The Pulse Episode Archive
Inside the Boom of Urgent Care: How It’s Changing American Medicine
We take a look at the rapid rise of urgent care, what’s fueling it, and how it’s affecting patients
Air Date: April 3, 2026
Listen 47:56Why We Need to Talk About Poop
Neurogastroenterologist Trisha Pasricha tells us what’s shaping our bowel movements, and what that means for our health.
Air Date: April 1, 2026
Listen 44:17The Problem with Being Perfect: How Unrealistic Standards Hurt Our Minds and Bodies
A look at what causes perfectionism, how it affects our lives and health, and how we can escape its grip.
Air Date: March 27, 2026
Listen 49:54Unearthing the Hidden Stories of Women Scientists
A look at several great women in science — and why so many of them, and their contributions, have been forgotten.
Air Date: March 20, 2026
Listen 49:341 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
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