The Deep End

Jules lost his voice. Then AI gave it back. Voice-cloning technology can now recreate voices for people who can no longer speak — raising a remarkable possibility: How much of a person can a synthetic voice restore?

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 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.

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

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