Next Question with Katie Couric

Sheyann Webb-Christburg was eight years old when she first met Martin Luther King, Jr. It was late 1964 and Dr. King was in Selma, Alabama, to organize a voter registration campaign to draw attention to the need for legislation that would ensure Black Americans could safely and freely vote, because in the 1960s, particularly in Southern states like Alabama, that was certainly not the case. “Black folks couldn’t vote,” Sheyann’s father said when asked if he had ever cast a ballot. On this episode of Turnout with Katie Couric, Katie explores the historic struggle of Black enfranchisement — from the moments of brief political prosperity during Reconstruction, to the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, the election of President Barack Obama, and the ongoing fight to restore voting rights to people with past convictions. Woven throughout the episode is Sheyann’s story of being Martin Luther King’s smallest Freedom Fighter and what she witnessed on that Bloody Sunday in Selma in 1965. Katie also interviews Desmond Meade, President and Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, about his inspiring life story as a formerly homeless returned citizen who in 2018 helped restore voting rights to 1.4 million Floridians.More about the guests and organizations featured in this episode:Sheyann Webb-Christburg, civil rights activist, youth advocate and co-author of the book and movie “Selma, Lord, Selma.”Gilda Daniels, law professor at the University of Baltimore law school, litigation director at the Advancement Project, and author of “Uncounted: The Crisis of Voter Suppression in America.”Dr. Carol Anderson, the Charles Howard Candler Professor of African American Studies at Emory University, author of several books including, “One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying Our Democracy.”Desmond Meade, president and executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and author of “Let My People Vote: My Battle to Restore the Civil Rights of Returned Citizens.”Annette Scott, a volunteer with The League of Women Voters, working primarily with the New Jersey Reentry Corporation leading voter registration education.*Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence that some listeners might find disturbing.* Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The right to vote can sometimes be described as a “struggle,” a “fight,” even a “war.”But how did this come to be and who has been fighting to make every generation’s path to the ballot a little less arduous? On this episode of Turnout, Katie Couric goes back to the beginning, to find out what our founding can tell us about the continuing war on voting rights. Katie speaks with historian and biographer Jon Meacham about the framers’ hopes and dreams and who was left out of the more perfect union they designed. Then, Wendy Weiser, of the Brennan Center for Justice, and voting and Civil Rights expert Gilda Daniels help define voter suppression — and the many names it goes by. Finally, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown shares the ways she is helping to modernize her state’s election system — and the ways the rest of the country can and should follow suit.Guests:Jon Meacham, author “His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope”Wendy R. Weiser, director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of LawGilda Daniels, law professor at the University of Baltimore law school, litigation director at the Advancement Project, and author of “Uncounted: The Crisis of Voter Suppression in America.”Charles Stewart III, MIT professor of political science and founder and director of the MIT Election LabOregon Gov. Kate Brown Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special episode of Back to Biz with Katie and Boz, Katie takes the mic solo and shares her conversation with Disney Executive Chairman, Bob Iger. Early on, Iger dreamed of becoming the next Walter Conkrite and landed a job as the local weatherman for a small upstate New York TV station. He soon realized he was better suited behind the camera and began working his way up the corporate ladder at ABC, eventually leading the network’s sports and entertainment divisions. In 2005, he was named Disney’s CEO, ultimately transforming the beloved brand into a global powerhouse through a series of bold acquisitions -- Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm all joined the Disney family during Iger’s tenure. Along the way, he built a reputation for his kindness, integrity, and enthusiastic appreciation of creative talent. He stepped down as CEO in February of this year, assuming the role of Executive Chairman. Soon after, the pandemic hit and the world changed seemingly overnight -- particularly for Disney, a company built on in-person experiences like theme parks, movies, sports, and cruise lines. As Iger helps lead the company through perhaps the most challenging time of its nearly 100-year history, he speaks with Katie about this unprecedented moment along with all the other twists and turns of his remarkable life and career. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie sits down with former Republican strategist Steve Schmidt. While Schmidt might not be a household name, his reputation looms large in the GOP universe -- he’s helped run campaigns for everyone from President George W. Bush to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and he was the senior campaign strategist and advisor to Sen. John McCain during his 2008 presidential bid. But then, in June 2018, he walked away from the Republican party, citing it as “fully the party of Trump” and “a danger to our democracy and our values.” Now he’s channeling.all of his energy into defeating President Trump in November as co-founder of the Lincoln Project, a political action committee formed by current and former Republicans. In this urgent and timely conversation, Schmidt shares with Katie what led him to renounce the party he had pledged loyalty to for 30 years, what to expect during this final sprint to election day, and how he thinks Trumpism will impact our political system for many years to come. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie shares an important conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci. As Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years, Fauci has advised six presidents and led the fight against emerging diseases including H.I.V., SARS, MERS, and Ebola. Most recently, as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds, he’s taken on the crucial role of America’s explainer-in-chief, breaking down complicated science clearly and providing a trusted, calming presence as our country endures the most devastating public health crisis of our lifetimes. In this wide-ranging conversation, Katie and Dr. Fauci take a deep dive into the issues on all of our minds right now - how to protect ourselves as flu season nears, where we are in the race to find a vaccine, what we should know about sending our kids to school, whether the world has entered a “pandemic era” -- and what exactly that could mean for all us of going forward. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s that time of the year when students typically descend upon university campuses around the country — moving into dorm rooms, filling up stadiums, cramming into classrooms and swelling small towns to capacity. Unfortunately, that is not the college scene this year. After the coronavirus forced schools to shut down last March, those same institutions are struggling to figure out how — or if — students can safely come back this fall. On this episode of Back to Biz with Katie and Boz, co-hosts Katie Couric and Bozoma Saint John tackle this thorny issue with the presidents of their alma matters, James Ryan of the University of Virginia, a public research school in Charlottesville, and Michael Roth of Wesleyan University, a private liberal arts school in Connecticut. The presidents talk about their fall plans, how much of a financial hit their institutions will take, and how the pandemic — and this moment of racial unrest — could change the higher education system for good. For more, subscribe to Katie Couric’s morning newsletter, “Wake-Up Call.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You don’t have to be a parent to recognize that parenting during COVID is a struggle. When the coronavirus shut down daycare facilities and schools across the country in March, parents became not only full time caretakers, but also teachers, coaches and playdates for their suddenly isolated kids. And working parents — those lucky enough to be able to keep their jobs or work remotely during the shutdown — have had to also find time in the day to do the job that pays the bills. For single working parents, or black or brown parents, that impossible situation, that non-existent work-life balance, is an even heavier burden to bear. But this isn’t new for Christine Michel Carter. In fact, the marketing strategist, working-mom advocate and best-selling author has been “Chicken Little” for the past five years, running around telling everyone the work-life balance sky was falling. COVID just exacerbated the reality. “The world is exposed to the fact that even in married two-income households — unlike mine — women are three times more likely to be the spouse who carries the additional burden of the mental load of just everything that’s going on,” she says. On this episode of Back to Biz with Katie and Boz, co-host Bozoma Saint John talks with Christine about about how to build a better employer-employee relationship, one that doesn’t compartmentalize mothers and fathers, but allows people to bring their whole selves — kids, school mishaps, doctor appointments, birthday parties and all — to the office (or the zoom meeting). Christine and Boz share their own struggles of being a parent in the corporate world, how communities of color are disproportionately affected, and what that so-called work-life balance could look like on the other side of this pandemic. Check out Christine Michel Carter’s book, “Mom AF.”For more, subscribe to Katie Couric’s morning newsletter, “Wake-Up Call.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The multi-hyphenate talent Ashley Graham has innovated a career that has spread across fashion, beauty, television, and podcasting. Ashley started modeling when she was just 12, but it wasn’t long before she was breaking boundaries — and changing the face of — the size-obsessed industry, becoming the first curvy model to cover Vogue and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue (among others), to walk Michael Kors, and to land a major beauty contract (Revlon). On this episode of Back to Biz with Katie and Boz, the model, entrepreneur, TV host, and producer talks to her friend Bozoma Saint John about pushing for more inclusivity and fewer labels at every step of her career. “There was always a label kind of looming over me,” she tells Boz. “Nobody wants to be labeled, yet people still put you in a box for who you are and who you stand for and who you’re rooting for and who you’re not rooting for. And all I simply wanted was to just be accepted for who I was.” Boz and Ashley also talk about motherhood, the need for diversity in all industries, and what it has been like quarantining with her family in her hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska. “We must be very abnormal,” she says, “because it’s working!”For more, subscribe to Katie Couric’s morning newsletter, “Wake-Up Call,” at KatieCouric.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Back to Biz with Katie and Boz, Katie Couric is on book deadline! While she’s busy writing, Bozoma Saint John sits down for an intimate conversation with her good friend and all around entertainment renaissance woman La La Anthony. La La shares her career journey from radio personality to MTV VJ (hello, “Total Request Live”) to producer, actress, entrepreneur and activist. They touch upon the ups and downs of quarantine life, but also dive deep into the current state of social and racial unrest and its emotional toll. Although the country’s racial injustices are amplified now, it is a reality both women have dealt with their whole lives and now have to watch their children go through, too. La La shares how she is preparing her 13-year-old son Kiyan for the world he has to live in: “We have a 13-year-old Black son and we live in New York City,” La La says. “My son walks around with a hoodie … he plays basketball, he’s in the gyms, he’s on the courts outside. So we tell him ‘this at any moment could be you.’” It’s a deeply personal conversation about their struggles, as well as their hopes for what can change. “There’s still so much work to do,” La La says, “and you don’t stop just because a hashtag isn’t trending anymore." For more, subscribe to Katie Couric’s morning newsletter, “Wake-Up Call,” at KatieCouric.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special surprise episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, we’re sharing an unreleased interview Katie did back in February with H&R Block CEO Jeff Jones. The interview's release was held as Katie shifted her attention to the coronavirus pandemic. But the conversation — which was done in front of a live audience in our Manhattan offices (another world, right?) — is surprisingly relevant to issues we are grappling with right now, like how to create more inclusive work environments, and the need for companies to lead with purpose. Jeff also talks about being an “unimpressive” kid, how military academy changed the course of his life, and how persistence helped him land his dream job. Jeff ends the conversation with some thoughtful career advice. And a friendly reminder to our listeners, the new, extended tax deadline is just around the corner — July 15!Subscribe to Katie’s Couric’s morning newsletter, “Wake-Up Call,” on KatieCouric.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2020 was going to be a big year for Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky: With a valuation around $31 billion, Airbnb was going to go public on March 31. And then the pandemic hit. Within weeks, Airbnb was gutted and Brian was forced to lay off 25 percent of his staff. “It would have been so easy to just spiral,” Brian Chesky says. “But every moment is a moment for us to be doing something that’s defining, to make us better.” On this episode of Back to Biz with Katie and Boz, co-hosts Katie Couric and Bozoma Saint John talk to Brian about how he quickly pivoted his company and how travel will be forever changed. In the wake of the national anti-racism protests, Airbnb has also had to reckon with its record on discrimination. Brian Chesky shares his regrets on not doing more sooner on race and the steps the company is taking now to make the platform and the company more equitable. Sign up for Katie Couric’s morning newsletter, “Wake-Up Call.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judd Apatow is a comedy powerhouse in Hollywood. From “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” to “Knocked Up” and “This is 40,” Judd has altered the comedy-making template, finding the funny in relatable and vulnerable (even cringeworthy) characters and situations. But what about the responsibility that comes with that power? In this moment of national reckoning on race, what are leaders like Judd doing to lift up black voices and stories? On this episode of “Back to Biz with Katie and Boz,” co-hosts Katie Couric and Bozoma Saint John talk to Judd about how Hollywood can bring diversity to the big screen, the future of moviemaking — and going — in a social-distanced world, as well as his new movie. “The King of Staten Island,” starring Pete Davidson, is an incredibly personal story (based on Pete’s own life) about loss, trauma, and mental health, which Judd says is perfect for this moment. The movie is available to watch on demand. Sign up for Katie Couric’s morning newsletter, “Wake-Up Call.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Stacey Abrams narrowly lost her historic gubernatorial run in 2018, she did not contest the race. She could have, but instead the long-time activist, lawyer and politician put all of her effort to fighting a broken voting system into ensuring fair elections in the future. “This is not about one politician or one race,” she says. “This is about an infrastructure that’s supposed to serve citizens and it’s not.” On this episode of Back to Biz with Katie and Boz, Stacey Abrams talks about the work her organization “Fair Fights Action” is doing to mitigate the harm of voter suppression and how their helping voters to prepare for November. Katie and Boz also talk to Stacey about her childhood, her love of “Star Trek,” that little VP rumor, and the key difference between the protests happening today compared with the ones that broke out after the Rodney King verdict 30 years ago. Stacey Abrams new book “Our Time is Now” is available wherever you buy books. For more information, follow Katie Couric and Bozoma Saint John on Instagram and sign up for Katie Couric’s morning newsletter, “Wake-up Call,” at KatieCouric.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the first woman to helm one of the big three Detroit automakers, GM CEO Mary Barra has learned a lot about creating a more diverse and equitable company. “The mindset people have to have is this is never done,” she says. “I look for the day when it doesn’t need special focus, but I think we’re a long way off from having leaders being very deliberate about creating diverse groups, diverse opportunities.” In this episode of Back to Biz with Katie and Boz, Mary Barra talks with co-hosts Katie Couric and Bozoma Saint John about the letter she wrote to her employees about George Floyd’s murder and the actions GM is taking to move the conversation forward. Barra also talks about the early successes of opening the GM facilities as well as the ways the pandemic has accelerated trends that may forever change the GM automobile. Click here for a detailed list of anti-racist resources.Click here to sign up for Katie Couric’s morning newsletter “Wake-Up Call.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Monday, May 25, George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, accused of using a counterfeit $20 at a deli, was killed in police custody. The next day video captured by bystanders, and spread widely on social media, revealed how brutal and inhumane Floyd’s arrest and last living moments — at the hands of a white cop — really were. Since that video’s release, protesters have taken to the streets in at least 140 cities, demanding justice not only for George Floyd, but also for Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and all black lives. On this episode of Back to Biz with Katie and Boz, Katie Couric and Bozoma Saint John speak with Bishop T.D. Jakes, founder and senior pastor of The Potter’s House, and Black Lives Matter co-founder Opal Tometi about what that justice should look like. They discuss the desperate need to not only stop the harm against black people but also repair centuries of damage and why everyone has to step up and speak up for the benefit of all. “This is not a black people’s problem. This an American crisis,” Bishop T.D. Jakes says. “The choice you really have,” Opal Tometi says, “is to be a part of justice or know that you are impeding justice.” Click here for a detailed list of anti-racist resources.Click here for more information or to support Black Lives Matter.Click here to sign up for Katie Couric’s morning newsletter “Wake-Up Call.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How will the pandemic change the way we work, go to school, go out, travel, and experience the world? In this new limited series, co-hosts Katie Couric and Bozoma Saint John set out to understand how this unprecedented moment will change our future. In weekly episodes, Katie and Boz interview CEOs, innovators and thought leaders in industries from tech and media to education and entertainment to fashion and sports, to find out how they are adjusting to — and innovating in —this new world order. Back to Biz with Katie and Boz releases Thursdays during the summer of 2020 right here in the Next Question feed. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Couric still has questions. But right now they're mostly focused on the future of business. Considering this unprecedented economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, how will industries like tech, education, entertainment, travel, and fashion adjust and innovate to fit our new world order. Introducing "Back to Biz with Katie and Boz," a new interview series co-hosted by award-winning journalist Katie Couric and trailblazing marketing executive Bozoma Saint John. On the premiere episode of "Back to Biz with Katie and Boz," the co-hosts set the stage for their forward-looking series with their first guest, tech and media journalist and podcaster Kara Swisher who offers a big-picture look at the ways the shuttered economy has made Big Tech even bigger — for better and worse. "Any trends that were present have been accelerated and then helped by tech," Kara says. "You could go around from industry to industry. Look at streaming entertainment that people have been using. Look at Netflix — [it's] never had more usage." Katie, Boz and Kara discuss what it means to be an essential worker and why all businesses will have to reassess what "gig work" means. They also talk about the future of education, why TikTok is having more than a moment, and the innovations that are bubbling up in tech right now. Each episode of "Back to Biz with Katie and Boz" will run right here in the Next Question feed. For more information on this episode, subscribe to Katie Couric's morning newsletter "Wake-Up Call" at KatieCouric.com. And make sure to follow Katie Couric and Bozoma Saint John on Instagram. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie interviews Bozoma Saint John, the Chief Marketing Officer at Endeavor and an all around trailblazing businesswoman who has broken glass ceiling after glass ceiling in Silicon Valley and beyond. Bozoma, who goes by Boz, and Katie talk about what makes brands and leaders authentic and how to help others during this trying time, even when you're feeling depleted yourself. Boz also shares the lessons she learned about overcoming adversity and her own personal crisis after her husband died and how she found her way back to her career and the things that bring her joy. Bozoma Saint John is someone Next Question listeners will want to get to know because Katie and Boz are cooking up something exciting to be released in the Next Question feed very soon. Stay tuned for that, but in the meantime take a moment to learn a bit from Boz about how to excel by being your true self. For more, subscribe to Katie Couric's morning newsletter "Wake-Up Call" at KatieCouric.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode of Next Question, Katie takes a step back to consider what the bigger, global picture might look like in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. She speaks with Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, who shares his belief that this crisis won’t so much change the basic direction of world history, but will “accelerate” it. He also talks about his new book, “The World: A Brief Introduction” and his hope for an informed citizenry in which all Americans are equipped with the “foundation of understanding” about our country and the larger world.For more, sign up for Katie's morning newsletter "Wake-Up Call" at KatieCouric.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just a few months ago, restaurants were the places we chose to see friends, mark our milestones, celebrate our special occasions, or unwind after a stressful week. But today, in our social-distancing world, just imagining the typically crowded, intimate scene of a Friday night at your favorite neighborhood spot can send a shiver down your spine. Which is why the restaurant industry has been one of the hardest-hit by the pandemic so far, with more than 8 million employees laid off and a more than 80-billion sales loss. As we continue to explore what life will look like once we begin to get back to some sort of normal, Katie Couric turns to business leaders and entrepreneurs to find out how they see their industries re-emerging. On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie speaks with restauranteur Danny Meyer and Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti to find out how the restaurant industry can get back to business.For more, sign up for Katie Couric's morning newsletter "Wake-Up Call" at KatieCouric.dom. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie shares her conversation with California Governor Gavin Newsom, which was recorded as part of her ongoing video series with Time Magazine — 'TIME Reports with Katie Couric' — that shines a light on the heroes and newsmakers of this COVID moment. Governor Newsom has been praised for his leadership of California, which despite being among the first to report cases of the virus, has managed to avoid the catastrophic spread we've seen in other places. He shares with Katie the guiding principles that shaped his early response and considers the way forward for his state — and all of us. For more, sign up for Katie's morning newsletter "Wake-Up Call" at KatieCouric.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With widespread shelter-in-place orders shutting down major cities and many states, the U.S. economy has come to an abrupt standstill. And after just five weeks, this COVID crisis has forced more than 26 million Americans to file for unemployment. On this episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, Katie talks to Victor Tan Chen, sociology professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, and author of “Cut Loose: Jobless and Hopeless in an Unfair Economy.” Chen explains what makes this unemployment crisis so unprecedented, why it’s underscoring pre-existing inequalities in the labor force and how the pandemic could change the job market — and who it could leave behind. Throughout the episode, we also hear from the people behind the unemployment statistics.Read the Atlantic article ‘The Second Phase of Unemployment Will Be Harsher,’ by Victor Tan Chen and Ofer Sharone.Sign up for Katie Couric’s morning newsletter, Wake-Up Call. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comSee 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. Today, given the additional challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and the existing racial health disparities COVID-19 has only exacerbated, this kind of work is more urgent and relevant than ever. Guests and resources for this episode include: Olympic runner Allyson Felix helps March of Dimes advocate for the health and safety of moms and babies. New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy launched in 2019 Nurture NJ, a statewide awareness campaign committed to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. New moms can stay on top of symptoms with the Post-Birth Warning Signs factsheet from the The Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement To help families like the Johnsons, visit 4Kira4Moms.com For more information, sign up for Katie Couric’s newsletter Wake-Up Call at KatieCouric.com.Correction (4-27-20):The podcast incorrectly attributes the "Save Your Life" POST BIRTH warning signs handout to the Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement. It was developed under the leadership of Debra Bingham, DrPH, RN, FAAN when she worked at the Association of Women's Health Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 the developed world to have a baby? Guests and resources for this episode include: Charles Johnson, founder of 4Kira4Moms, a non-profit dedicated to maternal mortality advocacy. Dr. Debra Bingham, founder and executive director of the Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement, and associate professor at the University of Maryland Monica Rose McLemore, associate professor in the family health care nursing department at the University of California, San Francisco Nina Martin, an investigative reporter at ProPublica and co-author of the award-winning ProPublica and NPR series “Lost Mothers.” For more information, sign up for Katie Couric’s newsletter Wake-Up Call at KatieCouric.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 for how to enter birth with confidence and calm. For more, subscribe to Katie's morning newsletter Wake-Up Call at KatieCouric.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 newsletter, Wake-Up Call, at KatieCouric.com for more information on today's episode, the coronavirus, and the day's most pressing news. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 washing, and other life-saving measures in the age of COVID-19. You can check those out at ControlTheContagion.org and spread the word on social media with #ControlTheContagion. Sign up for Katie Couric's morning newsletter, Wake-Up Call, at KatieCouric.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 has a new effort to help local officials during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find more information about that here. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comSee 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 COVID-19, go to CDC.gov and WHO.int. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comSee 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.comSee 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.comSee 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 global support network for people like her. For more about Dani’s book, Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love, click here or visit PenguinRandomHouse.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.comSee 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.comSee 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.comSee 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.comSee 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.comSee 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.comSee 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.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a star-studded season 1 finale for Next Question! Katie sits down with her all-time favorite guest, human rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, in front of a live audience at the Aspen Institute’s 36th Annual Awards dinner. As Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, Stevenson and his staff have won reversals, relief, or release from prison for over 135 wrongly condemned prisoners on death row and won relief for hundreds of others wrongly convicted or unfairly sentenced. His incredible life story is also the subject of the new film "Just Mercy," based on his 2014 memoir, starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx who also join Katie for a fascinating conversation about their experience bringing Stevenson’s story to life. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you don’t already know Greta Gerwig, then get ready to have a new hero by the end of this episode. Greta is an actress turned writer/director who is taking Hollywood by storm. Her first attempt at writing and directing resulted in the 2017 hit “Lady Bird,” and her career has only skyrocketed from there. In this interview, Katie and Greta bond over their mutual love of the book which inspired her latest project, a remake of the much loved Louisa May Alcott classic “Little Women.” While the film stars some major Hollywood heavyweights — Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep, to name a few— it’s Greta’s work behind the camera that brings a new sparkle to this classic tale. At a time when accolades for female directors are few and far between — for the fifth year in a row there were zero women nominated for a Golden Globe for directing — Greta’s voice is one that demands to be heard. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NOTE: This episode contains discussions of racist ideologies and hate-based violence. Listener discretion is advised. Sam (not his real name) was just 13 when he discovered a meme-focused online forum during a lonely time at school. His new friends there were more than happy to share their disturbing views about race and women with him, and Sam, looking for acceptance, was more than happy to listen. Except the more he listened, the more he started to believe what they had to say. On this episode of Next Question, Katie sits down with Sam and his mom to talk about what it was like to get sucked into the far right online, then gets an expert’s take on how the internet is contributing to the rise of white nationalism—and the white nationalist violence we saw play out in places like Pittsburgh and El Paso. She also speaks to Angela King, a former neo-Nazi who works with extremists hoping to leave the far right behind, about how to help vulnerable young people navigate a world in which hate is always just a few clicks away. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pod is alive with the sound of music! That’s right, for this very special episode of Next Question, Katie sits down with the one and only Julie Andrews. In this funny, fascinating, and often moving conversation, she opens up to Katie about her six decade career on both stage and screen, her marriage to the late, great Blake Edwards, her friendships with legends like Carol Burnett and Elizabeth Taylor, and how she never gets tired of talking about The Sound of Music (lucky us!). Make sure to listen to the very end when Katie plays matchmaker and arranges a surprise phone call with Julie and one of her biggest fans (hint - she also happens to be a previous Next Question guest!) Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the impeachment headlines, you’re not alone. It’s a lot to absorb—and the arguing back and forth is enough to make anybody want to run in the other direction. But the fact of the matter is our democracy is being tested right now, and we should all be paying attention. On this episode of Next Question, Katie breaks down what you need to know about the impeachment inquiry into President Trump with a little help from two brilliant legal minds: Neal Katyal, the former acting solicitor general who literally wrote the rules on how to investigate a sitting president, and Robert Ray, the prosecutor who led the Whitewater investigation. They talk about what to make of the impeachment hearings, what to expect next, and what the division over the investigation means for the future of American politics. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It unfolded right under our noses, in classrooms, on school buses, in locker rooms after sports practice—millions of kids got addicted to nicotine within the span of just a few years, thanks to the spread of vaping devices like Juul. This fall, the scope of the issue came into shocking focus as headline after headline documented the skyrocketing number of vaping-related illnesses. How exactly did we get here—and what can we do about it now? On this episode of Next Question, Katie talks to people on all sides of the issue, including a concerned high schooler who became an activist after watching his friends battle nicotine addictions; a mom who worries about her daughter’s Juul use now that she’s away at college; a journalist who started covering the trend long before the rest of the media caught on; and some of the country’s foremost addiction experts about the best ways to help teenage vapers—and keep kids away from e-cigarettes in the first place. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 2.1 billion people use Facebook or one of its services like Instagram and WhatsApp every day. Lately though, the company that started out with the noble vision of “making the world more open and connected” is facing some serious questions about the part it plays in a lot of harmful activities like spreading misinformation, mishandling its users’ personal information, and increasing the deep divisions of our already polarized nation. On this episode ofNext Question, Katie shares her recent headline-making interview with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg at the Vanity Fair Summit in Los Angeles. It’s a tough, no-holds barred conversation that gets to the heart of the question on everyone’s mind - is Facebook doing enough to protect its more than 2 billion users and our democracy? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting older should be something to celebrate. Instead, our youth-obsessed culture tells us we need to get rid of our wrinkles, dye our gray hair, and shave years off of our LinkedIn profiles, or risk becoming irrelevant—or worse, invisible. But why do we treat the very normal process of aging like it’s something to be ashamed of? On this episode of Next Question, Katie talks to an amazing group of women who refuse to apologize for acting (and looking) their age: Lyn Slater, a.k.a. the Accidental Icon; supermodel JoAni Johnson; anti-ageism activist Ashton Applewhite; and legendary advertising executive Cindy Gallop. Katie and her guests discuss the roots of our implicit biases against older people (especially older women), the social and economic costs of ageism, and why you should never say “thank you” when someone says you look good for your age. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.