Next Question with Katie Couric

Public health remains one of this country’s most politically charged issues. Six years after the COVID pandemic upended everyday life, Americans are still divided over vaccines, scientific expertise, and the role of our nation's top health agencies. Meanwhile, the U.S. is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in decades, underscoring just how high the stakes remain. Few senators have spent more time thinking about these issues than Bill Cassidy. The Louisiana Republican is not only a physician, but has spent much of his life improving public health for the residents of his state. He is chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and one of the key lawmakers overseeing the nation's health agencies during this particularly turbulent time. In this wide ranging conversation, Katie speaks with him about the measles outbreak, the challenge of rebuilding trust in public health, his ideas for lowering healthcare costs, and why he believes Congress still has time to save Social Security. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senator Mark Kelly has had an extraordinary career—as a Navy combat pilot, NASA astronaut, and now Arizona's senior U.S. senator. Today, he's also one of the Trump administration's most outspoken critics and a name that's increasingly being mentioned as a possible 2028 presidential candidate. Katie talks with Kelly about the latest developments in Iran, his clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and what he believes is happening inside today's military. They also discuss why he thinks more men should become teachers and mentors and the partnership he shares with his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, whose survival after a 2011 assassination attempt reshaped both of their lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 30 years after taking on Pacific Gas & Electric—and winning—Erin Brockovich is still fighting for communities. This time, her focus is on one of the fastest-growing parts of the AI boom: data centers. In this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric , Erin explains why she's sounding the alarm about the rapid expansion of AI data centers across the country. Since April, Erin says she’s received thousands of reports from people across the country describing rising water bills, land acquisitions, and large-scale projects moving forward without their knowledge. She calls it "Hinkley on steroids." Katie and Erin discuss water use, energy demand, local opposition, and why Erin believes communities deserve more transparency, accountability, and oversight as the AI infrastructure boom accelerates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to age well? Few people have explored that question with more wisdom, humor, and grace than Roger Rosenblatt. In his new book, More Rules for Aging , Roger returns to the subject he first tackled 25 years ago, this time with even more perspective and hard-earned insight. In this conversation with Katie, Roger reflects on the loss of his daughter Amy, the years he and his wife spent helping raise their grandchildren, and the clarity that can come from surviving life's hardest moments. Along the way, they also discuss why family and friends are the only things that really matter, the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder, and why everyone should spend an hour a week with a peony. It's a funny, moving, and deeply thoughtful conversation about growing older, living with loss, and what it means to live a good life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cameron Oaks Rogers, host of the podcast Conversations With Cam, sits down with her mother Cindy Linville for a raw, funny, and deeply moving conversation about motherhood, anxiety, and what changes when a parent finally says yes to help. Live on stage for Body & Soul's "Reinventing Relationships" event at City Winery NYC, Cameron and Cindy talk about the years Cameron spent gently pushing her mom toward therapy and medication — and what happened after Cindy finally agreed. They get into what it's like to feel truly present for the first time in decades, how anxiety can disguise itself as productivity, navigating grandparenthood with a calmer mind, and the moment a sleep study and brain scan became the wake-up call Cindy needed. It's an honest look at generational patterns around mental health, the language older generations never had for anxiety, and what it means to finally put yourself first — at any age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever seen an episode of Showtime's Couples Therapy , you already know Dr. Orna Guralnik has an almost uncanny ability to get to the heart of what's really going on between two people. And if you haven't seen the show, get ready to see your own relationships a little differently. Recorded live in front of an audience at City Winery in New York City, this episode of Next Question finds Katie and Orna covering it all — splitting, the psychological pattern behind almost every fight you've ever had; why dating feels harder than ever (and it's not just the apps); how childhood wounds show up in your adult relationships; and what actually keeps love alive for the long haul. In partnership with CancerGuard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist Maggie Haberman has spent decades covering Donald Trump, from his days as a New York real estate developer to his return to the White House for a second term. Now, she and her fellow New York Times reporter Jonathan Swan have written Regime Change , an inside account of the first 14 months of Trump's second presidency based on more than 1,000 interviews and extensive behind-the-scenes reporting. In this wide-ranging conversation with Katie, Haberman argues that this presidency is fundamentally different from Trump's first. The advisers who once tried to constrain his impulses have largely been replaced by people who share his worldview and trust his instincts, paving the way for an administration marked by unprecedented corruption, sweeping assertions of executive power, and a fundamental redefinition of the presidency itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the country is grappling with fundamental questions about power, democracy, and national identity. So who better to help make sense of this moment than historian and bestselling author Heather Cox Richardson? Katie sits down with the writer behind Letters from an American for a wide-ranging conversation about how Washington, D.C. is being reshaped in Donald Trump's image, the legal theory underpinning efforts to expand presidential power, and why some scholars see echoes of controversial political ideas from the past. They also discuss the rise of Christian nationalism, whether Democrats have found a compelling message, and Heather's new series, 250 to 250, which explores the people, places, and ideals that define America. Part history lesson, part civic conversation, and part therapy session for anxious Americans, this episode explores how we got here, where we may be headed, and what reasons for hope still remain. As always, Heather brings context, clarity, and perspective to a moment that feels anything but normal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States each year, yet misinformation about breast health, screening, and treatment remains widespread. This week on Next Question , Katie sits down with Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System and author of The Breast Advice , to answer some of the most common—and most misunderstood—questions about breast cancer. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Port shares practical, evidence-based guidance on mammograms, breast cancer risk, screening recommendations, the latest advances in treatment, how to advocate for yourself in the healthcare system, and what every woman should know about protecting her breast health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cancer has long been considered a disease of aging. But diagnoses among adults under 50 are rising significantly, and breast cancer is a major driver of that increase. In this Next Question episode, presented by Eli Lilly and Company, Katie speaks with Dr. Mary Beth Terry, professor of epidemiology and environmental sciences at Columbia University and Executive Director of the Silent Spring Institute, about what may be fueling this troubling trend. They discuss the latest research on breast cancer risk, including the potential role of environmental exposures, lifestyle factors, and genetics. Later, Katie is joined by Ali Feller, host of the Ali on the Run Show , who shares her experience being diagnosed with breast cancer at 38 and what it’s been like to navigate motherhood while living with Stage 4 disease. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melinda French Gates believes that women’s health has been ignored and underfunded for far too long. Now, she has announced a new $215 million investment focused on reproductive health, menopause, and mental health. Katie and Melinda talk about how we got to this place, how the Trump administration is undermining trust in science, and how better research could transform millions of lives. Melinda also shares her thoughts on reproductive rights, vaccine misinformation, AI's potential in healthcare, global health challenges, and the role philanthropy can play in driving meaningful change around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laurie Metcalf is one of the most acclaimed actors of her generation, known for bringing extraordinary depth and humanity to every role she takes on. A four-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Tony Award winner, she has spent decades captivating audiences on stage and screen with performances that are at once precise, vulnerable, and unforgettable. Now, Laurie is earning widespread acclaim—and another Tony nomination—for her portrayal of Linda Loman in Broadway's celebrated revival of Death of a Salesman, which has received 9 Tony Award nominations. In this rare interview, Laurie joins Katie to discuss the enduring relevance of Arthur Miller's masterpiece, what draws her to complex characters, how she approaches the craft of acting, and what she's learned over a career that has spanned television, film, and theater. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rahm Emanuel has been one of the most influential figures in Democratic politics for decades. He’s served as a congressman, White House chief of staff under President Obama, mayor of Chicago, and most recently, U.S. ambassador to Japan. Now, as Democrats grapple with what went wrong in 2024, Emanuel has emerged as one of the party’s most prominent voices, making the case that Democrats need to rethink their priorities and reconnect with voters. Katie sits down with him to discuss the state of the country under President Trump, the upcoming midterms, how Democrats “lost the plot” (as his kids say), and what he thinks it will take to get his party back on track. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was a time not so long ago in America when community was something people experienced every day. Kids played on local baseball teams sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. People knew the butcher at the grocery store. Churches, civic groups, and neighborhood businesses gave people a sense of identity, belonging, and purpose. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy believes we’ve lost much of that connection, and that the consequences are reshaping everything from our politics to our mental health. In this live conversation at Judson Memorial Church, Katie talks with Murphy about the ideas at the center of his new book, The Crisis of the Common Good: The Fight for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America , and why he believes rebuilding community is essential to our country’s future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brené Brown and Adam Grant have devoted much of their work to helping people better understand conflict, communication, and human behavior. Nevertheless, the two spent years estranged after a 2016 article Grant wrote led to a falling out between them. Now, they’ve reunited for a new podcast, The Curiosity Shop , where they explore complicated and often polarizing questions with humility, nuance, and a willingness to challenge each other in real time. Katie talks with them about repairing their relationship, why so many people struggle to have honest conversations, the impact of social media and outrage culture, and what it takes to stay open-minded in an increasingly divided world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Jodi Kantor knows a thing or two about getting to the heart of the matter and in her new book, How to Start: Discovering Your Life’s Work, she's giving advice on how to approach this daunting, AI-driven economy. But Jodi's a multi-hyphenate, so Katie also gets her thoughts on the “post-MeToo” era and her new beat at the New York Times covering the Supreme Court. Luckily she has wisdom (and hope!) for us, on all fronts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once a loyal Republican who celebrated Donald Trump’s 2016 victory, George Conway is now one of this administration’s most outspoken critics and a Democratic candidate for Congress in New York’s 12th District. In this candid, wide-ranging conversation, he sits down with Katie to discuss what motivated him to run for office and why this moment requires more than commentary and criticism. He traces the early days of the first Trump administration, when he began to see something he could no longer ignore, and how that realization reshaped not just his politics, but his personal life, including his high-profile marriage to political consultant Kellyanne Conway. Along the way, he examines why so many Americans remain loyal to Trump, drawing on psychology, identity, and what he calls a growing “permission structure” for division and resentment. Ultimately, he sees this as a moment that demands engagement, not passivity, and one that will help define the future of American democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some losses divide a life into before and after. In this conversation, writer and journalist Danielle Crittenden sits down with Katie to discuss her new memoir, Dispatches from Grief: A Mother’s Journey Through the Unthinkable , which chronicles the days and months following the sudden death of her 32-year-old daughter, Miranda, in February 2024. Crittenden reflects on the physical reality of grief, the maddening bureaucracy that follows death, and the difficulty finding professional support, even with significant resources. She also opens up about navigating loss alongside her husband, journalist David Frum, the challenge of continuing to parent her two other children while managing her grief, and the unexpected community of bereaved parents she never wanted to join but has come to cherish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Judy Faulkner runs a company whose software touches nearly every American's medical records. Katie traveled to Epic's sprawling, whimsical campus in Verona, Wisconsin to sit down with Judy Faulkner, the 82-year-old founder and CEO who's been at the helm for nearly 50 years. Judy talks about the living-room moment she cracked the code for electronic health records, why being one of three women in a room of 200 men turned out to be a competitive advantage, and how Epic's AI tools are quietly transforming what happens in the exam room. Katie also presses her on the hard stuff: the monopoly accusations, the non-compete clauses, the antitrust suits, and why Judy has pledged to give 99% of her wealth away while some of America's biggest tech billionaires have given far less. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Snyder has spent his career studying how democracies collapse — and how they fight back. He's the Chair in Modern European History at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto, the bestselling author of On Tyranny and On Freedom , and he's also the writer behind the popular Substack newsletter Thinking About. In this conversation, Snyder uses Hungary's stunning election upset, in which opposition leader Péter Magyar defeated Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power, as a roadmap for American democracy. He breaks down what made Magyar's campaign work, why protests matter even when they feel futile, and how the war with Iran could impact the upcoming elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.