure situations and focusing on the present can help. Plus, four-time Olympic medalist, Dominique Dawes recounts how she overcame several stumbles and still won gold. 

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We’ve all heard the phrase, “money doesn’t buy happiness.” But, Elizabeth Dunn, a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, says that isn’t necessarily true. She sits down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, to talk about her research into getting the “biggest happiness bang for our bucks,” and lessons from her book, “Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending.”

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Have you ever wondered why some people seem naturally happier than others? Or if there are any universal keys to happiness? Sanjay sits down with social psychologist and University of California Riverside Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky who has been studying happiness for the last 35 years. The author of The How of Happiness discusses her findings and what she calls “happiness interventions” as well as how we can apply these practices in our own lives to boost our happiness.  

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Trying new things. Setting Goals. Rebounding from setbacks.  All of these tasks have at least one thing in common – they require confidence. And according to neuropsychologist Ian Robertson, confidence can also make us happier. Robertson is the T Boone Pickens Distinguished Chair at the Center for BrainHealth, UT Dallas, an Emeritus Professor at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and author of How Confidence Works: The New Science of Self Belief. He and Dr. Sanjay Gupta discuss how confidence might be the most important resource for well-being and why imposter syndrome isn’t such a bad thing. 

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Have you ever wondered if stress and trauma from your past could be making you sick? Author and trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté, says our past experiences may literally be the root cause of “trauma related illness,” something he writes about in his most recent book, “The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture.” Drawing on his experience as both a Holocaust survivor, and a physician, Mate sits down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta for an intimate and wide-ranging conversation to share his steps for healing and living happier lives.

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When it comes to finding joy and happiness, exercise is not always top of mind but maybe it should be. Exercise benefits our physical health as well as helps to reduce anxiety, stress and symptoms of depression, yet many Americans say exercise is not something they enjoy. So where’s the disconnect? And how can people consistently reap the “feel good” benefits of exercise? Health psychologist and author of The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection and Courage, Kelly McGonigal talks with Sanjay about the why moving your body can be a source of joy and hope. And for listeners who say they don’t enjoy exercise or have limited mobility, she has some tips that might turn things around.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. But the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t the first public health crisis Dr. Fauci helped Americans navigate, or the first time he’s come under fire. Dr. Fauci sits down for an interview with CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta to discuss his life and new memoir "On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service."

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An update on the current bird flu outbreak: it’s still infecting wild birds, mammals and now several farmworkers in the United States. The virus does not appear to be transmitted between humans, but can we prevent further spread? And what are public health officials doing to contain it? Immunologist and virologist Rick Bright has been studying the bird flu for decades and tells Dr. Sanjay Gupta why he thinks more action is needed and who he thinks should be leading the charge.

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With the surge in telemedicine, therapy has seen a remarkable rise in popularity. But could therapy hold the key to a happier life? And should everyone go to therapy? Sanjay speaks with psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb, acclaimed author of "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone," and co-host of the Dear Therapists podcast, about how therapy can actually change your brain and get you one step closer to achieving happiness. Plus, Lori sheds light on the surprising ways therapy can reshape your perspective, especially for those who are therapy-curious.

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Do you spend time worrying about what could go wrong in the future, or stressing about something you did or said in the past? That nagging feeling has a name: anxiety. But what if worrying about preventing anxiety is actually getting in the way of our happiness? New York University neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki is on a mission to help more people accept, and even embrace, what she calls “the most misunderstood emotion.” In this episode, we’ll explore an unexpected solution to happiness: embracing stress and how accepting “good” anxiety can help us feel happier and more at ease with uncomfortable feelings. Plus, Professor Suzuki explains why our society’s obsession with avoiding anxiety and negative emotions may be doing more harm than good.

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Have you ever wondered: What does it mean to be truly happy? Can our brain chemistry, or even our genetics, determine how we feel about our lives? And, most importantly, can we learn to be even happier? Cognitive scientist and Yale University Psychology Professor Laurie Santos has spent her career researching these questions. As the host of The Happiness Lab, Laurie has gone on her own journey to discover what it truly means to be happy. On today’s podcast episode, Professor Santos will share her findings and how she says we can re-train our brains to make better choices, build better habits, and ultimately, be happier. 

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It turns out a simple “thank you” really can go a long way. In fact, giving thanks doesn’t just make others feel good – it can also boost your own mental and physical well-being. Dr. Sanjay Gupta hears how gratitude helped one woman navigate a life-changing medical diagnosis. Plus, how you can implement a gratitude practice into your daily life. This episode originally aired on May 17, 2022.

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We've all heard of processed foods, but what about ultraprocessed foods, which make up more than half of the typical American diet? In this special Chasing Life: Spotlight, CNN Medical Correspondent Meg Tirrell explores how these foods became so widespread and the potential risks they pose to our health. She speaks with Professor Marion Nestle, a leading authority on nutrition and food policy and NIH senior investigator Kevin Hall, who conducted the first and only controlled clinical trial on ultraprocessed foods. Hear about the study's remarkable findings; it may change some of the choices you make in the grocery store. 

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The U.S. is grappling with a recently discovered outbreak of avian influenza in dairy cows, driven by the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. It's the first instance that the bird flu virus has been detected in US cattle. How concerned should we be about drinking milk or even eating chicken? And could this lead to the next pandemic? Sanjay speaks with epidemiologist Prof. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, about the complexities of the current outbreak and what the public needs to know right now.

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Global temperatures are rising, severe storms are intensifying and people are feeling climate anxiety. Does saving the planet mean living without comfort or convenience? Can policies and technology turn things around? CNN Chief Climate Correspondent, Bill Weir believes taking better care of the earth and our ourselves can go hand-in-hand. He talks with Dr. Sanjay Gupta about what’s working, what needs to change and why there is reason to be optimistic about the future. They also discuss Weir’s call to action - his new book, “Life as We Know It (Can Be): Stories of People, Climate and Hope in a Changing World.”

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For many of us, our weight and eating habits feel deeply intertwined. But how do you strike a balance between eating for pleasure and eating for fuel? How can we reframe our relationship with food – so it doesn't revolve around what’s “bad” or “good?” Sanjay speaks with Dr. Linda Shiue, an internal medicine physician, trained chef, and the author of Spicebox Kitchen. Dr. Shiue sheds light on sustainable approaches to healthy eating and we’ll hear from listeners about the foods that bring them joy.  

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When it comes to optimizing our mental and physical health, many of us focus on managing our weight and metabolic function. But what happens when the numbers are good but the way we feel about our bodies is bad? Should we be striving to love the way we look? Or is it better to not think about our bodies at all? Actress and activist, Jameela Jamil thinks a lot about health, food and diet culture. After years of struggling with anorexia, “The Good Place,” star and host of the "I Weigh with Jameela Jamil" podcast tells Sanjay why she thinks food, mental health, and body image are intertwined.

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Keto. High protein. Intermittent fasting. So many diets claim to be the best way to lose weight. But do diets actually work? Research shows that diets don’t lead to long-term weight loss for most people, and that even two people following the same “healthy” diet can have wildly different results. Stanford University nutrition professor Dr. Christopher Gardner has spent more than 20 years studying nutrition and comparing different diets. He spoke to CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta to share what he’s learned and shares his tips for personalizing the way you eat to fit your body’s needs. 

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There's no shortage of products and procedures promising a quick way to weight loss. But do they work? Or is it all just marketing and hype? In this episode, Sanjay speaks with Dr. Mikhail Varshavski – better known as Doctor Mike — who has made it his mission to debunk medical misinformation. He’ll dive into popular weight loss methods, how they supposedly work, and the truth behind cleanses, juices, tummy teas, and more.

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Thirteen years ago, Seattle-based writer Lindy West wrote an essay that took the internet by storm called “Hello, I’m Fat.” That essay would become the 2016 New York Times best-selling memoir, Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman, and later a Hulu television series. On today’s episode, Lindy, who is still writing and hosts a podcast, sits down with CNN’s Chief Medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta for a candid and honest conversation about living as a self-described “fat” person, and how the way she thinks about weight has changed since writing Shrill. 

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How much do our genetics determine our destiny when it comes to how much we weigh? Cambridge geneticist Giles Yeo says your genes play a bigger role than you might think. “In casino terms, the house will always win if the die is weighted just a little bit one way versus the other.” On today’s Chasing Life, Professor Yeo, a pioneer in the field of obesity research, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to explain his ground-breaking research into why some people are genetically predisposed to eat more, and why it’s still so controversial to classify obesity as a “disease.” Plus, Professor Yeo shares how to treat and prevent obesity, a condition that impacts more than 40 percent of Americans, and counting.

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Weight gain is a common complaint among women in their 40s and 50s, with many blaming it on the ups and downs of menopause. But what exactly is the connection between menopause and weight gain? And can anything to be done to avoid it? In this episode, Sanjay speaks to Dr. Monica Christmas, the director of the menopause program at the University of Chicago Medicine and an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology. She explains effective strategies for tackling midlife weight gain and shares practical advice on navigating this transformative phase with grace.

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Alabama’s Supreme Court has ruled that embryos are children and anyone discarding frozen embryos could face wrongful death charges. So where does this leave fertility doctors and their patients in the state? And could this ruling have national implications? For this special episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to IVF expert, Dr. Eve Feinberg from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. She explains how embryos are handled during the IVF process and why the ruling is contentious for fertility care providers. Also, CNN Correspondent Isabel Rosales shares how some families and fertility clinics in Alabama have responded.

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Children and adolescents are expected to gain weight as they age, but how much is too much? Childhood obesity rates are on the rise, along with disordered eating among teens. So how can kids and their parents address this head on? Dr. Jack Yanovski, a pediatric endocrinologist at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development recommends first determining who is most concerned about the weight. From there, he tells Sanjay about the causes and consequences of high body weight in kids, as well as treatment options – which include weight loss medications for children as young as 12. Dr. Yanovski also offers guidance on how to talk to kids about food and weight.

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Long before WeightWatchers became a weight loss empire, the legacy dieting company started as a small support group in the 1960s. The company rose to popularity preaching a message of moderation and making healthy choices. But in what some call a surprising pivot, WeightWatchers is changing the way the company does business. On today’s Chasing Life, CEO Sima Sistani sits down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta to share why she’s making these big changes, namely, embracing telehealth and weight loss drugs like Wegovy.

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It’s become a multibillion-dollar business: weight loss drugs. Demand is high, as is the cost. How did medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound become so popular and so profitable? And what kind of impact might they have on the future of food and healthcare? Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to his CNN colleague Meg Tirrell for answers, and a little context about the business behind these new medications.

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New drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro are billed as a revolutionary new approach for losing weight. But are these actually miracle drugs? Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to Yale School of Medicine assistant professor Dr. Jorge Moreno to explain the science behind these medications – from the benefits to the risks to the unknowns. Plus, what anyone who’s interested in taking these drugs should know.

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Everybody knows losing weight is tough. But why? While diet, exercise, and willpower might have something to do with it. The root may lie in how we humans have evolved as a species. Could our bodies be hardwired to resist shedding pounds? In this episode, Sanjay speaks to Daniel Lieberman, a paleoanthropologist and professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University. He’ll explain how our bodies evolved to hold onto fat as a strategy for survival. Plus, we'll get tips for exercising and eating right, with our evolutionary needs in mind.

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At the start of 2024, many of us are thinking about how to look and feel our best. For some of us, that means making changes to our weight. But what does weight really tell us about our health? And are there other metrics we should be looking at? In this episode, Sanjay speaks with Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician and scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical School. She explains what makes a “healthy weight,” and why changes in diet and exercise don't help everyone. 

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Chasing Life is taking a short break and will be back with new episodes next month. But for now, we want to highlight a powerful new season of the CNN podcast, All There Is with Anderson Cooper. In the first episode of the second season, Anderson Cooper continues his deeply personal journey through grief and, learn from others who’ve experienced life-altering losses. He also talks with psychotherapist and author Francis Weller, whose book “The Wild Edge of Sorrow” gives him hope for facing his grief.

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It’s that time of year when we start to think about what we want and who we’ll be in 2024. Maybe you’d like to eat more brain food, or set some boundaries around your screen time. Maybe you’re wondering how to keep fit as you age, or how to forgive someone in your life. However you’re looking to grow, Chasing Life has advice for you. In our final episode of 2023, Dr. Sanjay Gupta rounds up some of the top tips from all our wonderful guests. You never know what could change your life!

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How can we test our brain health? What happens to the brain during pregnancy? And how easily does the brain heal from alcohol? On today’s episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, answers listener’s questions about the inner workings of the brain, and shares what he has learned after decades in the operating room and reporting on this powerful, 3.5 pound organ. Plus, Dr. Gupta shares his top tips for keeping sharp.

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During the holiday season, we’re often encouraged to make amends and forgive people, but what does it take to really forgive someone? And what happens to your brain and body when you do... or don’t? In this episode, Sanjay talks with forgiveness science pioneer, Robert Enright. He’s been studying and writing about forgiveness for decades at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and he says forgiveness is a choice, and that your ability to do it can be strengthened like a muscle. Enright walks us through a range of scenarios, from forgiving small things like being late for a meeting to larger ones, like forgiving someone who’s engaged in violence. 

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If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, taking out the trash or doing laundry is normally the last thing on your mind. Therapist KC Davis says that’s by design. Sometimes, brains are too focused on survival mode to complete even the simplest of tasks. So how can we beat this mental block? On today’s episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’S Chief Medical Correspondent, sits down with Davis to discuss the link between messiness and mental health. Plus, Davis shares her approach to tackling clutter from her book, “How To Keep House While Drowning.” 

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Online dating has changed the way we approach and pursue relationships. Like so much in modern life, potential partners are at the mercy of an algorithm that decides who we interact with. But has technology actually changed what we’re looking for? Can attraction and desire be predicted? Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist and Chief Science Advisor at Match.com, has been on the front lines of the clash between a centuries-old phenomenon and relatively new technology. In this episode, she talks to CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta about what has and hasn’t changed about the dating brain.

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Nearly one in five US adults are diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives. As the use of antidepressants have steadily risen since their introduction in the 1980s, what have we learned about depression? Is depression truly a “chemical imbalance” of the brain? And why do antidepressants work for some people and not others? Sanjay talks to Dr. Charles Raison, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about what we now believe causes depression, and most importantly, what this means for how we treat the illness - from SSRIs to psychedelics and other emerging therapies.

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More than three years after the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, many long Covid patients are still experiencing brain fog, extreme fatigue, and myriad other health issues, leaving some unable to complete even the most basic of daily tasks. How should long Covid patients approach treatment, let alone everyday life? In this episode, Sanjay speaks to David Putrino, the director of rehabilitation innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System. He tells us about his latest research into identifying a possible biomarker for the condition and how we can all help those at high risk of developing it.

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The spooky season can be a divisive one. Some of us love being scared, and others avoid it at all costs. Author Stephen King has been terrifying readers for nearly 50 years, and knows what makes us scream. So how does he do it, and what’s happening in our brains when we’re afraid? Does anything frighten the king of horror? Sanjay talks to King, one of his favorite writers, about his latest book, “Holly,” and the benefits of fear in everyday life.

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Many of us have been told that foods like blueberries, salmon, and leafy greens are “good for the brain.” But what does that really mean? Can eating certain foods make us smarter? More alert? Less stressed? Sanjay talks to nutritional psychiatrist and personal chef, Dr. Uma Naidoo about what foods improve brain function and influence the way we feel. She’ll also share her secret sauce: a few nutritious and delicious ways to eat carbs, fats and sugar.

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If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the latest news cycle, you’re not alone. That’s why, on today’s podcast, Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to psychiatrist and author Dr. Gail Saltz from the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medical College, to talk about the toll violent images and videos from Israel and Gaza can have on our mental health – even if you’re watching from afar on the news or social media. They’ll address how to talk to children and teens about the ever-evolving situation and share tips on how to manage stress and anxiety when the news cycle is unrelenting.

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From the NFL to youth soccer, sports teams have been forced to reckon with decades of research showing the risks of repeated blows to the head through contact sports. At the same time, participation in organized team sports has been found to be extremely beneficial for the developing brain. So how should parents square those facts and find a safe middle ground for their kids? In this episode, Sanjay speaks to Julie Stamm, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Kinesiology and author of the book “The Brain on Youth Sports.” She explains why even those who don’t play sports should be aware of the risks and shares tips on how we all can keep our heads protected.

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What happens in the brain during menopause? As it turns out, the brain gets remodeled, and even rewired, during that very specific time of life. And, while menopause often includes symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, and mood swings... you may be surprised to learn it’s not all bad! On this episode of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta learns from neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Mosconi that there are upsides to this biological phase natural to half the human population. Plus, ways female-identifying people can prepare for it, and a possible link between menopause and Alzheimer’s. 

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Are you someone who needs a cup of coffee or spot of tea to start the day? Would you be surprised to hear that the key ingredient, the thing that gives you that morning boost - caffeine - is also a psychoactive drug? Whether it’s coffee, tea or soda, people around the world consume some form of caffeine every day. Even kids! But what is it actually doing to our brains? What causes that jolt of energy in the morning, and what are the drawbacks? On this episode of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to science writer Michael Pollan about his research, the history of caffeine – and quitting cold turkey.

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From work responsibilities to social engagements to family commitments, our days are jam-packed, and it can be tough to give your brain a break. Rest is an important ingredient for good health, but do you really understand why? On this episode of Chasing Life, Professor Victoria Garfield, who studies sleep and how it impacts our brains and our bodies as we get older, explains what it is about rest that is so good for our brains. Why it’s so important to take time to relax and what surprising new research tells us about the simple act of napping.

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If you have trouble focusing on books, work, or even TV shows, you’re not alone. The fact is our attention spans are getting shorter. And it can feel like our ability to perform and be productive is harder. But is a shorter attention span actually impacting our brain function and overall health? Does it really help to block distractions like social media? In our first episode of an all new season, Sanjay speaks to Gloria Mark, a professor of informatics at the University of California, Irvine, and author of “Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity.” She’ll tell us what’s actually going on in the brain when we’re attentive and why we’re less focused than we used to be. Professor Mark will also share tips for sharpening our attention spans that go beyond “just put down your phone.”

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Over the last year on the podcast Sanjay has been having some very candid conversations with his family. On this special episode of Chasing Life, we revisit conversations with his wife, Rebecca and daughters, Soleil, Sage and Sky about smartphones, social media and their impact on young people. Sanjay also speaks with his brother, Suneel and parents, Damyanti and Subhash, about the myth of the midlife crisis and the ways that we approach life as we age.

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines the potential benefits of medical marijuana. Over the last 10 years, Dr. Gupta's reporting on the topic has produced seven CNN documentaries. In his most recent investigation, he meets scientists and families who found success using marijuana for patients suffering with dementia. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 6, 2023.

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Chasing Life is taking a short break and will be back with new episodes next month. This week, we are sharing Dr. Gupta’s most recent documentary examining the potential benefits of medical marijuana. His investigation explores the fastest growing group of cannabis users, people who are 65 and older. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 6, 2023.

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All season, we’ve been exploring how we can all make the most of our age, at any age. But can where we live improve our longevity? In this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with National Geographic Fellow and author Dan Buettner. He tells us about the five communities around the world he identified where people live longer and healthier lives than the rest of us, dubbed “Blue Zones.” We’ll explore what they are doing right and how we can apply those findings to our daily lives. And to celebrate the final episode of this season, check out the Chasing Life: Better with Age Playlist assembled by the team. 

https://qrco.de/beElWD 

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 Cannabis is often thought of as a young person’s drug. But the reality is that more and more people of all ages are asking their doctors about medical marijuana to treat a whole host of issues, from chronic pain, insomnia, and even some of the symptoms associated with dementia. What's behind this trend? To learn about the benefits and risks of this type of treatment, Dr. Gupta turns to Dr. Aaron Greenstein, a geriatric psychiatrist who treats patients over the age of 65 with mental health issues. Dr. Greenstein will share his personal story of using cannabis to help his grandmother in her final days, and what patients of all ages should consider when seeking out this type of treatment.

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Caloric restriction. Blood transfusions. Hormetic stress. Off-label meds. As CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is often asked about the latest “hacks” for longevity that pop up in the news. But do any of these interventions actually work? Can aging actually be stopped, much less reversed? In this episode, Sanjay speaks with Dr. Nir Barzilai, the director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He believes one of the keys to battling aging lies in our cells and genetic makeup. Plus, we hear from self-professed “biohackers,” who have some tips we can all try to extend our healthy years.

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It's no secret there’s added pressure on women to appear ‘ageless.’ But is the pressure to appear youthful getting better or worse? On this episode, Sanjay sits down with actress, filmmaker and author Justine Bateman, who recently made headlines when she announced her decision to forgo fillers or plastic surgery and age ‘naturally.’ Why is a choice like this still so controversial? And what does that say about the way we view aging? Plus, University of California at Irvine Sociology Professor Sabrina Strings explains how attitudes about age and beauty impacts women on a whole different level, and what needs to be done to change the cycle.

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For years, people have been faced with the possibility of suffering a ‘midlife crisis’ when they near age 40. But is the concept scientifically sound? And now that millennials are entering midlife, is what they’re experiencing different than previous generations? In this episode, Sanjay has a candid conversation with his younger brother Suneel about how he is approaching middle age. Then, University of British Columbia professor Nancy Sin explains why midlife is becoming more stressful, and how we all can better deal with it.

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When you’re young, making friends can feel pretty simple, but as you age it can be harder. But it’s important to have friends and there’s scientific proof that quality relationships are important for healthy aging. How can good friendships improve our health outcomes as we age? And how do we make friends at every stage of life? On this episode of Chasing Life, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, reunites with author, psychologist and friendship expert, Marisa Franco to talk about why having good friends is good for our health and the current loneliness epidemic. Plus she’ll share tips on how to make friends, at any age. Plus, a conversation between Sanjay and his best friend of almost 40 years, Sujit.

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The Chasing Life team is off for the holiday, we'll be back next week with another new episode. In the meantime, we are sharing another CNN Audio series, The Prince Mixtape. A series that takes listeners inside the life of one of the greatest American music icons through the people who knew him, worked with him or simply loved him from afar. Host Nichole Perkins digs deep into key moments of his life like when his sexually liberated lyrics gave birth to the Parental Advisory sticker, when he fought to own his masters, and when he rocked that infamous booty cut-out pantsuit. Just like a treasured mixtape from your favorite crush, this show is a reflection of the moments, the thrill and the passion, that made up Prince’s life.

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It’s no secret that our bodies change as we age. We can see it in decreased flexibility and endurance, and older folks can become more susceptible to injuries due to falls. However, experts say there are ways to overcome those challenges and unlock our body’s full potential. In today’s episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with former long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad nearly 10 years after her record-breaking swim from Havana to Key West at the age of 64. Then, a strength and conditioning coach will tell Sanjay why a focus on jogging may not be the optimal workout for aging bodies. He’ll also share some alternative exercises that people of all ages can try. 

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Getting older is often seen as a negative, or something to avoid. But the reality is, it’s happening to us every minute of every day. Is there a better way to think about our journey through the years? In our first episode of an all-new season, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with his parents to talk about their approach to getting older. Plus, did you know changing our mindset around aging can influence our health and longevity? To learn more, Dr. Gupta turns to Professor Becca Levy, a professor of epidemiology and psychology at Yale University and author of Breaking the Age Code. Levy shares her science-backed strategies for living longer by simply re-framing the way we think, and talk, about aging -- useful information, no matter how old you are.  

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We're all getting older -- every minute of every day - but the word "aging" often feels like a dirty word. Why is there such stigma attached to getting older? How can we prepare to transition through the different stages of life? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, now in his 50s, is asking these questions, and many more, on the new season of Chasing Life. Join Sanjay as he looks at how his body and mind are changing in real-time and talks to some of his closest friends and family about the passage of time. Building on decades of his own reporting and the latest cutting edge research, Sanjay will explore how he, and the rest of us -- whether we are in our 20s, 50s or 80s -- can look at getting older in a new light and be the best version of ourselves at any age.

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A recent advisory from US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy says there’s not enough evidence to determine whether social media is safe enough for children and adolescents when it comes to their mental health. In this special episode of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta goes one-on-one with Dr. Murthy to examine what led him to sound the alarm, and who should be responsible for tackling the issue. Plus, Sanjay will reflect on conversations he’s had with his own family about the topic and ask Dr. Murthy how his family handles screen time and social media.

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Ten years ago, when Dr. Sanjay Gupta began investigating medical marijuana, very few people had ever heard of cannabidiol, or CBD. Six years later, two-thirds of Americans were familiar with CBD and 1 in 7 had tried it. In this episode, Dr. Gupta’s fifth documentary on medical marijuana explores how the science has grown by leaps and bounds and could benefit everything from autism to anxiety.

This special report originally aired on CNN on September 29, 2019.

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Ten years ago, when Dr. Sanjay Gupta began investigating medical marijuana, very few people had ever heard of cannabidiol, or CBD. Six years later, two-thirds of Americans were familiar with CBD and 1 in 7 had tried it. In this episode, Dr. Gupta’s fifth documentary on medical marijuana explores how the science has grown by leaps and bounds and could benefit everything from autism to anxiety.

This special report originally aired on CNN on September 29, 2019.

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines the potential benefits of medical marijuana. Over 10 years, Dr. Gupta's reporting on the topic has produced six CNN documentaries and a seventh is in the works. In this episode, the very first of those CNN documentaries. Dr. Gupta travels the world and speaks to experts and patients looking for answers. What does marijuana do to you? What does it do to your kids? In the process of his reporting, Dr. Gupta made some discoveries of his own. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 11, 2013.

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines the potential benefits of medical marijuana. Over 10 years, Dr. Gupta's reporting on the topic has produced six CNN documentaries and a seventh is in the works. In this episode, the very first of those CNN documentaries, Dr. Gupta travels the world and speaks to experts and patients looking for answers. What does marijuana do to you? What does it do to your kids? In the process of his reporting, Dr. Gupta made some discoveries of his own. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 11, 2013.

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Chasing Life is taking a short break and will be back with new episodes next month. In the meantime, we want to highlight some amazing work from CNN. This week, The Assignment with Audie Cornish. This podcast knows the fiery twitter threads and endless news notifications never capture the full story. Each week host Audie Cornish pulls listeners out of their digital echo chambers to hear from the people who live the headlines. This week, just in time for Mental Health Awareness month, she dives into “therapy speak” with two psychologists, Dr. Arianna Brandolini and Dr. Luana Marques.

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This season, we’ve heard from experts, parents, and teens about how screen time is shaping our lives. But this has also been a family affair. On today’s episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with his wife, Rebecca, to reflect on their biggest lessons learned along the way, and the pressure on parents to get it right. Plus, we hear from some of our listeners about how they have changed their own habits. 

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Think back to the first time you held a smartphone or tablet in your hands. For most adults, this probably happened later in life. Now, a new generation of kids is growing up exposed to screen time as toddlers, or even babies. What impact will this screen time have on their very young and still growing brains? Dr. Dimitri Christakis takes us inside his lab at the Seattle Children's Research Institute and demonstrates how he studies some very young research participants. Plus, Dr. Christakis sits down with CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and shares his most realistic tips for setting screen time limits. 

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Gen Z is the first generation to truly grow up online and now they’re joining the fight to log off. In February, college student and founder of the Log Off Movement, Emma Lembke, testified in front of a Senate committee about the impact that social media companies have on youth mental health. Emma is one of many activists, including parents and politicians from both sides of the aisle, calling for increased government regulation of social media companies. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with CNN Technology Reporter Brian Fung about a Supreme Court case that could open those companies to more lawsuits. Plus, we dive into what we actually know about the privacy concerns surrounding TikTok and if a nationwide ban is possible.

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American teens are experiencing a rise in mental health challenges according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This includes high levels of sadness amid significant declines in overall well-being, especially among girls and LGBQ+ youth. Could social media be part of the problem? Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to Professor Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, a child psychologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, to unpack this data and discuss the connection between social media and youth mental health. Sanjay also asks his teenage daughter, Sky, about how social media affects our self-esteem. 

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This season, we’ve been talking about the potential dangers of social media and the amount of time we spend online. But what about the positive, educational sides of the internet? On this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to one of the YouTube’s earliest content creators, Hank Green. Sanjay and Hank discuss the state of the internet today, the responsibility of having a platform, and how to deal with harsh online comments. Plus, they ask is the future of the internet utopian? Dystopian? Or maybe both?

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These days, it’s easy to be glued to your phone and have mixed feelings about it. If you spend too little time, you feel disconnected. But too much time can make you feel bad. So, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores a possible solution - digital detox. But what does that really mean? On today’s episode, science journalist Catherine Price and author of the book, “How to Break Up With Your Phone: The 30-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life,” shares her tools for breaking up and making up with your phone. Plus, Sanjay’s college-bound daughter, Sage, shares her perspective.

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Do you ever feel like you or your kids are spending way too much time on your phones? Have you ever caught yourself scrolling for hours on end? When so much of our lives center around our phones, it’s hard to know how much screen time is too much. For answers, Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with self-described “mediatrician”, Dr. Michael Rich, who co-directs the Clinic for Interactive Media Disorders at Boston Children’s Hospital. Sanjay talks with Dr. Rich about his unique approach to treating young patients with problematic media use. Also, we hear the story of one college student who got lost down a TikTok rabbit hole. 

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Technology has advanced at breakneck speed over the past decade. And that’s disrupted our lives — the ways we interact with each other, work, learn, and even grow up. This season looks at the impact all this technology is having on young people. Like many parents, this topic is personal for Dr. Sanjay Gupta. In our first episode, Sanjay speaks with one of the people most directly impacted by it all: his daughter Soleil. Plus, a conversation with Jean Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, about how social media is affecting youth mental health.

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If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking at a phone or a computer screen. These days we spend most of our lives looking at screens – whether it’s for work, school, or fun – but how is it shaping us? On season six of Chasing Life, Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes us on his most personal journey yet, while he dives into the science behind how technology is impacting our brains. As a dad of three teenage girls, he explores how worried we should be about the effect screen time is having on kids’ health. Join us each Tuesday as we bring everyone to the table – from members of the Gupta family to content creators and medical professionals – and look for guidance on how to navigate a world surrounded by screens.

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Remember how awkward and confused you felt as a teen? It's a time of so many big changes – growth spurts, body hair, and acne, just to name a few – but perhaps the most radical transformation is going on inside the adolescent brain. Dr. Sanjay Gupta dives into the neuroscience of the teen brain with psychologist Valerie Reyna to figure out how teens make decisions and weigh risks. Plus, tips for teens (and anyone who’s been a teen) on how we can support one another through this challenging stage of life. This episode was originally released on February 15, 2022.

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta travels to Cuba to investigate one of the most complex and controversial brain mysteries in recent years known as "Havana Syndrome." First reported by two dozen U.S. officials in Havana, Cuba starting in 2016, these unexplained health incidents have since multiplied to include hundreds of reports of concussion-like injuries around the globe. Despite various government investigations, American officials have yet to make clear what is behind these injuries and whether a directed energy weapon may be to blame. Dr. Gupta sets out to explain the truth behind "Havana Syndrome," the extent of its impact on the brain, and the potential continuing threat facing government officials at home and abroad. This special report originally aired on CNN on September 25, 2022.

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta travels to Cuba to investigate one of the most complex and controversial brain mysteries in recent years known as "Havana Syndrome." First reported by two dozen U.S. officials in Havana, Cuba starting in 2016, these unexplained health incidents have since multiplied to include hundreds of reports of concussion-like injuries around the globe. Despite various government investigations, American officials have yet to make clear what is behind these injuries and whether a directed energy weapon may be to blame. Dr. Gupta sets out to explain the truth behind "Havana Syndrome," the extent of its impact on the brain, and the potential continuing threat facing government officials at home and abroad. This special report originally aired on CNN on September 25, 2022. 

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When psychedelics were first studied more than 50 years ago, researchers noticed that they were useful in helping people explore a greater sense of self. Now, after a half-century hiatus, scientists are studying psychedelics like MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine as treatment for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. So, what promise do they hold as therapeutics? Albert Garcia-Romeu, a researcher at John’s Hopkins University, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to talk about how psychedelics can alleviate mental suffering and what the path forward might look like. This episode originally aired on November 8, 2022.

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For the past couple of months, we’ve explored the senses and how each one affects our health and well-being. In our last episode of this season, we examine a trait known as synesthesia – in which the senses intertwine, like seeing colors when you hear music or tasting flavor when you feel texture. Neurologist and author, Dr. Richard Cytowic, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to explain what happens in the brain when the senses blend. We’ll also hear from musical artist, Christen Lien, about what it’s like to live and perform with synesthesia. 

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Close your eyes and just listen. Even if you aren’t actively thinking about the noises happening around you, your brain is constantly processing sound. That’s because, unlike your eyes, your ears never close. In fact, Northwestern neurobiology professor Nina Kraus, says listening is one of the hardest tasks we ask our brains to do. On today’s episode, Kraus explains how the sounds we’re surrounded by everyday – like a noisy leaf blower or the soothing sound of music – really matter and can impact our physical and mental health. Plus, she shares tips for building a healthy “sonic world.” 

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Do you ever walk past someone who smells absolutely alluring? Maybe you even do a double take? Scent is a major component of our attraction to those around us, but how much does it actually impact our romantic decisions? Pheromones have long been documented in the animal kingdom, but what about in humans? On this episode, professor Tristram Wyatt joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta for a deep dive into the world of pheromones, how they work and the search for the mysterious human sex pheromone.

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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 hours of sleep a night yet wakes just as well rested as the rest of us. What’s his secret? This episode originally aired in June 2021.

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Can you picture your favorite comfort food? Whether it’s a steaming bowl of your grandmother’s homemade soup or a chewy chocolate candy bar from your childhood, food evokes all sorts of emotions. But the way we experience food also depends on lots of different factors like smell, sound, texture, color and memory. On today’s episode, University of Kentucky Professor Dan Han, teaches us about a new and emerging field called neurogastronomy, and how this science could help us train our brains to gravitate toward healthier and more sustainable food. Also, we’ll head into the kitchen with a behind-the-scenes lesson on how to apply neurogastronomy to your Thanksgiving table with Atlanta chef Taria Camerino. 

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When psychedelics were first studied more than 50 years ago, researchers noticed that they were useful in helping people explore a greater sense of self. Now, after a half-century hiatus, scientists are studying psychedelics like MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine as treatment for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. So, what promise do they hold as therapeutics? Albert Garcia-Romeu, a researcher at John’s Hopkins University, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to talk about how psychedelics can alleviate mental suffering and what the path forward might look like.

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Have you ever wondered why we get hangry or car sick? It happens when our sensory system gets dysregulated. For some people, this happens all the time and can be debilitating to their life. On today’s episode, occupational therapist Virginia Spielmann breaks down the challenges of navigating our world for people with sensory processing disorder. Plus, retired army vet Terry Lashley shares his tips for parenting a neurodivergent child. 

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If you could gain super-human hearing, or even a new sense entirely, would you? Neuroscientist David Eagleman says with the help of technology, this could soon become a reality. On today’s episode, Eagleman talks about an invention he created that helps people who are deaf “hear” through vibrations on their skin. Plus, David explains how he hopes to use similar technology to give humans stronger senses, or even new ones.

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How do you treat a disease where the cause is unknown and each patient’s symptoms are unique? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to pain expert Dr. Carmen Green about what causes chronic pain, how it can be treated, and which patients are more likely to get care. Plus, meet a man who feels no pain and a woman who figured out how to cope with hers. This episode originally aired in November 2021.

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We’re constantly assaulted by “noise” all around us: crowds, vehicles, social media. As quiet spaces around us dwindle, what is it doing to our minds and bodies? Why do we need silence for our health? Acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton takes Dr. Sanjay Gupta on a tour to one of the quietest spots in the United States. Plus, quiet activist Vikram Chauhan gives listeners tips on finding quiet even in the noisiest cities.

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Imagine not being able to recognize the people you see every single day; your coworkers, your friends, your loved ones. “Prosopagnosia,” or “face blindness,” as it’s commonly known, is a disorder that impacts about 1 in 50 people, and some may not even know about it. They may go their whole lives struggling to recognize the important people in their lives, often relying on non-facial information like hair color or gait to distinguish people. Neuropsychologist Ashok Jansari joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to talk about how people with prosopagnosia see the world, the mechanism behind this condition, and what can we learn from those with these deficits about face recognition. 

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Imagine if your morning cup of coffee one day smelled like rotting garbage. Or, if your favorite comfort food had no taste at all. For some COVID long haulers, this is their new reality. What causes these distortions in smell and taste in the first place? And, what treatment options are available for these patients? On this episode, we’ll speak to Stanford University smell expert Dr. Zara Patel, who says olfactory training – or “smell training” -- can help some people re-gain a lost sense of smell and taste. Plus, long COVID patients share their stories, and the resources that have helped them cope with their diagnosis. 

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Welcome to Season 5 of Chasing Life, where we’ll explore the five traditional senses – sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell -- and beyond. To kick off the season, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to award winning science journalist Ed Yong about his new book “An Immense World, How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us.” Ed explains how all creatures live in their own “sensory bubble” through which they experience a sliver of reality. Plus, he takes us on a wild journey through the animal kingdom’s many mysterious senses that exist beyond the reach of what we humans can know. If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to be a dog, a bat or an electric eel, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

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Chasing Life is pleased to present the first episode of Anderson Cooper's new podcast: All There Is. Anderson started recording while packing up the apartment of his late mother Gloria Vanderbilt. Going through her journals and keepsakes, as well as things left behind by his father and brother, Cooper begins a series of emotional and moving conversations about the people we lose, the things they leave behind, and how to live on - with loss, with laughter, and with love. You can find All There Is with Anderson Cooper wherever you get your podcasts.

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Why are social interactions so daunting for some of us and what can we do to make things easier on ourselves? Dr. Sanjay Gupta revisits an interview with clinical psychologist Ellen Hendriksen, who offers actionable tips that all of us can put into practice.

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This week the Chasing Life team is sharing one of their favorite podcasts, In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt. Soon after entering the Kansas City mayoral campaign, Democratic up-and-comer Jason Kander revealed that he suffered from PTSD and depression and walked away from politics and a future White House run. Though he felt his career and ambitions were over, he gained the opportunity to heal from trauma he experienced during his time serving in the Afghanistan War. In a sensitive and honest interview, Kander opens up about the traumas he and all of us face in different ways, and how to grow past them. Content warning: this episode includes discussion of suicidal thoughts.

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 It’s easy to understand the importance of play during childhood but research shows that play is important at every age. In this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with play expert Dr. Stuart Brown, who has studied play for decades, and argues joyful activity is just as important as proper nutrition and a good night’s sleep. Discover why incorporating fun into your daily routine is an essential part of living a healthier and happier life. 

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Climate change has long been an existential threat, but for many young people, government inaction and increasing natural disasters are now taking a mental toll. Psychologists describe this phenomenon as climate anxiety, or ecological grief. On this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to climate researcher Britt Wray, and climate activist and writer adrienne maree brown, about how to deal with climate anxiety and ways of finding joy amidst the darkness. 

You can find more of adrienne maree brown’s writing here. 

As well as some of the resources mentioned at the end of the episode:  

Gen Dread Newsletter

Good Grief Network

Climate Cafes

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Although we don’t remember most of them, we spend about two hours every night dreaming. Some dreams are similar, others are scary, or anxiety inducing. But while dreams can transport us to places we could never experience in our waking lives, do they have a purpose? On this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to neuroscientist and dream expert, Sidarta Ribeiro, about the importance of dreaming, what goes on in our bodies while we’re dreaming, and how to take control of our dream world. Plus, Ribeiro shares why he believes we all should start sharing our dreams with others. 

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Time heals all wounds, so the saying goes. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes, when a loved one dies, it can feel like we’re stuck in an endless loop of pain. In this episode Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to Wendy Lichtenthal, Director of the Bereavement Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, about why we grieve, how to navigate the grief process, and a new medical diagnosis: prolonged grief disorder. You'll also hear from Sundari Malcolm, Director of BIPOC Wellbeing for The Dinner Party about her personal experience after loss and how it led her to help others with their grief journeys.

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What if instead of pills to cure what ails you, you were prescribed a video game? Over at Akili Interactive, researchers are trying to do just that. EndeavorRX is the first ever FDA approved video game for medical treatment, in this case for ADHD in children. We dive into the science behind the treatment and how video games have the potential to be used for other cognitive dysfunctions, including autism, depression and multiple sclerosis.

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It's time to revisit one of our favorite episodes! We’re always waiting for something, whether it’s in line for your morning coffee, on hold with customer service, or waiting for life-changing medical results. So how can we get better at waiting and make it feel less excruciating? Maybe even fun? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with waiting expert Professor Kate Sweeny to understand the science of waiting, why we evolved to hate it, and what we can do to deal with waits in our day-to-day lives. Plus, get the inside scoop from the so-called king of queues at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This episode was original released on October 19, 2021.

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What’s the secret to a long, happy life? TV legend Norman Lear may have the answers. It’s hard to believe but the man responsible for shows like “All in the Family,” “Good Times,” “Maude” and “The Jeffersons,” turns 100 in late July. In honor of this special milestone birthday, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Marc Hodosh invited Lear to speak on stage at the LIFE ITSELF summit. Hodosh talked to Lear about his long career, how laughter leads to longevity and why he sent an original copy of the Declaration of Independence on a tour of cities around the country. Plus, Lear gets roasted by two friends -- the spoken word poets Sekou Andrews and Steve Connell. This conversation was originally recorded on June 2, 2022.

To hear more amazing conversations like this one, go to CNN.COM/LIFEITSELF 

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Do you ever feel your blood pressure rise, sitting in a sea of stand-still traffic? It’s not all in your head. All that time spent in the driver's seat could actually take a toll on your mind and body. In this episode, we’re hitting the road with someone who drives for a living – a long-haul truck driver – to hear how she keeps calm and focused. Plus, traffic psychologist Dwight Hennessy explains why we feel the way we do behind the wheel and shares some tips for making your commute a little more bearable. 

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If you’re a person of color living in the United States, chances are, you’re living with some form of racial trauma. Whether it’s because you’ve been a victim of racism, because you know someone who has, or even if it’s just from watching events unfold on the news, these instances can take a heavy mental health toll. On this episode, CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta gets personal as he talks to racial trauma expert Sherry Wang about the devastating rise in anti-Asian hate during the pandemic. Plus, Muay Thai boxer Jess Ng gives us a quick lesson in fighting for ourselves.  

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Is it possible we’ve been going about conversation the wrong way our entire lives? All too often, when we chat with a friend or colleague, we walk away feeling unheard, misunderstood, or confused. Luckily, research offers some clues about why we’re so prone to missteps – and how we can all get better. Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to conversation expert and journalist Celeste Headlee about the power of listening and then heads to the hospital where some of the most difficult conversations happen every day. We hear from Dr. Rana Awdish, who heads up a program to help doctors lead with empathy when talking with their patients. 

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Not following rules and letting go might actually make you feel better. Just ask musicians who improvise and make up music on the fly. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Dr. Charles Limb about his study on musical improvisation and its impact on the brain. Plus, “Saturday Night Live” jazz saxophonist Ron Blake shares life-changing lessons from music that we can apply to our everyday lives. And to top it off, Sanjay attempts some freestyle rap. Spoiler alert: he’s pretty good at it.

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You've likely experienced feelings of calm and happiness while at the beach or a lake, but it turns out there are actually proven psychological and physical benefits to being near the water. Even just looking at pictures of water or hearing the sounds of it can give you these health benefits. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with environmental psychologist Mathew White about the science behind water and why we all need more Blue Space in our lives. If you like this episode, check out the Beach Day/ Blue Space playlist our Chasing Life team put together on Spotify:

https://spoti.fi/3NJlEon.  

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We’re not alone inside our skin. Instead, we’re accompanied by billions of microorganisms. Not only that, when it comes to our health, they’re in charge. Meet your microbiome. In this episode, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the mysteries of this new world within us with microbiologist Brett Finlay. Plus, we meet documentary filmmaker Saffron Cassady who lives with a debilitating chronic condition and took matters into her own hands by doing at-home DIY fecal transplants.

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It turns out a simple “thank you” really can go a long way. In fact, giving thanks doesn’t just make others feel good – it can also boost your own mental and physical well-being. On today’s show, we’ll hear how gratitude helped one woman navigate a life-changing medical diagnosis. Plus, how you can implement a gratitude practice into your daily life.

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There’s been a lot of debate about how often we need to bathe — and the answer might be less than you think. It turns out we have a complicated history with washing dating back to the baths of Ancient Rome. In this brand new episode of Margins of Error, CNN's senior data reporter Harry Enten goes straight to the experts to decode the hygienic necessity of bathing versus our societal norms. Plus, he sees what life is like without deodorant. You’ll have to smell it to believe it. New episodes of Chasing Life return on May 17.

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This week we're sharing an episode of The Happiness Lab from Pushkin Industries. Host Laurie Santos helps listeners understand that listless middle ground between depression and flourishing, otherwise known as languishing and what we can do to escape it. Laurie speaks to psychologist and host of TED's WorkLife podcast, Adam Grant (who you may remember from season 1 of Chasing Life) about his own experience with languishing and how a game of Mario Kart helped him find his path again.

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While season 4 of Chasing Life is in production, the team is sharing some of their favorite podcasts. First up, The Pulse from WHYY, a weekly health and science podcast and radio show.

On this episode, host Maiken Scott dives into the changing conversation about race and ethnicity in medicine. You’ll hear stories about why it’s harder for Black Americans to get kidney transplants, why “Asian” is too broad of a category when it comes to public health, and how we could collect better, more meaningful data.

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Most of us love the sensation of the sun on our skin or the sound of the ocean, but nature doesn’t just feel good; it’s also good for us! Nowadays, doctors are even starting to prescribe time outdoors as part of treatment for their patients. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Dr. Melissa Lem, founder of the first national nature-prescription program in Canada, about the health benefits of nature and why we all need a regular dose of the outdoors. Plus, we head outside for some fresh air with Prof. Jennifer Roberts in Maryland, and explore some practical ways to integrate more green time into our lives.

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Language allows us to connect with people from around the world. It opens our minds and hearts to new experiences and different ways of life. But learning a new language can be really difficult, so how did we do it as children? And are our adult brains even cut out for learning new languages? CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Professor John Schwieter about what’s happening in the brain when we learn a new language and the potential health benefits of being bilingual. Plus, cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky explains how language may have the power to shape the way we think and see the world.

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Have you ever gone through a breakup and listened to a sad song on repeat? Why do we have such strong emotional connections to music? Well, the answer lies in our brains. On this episode, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Professor Assal Habibi, a pianist and neuroscientist, about the brain science of music. Plus, we sit in on an orchestra rehearsal with kids in Los Angeles and discover the magic of making music together. 

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When you live with social anxiety, even the smallest interactions can feel catastrophic. If human beings are supposed to be social creatures, then why is socializing so daunting for some of us? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to clinical psychologist Ellen Hendriksen about what’s really going on in our brains when we experience social anxiety and how we can shift that self-doubt into something positive. Plus, actionable tips for how we all can sharpen our social skills after several years of pandemic life.

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Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok – let’s face it, social media has become a central part of our lives. It’s where we make friends, find community, and entertain ourselves, but it can also be harmful for our mental health. Do the benefits outweigh the risks? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to social media researcher Prof. Dar Meshi about what social media is doing to our brains, and why we need to set healthy boundaries around our social media use. Plus, chef and Instagram influencer Sophia Roe shares her secret to living her best life both online and in real life. 

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When astronaut Christina Koch embarked on her 11-month spaceflight, she knew it would be a record-breaking mission; what she didn’t know is that she would return to Earth just at the start of a global pandemic. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta celebrates Women’s History Month with an extended conversation with Koch about her remarkable journey and all that she has accomplished. Plus, Koch shares her tips for mentally preparing for a challenge, whether you’re in up space or here on Earth.

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It’s been a difficult few years for everyone, and people are feeling more burned out than ever. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to author Rahaf Harfoush about being a recovering workaholic, and how we should all rethink our relationship to our jobs. Plus, we visit a monastery in New Mexico to learn about their secret to work-life balance.

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How do pets impact our bodies and brains? Are dogs really “man’s best friend”? And are we being mind-controlled by our cats? CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta hears from animal behaviorist Professor Monique Udell about the ways pets make us healthier and happier – and how the animals benefit from this, too! Plus, molecular parasitologist Professor Sebastian Lourido shares the wild story of a common cat-borne parasite that may affect our behavior.

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Public health experts have been warning for years about a looming “loneliness epidemic” in the United States, with serious potential impacts on our mental and physical health. But what’s the cure? Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to loneliness expert Professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad about her promising research and the surprising power of performing small acts of kindness.   

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Remember how awkward and confused you felt as a teen? It's a time of so many big changes – growth spurts, body hair, and acne, just to name a few – but perhaps the most radical transformation is going on inside the adolescent brain. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta dives into the neuroscience of the teen brain with psychologist Valerie Reyna to figure out how teens make decisions and weigh risks. Plus, tips for teens (and anyone who’s been a teen) on how we can support one another through this challenging stage of life.

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Love is in the air... but today we’re talking neurochemicals, not roses! CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the brain science behind falling in love and the surprising similarities to addiction. Plus, expert tips on how to keep love alive during the pandemic, and one therapist’s secret to healthy relationships.

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Our memories are imperfect treasures – dear to our hearts but not necessarily accurate snapshots of reality. CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to neurobiologist Michael Yassa about how memories are stored in the brain, why we forget, and what we’ve gotten wrong about how it’s supposed to work. To help understand the mechanisms of memory, we meet a woman who remembers absolutely everything... and a man who can’t even recall what he ate for breakfast. Plus, actionable tips for how we can keep our memories sharp at any age.

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Why do some days fly by, while others never seem to end? Have we been stuck in a time warp since March 2020? CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to astronaut Christina Koch about how her perception of time changed during her 11 months in space – the single longest spaceflight by a woman. Plus, we hear from an experimental psychologist about why our time perception has felt so off in the pandemic, and a philosopher shares the secret to “mental time travel” ... no time machines required!

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The twists and turns of this pandemic have left many of us uncertain of what to expect in the year ahead. But did you know that simply changing your expectations can have a tangible effect on your wellbeing? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to science writer David Robson about the ways our expectations can impact our lives, for better or for worse. Plus, concrete tips for how we can use the scientific phenomenon of the “expectation effect” to sleep better, eat healthier, and live longer. 

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Does it feel like you are in an endless holding pattern? We asked a waiting expert for her top tips on how to create control when you don't know what's coming next.

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As we ring in a New Year, Dr. Sanjay Gupta hears from Chasing Life listeners about the steps they plan to take to live healthier and happier lives in 2022. Plus, guest experts share their tips for achieving your resolutions.  

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Seeing red? Listen to a quick refresher from our episode on anger management. You'll hear the key takeaways from Dr. Sanjay Gupta's conversation with Professor Brad Bushman so you can learn how to make anger work for you instead of against you.

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We're taking off this week for the holidays, but wanted to share with you another of our favorite podcasts. A Slight Change of Plans is hosted by our friend Maya Shankar, who you might remember as our nudge theory expert from earlier this season. In her series, Maya looks at the science of human behavior and who we become in the face of big change. What makes a ballerina, a world-class chef, or a civic activist great? Psychologist Angela Duckworth says the answer is GRIT — a power combo of passion and perseverance. Angela teaches us how to become the grittiest versions of ourselves, and gives us valuable advice on when to quit and when to grit.

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While season 3 of Chasing Life is in production, here's an episode of CNN's Margins of Error that you'll love. A surprising percentage of people today, including CNN resident numbers guy Harry Enten, hate making and receiving phone calls. Our reluctance to dial in, is affecting everything from national polling to workplace relationships to our levels of anxiety. Harry asks why we’re avoiding phone calls and whether we can be coached through our telephone-related nerves.

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After a terrible accident, a woman wakes up in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury. She records her experiences with doctors and friends, as she grapples in real time with the way her brain has changed. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to her about her remarkable journey and shares his insight as a neurosurgeon. And we explore what it means, for all of us, to find strength and perspective in the face of life's greatest challenges. 

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How do you treat a disease where the cause is unknown and each patient’s symptoms are unique? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to pain expert Dr. Carmen Green about what causes chronic pain, how it can be treated, and which patients are more likely to get care. Plus, meet a man who feels no pain and a woman who figured out how to cope with hers. 

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For many of us, Thanksgiving means reuniting with friends or family we haven’t seen in a while. But before you gather around the dinner table, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has tips to share for keeping loved ones safe from Covid-19. Plus, Dr. Gupta invites us into his home where he and his daughters prepare a special family recipe that’s sure to warm up any holiday gathering. 

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Is it possible that the right foods could prevent and even treat cancer? Or that a healthy diet could alleviate your depression and anxiety? CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta heads into the kitchen to explore how food can actually be a powerful medicine for our bodies and minds. Plus, psychiatrist, nutritionist and professional chef Dr. Uma Naidoo shares what everyday foods we should be eating to improve our health, and cooks us a brain-healthy dish perfect for Thanksgiving. You can find her recipe here: https://cnn.it/3wPOr3A

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CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy about vaccinating younger children. They also get candid about the mental, physical and emotional tolls of the pandemic on our youth. 

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From doomscrolling to comfort food, bad habits are hard to break – so where do we begin? CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the relationship between habits, addiction and anxiety with neuroscientist and psychiatrist Dr. Judson Brewer, from Sharecare and Brown University. They discuss the brain science behind forming and breaking habits, and Dr. Brewer explains why willpower doesn’t always work. Plus, we hear from listeners facing bad habits of their own and learn tips for living healthier, happier lives.

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Fear brings with it a kind of powerful temptation: people want to know fear, to confront it, and maybe even conquer it. In the lead up to Halloween, we're devoting an episode to all things scary. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett about the science of fear, and how our approach to coping might be all wrong.  We go deep inside the human brain and venture into a haunted house, to figure out why so many of us seek out fear, and what that can teach us about ourselves. 

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We’re always waiting for something, whether it’s in line for your morning coffee, on hold with customer service, or waiting for life-changing medical results. So how can we get better at waiting and make it feel less excruciating... maybe even fun? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with waiting expert Professor Kate Sweeny to understand the science of waiting, why we evolved to hate it, and what we can do to deal with waits in our day-to-day lives. Plus, get the inside scoop from the so-called king of queues at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. 

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What if we told you that every time you make a decision, there are subtle factors beyond your control that steer your choice? It turns out, the way the options are laid out for us – on restaurant menus or even government forms – has a significant impact on the choices we make. Once we understand how these so-called “nudges” work, we can use them to improve our lives: everything from managing exercise routines to curbing the opioid epidemic. CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta dives into the science behind nudge theory with former White House nudge expert Maya Shankar, and takes a look at a nudge in action right now to help fight Covid-19. 

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Trust is hard to build and all too easily broken. It’s the essential foundation for all our relationships, and the glue that keeps our society together. But over the past two years, many Americans have lost trust in our government, our medical institution, and each other. On today’s episode, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with trust expert Professor Karen Cook about the reasons why we trust, how we can foster it, and how we can restore it when it’s been lost. And Dr. Shantanu Nundy weighs in on why mistrust between doctors and patients is one of the biggest dangers facing public health today.

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As one of the few female rockstars of the 1970s and ‘80s, Joan Jett was frustrated by the misogyny and disrespect she experienced ... but rather than be consumed by her anger, she channeled it into her music with hits like “Bad Reputation.” And she’s not the only one who’s felt that experience of seeing red, especially now. There’s so much to be angry about in the United States: political divisiveness, an ongoing global pandemic, racial injustice, and even just everyday life not going as planned. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Joan Jett and anger expert Brad Bushman about why we experience anger in the first place and how we can make our anger work for us instead of against us. Plus, Dr. Gupta finds out one of the anger management strategies he’s been using his whole life is actually making it worse.

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Covid-19 taught the world a tough lesson: if we aren't prepared for a viral threat, the consequences can be catastrophic. But what does it mean to be truly prepared? The question feels more urgent now that public health officials warn that many of us may experience another pandemic in our lifetimes. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta turns to former F.D.A. Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who anticipated our current crisis and offers specific recommendations for preventing the next one. They talk about why Dr. Gottlieb believes future pandemics should be viewed as a matter of national security, and what all of us can do to prepare in our own lives.

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Record-breaking temperatures resulting from climate change are occurring more often, lasting longer, and are more intense than ever before. This is a problem that affects us all, putting our lives at risk. On today’s episode, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Dr. June Spector from the University of Washington about how we can take better care of our health during extreme heat. And we’ll also learn why some city neighborhoods are hotter than others. 

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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 the fight against pediatric cancer through the passionate commitment of parents, doctors and healthcare advocates.

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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.

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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.

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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 beyond, and gerontologist Karl Pillemer talks about the ways older adults can teach the rest of us about living through difficult times.

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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 Olympic dreams were crushed by a positive Covid-19 test. And sports psychologists Catherine Sabiston and Kanyali Ilako reflect on how the lack of fans and added Covid stresses could impact athletes’ performances.  

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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 accessing fertility treatments. And demographer Philip Cohen talks about the pandemic’s impact on birth rates.

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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 clown "Chester Drawers" played by Leo Desilets.

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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 hours of sleep a night yet wakes just as well rested as the rest of us. What’s his secret?

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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 kids. And parents and children open up about their greatest challenges and what they are looking forward to most as we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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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. 

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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 heart attacks. 

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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 story of holistic weight loss and wellbeing during the pandemic. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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At the end of 2020, the vaccine rollout was chaotic: appointments were hard to schedule, vaccine supplies were tight, and the U.S. had administered fewer than 3 million doses over several weeks. But today, things have dramatically improved. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Claire Hannan, Executive Director of the Association of Immunization Managers, about how the U.S. turned its vaccine rollout around.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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While three Covid-19 vaccines are now available for adults in the U.S., none have been approved yet for kids under 16. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with pediatrician and former acting director of the CDC, Dr. Richard Besser, about what this means for parents and their kids. Where do Covid-19 trials in children stand? What role do children play in herd immunity? And when will your child be able to get a vaccine? 

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Spring is here again, and you might be hearing the birds busting out their pipes. In this episode, scientists Elizabeth Derryberry and Jennifer Phillips take us on a listening tour to San Francisco to find out why some birds changed their tune during the pandemic.

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President Joe Biden recently announced that all American adults will be eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine by April 19, but expanding eligibility does not necessarily guarantee access. How do we provide vaccines to people who can’t make it to a doctor’s office, pharmacy or state-run vaccine site? CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at the mobile vaccine sites being set up by Sean Penn’s non-profit, CORE. 

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As medical professionals search for new treatments to help Covid-19 patients, some researchers are taking a second look at drugs that have already been approved by the FDA. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Dr. David Fajgenbaum about repurposing old drugs to treat similar symptoms caused by the novel coronavirus.

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Just over 100 years ago, the U.S. was in a similar position as it is today. As more schools across the country reopen, we're revisiting CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta's conversation with Dr. Howard Markel about what we can learn from when schools opened during the influenza pandemic of 1918.

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The rapid development and rollout of the Covid-19 vaccines has been called a moonshot – an amazing scientific discovery that will change the course of history. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins President of Pfizer Global Supply, Mike Dermott, for an exclusive look inside the company’s vaccine manufacturing plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where millions of doses are being produced every week.

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Baseball's Opening Day is finally here, and Major League Baseball has stepped up to the plate with new safety precautions for the pandemic. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to sports medicine researcher Daniel Eichner about the MLB's new testing regimen and how America’s favorite pastime is also helping keep the country safe from some dangerous coronavirus variants.

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With Passover upon us, Easter this weekend and Ramadan not far after that, we decided to revisit a story about faith. CNN Senior Writer Thomas Lake spoke with a pastor in small-town South Carolina about ministering to his flock during the pandemic and honoring those who’ve died from Covid-19 — even as he tries to avoid becoming one of them.

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Dr. Robert Redfield, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the Trump administration, opens up to CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta about some of the challenges the CDC faced over this past year.

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Dr. Deborah Birx’s tenure as the Trump White House’s Coronavirus Response Coordinator was contentious, with accusations of mismanagement. Now, Dr. Birx tells her side of the story. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Dr. Birx for a behind-the-scenes look into what went wrong in the administration’s response and how that can inform our public health strategy going forward.  

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Suppressing the spread of Covid-19 in the United States is going to require vaccinating 70-85% of the population. But what happens if not enough Americans voluntarily get the vaccine? CNN’s Chief Medial Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Emily Largent, a lawyer and assistant professor of medical ethics, about a controversial proposal that’s been floated: mandating the vaccines.  

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As more and more Americans get their COVID-19 vaccinations, some people are making travel plans, and airports are seeing bigger crowds. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta speaks with CNN’s Pete Muntean about the latest guidance on travel restrictions and how to vacation safely.  

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If you’re not eligible for the vaccine yet, should you still try to get the shot early anyway? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta speaks with Arthur Caplan, Director of Bioethics at NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine, about when line jumping is defensible and other ethical decisions around vaccine distribution in the U.S. 

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As wealthier nations have bought up most of the world’s supply of vaccines, many lower and middle-income countries have been left behind. Today, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to Dr. Krishna Udayakumar, Director of the Duke University Global Health Innovation Center, about the challenges of getting the vaccine to everyone around the world. 

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How important is airflow to preventing the spread of Covid-19? As schools and other public buildings begin to reopen, Dr. Sanjay Gupta revisits a conversation with Joseph Allen, Director of the Healthy Buildings program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, about the science behind airborne transmission.

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There’s tons of evidence that loneliness can have negative impacts on our mental and even physical health. But when it comes to interventions that reduce loneliness, there is far less research. Today on the podcast, we check out what one neighborhood in Brooklyn is doing to bring people safely together during the pandemic, and we check in with an expert on loneliness, Professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad, about new promising research that demonstrates the power of performing small acts of kindness. 

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Many states are making people with a certain Body Mass Index eligible for vaccines. But because weight carries such a stigma, showing up to an appointment may not be as easy as it sounds. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta hears from a coworker about her personal experience getting vaccinated, and navigating the complex relationship between weight and health.

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For those struggling with an opioid addiction, COVID-19 has created a perfect storm of stress and isolation. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Dr. Andrew Kolodny, the medical director of opioid policy research at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. They discuss the pandemic’s effect on the opioid crisis in the U.S. and the efforts underway to end the decades-long epidemic. 

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Last December, the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine became the first covid-19 vaccine to be authorized for use in the world following large-scale clinical trials. Today, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with Dr. Ugur Sahin and Dr. Ozlem Tureci, the husband-and-wife scientists who designed the vaccine.

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Last month, the C.D.C. released new guidelines to help schools stay safe as they reopened, and now educators across the country are beginning the tricky work of putting that guidance into action. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Lisa Herring about how she’s been reopening schools and balancing safety precautions with students’ educational needs. 

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With over 2.5 million global coronavirus deaths, millions more have faced the daunting task of saying goodbye to a loved one from a distance. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at the ways funeral homes and mourning families are navigating the process.

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One year ago this week, CNN called the spread of the coronavirus a pandemic. Two days later, the World Health Organization followed. At this official one-year mark of the pandemic, Dr. Sanjay Gupta checks in with Maria Van Kerkhove, a leader in the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 response. They talk about what they’ve learned and what still lies ahead. 

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This pandemic has highlighted how essential it is for people to feel like they can trust public health officials. But that’s easier said than done in Flint, Michigan, where locals are still dealing with serious repercussions from the 2014 water crisis. CNN’s Omar Jimenez reports from Flint, talking to members of the community about their lasting distrust in government and how that's impacted their views on the coronavirus vaccines.

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The CDC just released new guidelines for fully vaccinated people. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains the latest recommendations for what you can do safely with friends and family once you've received your shots.

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Infectious disease researcher Laurel Bristow has made a name for herself disseminating helpful, pandemic-related information on Instagram, and that name is @KingGutterBaby. She talks to CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta about her rise to fame, the pressures that come with it, and what her username means.

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Seattle-based artist Jayashree Krishnan has painted more than 150 portraits of first responders from around the world since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, she shares her experiences capturing the fatigue, fear and hope in the faces of frontline workers.  

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Coronavirus has fundamentally changed the American workplace, but which changes can we expect to stick around permanently? Analyst and remote work expert Andrew Hewitt shares his predictions for the post-pandemic future of office work and what’s surprised him so far.

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We’re just months away from the start of the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics. The games were supposed to showcase Japan’s recovery from the deadly Fukushima earthquake but things have not gone according to plan. In today’s episode, CNN International Correspondent Selina Wang explains how the host country is preparing for the world’s largest sport event during a global pandemic. 

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Almost a year ago, athletes around the world learned that the Olympics would be postponed. For those who hoped to compete in the games, navigating this additional year has been incredibly challenging, especially as Covid restrictions forced many professional sports facilities to close. On today’s episode, pole vaulter Sandi Morris and long jumper Tyrone Smith, share their struggles and sacrifices to train over the last year and compete in one last Olympics together, as a married couple.

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What will it take to achieve herd immunity? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Dr. Christopher Murray, who directs the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, about the role of vaccinations, variants and preventative behavior.

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Covid-19 has disproportionately impacted Native American communities, but when it comes to vaccine distribution, tribal health providers are actually outpacing many states. CNN’s Harmeet Kaur speaks with Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. about his tribe’s vaccine success and what he thinks the U.S. government could learn from the Cherokee health system.

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CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Harvard dream researcher Deirdre Barrett about her Covid-19 dream survey and why we're having good and bad dreams a year into this pandemic. This is an update to a May 1, 2020 episode.

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Zoologist and president of EcoHealth Alliance Peter Daszak has just returned from Wuhan, China. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to him about what it’s like there now, and his findings as part of a World Health Organization investigation.

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The United States reached an unfathomable milestone: 500,000 deaths from COVID-19. As we honor those lost to the pandemic, there are still many among us who continue to live with persistent symptoms of the virus. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta discusses post-Covid syndrome and speaks with patients who describe themselves as "long haulers".

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Black women have made significant contributions to medicine and public health but all too often, their stories are overlooked and forgotten. Today, we’re honoring the life of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, a pioneer in our country’s medical history as the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, back in the 1860s.

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A disturbing spate of recent attacks on Asian Americans is the latest reminder of the bigotry this community has faced throughout the pandemic. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks about the history of discrimination against the Asian American Pacific Islander community, and what can be done now to address it. 

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In the United States alone, nearly half a million people have now died from the coronavirus. Rationally, we know this is devastating. But emotionally, why can we feel so removed from it? CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to Associate Professor Azim Shariff about the limits of human empathy, and what a computer game might teach us about our response to this pandemic. 

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What does the latest CDC guidance mean for the safe return to classrooms? Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Evan McMorris-Santoro explain why parents and teachers don’t always see eye to eye when it comes to in-person learning; the effectiveness of key mitigation strategies; and whether there can ever be true safety without teacher vaccinations.

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In this episode, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers listeners’ questions about the vaccine, from new avenues of distribution to side effects to the question on everyone’s mind: What am I allowed to do now that I’ve had my shots?

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Black faith leaders around the country are working together to combat vaccine hesitancy in their communities. Today, Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN's senior writer on race & equality, speaks to Reverend Horace Sheffield in Detroit, about what he and other pastors around the country are doing to help their congregations through this crisis. 

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More than 33 million Americans have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer/BioNtech or Moderna. Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine candidate could receive an emergency use authorization in the coming weeks. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is optimistic, and he’s going to tell you why. 

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As Valentine’s Day approaches, we explore how our relationships and dating lives have been impacted by this pandemic. Biological anthropologist and Match.com Chief Scientific Adviser, Helen Fisher shares some of the ways looking for companionship has changed. 

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Be careful as authorities warn of emerging scams related to the Covid-19 vaccine. CNN’s law enforcement and national security correspondent, Josh Campbell walks you through the different types of scams out there and how you can protect yourself.

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With the authorization of two Covid-19 vaccines, pregnant women around the country are wondering if they should get the shot when their time comes. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta speaks with Dr. Emily S. Miller, an obstetrician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and a member of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s COVID-19 task force to answer listener questions. 

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Surveys have shown that Black Americans have been more hesitant than White Americans to get a Covid-19 vaccine. CNN Correspondent Stephanie Elam enrolled in a vaccine trial in the hope that other Black people would see someone like them going through the process. On today’s episode, Stephanie speaks with a nurse who still isn’t ready to get the vaccine.

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Super Bowl LV is happening this weekend and it won't be your regular championship game. The CDC and the NFL teamed up to study not only how the league played through a pandemic, but how the general public could benefit from the lessons they learned. NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills tells CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta why he thinks the 2020-21 season was worth the risk. 

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The light at the end of the tunnel is in sight, but there are still a lot of unknowns. When will life go back to normal? How do we grieve all the people we’ve lost? And what will be the long-term effects on our society? In today’s episode, physician and sociologist Dr. Nicholas Christakis shares his opinion on what lies ahead for our post-pandemic world. Check out the accompanying video.

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Inequities and racism continue to exist within the U.S. health care system and profoundly impact Black communities. It’s a complex history that’s often misunderstood. Sanjay will interview Dr. Leon McDougle, president of the National Medical Association. Dr. McDougle is an expert in racial disparities in health care and will discuss the organization’s history and how the past can shine some light on the challenges of reaching Black Americans with the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Older adults around the country are struggling to get a vaccine appointment thanks to limited supply, overwhelmed phone lines, dysfunctional websites. Today, CNN checks in with seniors on the search and tries to figure out why this is happening. 

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Masks are crucial, but not all of them are created equal. The N95 respirator mask has been the gold standard from the beginning, and our need for its efficacy is only becoming clearer. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks about the latest guidance on mask wearing, and how to upgrade the masks you may already have.

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An adventuring Swedish doctor takes on a decades-long medical mystery: What exactly was the 1918 flu? This week, we’re sharing an episode of Science Vs, a podcast from Gimlet, a Spotify Studio. They talk to Dr. Johan Hultin, Eileen Hultin, Dr. Jeffery Taubenberger, Ann Reid, Rita Olanna and Annie Conger.  

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The Biden administration is beginning to put its Covid-19 strategy into action and lay out their plans to bring this pandemic to an end. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN Anchor Anderson Cooper spoke to three key members of President Biden’s Covid response team in a CNN Town Hall: CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Biden’s Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci, and head of the White House’s new Health Equity Task Force Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith.

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The rollout of Covid-19 vaccines has proven to be a logistical challenge unlike anything the United States has faced before, and some states are handling things better than others. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at some of the different vaccine distribution strategies employed in West Virginia and Georgia, and why one state is doing so much better than the other. 

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With a new administration in the White House, and a new director at the CDC, there is a lot of hope that the CDC can now more effectively steer the public out of this pandemic and rebuild its reputation in the US and abroad. But doing so is not going to be easy. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with former acting director of the CDC, Dr. Richard Besser, about the challenges that lie ahead. 

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Dr. Dan Barouch is the director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and is helping develop Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine candidate. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to him about how this vaccine is different, and how soon it could reach Americans. 

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With the release of two COVID-19 vaccines we’re one step closer to pre-pandemic life. However, after months inside, our social skills may be a bit rusty. Social isolation during the pandemic can have surprising effects on the brain. Research suggests our social skills may be suffering. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to University of Chicago Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience Stephanie Cacioppo about how and why this is happening. This episode originally aired on Sept. 15.

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It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since Covid-19 made its way into the United States. One year ago, this week, a man walked into a clinic in Washington state, becoming the first patient to test positive for Covid-19 in the US. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks back on the painful lessons of this tragic year

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With a new presidential administration comes new opportunities to slow the transmission of Covid-19. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks about some of President Joe Biden’s goals, and what experts would recommend he do first.

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We usually have to wait days to get the results from our nose-swab PCR tests, and meanwhile, we might be spreading the virus without even knowing it. What if instead we could all be tested twice a week and know the results in just minutes? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Harvard epidemiologist Dr. Michael Mina about the game-changing potential of affordable at-home rapid testing. 

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One in three LA County residents have tested positive for the virus and hospitals are struggling to treat everyone who needs critical care. CNN Correspondent Sara Sidner has been covering the devastation for months. Today she has a frank conversation with CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta about why things have gotten so bad and how difficult it's been to report on the front lines of this crisis.

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As human activity ventures further into the wilderness, scientists believe more diseases will emerge. CNN Senior International Correspondent Sam Kiley takes Sanjay on a journey deep into the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the hunt for the next pandemic pathogen continues. 

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For a lot of children, the pandemic has been an unsettling time. Socializing is limited, school is not the same, and parents are often stressed out themselves. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with psychologist and best-selling author Lisa Damour about what children want and need right now.

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Some people call the mental and emotional stress that healthcare workers have faced this past year ‘burnout.’ But burnout existed in the industry long before Covid-19. So what do you call something that’s more exhausting and enduring than that? Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with emergency physician Dr. Megan Ranney and psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold about the mental health effects of their jobs.

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A lot of people have been feeling stressed out by this pandemic, and unfortunately, it’s been that way for a while now, but what is this unrelenting stress doing to our brains? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Stanford University neuroscientist Prof. Robert Sapolsky about the potentially damaging effects of chronic stress on the human brain, and what we can do to help.

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What’s the latest news about vaccines, and what are the delays with the rollout? In this episode, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers listener questions about the distribution process and post-vaccination transmission. 

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Imagine a country that is not under a strict lockdown or scrambling to find hospital beds to care for Covid patients; where people regularly dine and drink inside. This country exists –it’s Singapore. One of our associate producers, Emily Liu, makes the trip back home, to a place where life feels almost normal again. 

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New variants of the coronavirus are circulating around the globe and causing some concern among experts. One in particular, variant B.1.1.7, has been found to more easily spread from one person to another.  This new variant has already been identified in several states in the US. To understand how this will affect the course of the pandemic, CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with virologist Angela Rasmussen.  

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Vaccine distribution in the U.S. is going to rely on local pharmacies and supermarkets, but what if your neighborhood doesn’t have either? CNN's Omar Jimenez takes a closer look at "pharmacy deserts" and the impact they can have on communities trying to access the coronavirus vaccine.

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By the end of the month, millions of people across the country will be teetering on the brink of eviction. In this episode, CNN Business reporter Anna Bahney tells the story of a young family that started the year ready to buy their dream home - and ended the year evicted from it.

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Fourteen-year-old Anika Chebrolu is the 2020 winner of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. In this episode, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta hands things over to her to talk about her discovery of a potential therapy for Covid-19.  

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What is the first thing you want to do when it is safe to see your friends and family again? In our last episode of the year, we share your biggest hopes and dreams for a brighter 2021.

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For nearly a year, Dr. Sanjay Gupta has been a constant presence in our lives, reporting on Covid-19. In this special episode, he opens up to Anderson Cooper about what it's been like to cover the pandemic every single day. Together, they reflect on the unprecedented lessons and losses of 2020, while sharing their hopes for the year ahead.

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Just about everyone in the world right now appears to be experiencing less touch. There’s less hugging, less hand shaking. Even people who are living with others during the pandemic report very little physical engagement. Researchers know that touch can have important biochemical benefits for health and wellbeing. Dr Sanjay Gupta talks to Professor Tiffany Field of the Touch Research Institute about what these months without touch are doing to our bodies, and how can we reclaim some of the benefits of touch in the Covid-19 era.

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How are we supposed to gather around the Christmas tree... if we need to stay six feet apart? On today’s episode, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Stephen Arnold, President of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, about the unique challenges of this holiday season and what we can do to celebrate safely.   

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Did you know that Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon? As a health care worker, he is at a higher risk for contracting the coronavirus so on Friday, he received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Listen in as he shares his firsthand experience and why he feels confident about the safety of the vaccine.

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Nearly 60 years ago, Americans witnessed the roll out of a polio vaccine that would change lives and the way we fight disease. Writer and producer Jeffrey Sherman was a child when he took the vaccine, at the time delivered by sugar cube. It turns out that small act inspired an American classic. He talks to CNN writer Tom Lake about the experience and why it’s so relevant today.

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The NFL playoffs are just weeks away but the league is still figuring out how to defeat its most formidable opponent to date: Covid-19. A flurry of outbreaks have delayed games and sidelined players on multiple teams. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with former NFL player and CNN sports anchor, Coy Wire, about how the league is responding to spikes and playing through it’s most unique season in history. 

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Covid-19 vaccine distribution is finally rolling out, but some Americans are still skeptical. CNN Correspondent Elle Reeve travels to rural Tennessee to hear people’s concerns and speak with medical and policy experts about how to overcome vaccine hesitancy through building trust. 

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This week, nearly three million doses of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine will be delivered to more than 600 vaccination sites around the country. Today, CNN Aviation Correspondent Pete Muntean takes us behind the scenes of this historic operation and tells us about the journey of a vial of vaccine from manufacture to injection. 

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