How Audie Cornish Became a Legendary Journalist, Anchor and CNN Correspondent

Welcome to Second Life, a podcast spotlighting successful women who've made major career changes—and fearlessly mastered the pivot. Hosted by Hillary Kerr, co-founder and chief content officer at Who What Wear, each episode gives you a direct line to women who are game changers in their fields. Subscribe to Second Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts to stay tuned.

Audie Cornish has become an absolute powerhouse in broadcast journalism. Cornish has played an integral role in media throughout some of our country’s significant, history-making events. In 2001, Cornish’s esteemed career in journalism began at the Associated Press in Boston, just before the September 11 terrorist attacks. She then joined NPR’s National Desk in 2005, covering impactful events like Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath. She later joined the NPR politics team in Washington to cover the 2008 presidential race and the historic election of President Barack Obama. Impressively, in 2011, she was named host of Weekend Edition Sunday, and her work with David Isay’s StoryCorps 9/11 project earned her a George Peabody Award. 

Perhaps her most renowned position is her decade-long run as co-host of NPR’s flagship news program, All Things Considered, where she interviewed a dynamic range of subjects from stars such as Bruce Springsteen to political figures including former President Barack Obama to literary icons such as Ta-Nehisi Coates. She has undoubtedly had a profound and prolific career as a journalist, but earlier this year, she made a major career decision.

Today, Cornish is an anchor and correspondent for CNN, where she covers national, political, and breaking news and hosts a podcast for CNN Audio. Listen to the latest episode of Second Life to hear how Cornish has continued to evolve her career and how she is adapting to on-camera reporting.

Next: Meet Jessica Knoll: Best-Selling Author and Screenwriter of Luckiest Girl Alive