Chasing Life

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

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

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

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

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

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