Chasing Life

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.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.   To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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!To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.   To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices