The Pulse

01/09/2026

Should you wait for happiness or create it with intention?

A look at the science of designing a happier life — from reverse-engineering joy to moments of serendipity.

Podcast Episode · The Pulse · 01/08/2026 · 50m

01/02/2026

Need some time to wind down from the holiday season — some peace and quiet?

Learn how much noise affects our health by listening to one of our favorite episodes.

Podcast Episode · The Pulse · 01/01/2026 · 50m

12/29/2025

As the Holiday season continues, enjoy one of our favorite episodes!

On this episode, a look back at the cut-throat competition that led to the historic unveiling of the decoded human genome.

A look back at the cut-throat competition that led to the historic unveiling of the decoded human genome.

12/22/2025

Joy Lisi Rankin’s mother wanted to live her life on her own terms. So her decision to not pursue treatment for her breast cancer caused a stir in their family and among medical professionals.

On this episode of The Pulse, we explore patient autonomy and how these choices impact our health: https://whyy.org/episodes/when-should-patients-decide-for-themselves/

12/19/2025

Health data shows that Latinos are becoming especially vulnerable to diabetes, but why?

Check out how Reporter Lionel Ramos' investigation into the risk became a personal wake-up call about his own health.

How a reporter began to investigate diabetes risk, and along the way, made a startling discovery about his own health.

12/19/2025

As patients, we often wonder what our role should be when it comes to getting better. Should we research options, get second opinions? Or should we let the health care professionals take charge?

On this episode, we explore patient autonomy and how our choices impact our health.

Stories about patient autonomy, and what happens when self-advocacy overrides the opinions of doctors.

12/12/2025

In 1973, psychologist David Rosenhan published a paper about a bold experiment: Instructing volunteers — pseudo patients — to get admitted to a psychiatric hospital by pretending to hear voices. The experiment would test how accurate diagnoses were.

On this episode, journalist Susannah Cahalan tracks down those patients and her results are unbelievable.

A look at what happens when searching for the truth is personal - and the answers are not what we expected.

12/11/2025

Over 50 years ago, a psychologist sent several healthy volunteers undercover into psychiatric hospitals. The unusual study tested how accurate diagnoses were.

But who were these mysterious “pseudopatients”?

Journalist Susannah Cahalan looked into it ⬇️

Investigative reporter Susannah Cahalan set out to find eight pseudo patients who'd participated in the "Rosenhan Experiment."

12/05/2025

Neil Shea’s first trip to the Arctic in 2005 was filled with awe — from white wolves to Indigenous ways of life. When a warming climate began to threaten the region, he had to return.

On this episode, we talk Arctic adventures and Neil’s new book, Frostlines: A Journey Through Entangled Lives and Landscapes in a Warming Arctic.

Writer Neil Shea gives us a look at the transcendent beauty of life in the Arctic — and how climate change is threatening its survival.

12/01/2025

Thanksgiving may be over, but that warm feeling we get from being with family and friends doesn’t have to be.

On this new episode, we explore what research says about prioritizing relationships and why our brains need connection.

What new research shows about why relationships matter, and how to prioritize them amid life’s competing demands.

11/21/2025

Counting carbs this Thanksgiving? Good luck😅

But what if researchers told you that demonizing an entire food group doesn’t really help as much as you think?

On this new episode, the science of our food choices.

Ahead of Thanksgiving, we take a look at new nutrition research, and what we should — and shouldn’t — be eating.

11/19/2025

These days, it's not uncommon for people to be accused of using AI to write an email or maybe a well-thought-out post on Reddit.

But why does detecting AI in writing infuriate people, and how can you avoid sounding like a chatbot? Liz Tung reports ⬇️

Top signs from researchers that something was written by AI, and how to avoid sounding like a chatbot yourself.