Katie Couric

As our loyal listeners know, Next Question with Katie Couric has been devoted to covering the coronavirus crisis from the moment this unprecedented pandemic began to upend virtually every facet of our daily lives. Now, with this special bonus episode, Katie begins a new chapter, exploring something most all of us are surely wondering -- what will “life after coronavirus” look like? First up, a conversation with one of the most respected and experienced authorities in public health today, Dr. Tom Frieden. Dr. Frieden is the former Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (aka the CDC) and is currently President of the non-profit, Resolve to Save Lives, which aims to make the world safe from epidemics. He shares with Katie his plan to “box in” the coronavirus, so we can safely get the country up and running -- and, hopefully, begin to find and embrace our "new normal." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday, on “Next Question with Katie Couric,” we heard the devastating story of how one mother, Kira Johnson, became a part of a shameful statistic:​that between 700 and 900 American women die each year from pregnancy and childbirth-related causes. We learned that structural issues like racism as well as an increase in medical interventions during labor, have led to more women dying from pregnancy and childbirth today than they did 30 years ago. Today, in Part 2, Katie tackles her next question: What is being done to better protect American mothers, and particularly women of color? Katie talks to Olympic runner Allyson Felix who, in 2018, became one of the 50,000 women who nearly die from pregnancy-related complications. “Being a professional athlete,” Allyson says, “I just thought that will never happen to me.” Katie also hears from public health leaders like Dr. Debra Bingham and politicians like New Jersey’s First Lady Tammy Murphy who are actively trying to turn high maternal mortality rates around. To

Long before COVID-19 hit the U.S. in early 2020, the American health system was suffering another crisis: alarmingly high — and rising — rates of maternal mortality, particularly among black women. In this country, an estimated two women die every day from pregnancy and childbirth-related causes. And 60 percent of those deaths could have been prevented. And now, the coronavirus is forcing tens of thousands of women to give birth in unprecedented circumstances — sometimes alone, and often without the support networks they need to stay healthy.  In Part 1 of a special episode of “Next Question with Katie Couric,” Katie talks to Charles Johnson, whose wife Kira died in 2016 just hours after giving birth to their second son, Langston. “I thought that what happened to Kira was an isolated incident,” Charles tells Katie. “I thought, this doesn’t happen in 2016, in our country.” Why are women like Kira Johnson — healthy, prepared, and insured — dying? And how did the U.S. become one of the most dangerous places in

Hospitals in hotspots like New York City may have postponed or canceling non-essential surgeries due to the coronavirus, but, you can’t postpone birth. Pregnant mothers are still entering hospitals, sometimes alone, to deliver babies to doctors and nurses in full hazmat gear. On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie finds out what it's like — from the perspective of mothers, doctors, and doulas — to give birth in the time of coronavirus. First, Katie talks to Alicia Biggs, a mom who had to give birth alone at the end of March. Then, Katie checks in with two obstetricians, one from New York Presbyterian in Manhattan and one from the Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, to understand the obstacles they face in keeping pregnant and laboring moms healthy and safe. Finally, New York City doula Chantal Traub offers tips to pregnant women and their partners for how to feel safe — and empowered — during a time of uncertainty. Next Question listeners can go to ChantalTraub.com to get their free guide

Long before the coronavirus upended our lives and distanced ourselves from our jobs, routines, and loved ones, loneliness was already considered a widespread issue. But now, whether you're living alone or surrounded by people, that feeling of loneliness is probably more profound than ever. On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie talks with former surgeon general Vivek Murthy about how dangerous this human condition can be, not only to our emotional health but also our mental and physical health. In a discussion around his new book, "Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World," Katie and Dr. Murthy talk about ways to mitigate our loneliness and how to use this time of isolation to appreciate and strengthen our relationships. Later in the show, massage therapist David Lobenstine shares a few techniques — to use on yourself or on one of your quarantine partners — to help relieve the effects of this longterm stress and loneliness. Sign up for Katie's morning news

In these unprecedented times, when tensions, anxieties and fears about the coronavirus are high, many people are finding comfort in a surprising source: Steven Soderbergh’s 2011 thriller “Contagion.” It’s about a mysterious and highly contagious virus that crosses continents, causes city-wide lockdowns, throws government protocols into chaos, upends daily life, and instills an almost universal state of dread across the globe. Sound familiar? Katie talks with “Contagion” screenwriter Scott Burns and one of the lead consultants on the film, Dr. Ian Lipkin, the John Snow Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, about why the movie is having such a moment, how they managed to create something so prescient, and ways our own pandemic nightmare might end. The pair also touch on their latest collaboration: With help from the original “Contagion” cast, Scott Burns and the Mailman School of Public Health have created PSAs to help spread the word about social distancing, hand w

On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie continues her special coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. First, Katie looks to New York City — now the national epicenter of this crisis — where the rate of positive COVID-19 cases is doubling ever three days. Which means the peak of coronavirus infections will be much higher and hit New York much sooner than expected, giving the city's vast network of hospitals — which are already under tremendous strain — less time to prepare for a deluge of patients. Katie talks to Dr. Robert Femia, the chair of emergency medicine at NYU Langone to find out how emergency rooms in New York City are faring now and how they are bracing for what's to come. Then, Katie speaks to Beth Cameron, the former head of the National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense, about why the U.S. wasn't prepared for this pandemic. Beth Cameron is now the Vice President for Global Biological Policy and Programs at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, which h

On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie continues with special coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. First, Katie tackles coronavirus anxiety and how to balance our mental health with concern over our physical health. Katie talks with psychotherapist and best-selling author Lori Gottlieb who shares ways to cope during this uncertain time and answers questions from Katie’s listeners and followers. Then,San Diego physician Dr. Peter Attia hares what he has learned in his research of the pandemic, from the mysterious biological mechanisms behind COVID-19 and the looming challenges it poses for our healthcare system. So take a deep breath, everyone, and - as always - go to CDC.gov and WHO.int for the most updated information. You can also sign up for Katie's morning newsletter Wake-up Call, at KatieCouric.com, for dedicated coronavirus coverage. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What began as a distant and mysterious illness in China at the end of 2019 has now been declared an official global pandemic by the World Health Organization. The virus, now known as COVID-19, has spread to well over 100,000 people from Asia to the Middle East, Europe and the United States. On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie asks experts like Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, Head of the Outbreak Investigation Task Force of the World Health Organization, to break down everything you need to know about this alarming outbreak — where it came from, how it spreads, and what you can do to protect yourself against it. Katie also speaks to Yulin Yin, a Minnesota man who shares his extraordinary journey out of the center of the epidemic in Wuhan, China, to a 14-day quarantine in San Diego and finally, home to his family. Katie also calls on Dr. Bill Schaffner, Medical Director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, to answer some of your burning questions. For the most updated information on

Plant-based food might have started out as a niche lifestyle choice for vegans and vegetarians back in the 1970s (hello, Tofurky!), but today you can find plant-based milk, cheese, fish, meat — and so much more — in the aisles of your local grocery store. The plant-based market is even conquering fast food, appearing nationwide on menus at major chains like McDonald's, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and White Castle. On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie talks with one of the innovators behind the plant-based revolution — Ethan Brown, the CEO of Beyond Meat. They discuss the impact growing up around farms and animals had on Ethan and what finally drove him to start his business. He also shares what's really in a Beyond Meat burger and why the company isn't here to tell consumers what to eat. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just in time for March Madness, Katie talks with legendary Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Muffet McGraw about how the Hall of Famer is working to diversify college sports, the failures of Title IX, and why we need more women leaders on and off the court. Then, Carla Williams—athletic director at the University of Virginia and the first black woman to hold the position at a Power Five school— talks candidly about the pressures of being a pioneer in a male-dominated field, and why the burden to diversify college sports shouldn’t rest solely with women and people of color. Later, some of Muffet’s former players, including Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach Niele Ivey, reveal what it meant to have a mentor like Muffet to look up to—and how her strength continues to inspire them long after leaving campus. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie talks with Celeste Barber, the Australian actress and comedian who is gleefully shattering Instagram's illusion of the perfect life. Celeste shares her tactics for using the social media site for good — and for laughs — and how she managed to turn a visual joke into a whole new career. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of life's fundamental questions include, 'who am I?' and 'where do I come from?'. As at-home DNA test kits become more and more popular, those philosophical musings have become big business. But what happens when the results are more than you bargained for? On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie sits down with podcast host and author Dani Shapiro, who shares her shocking story about finding out, in her 50s, that the beloved man who raised her was not her biological father. With direct-to-consumer DNA testing expected to reach 100 million people in just a few years, Dani’s experience is far from unique — millions of people are about to come face-to-face with some hard truths about their histories. So what are the hugely profitable companies behind these kits doing to support customers who receive life-altering news? Katie speaks to one woman who took matters into her own hands after the company who made her test wouldn’t even get on the phone with her, turning her DNA results into a glo

In this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie dives into the massive, frenetic and lucrative world of eSports. Katie explores the history, rapid growth and criticisms of an industry that is poised to break the billion dollar mark this year. She also attends her first live eSports event where she talks with gamers and video game makers about the particular draw of competitive gaming. And, with the help of media critic Anita Sarkeesian, Katie also tackles the blatant discrepancy between the large number of female gamers and the definitive lack of women playing in the big leagues, where prizes top millions of dollars. In a sport that requires no physical prowess, why aren't more women getting in on the action? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special bonus episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie's in Miami for Super Bowl LIV! Recording from the bustling media center on Miami's South Beach, Katie talks with Kansas City Chiefs superfan Eric Stonesteet — Cam from "Modern Family" — about hometown pride, the seed of his football fandom, and, of course, the upcoming series-end of the the hit TV show, "Modern Family." Eric shares what he thinks makes the show so successful and how he's learning to say goodbye this dream role and dream job. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a new year, which means we all have diets on the brain. But with so many options out there, how can we parse the good and healthy from the fads? On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie gets to the bottom of trendy eating plans like intermittent fasting and keto with Dr. Mark Hyman who explains what they are and how they affect the body. Katie also speaks with health, diet and wellness expert Liz Josefsberg about the psychology behind our food cravings and how making incremental behavior changes can help us stick to our good intentions. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Season Two premiere of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie gets to the bottom of the century-long battle over the Equal Rights Amendment, which says that "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." On Jan. 15, 2020, Virginia became the 38th, and therefore final, state needed to add it to the Constitution — 48 years after it was first passed by Congress. But what does that mean for the ERA now? Does it finally have a shot at becoming the law of the land, or will it be marred by an endless series of legal challenges? ERA Coalition Co-President and CEO Carol Jenkins walks Katie through the history of the amendment and what comes next. Katie also talks with playwright Heidi Schreck about why the ERA’s inclusion is so crucial for — and personal to — American women. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this bonus episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie debuts Next Question Live, an intimate, innovation-focused series featuring interviews with leaders, entrepreneurs and business trailblazers recorded (and taped) in front of a live audience in New York City. The series opens with an interview with Tim Brown, the co-founder and co-CEO of Allbirds — the wool sneaker you've probably noticed on the street or all over your Instagram feed. Katie talks with Tim about his rocky path to Allbirds, the career in professional sports that inspired the idea, and how the young company is trying to break the shoe mold with their sustainable and fashionable products. Tim also shares some frank opinions on what it’s really like living that entrepreneur life. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie reflects on her sweeping first season tackling topics like the spread of online hate and the hype of CBD, not to mention one-on-one interviews with some headline-grabbing names, including Greta Gerwig and Ronan Farrow. But while Next Question takes a brief hiatus to prepare for the next big season, Katie wants to know, what are the issues that keep you up at night? Find out how to connect with Katie, and your next question could be explored in season 2, coming in early 2020. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holidays can be tough! Whether you’re overwhelmed by the news, your family, or the perfectly projected lives on your social media feeds, it can be all too easy to slip into a negative-thinking feedback loop. So on this bonus holiday episode of Next Question, Katie sits down with the multi-platinum pop singer and songwriter Andy Grammer, who shares his advice for staying positive through it all. The pair also talk about Grammer’s childhood, his early days busking on the street, his faith, and even death—and what happens after the people we love pass. It turns out there’s much more to Andy Grammer than a smile and those addictively danceable tunes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.