Chasing Life

What if instead of pills to cure what ails you, you were prescribed a video game? Over at Akili Interactive, researchers are trying to do just that. EndeavorRX is the first ever FDA approved video game for medical treatment, in this case for ADHD in children. We dive into the science behind the treatment and how video games have the potential to be used for other cognitive dysfunctions, including autism, depression and multiple sclerosis. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

It's time to revisit one of our favorite episodes! We’re always waiting for something, whether it’s in line for your morning coffee, on hold with customer service, or waiting for life-changing medical results. So how can we get better at waiting and make it feel less excruciating? Maybe even fun? CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with waiting expert Professor Kate Sweeny to understand the science of waiting, why we evolved to hate it, and what we can do to deal with waits in our day-to-day lives. Plus, get the inside scoop from the so-called king of queues at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This episode was original released on October 19, 2021. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

What’s the secret to a long, happy life? TV legend Norman Lear may have the answers. It’s hard to believe but the man responsible for shows like “All in the Family,” “Good Times,” “Maude” and “The Jeffersons,” turns 100 in late July. In honor of this special milestone birthday, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Marc Hodosh invited Lear to speak on stage at the LIFE ITSELF summit. Hodosh talked to Lear about his long career, how laughter leads to longevity and why he sent an original copy of the Declaration of Independence on a tour of cities around the country. Plus, Lear gets roasted by two friends -- the spoken word poets Sekou Andrews and Steve Connell. This conversation was originally recorded on June 2, 2022. To hear more amazing conversations like this one, go to CNN.COM/LIFEITSELF To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Do you ever feel your blood pressure rise, sitting in a sea of stand-still traffic? It’s not all in your head. All that time spent in the driver's seat could actually take a toll on your mind and body. In this episode, we’re hitting the road with someone who drives for a living – a long-haul truck driver – to hear how she keeps calm and focused. Plus, traffic psychologist Dwight Hennessy explains why we feel the way we do behind the wheel and shares some tips for making your commute a little more bearable. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

If you’re a person of color living in the United States, chances are, you’re living with some form of racial trauma. Whether it’s because you’ve been a victim of racism, because you know someone who has, or even if it’s just from watching events unfold on the news, these instances can take a heavy mental health toll. On this episode, CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta gets personal as he talks to racial trauma expert Sherry Wang about the devastating rise in anti-Asian hate during the pandemic. Plus, Muay Thai boxer Jess Ng gives us a quick lesson in fighting for ourselves. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Is it possible we’ve been going about conversation the wrong way our entire lives? All too often, when we chat with a friend or colleague, we walk away feeling unheard, misunderstood, or confused. Luckily, research offers some clues about why we’re so prone to missteps – and how we can all get better. Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks to conversation expert and journalist Celeste Headlee about the power of listening and then heads to the hospital where some of the most difficult conversations happen every day.We hear from Dr. Rana Awdish, who heads up a program to help doctors lead with empathy when talking with their patients. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Not following rules and letting go might actually make you feel better. Just ask musicians who improvise and make up music on the fly. Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Dr. Charles Limb about his study on musical improvisation and its impact on the brain. Plus, “Saturday Night Live” jazz saxophonist Ron Blake shares life-changing lessons from music that we can apply to our everyday lives. And to top it off, Sanjay attempts some freestyle rap. Spoiler alert: he’s pretty good at it. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

You've likely experienced feelings of calm and happiness while at the beach or a lake, but it turns out there are actually proven psychological and physical benefits to being near the water. Even just looking at pictures of water or hearing the sounds of it can give you these health benefits. CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with environmental psychologist Mathew White about the science behind water and why we all need more Blue Space in our lives. If you like this episode, check out the Beach Day/ Blue Space playlist our Chasing Life team put together on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3NJlEon. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

We’re not alone inside our skin. Instead, we’re accompanied by billions of microorganisms. Not only that, when it comes to our health, they’re in charge. Meet your microbiome. In this episode, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the mysteries of this new world within us with microbiologist Brett Finlay. Plus, we meet documentary filmmaker Saffron Cassady who lives with a debilitating chronic condition and took matters into her own hands by doing at-home DIY fecal transplants. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

It turns out a simple “thank you” really can go a long way. In fact, giving thanks doesn’t just make others feel good – it can also boost your own mental and physical well-being. On today’s show, we’ll hear how gratitude helped one woman navigate a life-changing medical diagnosis. Plus, how you can implement a gratitude practice into your daily life. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy