The Pulse Episode Archive
1 in 4 American Adults Is a Caregiver. So Why Does It Feel So Lonely?
A look at the challenges of caregiving,, from changing relationships, to dealing with loneliness and burnout.
Air Date: March 13, 2026
Listen 49:51Already Forgotten About Your New Year’s Resolution? Here’s Why
We talk with productivity expert Chris Bailey about achieving goals, who says aligning them with our values is key.
Air Date: March 10, 2026
Listen 31:52Hello? From Bell’s First Call to Gen Z’s Telephobia: 150 Years of the Telephone
On the 150th anniversary of the world’s first call, we look back at how the telephone changed the world.
Air Date: March 6, 2026
Listen 49:39Beyond Anthropomorphism: The Science of Animal Emotions
We explore the inner lives of animals, from pain in lobsters to odd-couple friendships to empathy in baboons.
Air Date: February 27, 2026
Listen 49:34Revenge Feels Great — But the Cost is High
We talk with lawyer-turned-researcher James Kimmel about his book, "The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction — and How to Overcome It."
Air Date: February 20, 2026
Listen 49:18Will My Doctor Be a Bot? AI and the Future of Medicine
Physician and author Robert Wachter joins us to discuss what AI-powered health care will look like in the near future.
Air Date: February 18, 2026
Listen 37:33Finding Your Match: The Science of Love and Attraction
We take a look at the science of love — from what fuels attraction, to the “secret sauce” of compatibility.
Air Date: February 13, 2026
Listen 49:34Closing the Gap: Improving Health Outcomes for Black Americans
Why Black Americans suffer worse health outcomes, and past and present efforts to fight those disparities.
Air Date: February 6, 2026
Listen 49:34From 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: January 30, 2026
Listen 49:34Challenger at 40: How the Disaster Shaped the Future of NASA
We remember NASA's Challenger disaster: What led up to the mission, what went wrong, and its lasting impact.
Air Date: January 27, 2026
Listen 37:45Triumph, Tragedy and Ennui: Three NASA Missions That Shaped the Future of Space Exploration
We look back at the first spacecraft landing on Mars in 1976, the Challenger tragedy in 1986, and the long-game Pluto mission launched in 2006.
Air Date: January 23, 2026
Listen 50:29The Weird Menopause Symptoms No One Ever Told You About — And How to Treat Them
We take a deep dive into perimenopause and menopause – and the latest research on how to manage and treat symptoms.
Air Date: January 16, 2026
Listen 49:34From Soy to Carbs: How Food can Ease Menopause Symptoms
Registered Dietitian Jenn Salib Huber explains how to get the best nutrition during menopause.
Air Date: January 13, 2026
Listen 48:51Engineering 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: January 9, 2026
Listen 49:43We explore what researchers are learning about the connections between noise, hearing loss, and our well-being.
Air Date: January 2, 2026
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