The Pulse Episode Archive

Forty years later, a look back at what caused the Chernobyl disaster, and its continued impact on nuclear safety.

A discussion with NPR’s Michaeleen Doucleff about dopamine, and escaping the vicious cycle of chasing pleasure.

Politicians see Greenland as an asset. Researchers say the island can teach us about the Earth’s past and future.

We take a look at the rapid rise of urgent care, what’s fueling it, and how it’s affecting patients

Neurogastroenterologist Trisha Pasricha tells us what’s shaping our bowel movements, and what that means for our health.

A look at what causes perfectionism, how it affects our lives and health, and how we can escape its grip.

A look at several great women in science — and why so many of them, and their contributions, have been forgotten.

A look at the challenges of caregiving,, from changing relationships, to dealing with loneliness and burnout.

We talk with productivity expert Chris Bailey about achieving goals, who says aligning them with our values is key.

On the 150th anniversary of the world’s first call, we look back at how the telephone changed the world.

We explore the inner lives of animals, from pain in lobsters to odd-couple friendships to empathy in baboons.

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."

Physician and author Robert Wachter joins us to discuss what AI-powered health care will look like in the near future.

We take a look at the science of love — from what fuels attraction, to the “secret sauce” of compatibility.

Why Black Americans suffer worse health outcomes, and past and present efforts to fight those disparities.