Chasing Life
CNN Podcasts
All over the world, there are people who are living extraordinary lives, full of happiness and health – and with hardly any heart disease, cancer or diabetes. Dr. Sanjay Gupta has been on a decades-long mission to understand how they do it, and how we can all learn from them. Scientists now believe we can even reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer’s dementia, and in fact grow sharper and more resilient as we age. Sanjay is a dad – of three teenage daughters, he is a doctor - who operates on the brain, and he is a reporter with more than two decades of experience - who travels the earth to uncover and bring you the secrets of the happiest and healthiest people on the planet – so that you too, can Chase Life.
Episodes
Mentioned books
60 snips
Mar 27, 2026 • 28min
Is Cortisol Hurting You or Helping You?
Robert Sapolsky, Stanford neuroscientist and author of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, unpacks what cortisol actually does. He contrasts short‑term survival benefits with harms from chronic stress. He explores sleep disruption, appetite and belly fat, limits of at‑home tests, primate vs zebra stress recovery, workplace rank and health, and practical ways to reduce harmful stress.
25 snips
Mar 24, 2026 • 15min
How Early Should You Check Your Cholesterol?
A clear look at new cholesterol screening timing and why recommendations now consider longer-term risk. Practical guidance on who might meet LDL thresholds and when treatment may start. A quick tour of lipoprotein(a) and its genetic role in risk. A candid talk about common and rare statin side effects and how long treatment often continues.
19 snips
Mar 20, 2026 • 32min
Why Allergies Are Getting Worse
Zachary Rubin, a pediatric allergist and immunologist and author of All About Allergies, explains why allergies are on the rise and how they develop. He discusses climate and microbiome factors, how clinicians test and treat allergic reactions, and practical tips for managing food-dependent anaphylaxis and navigating food labeling.
31 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 16min
Are Eggs as Bad for Your Cholesterol as People Think?
Dr. Andrew Freeman, cardiologist and prevention director at National Jewish Health, joins to discuss eggs and cholesterol. They explore how dietary cholesterol affects LDL for some people. Conversation highlights why overall diet matters more than single foods. The episode also touches on strength training, pelvic floor safety, and practical tips for fitting eggs into a healthy diet.
62 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 38min
Believe Your Brain is Destined to Decline? Think Again.
Dr. Majid Fotuhi, neurologist and neuroscientist who studies neuroplasticity and authored The Invincible Brain, shares how the brain can grow at any age. He discusses rapid memory improvements, MRI-measured hippocampal growth, a 12-week lifestyle program, the five pillars of brain health, lifestyle vs. drugs, and practical daily habits like dance, exercise, sleep, and purposeful activity.
21 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 16min
Here’s Why You Should Take Your Shoes off at the Door...Please
Dr. Gail Saltz, psychiatrist and clinical professor who helps people manage anxiety, offers brief practical guidance. She discusses talking to children about difficult news and setting limits on media exposure. She also walks through simple relaxation tools like paced breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
44 snips
Mar 6, 2026 • 30min
Could Caring for Others Change Your Brain for the Better?
Elissa Strauss, writer and author of When You Care, researches caregiving and its psychological effects. She discusses how caregiving can reshape identity and the brain. They explore evolutionary roots of care, research linking care to better health, and practical ways to protect self while caring. The conversation reframes care from burden to meaningful practice and urges broader cultural change.
9 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 16min
Denmark's Vaccine Lessons for America
A reporter travels to Copenhagen to explore Denmark's leaner childhood vaccine schedule and why some see it as a model for the U.S. The conversation compares vaccine debates and public trust in both countries. Listeners hear about which vaccines were dropped, Denmark’s centralized health data, and supportive policies like parental leave and home nurse visits.
37 snips
Feb 27, 2026 • 27min
The Miracle and Mystery of Consciousness
Michael Pollan, writer known for exploring food, nature, and consciousness, discusses his book A World Appears. He explores where consciousness might live in the brain, whether plants or AI can be sentient, and how mortality and embodiment shape inner life. He also warns about protecting attention in a tech-driven world.
Feb 24, 2026 • 15min
Are Showerhead Filters and LED Face Masks Worth It?
Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist and AAD fellow, breaks down showerhead filters and LED face masks. She explains hard water, chlorine effects, who might benefit from filters, and how to choose one. She also covers red and blue light mechanics, limitations of at-home devices, safety for sensitive skin, and when professional treatments are stronger.
