The Pulse Folgen

If it feels like urgent care centers are everywhere these days — that’s because they are. Over the past decade, they’ve exploded in popularity, offering a quick and convenient alternative to long waits at the ER, and even longer waits to see your primary care provider. On this episode, we explore the rise of urgent care, from the role of private equity to its impact on patient care.

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 illness called Castleman Disease, Fajgenbaum not only discovered his own treatment, but also launched an ambitious project using AI to unlock existing drugs for countless other conditions. He has a new TED Talk and was recently featured in Time Magazine’s list of “The World’s Most Influential Rising Stars.” Fajgenbaum’s life is also the subject of an upcoming movie based on his memoir “Chasing My Cure.” Listen to his incredible story of resilience, the profound lessons he’s learned from living in "overtime," and how his work is already saving lives by repurposing treatments hiding in plain sight.

We often think of digital distractions, from TikTok to newsfeeds, as a way of giving our brains a break. But in reality, they could be doing the opposite. We talk with psychologist Marc Berman about a better way of restoring our focus — spending time in nature. We also try a dopamine fast, to see if it can really improve our attention spans.