What About Your Friends?

How your social circle affects aging. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( September 23, 2023 You'll want to share today's newsletter with pal: We spoke to aging experts about [how your friendships affect the length of your life](, and the findings are truly fascinating. And from friends to family, we're also exploring [whether birth order predetermines our personalities](. Then we'll forecast [the next decade of cancer research](, share [my current favorite things](, and give you a heads up about [the pillow that's been trending online](. Read on!   What About Your Friends? [Photo illustration of a round alarm clock filled interlocking arms]( KCM/Getty Images Loneliness is never a particularly pleasant feeling — but can it actually kill you? We spoke to leading longevity experts to better understand the biological connections between social isolation and health. In the process, we learned some stunning information about [what really happens to your social life as you age](, and why our cultural perception of seniors and loneliness is so profoundly misunderstood. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fhealth%2Faging%2Fhow-loneliness-affects-aging%2F   More Stories [Alex Murdaugh]( Orange County Sheriff’s Office / KCM Still not over: The scandalous saga of convicted murder Alex Murdaugh is so twisted that you might think you've seen it all by now, but [he just admitted guilt in a new crime]( — and he'll have to pay $9 million in damages as a result. Dressed down: Congress has all sorts of important business on the agenda, including an impending government shutdown, but here's [why Senators spent the week arguing about fashion](. Next in line: Rupert Murdoch sent shockwaves through the media industry with news that he's handing over the reins of Fox Corp. and News Corp. to his son Lachlan, and we've got the scoop on [how the change in leadership could impact Fox News](. Reunited and it feels so good: Speaking of TV, a blast from the past is coming back to our screens very soon. We'll tell you [everything you need to know about the return of Frasier](.   Life-Saving Science [A scientist looks into a microscope]( Shutterstock Tomorrow is World Cancer Research Day, and we're marking the occasion by chatting with leading oncologist Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee, who discusses [the most promising breakthroughs in cancer treatment](, the research areas that need better funding, and which medical advancements could be just around the corner. [READ MORE](   I'm Obsessed! [Katie Couric harvesting tomatoes from her garden; Katie Couric with Stanley Tucci]( Harvesting tomatoes from my garden, and hanging with Stanley Tucci! (KCM) There's so much I'm excited to share with you in this week's list of [what I'm loving the most right now](! I got the scoop on what to wear this fall, had a delightful chat with Stanley Tucci, and whipped up an incredible gazpacho — which included a blender disaster that you've got to see for yourself... [READ MORE]( P.S.: Today's newsletter comes to you from Austin, Texas, where I'm spending the weekend at the Texas Tribune Festival! In just a few hours (at 12 p.m. Eastern, to be exact), I'm interviewing former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords and Sen. Mark Kelly about our gun violence epidemic, and you can [watch it live right here](.   Saturday Spotlight [Illustration of a picture frame filled with the silhouettes of family members]( All in the Family If you've got siblings, you'll be fascinated by this look at whether birth order really affects the personality traits that make us who we are. [Read More »]( [Jennifer Aniston over a background of eggs]( A Better Breakfast Wake up like an A-lister with Jennifer Aniston's super-simple hack for the most delicious oatmeal you've ever had. [Read More »]( [Illustration of a tree, with half the leaves lush and green and half with bare branches]( Words of Wisdom The author of one of Wake-Up Callers' favorite books shares a moving lesson on what thinking about death can teach us about life. [Read More »](   Ask an Expert Clinical psychologist and renowned parenting whisperer Dr. Becky Kennedy just gave an eye-opening TED Talk that everyone should see. It's all about h[ow to repair conflict with your child](, but you don't have to be the parent of a youngster (or even a parent at all) to appreciate this invaluable advice. [READ MORE](   A Revolution in Rest [A pillow stuffed with buckwheat hulls]( Sweet Zzz Sick of mornings being a literal pain in your neck? We've found the solution you've been searching for: [a unique pillow that supercharges your sleep](. It's stuffed with buckwheat hulls, a vegan material that's been used in Japan for centuries, thanks to the way it naturally cools and provides ample support for your head. (But if buckwheat isn't your thing, there's [a stellar plant-based version](, too.) [SHOP HERE](   Sweater Weather It's the first day of autumn, which means we've got the official green light to shop for wonderful knitwear without seasonal guilt. And it's as if the good people at Nordstrom Rack read our minds, because [these discounted designer sweaters]( are exactly what we're looking for. Want to see more of our favorite fall discoveries? Tomorrow's edition of The Shop Edit is packed with the pieces we've been adding to our carts, and you'll be the first to know if you [subscribe right here](.   One More Thing [A woman's hands putting a pan of food into the oven]( Home Chef Tired of the endless cycle of recipe hunting and grocery shopping? Let’s not even mention the surplus of ingredients that often go to waste. Luckily for you, Home Chef helps simplify cooking by delivering chef-designed dishes — and all the pre-portioned ingredients you’ll need to make them — directly to your doorstep. For a limited time, Wake-Up Callers can [get 50% off your first 4 boxes with promo code KCM19](. (That’s 19 free meals!) [TRY IT HERE]( [Sponsored by Home Chef](   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.](   Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you next week! 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