podcast
Chasing Life
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.
For a lot of women, getting the right care at the right time can make all the difference... but that doesn’t always happen. Too often, women’s health is underfunded, under-researched, or under-treated. Melinda French Gates joins Sanjay to explain why women are still being overlooked and why midlife, menopause, and maternal and reproductive health often fall through the cracks. She also breaks down her new funding push – and what smarter, more targeted investment could mean for women’s lives.
Our show was produced by Andrea Kane and Jennifer Lai.
Video Editor: Ross Helman with support by Jasmine Brooks.Medical Writer: Andrea Kane Showrunner: Dan BloomTechnical Director: Dan Dzula
Jun 5, 2026
Should you use an air dryer or paper towels to dry your hands after washing them in a public bathroom? Dr. Sanjay Gupta shares his take. Plus, plasma donation is a growing trend across the country. Dr. Gupta digs into the reasons why and if there are any long-term health consequences.
This episode was produced by Leying Tang.
Medical Writer: Andrea KaneShowrunner: Dan BloomTechnical Director: Dan Dzula
Jun 2, 2026
Screen time worries aren’t just for kids anymore. Families are seeing the same habits in parents and grandparents. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma about risks to the aging brain, warning signs and what families can do.
Our show was produced by Kyra Dahring and Jennifer Lai.
Medical Writer: Andrea KaneShowrunner: Dan BloomTechnical Director: Dan Dzula
May 29, 2026
As a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa raises alarm, listeners have questions about what it is, how it spreads, and how worried they should be. Sanjay breaks down what we know — including why Ebola is highly infectious but not easily contagious — and why this outbreak has experts on alert. Plus, what it could mean for travel and the upcoming World Cup.
This episode was produced by Andrea Kane and Leying Tang
Senior Producer: Dan Bloom
Technical Director: Dan Dzula
May 26, 2026
Dr. Sanjay Gupta returned to his alma mater, University of Michigan Medical School, where he addressed the Class of 2026. Today on Chasing Life, he shares that warm welcome to the newest grads, full of lessons from the field.
Our show was produced by Sofía Sanchez
Medical Writer: Andrea Kane
Senior Producer: Dan Bloom
Technical Director: Dan Dzula
May 22, 2026
If you’ve ever woken up to a sudden, painful leg cramp, you’re not alone. Sanjay takes a closer look at a listener's question about nighttime leg cramps -- and why popular remedies like bananas and magnesium don’t always help. Plus, what swollen feet and ankles can reveal about your health.
This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai with assistance from Elizabeth Corallo
Medical Writer: Andrea Kane
Senior Producer: Dan Bloom
Technical Director: Dan Dzula
May 19, 2026
Thinning hair, shedding, and sudden graying can send people searching for answers. This week, Sanjay speaks with dermatologist and Harvard assistant professor Dr. Maryanne Makredes Senna about what could be driving hair loss, what to watch for, and which treatments are actually worth it. Plus, practical tips and the biggest myths to avoid.
This episode was produced by Jennifer Lai and Kyra Dahring.
Medical Writer: Andrea Kane
Senior Producer: Dan Bloom
Technical Director: Dan Dzula
May 15, 2026
After a deadly outbreak on an expedition cruise ship, listeners have questions about hantavirus and what it means for them. Sanjay breaks down what we know about how it spreads, and how worried you actually need to be. Plus, what experts are saying about the pandemic potential of the virus.
This episode was produced by Andrea Kane, Jennifer Lai and Kyra Dahring.
Senior Producer: Dan Bloom
Technical Director: Dan Dzula
May 12, 2026
More people are turning to AI for health advice, but how reliable is it? Dr. Sanjay Gupta sits down with Dr. Bob Wachter, author of "A Giant Leap," to unpack how AI is already helping patients and doctors, where it can go wrong, and how to use these tools safely without over relying on them. Dr. Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon and member of the National Academy of Medicine’s AI Code of Conduct Steering Committee. He has previously provided limited consulting to OpenEvidence as a medical advisor.
Our show was produced by Kyra Dahring with support from Jennifer Lai and Elizabeth Corallo
Medical Writer: Andrea KaneSenior Producer: Dan BloomTechnical Director: Dan Dzula
May 8, 2026
We all know drinking alcohol is bad for our health, but how much can it reduce our risk of cancer if we drink less or even cut it out entirely? This week, Dr. Sanjay Gupta digs into the correlation between consuming alcohol and risk of cancer as well as alternatives to alcohol if you’re feeling pressured to drink. Plus, we explain if silicone is a better alternative to replace plastic and what the differences between these two materials are.
This episode was produced by Leying Tang
Showrunner: Amanda Sealy
Senior Producer: Dan Bloom
Technical Director: Dan Dzula
May 5, 2026
