The Pulse
@thepulse.whyy.org
The Pulse is a health and science show and podcast out of
WHYY, an NPR member station. You can find us wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/1hoExHK
WHYY, an NPR member station. You can find us wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/1hoExHK
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 with @kevinh-phd.bsky.social & @juliabelluz.bsky.social
bit.ly/49CYEpz
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 with @kevinh-phd.bsky.social & @juliabelluz.bsky.social
bit.ly/49CYEpz
What Science Says About How Much Our Food Choices Matter
Podcast Episode · The Pulse · 11/20/2025 · 50m
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
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 with @kevinh-phd.bsky.social & @juliabelluz.bsky.social
bit.ly/49CYEpz
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 with @kevinh-phd.bsky.social & @juliabelluz.bsky.social
bit.ly/49CYEpz
Reposted by The Pulse
Today on @thepulse.whyy.org, @juliabelluz.bsky.social and I discuss several popular topics in nutrition science that are covered in our book #FoodIntelligence:
whyy.org/episodes/wha...
whyy.org/episodes/wha...
What Science Says About How Much Our Food Choices Matter
Ahead of Thanksgiving, we take a look at new nutrition research, and what we should — and shouldn’t — be eating.
whyy.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Today on @thepulse.whyy.org, @juliabelluz.bsky.social and I discuss several popular topics in nutrition science that are covered in our book #FoodIntelligence:
whyy.org/episodes/wha...
whyy.org/episodes/wha...
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? Researchers weigh in.
whyy.org/segments/how...
But why does detecting AI in writing infuriate people, and how can you avoid sounding like a chatbot? Researchers weigh in.
whyy.org/segments/how...
How not to be mistaken for a chatbot
Top signs from researchers that something was written by AI, and how to avoid sounding like a chatbot yourself.
whyy.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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? Researchers weigh in.
whyy.org/segments/how...
But why does detecting AI in writing infuriate people, and how can you avoid sounding like a chatbot? Researchers weigh in.
whyy.org/segments/how...
Having a bad dream or a nightmare can seem like an inevitable part of sleep — out of our control. But, does it have to be that way?
On this podcast extra, researcher Michelle Carr discusses dream engineering and her new book, Nightmare Obscura.
bit.ly/3LJGl8a
On this podcast extra, researcher Michelle Carr discusses dream engineering and her new book, Nightmare Obscura.
bit.ly/3LJGl8a
How to 'Engineer' Your Dreams and End Nightmares
Podcast Episode · The Pulse · 11/17/2025 · 32m
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Having a bad dream or a nightmare can seem like an inevitable part of sleep — out of our control. But, does it have to be that way?
On this podcast extra, researcher Michelle Carr discusses dream engineering and her new book, Nightmare Obscura.
bit.ly/3LJGl8a
On this podcast extra, researcher Michelle Carr discusses dream engineering and her new book, Nightmare Obscura.
bit.ly/3LJGl8a
Reposted by The Pulse
"They have brilliantly associated themselves with ... good times, happiness, and fun."
@murray-journo.bsky.social and @thepulse.whyy.org discuss how Coca-Cola has influenced consumer habits & perceptions:
@murray-journo.bsky.social and @thepulse.whyy.org discuss how Coca-Cola has influenced consumer habits & perceptions:
Coca-Cola and a Secret Research Operation Meant to Exonerate Sugar
Coca-Cola’s rise to global brand domination, and how the company influenced our habits and perceptions along the way.
whyy.org
November 6, 2025 at 11:05 PM
"They have brilliantly associated themselves with ... good times, happiness, and fun."
@murray-journo.bsky.social and @thepulse.whyy.org discuss how Coca-Cola has influenced consumer habits & perceptions:
@murray-journo.bsky.social and @thepulse.whyy.org discuss how Coca-Cola has influenced consumer habits & perceptions:
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.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
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.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
November 3, 2025 at 2:46 PM
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.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
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.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
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.
🔗 whyy.org/segments/the...
Reporter Nichole Currie tells the story of an old research lab at UCLA that studied ghosts, psychics, and auras.
🔗 whyy.org/segments/the...
Psychics, ghosts, auras, and the UCLA research lab that studied it all
In the 1970s, UCLA housed The Parapsychology Lab, which became a haven for those with psychic abilities and the researchers who studied them.
whyy.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:46 PM
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.
🔗 whyy.org/segments/the...
Reporter Nichole Currie tells the story of an old research lab at UCLA that studied ghosts, psychics, and auras.
🔗 whyy.org/segments/the...
In Boyertown, PA, artist Charlee Heinz turns bones from forest finds into meaningful artwork that explores death and beauty.
Lise Peet reports 🔗 whyy.org/segments/ani...
Lise Peet reports 🔗 whyy.org/segments/ani...
Animal skulls and bones get a second life in the art works of Boyertown creator
In Boyertown, PA, artist Charlee Heinz turns bones from forest finds into meaningful artwork that explores death and beauty.
whyy.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:28 PM
In Boyertown, PA, artist Charlee Heinz turns bones from forest finds into meaningful artwork that explores death and beauty.
Lise Peet reports 🔗 whyy.org/segments/ani...
Lise Peet reports 🔗 whyy.org/segments/ani...
Coca-Cola rolled out a cane sugar version of its soda after Trump urged the corporation to do so — but debates around the sweetener in Coke are decades old.
On this podcast extra, we talk about this with journalist
@murray-journo.bsky.social, author of Sweet and Deadly.
🔗 bit.ly/4ofqexy
On this podcast extra, we talk about this with journalist
@murray-journo.bsky.social, author of Sweet and Deadly.
🔗 bit.ly/4ofqexy
October 29, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Coca-Cola rolled out a cane sugar version of its soda after Trump urged the corporation to do so — but debates around the sweetener in Coke are decades old.
On this podcast extra, we talk about this with journalist
@murray-journo.bsky.social, author of Sweet and Deadly.
🔗 bit.ly/4ofqexy
On this podcast extra, we talk about this with journalist
@murray-journo.bsky.social, author of Sweet and Deadly.
🔗 bit.ly/4ofqexy
Nearly 4 in 10 Americans say ghosts are real. Some even search for proof.
On this episode, a look at paranormal phenomena and the investigators who chase them.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this episode, a look at paranormal phenomena and the investigators who chase them.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
October 24, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Nearly 4 in 10 Americans say ghosts are real. Some even search for proof.
On this episode, a look at paranormal phenomena and the investigators who chase them.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this episode, a look at paranormal phenomena and the investigators who chase them.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
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 ⬇️
whyy.org/segments/why...
Alan Yu reports why ⬇️
whyy.org/segments/why...
Why urgent care clinics, once derided as ‘doc in a box,’ have spread like wildfire
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.
whyy.org
October 20, 2025 at 3:24 PM
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 ⬇️
whyy.org/segments/why...
Alan Yu reports why ⬇️
whyy.org/segments/why...
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.
🔗 bit.ly/4onrRZx
On this episode, we explore the rapid rise of urgent care, what’s fueling it, and how it’s affecting care.
🔗 bit.ly/4onrRZx
October 17, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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.
🔗 bit.ly/4onrRZx
On this episode, we explore the rapid rise of urgent care, what’s fueling it, and how it’s affecting care.
🔗 bit.ly/4onrRZx
What if cures for rare diseases already exist — just waiting to be found?
On this podcast extra, meet @davidfajgenbaum.bsky.social, who not only discovered his own treatment for Castleman Disease, but is now using AI to repurpose existing drugs to help others. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this podcast extra, meet @davidfajgenbaum.bsky.social, who not only discovered his own treatment for Castleman Disease, but is now using AI to repurpose existing drugs to help others. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
October 15, 2025 at 8:04 PM
What if cures for rare diseases already exist — just waiting to be found?
On this podcast extra, meet @davidfajgenbaum.bsky.social, who not only discovered his own treatment for Castleman Disease, but is now using AI to repurpose existing drugs to help others. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this podcast extra, meet @davidfajgenbaum.bsky.social, who not only discovered his own treatment for Castleman Disease, but is now using AI to repurpose existing drugs to help others. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
About 10 years ago, writer Kim Frank set out to learn why wild Asian elephants were trampling people in India.
After many trips overseas and meeting an Indian Princess, Kim eventually revealed a complex human-wildlife conflict.
Listen to Kim's story ⬇️
whyy.org/segments/cha...
After many trips overseas and meeting an Indian Princess, Kim eventually revealed a complex human-wildlife conflict.
Listen to Kim's story ⬇️
whyy.org/segments/cha...
Chasing giants: One writer’s journey to bring nuance to India’s wild elephant conflict
About 10 years ago, writer Kim Frank set out to learn why wild elephants were trampling people in India. She revealed a complex human-wildlife conflict.
whyy.org
October 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
About 10 years ago, writer Kim Frank set out to learn why wild Asian elephants were trampling people in India.
After many trips overseas and meeting an Indian Princess, Kim eventually revealed a complex human-wildlife conflict.
Listen to Kim's story ⬇️
whyy.org/segments/cha...
After many trips overseas and meeting an Indian Princess, Kim eventually revealed a complex human-wildlife conflict.
Listen to Kim's story ⬇️
whyy.org/segments/cha...
Mysteries of the wild often pull scientists from labs to mountaintops, forests, and far-off places.
On this episode, a quest for the vanished golden toad, a journey to find wild Asian elephants, and a look at the global wildlife trade’s impact.
🔗 bit.ly/48MvBPI
On this episode, a quest for the vanished golden toad, a journey to find wild Asian elephants, and a look at the global wildlife trade’s impact.
🔗 bit.ly/48MvBPI
October 3, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Mysteries of the wild often pull scientists from labs to mountaintops, forests, and far-off places.
On this episode, a quest for the vanished golden toad, a journey to find wild Asian elephants, and a look at the global wildlife trade’s impact.
🔗 bit.ly/48MvBPI
On this episode, a quest for the vanished golden toad, a journey to find wild Asian elephants, and a look at the global wildlife trade’s impact.
🔗 bit.ly/48MvBPI
Despite major advances in understanding how genetics, lifestyle, and environment shape health, it remains a mystery why similar patients can have such different outcomes.
On this episode, we discuss what factors shape health, disease, and survival.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this episode, we discuss what factors shape health, disease, and survival.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
September 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Despite major advances in understanding how genetics, lifestyle, and environment shape health, it remains a mystery why similar patients can have such different outcomes.
On this episode, we discuss what factors shape health, disease, and survival.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this episode, we discuss what factors shape health, disease, and survival.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
Weightlifting, once for only bodybuilders, is now popular for strength and brain health.
On this remixed episode, we explore the proven and emerging benefits of pumping iron and why so many people say it’s changing their lives.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this remixed episode, we explore the proven and emerging benefits of pumping iron and why so many people say it’s changing their lives.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
September 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Weightlifting, once for only bodybuilders, is now popular for strength and brain health.
On this remixed episode, we explore the proven and emerging benefits of pumping iron and why so many people say it’s changing their lives.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this remixed episode, we explore the proven and emerging benefits of pumping iron and why so many people say it’s changing their lives.
🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
When we see surprising couples, like Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson, we can’t help but wonder what brought them together 💘
In this podcast extra, we explore the mysteries of attraction and love.
🔗 bit.ly/4m66NW5
In this podcast extra, we explore the mysteries of attraction and love.
🔗 bit.ly/4m66NW5
September 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
When we see surprising couples, like Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson, we can’t help but wonder what brought them together 💘
In this podcast extra, we explore the mysteries of attraction and love.
🔗 bit.ly/4m66NW5
In this podcast extra, we explore the mysteries of attraction and love.
🔗 bit.ly/4m66NW5
We think of Martians as belonging to the realm of sci-fi — but in the early 1900s, they were believed to be a real civilization living on Mars 👽
On this episode, why astronomers once believed in life on Mars. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this episode, why astronomers once believed in life on Mars. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
September 5, 2025 at 4:09 PM
We think of Martians as belonging to the realm of sci-fi — but in the early 1900s, they were believed to be a real civilization living on Mars 👽
On this episode, why astronomers once believed in life on Mars. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this episode, why astronomers once believed in life on Mars. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
Labor Day is over, and it's back to work — back to a laundry list of emails, meetings, and projects. How can you possibly stay productive when your workload is massive?
On this episode, we explore productivity, what works, and what doesn't. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this episode, we explore productivity, what works, and what doesn't. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
September 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Labor Day is over, and it's back to work — back to a laundry list of emails, meetings, and projects. How can you possibly stay productive when your workload is massive?
On this episode, we explore productivity, what works, and what doesn't. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
On this episode, we explore productivity, what works, and what doesn't. 🔗 lnk.to/whyy-thepulse
AI in the classroom🤖?
Teachers in Philadelphia and New Jersey make the case for and against using artificial intelligence in school. Alan Yu reports 🔗 whyy.org/segments/tea...
Teachers in Philadelphia and New Jersey make the case for and against using artificial intelligence in school. Alan Yu reports 🔗 whyy.org/segments/tea...
Ban it or use it? How teachers are grappling with generative AI in the classroom
Generative AI tools have transformed classrooms. But local teachers and school districts are still deciding on whether, and how, to use them.
whyy.org
August 25, 2025 at 1:13 PM
AI in the classroom🤖?
Teachers in Philadelphia and New Jersey make the case for and against using artificial intelligence in school. Alan Yu reports 🔗 whyy.org/segments/tea...
Teachers in Philadelphia and New Jersey make the case for and against using artificial intelligence in school. Alan Yu reports 🔗 whyy.org/segments/tea...
It’s that time of year when students with big dreams go all in — piling on extracurriculars and chasing perfection. They call it Ivy League Fever 🤒
Reporter Najay Greenidge explores how pursuing prestigious schools impacts students' mental health 🔗 whyy.org/segments/ivy...
Reporter Najay Greenidge explores how pursuing prestigious schools impacts students' mental health 🔗 whyy.org/segments/ivy...
Kids are chasing Ivy League dreams and the pressure to succeed is leaving many overwhelmed and burned out
Kids, often barely out of elementary school, are internalizing the idea that their futures depend on getting into an Ivy League school.
whyy.org
August 25, 2025 at 1:06 PM
It’s that time of year when students with big dreams go all in — piling on extracurriculars and chasing perfection. They call it Ivy League Fever 🤒
Reporter Najay Greenidge explores how pursuing prestigious schools impacts students' mental health 🔗 whyy.org/segments/ivy...
Reporter Najay Greenidge explores how pursuing prestigious schools impacts students' mental health 🔗 whyy.org/segments/ivy...
Reposted by The Pulse
I was honored to be on The Pulse to explain the science of learning and why understanding how we learn matters so much more to transforming education than AI and the internet. Get a primer on the research and why it matters in this episode 👇
It's back-to-school time. Students, teachers, and parents are facing numerous challenges — from using AI in the classroom to reckoning with the long shadow of the pandemic.
On this episode, we explore how our rapidly changing world is transforming school.
🔗 bit.ly/4lLyHGH
On this episode, we explore how our rapidly changing world is transforming school.
🔗 bit.ly/4lLyHGH
August 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I was honored to be on The Pulse to explain the science of learning and why understanding how we learn matters so much more to transforming education than AI and the internet. Get a primer on the research and why it matters in this episode 👇
It's back-to-school time. Students, teachers, and parents are facing numerous challenges — from using AI in the classroom to reckoning with the long shadow of the pandemic.
On this episode, we explore how our rapidly changing world is transforming school.
🔗 bit.ly/4lLyHGH
On this episode, we explore how our rapidly changing world is transforming school.
🔗 bit.ly/4lLyHGH
August 22, 2025 at 1:51 PM
It's back-to-school time. Students, teachers, and parents are facing numerous challenges — from using AI in the classroom to reckoning with the long shadow of the pandemic.
On this episode, we explore how our rapidly changing world is transforming school.
🔗 bit.ly/4lLyHGH
On this episode, we explore how our rapidly changing world is transforming school.
🔗 bit.ly/4lLyHGH
Reports on a Legionnaires' disease outbreak are making the news. Back in 1976, the same illness was a mystery.
On this Pulse Extra, listen as Reporter Elana Gordon tells the story of how scientists tracked down the origin of this deadly illness. 🔗 bit.ly/4mmZASv
On this Pulse Extra, listen as Reporter Elana Gordon tells the story of how scientists tracked down the origin of this deadly illness. 🔗 bit.ly/4mmZASv
August 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Reports on a Legionnaires' disease outbreak are making the news. Back in 1976, the same illness was a mystery.
On this Pulse Extra, listen as Reporter Elana Gordon tells the story of how scientists tracked down the origin of this deadly illness. 🔗 bit.ly/4mmZASv
On this Pulse Extra, listen as Reporter Elana Gordon tells the story of how scientists tracked down the origin of this deadly illness. 🔗 bit.ly/4mmZASv