The Pulse

The Pulse The Pulse brings you stories about the people and places at the heart of health and science. The Pulse features in-depth reports on health and science issues.

You can download our podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pulse/id772127662?mt=2

You can tune into The Pulse at these stations:-WHYY 90.9 FM Philadelphia region, PAFriday at 9AM and Sunday at 10AM-WITF 89.5 FM Harrisburg, PAFriday at 7PM -KCUR 89.3 FM Kansas City, MOSunday at 7PM

Find all of our stories at whyy.org/thepulse

Our staff:
Maiken Scott, host
Lindsay Lazarski, pro

ducer
Xavier Lopez, associate producer
Jad Sleiman, reporter
Liz Tung, reporter
Alan Yu, reporter
Sojourner Ahébée – Health Equity Fellow

Have a story idea? Send it to: [email protected]

For many veterans, the toughest battles start after the uniform comes off. Ahead of Veterans Day,  we explore healing af...
11/07/2025

For many veterans, the toughest battles start after the uniform comes off.

Ahead of Veterans Day, we explore healing after war on our new episode — from a psychedelic treatment in Mexico to molding ceramic mugs.

On this Veterans Day episode, we explore healing after combat — from a psychedelic treatment in Mexico to making ceramic mugs.

Americans have lost more than $16.6 billion to cybercrime, and it's still more challenging than ever to sniff out an onl...
11/03/2025

Americans have lost more than $16.6 billion to cybercrime, and it's still more challenging than ever to sniff out an online scam.

That's why it's never a bad time to check out our episode on cybercrime and how scammers prey on the rest of us.

We hear about the virus that ushered in the age of social engineering attacks, the history of cybercrime, and what led one man to become a hacker.

It's Halloween — a time when we celebrate the unknown.  But what about the scientists who once studied it? Reporter Nich...
10/31/2025

It's Halloween — a time when we celebrate the unknown. But what about the scientists who once studied it?

Reporter Nichole Currie tells the story of an old research lab at UCLA that studied ghosts, psychics, and auras.

In the 1970s, UCLA housed The Parapsychology Lab, which became a haven for those with psychic abilities and the researchers who studied them.

In Boyertown, PA, artist Charlee Heinz turns bones from forest finds into meaningful artwork that explores death and bea...
10/30/2025

In Boyertown, PA, artist Charlee Heinz turns bones from forest finds into meaningful artwork that explores death and beauty.

Lise Peet reports ⬇️

In Boyertown, PA, artist Charlee Heinz turns bones from forest finds into meaningful artwork that explores death and beauty.

Coca-Cola rolled out a cane sugar version of its classic soda after President Donald Trump urged the corporation to do s...
10/29/2025

Coca-Cola rolled out a cane sugar version of its classic soda after President Donald Trump urged the corporation to do so — but debates around the sweetening ingredient in Coke are decades old.

On this podcast extra, we talk with journalist Murray Carpenter, author of Sweet and Deadly: How Coca-Cola Spreads Disinformation and Makes Us Sick.

Coca-Cola’s rise to global brand domination, and how the company influenced our habits and perceptions along the way.

Do you believe in ghosts 👻?  It's okay if the answer is yes.  Almost 40 percent of people believe ghosts are real — but ...
10/29/2025

Do you believe in ghosts 👻? It's okay if the answer is yes. Almost 40 percent of people believe ghosts are real — but some go as far as to prove or disprove the existence of paranormal phenomena.

In time for Halloween, our latest episode explores efforts to study paranormal activity and the people who dedicate their time to it.

From ghosts to ESP, a look at paranormal phenomena and the investigators who chase them.

Last night we gathered for an insightful evening around the topic of Menopause!A transition that affects so many of us, ...
10/22/2025

Last night we gathered for an insightful evening around the topic of Menopause!

A transition that affects so many of us, and yet it can be a challenge to get good, clear information to help us navigate symptoms and feel our best. Maiken Scott of WHYY's The Pulse hosted a valuable discussion on the latest menopause science, and our lobby was filled with resource tables and good conversation!

For more great events like this one, visit whyy.org/events

The number of urgent care centers in the U.S. have doubled, from more than 7,000 to more than 14,000 over the last decad...
10/20/2025

The number of urgent care centers in the U.S. have doubled, from more than 7,000 to more than 14,000 over the last decade or so.

Alan Yu reports why ⬇️

The number of urgent care centers in the U.S. have doubled, from more than 7,000 to more than 14,000 over the last decade or so.

If it feels like urgent care centers are everywhere these days — that’s because they are. On this episode, we explore th...
10/17/2025

If it feels like urgent care centers are everywhere these days — that’s because they are.

On this episode, we explore the rapid rise of urgent care, what’s fueling it, and how it’s affecting care.

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

Explore the newest science on menopause - symptom management, treatment options, and practical insights from the region'...
10/16/2025

Explore the newest science on menopause - symptom management, treatment options, and practical insights from the region's leading experts in conversation with The Pulse's Maiken Scott.

Enjoy light refreshments, visit resource tables, and bring your questions for our panel!

Tickets are free: https://support.whyy.org/page/87880/event/1

What if cures for rare diseases already exist — just waiting to be found?In this podcast extra, meet Dr. David Fajgenbau...
10/15/2025

What if cures for rare diseases already exist — just waiting to be found?

In this podcast extra, meet Dr. David Fajgenbaum, who not only discovered his own treatment for Castleman Disease but is now using AI to repurpose existing drugs to help others.

What if treatments or even cures for devastating rare diseases already existed — and were just waiting to be discovered? On this podcast extra, we dive into the extraordinary journey of physician and researcher David Fajgenbaum, cofounder of Every Cure. After facing death five times due to a rare ...

We often view screen time as a mental break, but it may actually have the opposite effect.On this episode, the science b...
10/10/2025

We often view screen time as a mental break, but it may actually have the opposite effect.

On this episode, the science behind why “touching grass” is actually good advice when it comes to restoring focus.

Why “touching grass” is actually good advice when it comes to taking a break and restoring focus.

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