Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta

Palliative care and hospice physician Dr. BJ Miller explains how honest conversations about death can help us live -- and die -- on our own terms.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

BJ Miller's company Mettle Health — support for illness, grief and dying

BJ Miller’s book, A Beginner’s Guide to the End

Five Wishes — a commonly used advanced directive

MyDirectives — an online advance-directive storage

Empathy — digital estate-planning tools and more

Jennifer Lai and Leying Tang produced this episode. Video production by Jilanne Doom, with assistance from Jasmine Brooks and Andrew Quimby. Andrea Kane is the medical writer. Dan Dzula is the technical director, and Dan Bloom is the showrunner. Ben Tinker is vice president of news at CNN, and Zach Goldbaum is senior director of podcasts at CNN.

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Plastic surgery is booming right now, as celebrities embrace transparency and GLP-1s change our skin. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to longtime friend and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Julius Few about how it all plays out in his office.

Madeleine Thompson and Sofia Sanchez produced this episode. Video production by Jilanne Doom, with assistance from Jasmine Brooks and Andrew Quimby. Andrea Kane is the medical writer. Dan Dzula is the technical director, and Dan Bloom is the showrunner. Ben Tinker is vice president of news at CNN, and Zach Goldbaum is senior director of podcasts at CNN.

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As scientists make strides against dementia with new tests and drugs, Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with journalist Robert Kolker about “The Vanishing Family,” his new book chronicling one family’s struggle with a particular form of the disease.

Madeleine Thompson and Sofia Sanchez produced this episode with assistance from Andrew Quimby. Video production by Jilanne Doom, with assistance from Jasmine Brooks. Andrea Kane is the medical writer. Dan Dzula is the technical director, and Dan Bloom is the showrunner. Ben Tinker is vice president of news at CNN, and Zach Goldbaum is senior director of podcasts at CNN.

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More people are using fertility treatments to have kids later. But how much time can science really buy? Sanjay talks with reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Lucky Sekhon about what science can — and can’t — promise.

Jennifer Lai and Leying Tang produced this episode with assistance from Andrew Quimby. Video production by Jilanne Doom and Ted Severson, with assistance from Jasmine Brooks. Andrea Kane is the medical writer. Dan Dzula is the technical director, and Dan Bloom is the showrunner. Ben Tinker is vice president of news at CNN, and Zach Goldbaum is senior director of podcasts at CNN.

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Antidepressants are some of the most prescribed drugs in the US, but they may not be getting proper scrutiny. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to psychopharmacologist Dr. Joseph Goldberg about what to consider when stopping or starting one.

Madeleine Thompson & Sofia Sanchez produced this episode with assistance from Andrew Quimby. Video production by Ted Severson and Jilanne Doom with assistance from Jasmine Brooks. Andrea Kane is the medical writer. Dan Dzula is the technical director, and Dan Bloom is the showrunner. Ben Tinker is vice president of news at CNN, and Zach Goldbaum is senior director of podcasts at CNN.

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AI may be able to see things in your health records that a doctor wouldn’t... but it can also miss medical crises. AI researcher and urologist Dr. Ashwin Ramaswamy talks to Dr. Sanjay Gupta about using a chatbot for health guidance.

Study mentioned in this episode: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04297-7

Jennifer Lai, Leying Tang, and Madeleine Thompson produced this episode, with assistance from Sofia Sanchez and Andrew Quimby. Video production by Jilanne Doom, with assistance from Jasmine Brooks. Andrea Kane is the medical writer. Dan Dzula is the technical director, and Dan Bloom is the showrunner. Ben Tinker is vice president of news at CNN, and Zach Goldbaum is senior director of podcasts at CNN.

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Parents have spent years worrying about screens. Now the screen talks back. Dr. Sanjay Gupta asks early child development expert Dr. Dana Suskind what AI may be doing to kids’ brains — and why “brain rot” may be the wrong worry.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
• Common Sense Media’s AI resources for families
• The Anxious Generation movement
• Dr. Dana Suskind’s book, Human Raised

Jennifer Lai and Leying Tang produced this episode, with assistance from Madeleine Thompson, Sofia Sanchez, and Andrew Quimby. Video production by Jilanne Doom, with assistance from Jasmine Brooks. Andrea Kane is the medical writer. Dan Dzula is the technical director, and Dan Bloom is the showrunner. Ben Tinker is vice president of news at CNN, and Zach Goldbaum is senior director of podcasts at CNN.

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At 10 years old, brainiac ⁠'Sean the Science Kid⁠' Atitsogbe already has plenty in common with Dr. Sanjay Gupta: He loves to learn and explain science to his million-plus Instagram followers. He's an advocate for positivity. And when he grows up, he wants to be a ("neuro-cardio") surgeon. So, Dr. Gupta passes the mic and lets Sean interview him about the things on his heart and brain.

Original Credits:

Producer: Sofia Sanchez

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Amanda Sealy

Senior Producer: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

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CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Andy Scholes and Coy Wire -- who played nine seasons in the NFL -- sit down to discuss their love of the game, what's changed, and what all parents and kids need to know.

This episode was produced by Dan Bloom and Nadia Kounang.

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Sr. Director of Podcats: Zach Goldbaum

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Navigating supplement offerings, in a store or online, can be overwhelming. There’s a pill or a potion for everything, from losing weight to boosting brain power. But how do you know what you need? Join Dr. Sanjay Gupta for a conversation with supplement safety expert Dr. Pieter Cohen to learn how these add-ons are policed and what to look for on the label.

This episode originally aired in July 2025.

This episode was produced by Madeleine Thompson and Leying Tang.

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Senior Producer: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Sr. Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum

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Chronic disease, anxiety, ADHD, and even the shape of a person's face could be consequences of dysfunctional breathing. And most of us, it turns out, are doing it wrong – but it’s never too late to fix it. Sanjay sits down with journalist James Nestor to discuss the fifth anniversary edition of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, and how simple changes to the way we breathe can start improving our health right away.

This episode originally aired in January 2025.

This episode was produced by Jesse Remedios and Leying Tang.
Medical Writer: Andrea Kane
Senior Producer: Dan Bloom
Technical Director: Dan Dzula
Sr. Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum

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No, you’re not petty for feeling jealous. Research shows humans experience this emotion even before they can crawl. CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with psychologist Dr. Joli Hamilton to demystify jealousy and why the complex emotion is not only natural but could actually be beneficial.

This episode originally aired in February 2025.

This episode was produced by Sofia Sanchez, Jesse Remedios, and Grace Walker.

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Senior Producer: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Sr. Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum

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More Americans are traveling abroad for medical care. Sanjay talks with Harvard Law professor Glenn Cohen about vetting providers, understanding risks and asking the right questions, plus a practical checklist for navigating the process.

Harvard Law Bulletin, “Patient Without Borders,” July 1, 2013

We're taking a short summer break and will be back in September with plenty of exciting new episodes.

This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai and Sofia Sanchez.

Video production by Ross Helman, Bob Nebel, Jasmine Brooks

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Sr. Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum

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CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam has been covering the weather for more than 20 years, and sees the increasing rate of extreme weather events as our new reality. He shares some of his stories and tips for staying safe in dangerous conditions with Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

This episode was produced by Madeleine Thompson and Leying Tang

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Sr. Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum

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The diabetes drugs that transformed weight loss may be key to treating addiction, too. Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Dr. Dhruv Khullar about how GLP-1s affect the brain, its reward system, and maybe even addiction.

This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai and Sofia Sanchez.

Video production by Ross Helman, Bob Nebel and Jasmine Brooks.

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Sr. Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum

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An FDA panel has recommended allowing compounding pharmacies to make six unapproved peptides. Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN Health's John Bonifield discuss their popularity, safety concerns and what comes next.

This episode was produced by Madeleine Thompson and Leying Tang.

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Sr. Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Dr. Paul Hoff, an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (otolaryngologist) at the University of Michigan, about why sleep apnea is often missed, how it can harm the body and mind, and the latest treatment options.

This episode was produced by Madeleine Thompson and Andrea Kane.

Video production: Bob Nebel and Jasmine Brooks.

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Dan Bloom

Techical Director: Dan Dzula

Sr. Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum

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Climate change and land use are helping ticks spread into new areas, bringing serious diseases, including one that can trigger an allergy to red meat and dairy. Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains how to protect yourself, while Meg Tirrell reports from one tick hotspot.

This episode was produced by Leying Tang, Madeleine Thompson, and Andrea Kane.

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Sr. Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum

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UPDATE: Federal officials continue eyeing shredded lettuce as the cause of the cyclosporiasis outbreak centered in the Midwest. Food safety expert Dr. Jennifer McEntire explains how cyclospora spreads and why outbreaks are hard to trace.

This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai with assistance from Sofia Sanchez and Andrea Kane.

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane

Showrunner: Dan Bloom

Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Sr. Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum

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It can be stressful making sure we get enough sleep, especially as we age. But the good news is there’s no rule that a full night's rest means being deeply unconscious for eight hours straight. Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers listeners’ questions about whether to be worried about sleep habits, with help from internist Dr. Brienne Miner.

This episode was produced by Madeleine Thompson

Medical Writer: Andrea Kane
Showrunner: Dan Bloom
Technical Director: Dan Dzula

Sr. Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum

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