The Deep End explores the science that changes lives. In Season 2, discover how our voices shape who we are — and what happens when we lose them. In Season 1, meet people testing brain implants for depression. Each season will change how you think about the brain — and maybe yourself.

Brain implants for depression: It sounds like science fiction but it’s real. The Deep End, a new podcast from Science News, will give you a glimpse of what it’s like to live with electrodes in your brain. It might change how you think about mental health, the brain and what makes you you.

Brain implants for depression: It sounds like science fiction but it’s real. The Deep End, a new podcast from Science News, will give you a glimpse of what it’s like to live with electrodes in your brain. It might change how you think about mental health, the brain and what makes you you.

The Deep End Trailer

Jon Nelson shares how he’s doing these days, now that his depression is gone.

Jon Nelson shares how he’s doing these days, now that his depression is gone.

Life after deep brain stimulation

Hear why he volunteered to get brain implants for his relentless depression.

Hear why he volunteered to get brain implants for his relentless depression.

Meet Jon Nelson

Jon Nelson explains what it’s like to live with severe depression, and listeners hear the backstory of an experimental treatment involving brain implants.

Jon Nelson explains what it’s like to live with severe depression, and listeners hear the backstory of an experimental treatment involving brain implants.

‘It felt like dread’

Jon Nelson wasn’t scared of brain surgery. His worry about the procedure was the same amount of worry he had about getting his teeth cleaned — none. What happened next was surreal.

Jon Nelson wasn’t scared of brain surgery. His worry about the procedure was the same amount of worry he had about getting his teeth cleaned — none. What happened next was surreal.

The void is gone

After surgery, Jon went through some big transformations. But his relief came with trade-offs.

After surgery, Jon went through some big transformations. But his relief came with trade-offs.

Living with brain electrodes

Jon details the intense stigma, shame and judgement that comes with depression and its treatments. Is there something different about changing our brains versus other body parts?

Jon details the intense stigma, shame and judgement that comes with depression and its treatments. Is there something different about changing our brains versus other body parts?

A 'no casserole' disease

Several years after surgery, Jon and others have found relief. Here’s a look at what’s next for them and what’s next for deep brain stimulation research.

Several years after surgery, Jon and others have found relief. Here’s a look at what’s next for them and what’s next for deep brain stimulation research.

Their depression is gone. Now what?

What if you lost your voice? Today, AI can recreate it, and brain implants can turn your thoughts into speech. This season of The Deep End: Talk to Me follows the people living through these vocal transformations — and asks what these remarkable technologies can teach us about why our voices matter at all.

What if you lost your voice? Today, AI can recreate it, and brain implants can turn your thoughts into speech. This season of The Deep End: Talk to Me follows the people living through these vocal transformations — and asks what these remarkable technologies can teach us about why our voices matter at all.

Our voices make us human. What happens when we lose them?

Season 2 Trailer: Talk to Me

Jules Rodriguez has always had a lot to say — as a dad, podcaster and stand-up comedian. As ALS takes away his ability to speak, we discover why voices are so deeply tied to who we are and what it’s like to face losing your own.

Jules Rodriguez has always had a lot to say — as a dad, podcaster and stand-up comedian. As ALS takes away his ability to speak, we discover why voices are so deeply tied to who we are and what it’s like to face losing your own.

What happens when you lose your voice?

Jules is losing his ability to talk. Now he faces a decision that could silence his natural voice for good. A voice carries more than words — emotion, identity, even a smile. As Jules weighs his choice, we explore what makes a voice so personal, and why letting it go can be so difficult.

Jules is losing his ability to talk. Now he faces a decision that could silence his natural voice for good. A voice carries more than words — emotion, identity, even a smile. As Jules weighs his choice, we explore what makes a voice so personal, and why letting it go can be so difficult.