The Pulse Archive
From Buzz to Burnout: How Alcohol Affects the Brain and Body
We explore our relationship with alcohol — why we consume it, how it affects us, and when it’s time to quit.
Air Date: July 3, 2026
Listen 50:07A planet, an observatory and the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence
A lost Philadelphia observatory once used to track the transit of Venus may be the place where the Declaration of Independence was read publicly for the first time.
2 days ago
Listen 10:50How Science and Ingenuity Built Early America
On this episode, we commemorate America's 250th anniversary, and we explore how science and innovation helped build a new nation.
Air Date: June 25, 2026
Listen 1:03:04‘Pepper pot soup slam’: 3 chefs reimagine one of the first American street foods
Pepper pot soup was known as a survival meal during the American Revolutionary War, but the stew's African and Caribbean roots are often overlooked.
1 week ago
Listen 15:36The Body Remembers: Exploring the Invisible Wounds Left by Serious Illness
A look at the lingering effects of serious medical events, and what true healing really means.
Air Date: June 19, 2026
Listen 49:34You’ve Heard of ‘Dad Bod’ But How About ‘Dad Brain?’
On this Father's Day special, researcher Darby Saxbe talks about her new book, “Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men’s Lives.”
Air Date: June 16, 2026
Listen 41:57How Music Shapes Memory, Emotion, and Imagination
What “musical daydreaming” is, and why it’s good for our brains.
Air Date: June 12, 2026
Listen 49:34When Healthcare Meets the Law: Abortion, Cannabis, and Corporate Medicine
From abortion to medical marijuana, a look at how politics and the law impact our healthcare
Air Date: June 5, 2026
Listen 49:34Engineering Happiness into our Daily Lives
A look at the science of designing a happier life — from reverse-engineering joy to moments of serendipity.
Air Date: May 29, 2026
Listen 49:34The Strange Science of Color — And Our Quest to Understand It
We explore the world of color — from how we perceive it, to efforts to describe and differentiate its many shades.
Air Date: May 21, 2026
Listen 49:28What It Takes to Survive a Disaster
When disaster strikes and the chips are down, who makes it out alive?
Air Date: May 15, 2026
Listen 49:34A look at the transformations brought by motherhood, from how it rewires the brain to changing our sense of self.
Air Date: May 7, 2026
Listen 49:34Healing with Psychedelics: Veterans, PTSD, and the Science of Mind-Altering Drugs
Why psychedelics are gaining ground as powerful mental health treatments, and the science behind how they work.
Air Date: April 30, 2026
Listen 49:34Gallup polls show American support for nuclear energy has not been this high in more than a decade.
2 months ago
Listen 12:3040 Years after Chernobyl: What caused the disaster — and how it changed nuclear energy
Forty years later, a look back at what caused the Chernobyl disaster, and its continued impact on nuclear safety.
Air Date: April 23, 2026
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