The Pulse Episode Archive
Quitting Antidepressants: From Withdrawal to Tapering One Step at a Time
Erica Gerard tried to find the right antidepressant for over two decades, one where the positive impact on her mood outweighed the debili ...
Air Date: August 14, 2026
Listen 49:29The Science of Imagination: Transforming How We Think, Feel, and Live
On this episode, psychologist Cassandra Vieten shares how imagination affects our health and our relationships with others.
Air Date: August 11, 2026
Listen 29:00Think Inside the Box: How Limits Fuel Creativity
A look at how constraints can fuel the creative process — and how too much freedom can do the opposite.
Air Date: August 7, 2026
Listen 24:12The Future of Pain Relief: Managing Chronic Pain, Laughing Gas and Safer Opioids
Exploring new research on the causes of — and potential solutions to — different kinds of pain.
Air Date: July 31, 2026
Listen 49:34Jet Lag, Cruise Outbreaks and Vacation Constipation: How to Deal with Travel Health Woes
An exploration of vacation health hazards, and how to keep them from wrecking your fun.
Air Date: July 24, 2026
Listen 49:34How Reliable Is Forensic Science? The Truth About Criminal Profiling and Investigations
How science is used in criminal investigations — and what happens when it’s not as reliable as we might think.
Air Date: July 17, 2026
Listen 49:34Chasing Wildlife: From the Golden Toad to Giant Elephants
Tales of adventure from the wild — in search of lost and elusive species.
Air Date: July 10, 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: July 3, 2026
Listen 50:07How 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 1:03:04The 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
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