The Pulse, hosted by Maiken Scott and produced by WHYY, explores health and science stories, from operating rooms and labs to historical innovations. It publishes weekly, with 222 episodes since 2021 and episodes of about 50 minutes. Estimated downloads are 8,000 to 30,000 per episode, implying a sponsorship rate of $140 to $750 per episode.
Weekly science and health stories from a trusted public-radio newsroom
- Public-radio distribution through WHYY and NPR member stations gives a credible editorial setting.
- Episodes run about 50 minutes, long enough for a host-read mid-roll with room for context.
- Health and science topics suit brands in wellness, healthcare services, and consumer health.
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- narrative, interview, explainer
- Tone
- curious, informative
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 45 to 50 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- None yet
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- No
The website carries a generic 'WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor' banner and no named sponsors appear in the feed, titles or description.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Titles cover alcohol's effects on the brain and antidepressant withdrawal, which are factual health topics rather than explicit content; no explicit flag is set.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | whyy.org/programs/the-pulse/ |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id772127662 |
| RSS feed | publicfeeds.net/f/12369/thepulse.xml |
Benchmark score: 86 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| The Peptide Craze: Benefits, Risks and the Science Behind Them | 2026-10-15 | 50 min |
| Adult ADHD: Why You Know What to Do But Can’t Do It | 2026-10-08 | 50 min |
| The Fight to Save Rural Hospitals — and Access to Healthcare | 2026-10-01 | 50 min |
| The Strange Science of Color — And Our Quest to Understand It | 2026-09-24 | 50 min |
| How the Cereal Industry Won Breakfast | 2026-09-23 | 28 min |
| The Science of Eating: What We Get Wrong About Diet and Nutrition | 2026-09-17 | 49 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 4 days ago, a new one about every 7 days.
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.
About The Pulse
The Pulse is a weekly health and science podcast produced by WHYY, the public media organization serving the Philadelphia region. Host Maiken Scott, as listed on the WHYY website and in the feed, takes listeners into operating rooms, research labs and the history of medical innovation. Episodes run about 50 minutes, and the show has published 222 episodes since 2021 with a weekly cadence.
The show holds 316 Apple Podcasts ratings with a 4.6 average, according to Apple Podcasts. Listener figures are estimates: roughly 8,000 to 30,000 downloads per episode, based on rating volume and distribution through NPR member stations. The feed and the WHYY website show a general sponsor call-to-action, and no named sponsors were found.
Estimated sponsorship rates are $140 to $750 per episode for a host-read mid-roll. Brands in wellness, consumer health and healthcare services are the most likely fit for this audience.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. The Pulse can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about The Pulse
How much does The Pulse charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on an estimated 8,000 to 30,000 downloads per episode, a host-read mid-roll is estimated at $140 to $750 per episode. Final pricing depends on the show's current rate card and the placement requested.
What is The Pulse about?
The Pulse is a weekly health and science podcast from WHYY. Each episode explores medical research, healthcare and scientific discoveries through reported narrative stories, typically about 50 minutes long.
How do I contact The Pulse about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked.
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