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Next Question with Katie Couric

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Tired of political headlines that feel like déjà vu? Wondering if you actually need to care about every controversy? This season, Katie’s asking those same questions—and talking to the people who have real answers. From political insiders to sharp-eyed journalists, she’s breaking down what’s worth your attention (and what’s not), with smarts, sanity, and even a little humor. Because none of us can be tuned in 24/7—but we can stay informed without losing our minds. 


Tune in every Thursday and join Katie Couric and her guests for a conversation on NEXT QUESTION.

376 Episodes
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End your summer with the most fun you’ll have on a podcast! Impressionist and comedian Matt Friend joins Katie for a star-studded tour of celebrity voices from Hollywood to the White House, from Barack Obama to Timothee Chalamet to Jennifer Coolidge. There’s even some singing! And, yes, he does his Trump impression–which is so good it might make you squirm. In between it all Matt shares what it’s been like to break out online during the pandemic, and end up taking the stage at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. It’s a trip!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Dr. Geoffrey Hinton left Google in 2023, it wasn’t because he’d lost faith in AI. It was because he wanted to speak freely about its dangers (and because, at 75, he says programming is “annoying”). The Nobel laureate joins Katie to unpack some of the riskiest aspects of this new technology: why government regulation lags behind innovation; why jobs are at risk and whether countries can work together to prevent an AI arms race. . But Hinton also sees a path forward: if we design AI that genuinely supports and protects humanity,  coexistence might be possible. This episode wrestles with the urgent question on everyone’s mind: will AI’s breathtaking potential transform our lives or threaten our very survival?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s no secret that our lifespans – especially women’s – have drastically increased over the last several decades, but what about healthspans? How can we make those additional years healthier and happier? Speaking live at City Winery in NYC, join Katie and Dr. Krys Araujo-Torres, Head of U.S. Medical Affairs for Nature's Bounty, as they dig into the simple, effective steps we can take to live our best lives. #adSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Robert Gates has worked at the highest levels of government, across eight presidential administrations, earning a reputation for pragmatism and integrity that feels increasingly rare in today’s political climate. In this thoughtful conversation with Katie, the former Defense Secretary reflects on the global crises now testing U.S. leadership—from the war in Ukraine to rising threats in the Middle East—and explains why diplomacy, consistency, and bipartisan cooperation are more essential than ever. As America grapples with a fractured political identity, Gates makes a compelling case for restoring experience and long-term thinking to our foreign policy playbook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Caitlin Clark is electrifying crowds and breaking records—and igniting a complicated national conversation. Christine Brennan joins Katie to dissect the making of a sports icon, the WNBA’s missed opportunities, and the fraught media narratives surrounding Clark, Angel Reese, and race. It’s the subject of Brennan’s new book, On Her Game, and one of the most urgent stories in sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a world flooded with information about women’s health - from TikTok trends to wellness influencers - separating fact from fiction has never been more challenging. This candid conversation between Katie Couric and gynecologist Dr. Karen Tang tackles the most persistent myths and misinformation surrounding women's health, with special focus on menstruation and incontinence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Katie heads to Capitol Hill for an in-person conversation with Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. In this unflinching interview, Murkowski reflects on her high-stakes political journey, her defiance of party pressure, and her growing alarm over the threats facing American democracy. Drawing from her new memoir Far From Home, she opens up about the personal toll of standing alone and why, in this moment, staying grounded has never been harder—or more critical.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett is having a moment. The rising Democratic star sits down with Katie for a candid, no-holds-barred conversation about what drives her, what frustrates her, and why she refuses to play by the old political rules. From her viral moments on Capitol Hill to the serious challenges facing democracy, Crockett shares what’s on her mind and why this moment demands leaders who won’t back down.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eric Holder, AG under Obama from 2009 - 2015, has spent most of his life inside the Department of Justice. Now, he’s watching it unravel. He joins Katie to explain how the Trump administration is hollowing out institutions, targeting critics, and eroding democratic norms. He shares what it’s like to see the agency he loves weaponized—and why he believes citizen power, media courage, and legal resistance are more important than ever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More than a decade ago, Katie asked a question she now regrets—one that sparked a meeting with her guest today, Laverne Cox. In this deeply personal conversation, the two revisit that moment and the friendship that grew from it. Laverne shares why she believes transformation is still possible–even under the Trump administration—if we’re willing to be uncomfortable and to listen. They also tackle the rising wave of anti-trans legislation, the right-wing propaganda machine, and how fascism takes root. It’s part masterclass, part catch-up, and a powerful reminder that teachable moments can change more than one life—they can change the culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a world that rewards power grabs, Jacinda Ardern chose a different path. The former prime minister of New Zealand, who led her country through the Christchurch massacre and COVID, talks with Katie about leading through heartbreak and crisis, why kindness isn’t weakness, and the courage it takes to step away from power. It’s all detailed in her new book A Different Kind of Power and the behind-the-scenes doc Prime Minister, out June 13.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aaron Parnas grew up in a Fox News household and once campaigned for Trump. But today, he is a rising progressive voice with millions of followers—and no patience for the media status quo. In this conversation with Katie Couric, he shares how his worldview changed, and why he’s using TikTok and Substack to rewire how we consume the news.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Katie traveled to Washington, D.C. to sit down with Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson for a candid conversation about their book Original Sin—an investigation into how President Biden’s decline was hidden from voters, colleagues, and even some members of the press. As questions swirl in the wake of his cancer diagnosis, their reporting offers critical insight into just how long this story has been building. They discuss the blind spots that shaped media coverage, the role of Biden’s inner circle, and how silence and loyalty collided in the final year of his presidency.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
They weren’t political operatives—they were a civil rights lawyer, a digital editor, and a marketing guy. But in the chaos of the Trump era, the Meiselas Brothers felt compelled to act. In their first in-person interview all together, Katie gets the behind-the-scenes story of how a pandemic group chat turned into the ascendent progressive MeidasTouch Network, and why truth, clarity, and community—not partisanship—are at the heart of what they do.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New York Times reporter Astead Herndon has spent years embedded in the world of Trump voters. He joins Katie to explain what he’s hearing now—why economic fear, media distrust, and cultural resentment still fuel Trumpism, how tariffs and Elon Musk are playing with the base, and why the Democrats’ message just isn’t landing. If you think you know what’s driving voters in 2024, think againSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Microbiome" is a buzzword these days--but many people don't know what it means. As we re-assess the lasting impact diet may have on our health, researchers are examining the role of gut health as possible causes for the dramatic uptick in colorectal cancer in young people. Katie Couric, founder of Katie Couric Media and Stand Up To Cancer, hosts an expert-led panel including Dr. Nancy You, a surgeon and director of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Program at MD Anderson, Dr. Susan Bullman–an Associate Professor of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, to discuss the impact of diet on the gut microbiome.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trump’s first 100 days? Worse than former congressman and “proud RINO” Adam Kinzinger ever imagined. He joins Katie for a bracing conversation about authoritarian creep, advice on Democratic Party messaging, why the next few years could be rougher than anyone’s ready for–and why blind optimism is useless, but keeping hope alive can galvanize the American people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this heartfelt conversation, Katie sits down with the iconic Christie Brinkley or an intimate look at the moments that shaped her–from her bohemian days in Paris to the glitz of Studio 54, from the heights of modeling fame to unexpected heartbreak. With warmth, candor, and even a little singing, Christie opens up about a life lived in full technicolor--and now finally captured in her new memoir, Uptown GirlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Project 2025. Maybe you’ve heard whispers about it. Maybe you’ve rolled your eyes. But David A. Graham read the whole thing—and he sat down with Katie to break down why this isn’t just rhetoric – it’s a roadmap already in motion. From privatizing weather data to rewinding civil rights gains, this playbook for Trump 2.0 is more extreme—and more possible—than you might think. In this episode, Graham walks us through the wildest parts of the plan, the men behind it, and why his book The Project might just be the most important one you read this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, approximately 10,000 rare diseases collectively affect as many as 400 million people around the world, and women leaders have long been at the forefront of bringing awareness to these diseases and driving change. Katie Couric moderates a panel that includes Tania Simoncelli of Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, whose “Rare as One” campaign gives to rare disease researchers and support groups, Tara Zier who founded the Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation, Susan Dando of the Smith-Kingsmore Syndrome Foundation, and Dr. Christina Miyake, a researcher studying TANGO2 deficiency disorder. This panel will explore the resilience, determination, and ingenuity required to address the unique challenges in rare disease advocacy and research. Panelists will share their experiences in breaking barriers, leading patient-centered initiatives, and building collaborations that move the needle toward treatments and cures. #SponsoredbyCZISee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Comments (22)

EC Rob

An AD. For vitamins. #dobetter

Jul 28th
Reply

Lori

listening in 2025 ... odd how the conversation could be "today" too

Jun 22nd
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Lori

well damn .... episode cuts off at the end.

Mar 13th
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Lori

listening after the 2nd election. interesting that some of what's been said still holds after the 2024 election.

Nov 19th
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C muir

corrupt sex molesters.

Jan 31st
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Matt Huisenga

If you want to reinvigorate journalism, maybe start by not editing the comments of one of America's most important people when she spoke on one of the day's biggest issues. Just a suggestion

Oct 22nd
Reply

Izzy

I don’t disagree with much of what this kids says lmao I mean his “alt right” friends are basically right lmao this dude turned back into a snowflake, also nice way to focus on the right here because antics and black nationalists like Farrakhan don’t exist either... but it shouldn’t even be able parties there’s always loose cannons in all camps but you basically are saying all the stuff we have issues with is to blame because of right wing politics not biased at all here

Jan 10th
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Cate Adams

Not to mention that porn sites have SUPER violent cartoon / anime porn pop up "commercials".. extra enticing to young men. Horrible and non-consensual imagery, total rape culture. Very troubling. And all for free??? NOTHING IS FREE MAN!

Nov 22nd
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Shawn Fehr

Another one sided podcast hosting "professionals" with the same thought process as her. Why talk about an "epidemic" if you won't listen to both sides of the story? garbage!

Nov 19th
Reply (1)

Mandee Moore

Katie just absolutely nailed it! There does, in fact, need to be an entirely separated HR organization, that does not answer to the very company involved; being investigated! There is no way possible, that the very company being questioned, would not be under an umbrella of major bias and fear. Look at the shit show at Fox with Ailes. Those women were fucking terrified! Now all that has come out with NBC, CBS, the cover-ups and mistreatment of these already exploited women. The very way NBC treated, ousted, Ann Curry, allowing Matt Lauer's further ascension as well as his protection, is not only flat ass corrupt, but also an act of intimidation, and a move to silence and prevent women from coming forward. That was an extremely loud way to vocalize their position! If someone as prominent as Ann could be so easily disposed, then who of those underneath her could believe they had any chance of being believed or treated fairly?! How infuriating. The silence culture was, is, everywhere. We

Oct 23rd
Reply (3)

Gus PD

this podcast is made from the point of view of a moderately feminist person. I think is biasd and takes into consideration only the esperience of women that does not enjoy it. its like walking into a vegan restaurant and ask if they were asked to eat meat and finding out they did to try to fit in. In the past 3 years I dated 2 women. both told me "I like it rough" when we got intimate. I had seen videos but I had never done anything like it. I could have said no but I did not. was it consensual?

Oct 17th
Reply (1)

bani

since october 2018 Castbox does not show new episodes anymore 😕

Dec 4th
Reply (2)

Kinny Ramoeng

love Katie's singing

May 9th
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Drea Griffin

I don't think you needed to question Mona further about Minster Farrakhan. She was absolutely on point that he has been trying to uplift his people who do indeed deserve reparations which mainstream America refuses to address. NOI an offshoot of mainstream Islam that needs to considered in relation to African Americans rather than Muslims orArabs - don't confuse the two

Apr 26th
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Sal Posimato

This is a great podcast show. My name is Sal. . I have been a Katie Couric fan since she started on the today show. This podcast is a great show and is very entertaining and we'll performed. This show continues to show the intelligent and talented Katie Couric at her best. Every show she has ever done was terrific and this show is amazing too. This is why Katie Couric is a success.

Apr 25th
Reply