The Pulse Episode Archive

We explore modern attempts at real-life utopias.

On this episode, we take you behind the waiting room doors, to learn about some of the behind-the-scenes challenges of working in health care.

Skydiving, BASE jumping, climbing the highest peaks, adventuring to remote parts of the world — pushing the boundaries of safety. For t ...

We’ll look at freedom from different perspectives.

We unfold the never-before-told story of Earle and the classified operation that he was a part of, and explore the remnants of the atomic age and the waste it has left behind.

Health disparities between Black and white Americans run deep in the U.S. Black people are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions ...

We talk to social psychologist Brian Lowery about his new book “Selfless: The Social Creation of ‘You.’”

We explore those questions with writer Julia Keller, who examines the science — and potential benefits — of throwing in the towel in her new book.

After years in South Korea, NPR host Elise Hu reflects on Korean beauty culture and what it says about how we’ll look at ourselves and each other.

Humans have long been fascinated by the idea of communicating with other species — not just teaching animals to mimic human words, but ...

On this episode, we explore the mind-body connection.

We step outside the boundaries of Western medicine to explore those questions!

Moms are under constant pressure to do it all — and it takes a toll on their well-being. We explore the myth of the perfect mom.

Have you ever wanted to figure out when you’re the most focused? Or how your moods change throughout the day? How “fit” your brain ...

We explore the experience of rejection — what it feels like, how it functions, and the lessons we can draw from it.