I'm a CNN anchor and senior analyst. I start my day with a 2 a.m. wake-up and end it fighting to stay awake for my kids.
CNN anchor Audie Cornish details her demanding daily routine, which begins at 2 a.m. to prepare for her morning news show. The essay provides insight into the logistical and personal challenges of high-level broadcast journalism.
Why it matters
It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the labor-intensive nature of modern media production and the personal sacrifices required for high-profile broadcasting roles.
Audie Cornish. CNN This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Audie Cornish, the 46-year-old CNN senior analyst and anchor of "CNN This Morning with Audie Cornish," and the co-host of the network's podcast "Engagement Party." Cornish is based in Washington, DC. The following has been edited for length and clarity. I joined NPR in 2006 and began hosting the "Weekend Edition" Sunday show in 2011 before co-hosting "All Things Considered" during the 2012 election year. I've been at CNN since 2022, and I started hosting "CNN This Morning" in 2025. I'm an analyst, which means I show up on election night and talk about what's going on. I'm also an anchor of a morning news show that airs at 6 a.m., and a podcaster. My new show, "Engagement Party," is co-hosted by my friend Ari Shapiro . I wear a lot of hats.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in