The Pulse Episode Archive

We explore efforts to communicate with other species, from plants and animals to extraterrestrial life.

From new technologies to our fight against climate change, we look at what it takes to create the future.

Origin stories connect us to the past and speak to what shaped us. On this episode, we’ll listen back to some of our favorite origin stories.

A look at how music affects our brains, and its power to treat illnesses ranging from Parkinson’s to depression.

We turn to first responders during emergencies — but who’s looking out for them? Understanding the mental and physical toll their work takes on their health.

Why are we so outraged all the time? We explore how outrage connects to fear and perceived harm.

How AI-generated language is changing the world — from how we communicate, to what it means to be human.

We take a look at giftedness — how it’s defined, who qualifies as gifted, and how our understanding of giftedness is changing.

We talk with experts ranging from food scientists to ER docs about how to avoid common Thanksgiving disasters.

We look at the threats facing trees around the world, along with new efforts to save them — and help them survive and thrive.

We explore the field of biomimicry, and how everyone from architects to engineers to medical researchers are drawing inspiration from nature.

As the days grow shorter, we take a look at how changes to our circadian clocks affect our health.

Ahead of the election, we look at how politics is affecting everything from health care to scientific progress.

Fear is about survival, but it can also feel fun. We explore our complicated relationship with fear.

Sometimes, we’re just mad. So mad, that anger becomes like a wrecking ball that can ruin relationships and careers. We’ll find out how to express anger in healthy ways.