The Deep End

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 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.

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

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.

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?