The Pulse
Go on an adventure into unexpected corners of the health and science world each week with award-winning host Maiken Scott. The Pulse takes you behind the doors of operating rooms, into the lab with some of the world's foremost scientists, and back in time to explore life-changing innovations. The Pulse delivers stories in ways that matter to you, and answers questions you never knew you had.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 48 minutes
- Episodes
- 151
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Mars Mania: How America Became Obsessed with Mars
We think of Martians as belonging to the realm of sci-fi — but in the early 1900s, a radical idea swept the nation, scientists included: that Martians weren’t only real, they were intelligent beings …
00:49:34 |
Thu 04 Sep 2025
Why It’s Time to Rethink Productivity
It seems like we’re all constantly striving to be more productive — to find the right hacks or systems or habits that will allow us to squeeze more from our days. But is maximum productivity really …
00:49:34 |
Thu 28 Aug 2025
Back to School in a Rapidly Changing World
It’s back-to-school time, which, for millions of families across the country, means a return to bedtimes, shopping for school supplies, and frantic efforts by kids to finish their summer reading. On …
00:49:30 |
Thu 21 Aug 2025
How Scientists Discovered Legionnaires' Disease
In the summer of 1976, when 2,000 people came to Philadelphia for a national convention of the American Legion, a strange illness gripped hundreds of attendees, and more than 30 people died. Symptoms…
00:26:32 |
Fri 15 Aug 2025
Protecting the People Who Grow Our Food
Farming is a tough gig — physically, and mentally. And it’s only gotten harder in recent years, with the impact of climate change and a shifting political and economic landscape. On this episode, we…
00:49:34 |
Thu 14 Aug 2025
How Noise Affects Our Health
We live in a noisy world — from the din of busy restaurants, to the roar of traffic, to the clamor of partying neighbors. We’ll explore what researchers are learning about the connections between noi…
00:49:34 |
Thu 07 Aug 2025
I Survived — Now What?
On this episode, we explore the stories of people who survived extraordinary trials, from life-threatening illnesses to assault, and ask what came after survival. We’ll hear what it’s like to survive…
00:44:31 |
Thu 31 Jul 2025
When Organ Donation Goes Wrong
More than a hundred thousand people in the U.S. are on the national transplant list waiting for a life-saving organ. Hospitals across the country transplant more than 45,000 organs each year and ther…
00:35:48 |
Wed 30 Jul 2025
Untangling Shame and Its Effects On Our Health
Shame has a way of making us feel alone — like we’re the only ones in the world struggling with something. It can make us withdraw or feel depressed, out of control, and helpless. In the worst cases,…
00:49:34 |
Thu 24 Jul 2025
The Inner Workings of the Oceans
What comes to mind when you think of the ocean? Maybe a day at the beach — swimming in the waves, snorkeling through coral reefs, fishing, surfing, and sunsets that kiss the blue horizon. But Earth’s…
00:49:34 |
Thu 17 Jul 2025
Finding Your Body’s Sleep Rhythm
We often think of sleep as the gas that keeps us running. We refuel at night — or whenever we can — run around all day until our tanks are empty, and then do it all over again the next day. But some …
00:49:34 |
Thu 10 Jul 2025
The Big Chill and the Future of Refrigeration
We’ve only been able to harness the cold for our benefit for a little over 100 years, but innovations like refrigeration and air conditioning have completely transformed the way we live and eat. But …
00:49:29 |
Thu 03 Jul 2025
Inside the Dramatic Race to Decode the Human Genome
Twenty-five years ago, President Bill Clinton announced a historic achievement: The completion of the first-ever survey of the human genome. The ceremony focused on the power of unity and collaborati…
00:49:34 |
Thu 26 Jun 2025
Why Friends Are Good for Your Brain
Friends make us laugh, they have our back, we share memories and stories. Beyond that, scientists are learning that friendships are key in keeping us healthy and thriving. On this episode, we explore…
00:49:34 |
Thu 19 Jun 2025
Why We’re Hardwired for Revenge
When someone wrongs us, getting revenge can feel like the only right move — the only way for us to balance the scales, to set the world right again. But the consequences can be disastrous, especially…
00:49:34 |
Thu 12 Jun 2025
Exploring the Secrets of Human Creativity
Creativity plays a role in every facet of our lives, from childhood education, to everyday problem-solving, to the artistic works we enjoy and the innovations shaping our future. We explore what huma…
00:49:10 |
Thu 05 Jun 2025
Sharks — From Fear to Fascination
Before dinosaurs, before trees — even before Saturn had its rings – there were sharks. The fierce predators have been swimming in our oceans for hundreds of millions of years, standing the test of ti…
00:48:54 |
Thu 29 May 2025
What It Takes to Prove the Truth
We all want the truth — but how exactly do we know when something's true? Often, the answer relates to evidence or proof, something capable of convincing us and easing our doubts. But whether or not …
00:49:14 |
Thu 22 May 2025
Cybercrime and How Hackers Prey on Human Nature
Cybercrime has been around for as long as computers have — but over the past 20 years, it's exploded into a global threat, with staggering financial, political, and even personal consequences. We hea…
00:54:26 |
Thu 15 May 2025
Lightening the Load of Motherhood
We often hear about the joys of motherhood — the incomparable sense of love, the magic of watching your kids discover the world, and the fulfillment of seeing them grow. But motherhood can also be a …
00:48:52 |
Thu 08 May 2025
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