Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

By Cara Santa Maria

What's Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria about?

Cara Santa Maria is a science communicator, television host, producer, and journalist. She is excited to present "Talk Nerdy," a place for conversations with interesting people about interesting topics.

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Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria episodes:

04.22.2024
Solitude w/ Netta Weinstein
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by psychologist Netta Weinstein. She is the director of the European Research Council's 'Solitude: Alone but Resilient’ project and co-author of the book, “Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone.”...
04.15.2024
Unrooted w/ Erin Zimmerman
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by evolutionary biologist turned science writer, Erin Zimmerman. We talk about her new book, “Unrooted: Botany, Motherhood, & the Fight to Save an Old Science” Follow Erin: @DoctorZedd
04.08.2024
Coral Reefs w/ Juli Berwald
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by ocean scientist and science writer, Juli Berwald. They discuss her book; “LIFE ON THE ROCKS: Building a Future for Coral Reefs.” Follow Juli: @juliberwald
04.01.2024
Transgender Activism w/ Julia Serano
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by California-based writer, performer, and trans-activist Julia Serano. Julia is the author of four books, including a new edition of “Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of...
03.25.2024
Our Future with Robots w/ Daniela Rus
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by roboticist and the first female director of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Daniela Rus. We talk about her new book, “THE HEART AND THE CHIP: Our Bright Future...
03.18.2024
Unclaimed w/ Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by sociologists Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans to talk about their book, “THE UNCLAIMED: Abandonment and Hope in the City of Angel.” The book sheds light on the 150,000 Americans that go...
03.11.2024
Our Moon w/ Rebecca Boyle
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science journalist and author Rebecca Boyle to talk about her debut book, "OUR MOON: How Earth’s Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution, and Made Us Who We Are”. Follow Rebecca: @rboyle31
03.04.2024
Merze Tate w/ Barbara Savage
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by historian and the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought at the University of Pennsylvania, Barbara D. Savage. We talk about her new book, “Merze Tate: The Global Odyssey...
02.26.2024
How We Age w/ Coleen Murphy
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Princeton University Professor and leading scholar in aging, Dr. Coleen T. Murphy. Coleen is the Director of the Lewis Sigler Institute of Genomics and professor of genomics and molecular biology...
02.19.2024
Why We Remember w/ Charan Ranganath
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and director of the Dynamic Memory Lab at the University of California at Davis, Dr. Charan Ranganath. We discuss his work studying the mechanisms in...
02.12.2024
Motivation Science w/ Ayelet Fishbach
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the Jeffrey Breakenridge Keller Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, Dr. Ayelet Fishbach. She is the author of, "GET IT DONE:...
02.05.2024
Learning to Think w/ Tracy King
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by England based writer, producer, and science communicator, Tracy King. We talk about her upcoming memoir, “Learning to Think: A Memoir of Faith, Superstition, and the Courage to Ask Questions.” Publishing...
01.29.2024
Legacy w/ Uché Blackstock
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by physician and founder of Advancing Health Equity, Dr. Uché Blackstock. We talk about her new book, “Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine.” Follow Uché: @uche_blackstock
01.23.2024
Fire Season w/ Manjula Martin
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer and editor Manjula Martin to talk about her new book, "The Last Fire Season: A Personal and Pyronatural History." Follow Manjula: @manjulatm.
01.15.2024
Transient and Strange w/ Nell Greenfieldboyce
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce. They talk about her new book, "Transient and Strange: Notes on the Science of Life." Follow Nell: @nellgreenfieldboyce.
01.08.2024
Free Will w/ Robert Sapolsky
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by neuroendocrinologist Dr. Robert Sapolsky to talk about his new book, "Determined: The Science of Life Without Free Will."
12.18.2023
Brave the Wild River w/ Melissa Sevigny
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by KNAU (Arizona Public Radio) science journalist Melissa L. Sevigny. They talk about her new book, winner of the 2023 National Outdoor Book Award for History/Biography, "Brave the Wild River: The...
12.12.2023
Planetary Magnetism w/ Sabine Stanley
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Sabine Stanley, a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Space Exploration Sector of the Applied Physics Lab. They...
12.04.2023
Against Technoableism w/ Ashley Shew
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Ashley Shew, an Associate Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Virginia Tech, who has a special interest in technology and disability studies. They talk about her new book,...
11.27.2023
Misophonia w/ Jane Gregory
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Jane Gregory, clinical psychologist at the University of Oxford. They discuss her new book, "Sounds Like Misophonia: How to Stop Small Noises from Causing Extreme Reactions." Follow Jane: @drjanegregory.
11.20.2023
Things That Go Bump in the Universe w/ C. Renée James
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. C. Renée James, professor of physics and astronomy at Sam Houston State University. They talk about her new book, "Things That Go Bump in the Universe: How Astronomers Decode...
11.13.2023
Covid Pseudoscience w/ Jonathan Howard
11.06.2023
Live from QED w/ Anita Powell
Recorded live from the QED Conference in Manchester, UK, this episode of Talk Nerdy features community engagement advocate and menopause activist Anita Powell. She tells Cara about her work in diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially for women of color experiencing...
10.30.2023
Mother Tongue w/ Jenni Nuttall
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Oxford professor and medeival literature researcher Dr. Jenni Nuttall to talk about her new book, "Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words." They discuss the history of feminist language...
10.23.2023
Good Dogs w/ Jessica Pierce
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by bioethicist Dr. Jessica Pierce to talk about her new book, "Who's a Good Dog?: And How to Be a Better Human." They discuss the complex ethics of dog-human relationships, including...
10.16.2023
Eight Bears w/ Gloria Dickie
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Gloria Dickie, a global climate and environment correspondent at Reuters News Agency. They talk about her new book, "Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future." Follow Gloria: @gloriadickie.
10.09.2023
Women Soldiers w/ Lena Andrews
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Lena Andrews, foreign policy expert and military analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency. They talk about her new book, "Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World...
10.02.2023
Handmade Materials w/ Anna Ploszajski
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by materials scientist Dr. Anna Ploszajski to talk about her new book, "Handmade: A Scientist's Search for Meaning Through Making." They discuss the science and culture of handmade objects, with an...
09.25.2023
Recognizing Our Humanity w/ Michèle Lamont
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Michèle Lamont, Professor of Sociology and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. They talk about her new book, "Seeing Others: How Recognition Works and How It...
09.18.2023
Natality w/ Jennifer Banks
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Jennifer Banks, senior executive editor at Yale University Press. They talk about her new book, "Natality: Toward a Philosophy of Birth." Follow Jennifer: @jenniferabanks.
09.11.2023
Junk Science w/ M. Chris Fabricant
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the Director of Strategic Litigation for the Innocence Project, M. Chris Fabricant. They talk about his new book, "Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System," including how forensic pseudoscience...
09.05.2023
Is Math Real? w/ Eugenia Cheng
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by mathematician Dr. Eugenia Cheng to talk about her new book, "Is Math Real? How Simple Questions Lead Us to Mathematics' Deepest Truths." They discuss the power of curiosity in grappling...
08.28.2023
Switch Craft w/ Elaine Fox
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the University of Adelaide's Head of the School of Psychology, Dr. Elaine Fox, to talk about her new book "Switch Craft: The Hidden Power of Mental Agility." They discuss the...
08.21.2023
Bluefin Tuna w/ Karen Pinchin
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by investigative journalist Karen Pinchin to talk about her new book, "Kings of Their Own Ocean: Tuna, Obsession, and the Future of Our Seas." They discuss the plight of the bluefin...
08.14.2023
Defiant Dreams w/ Sola Mahfouz & Malaina Kapoor
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by quantum computing researcher Sola Mahfouz and human rights advocate Malaina Kapoor, authors of the new book, "Defiant Dreams: The Story of an Afghan Woman Who Risked Everything for Education." Together,...
08.07.2023
Gestures w/ Susan Goldin-Meadow
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by University of Chicago psychologist Dr. Susan Goldin-Meadlow to talk about her new book, "Thinking with Your Hands: The Surprising Science Behind How Gestures Shape Our Thoughts." They discuss gestural communication,...
07.31.2023
Anxiety w/ Luana Marques
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital psychologist Dr. Luana Marques. They talk about her new book, "Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power," with a special...
07.24.2023
Fragmented Healthcare w/ Ilana Yurkiewicz
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Ilana Yurkiewicz, oncologist, internal medicine physician, and professor at Stanford University. They talk about her new book, "Fragmented: A Doctor's Quest to Piece Together American Healthcare," with a special...
07.10.2023
Microbiome Anthropology w/ Amber Benezra
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by sociocultural anthropologist Dr. Amber Benezra to talk about her new book, "Gut Anthro: An Experiment in Thinking with Microbes." They discuss her work at the interface of biomedical science and...
07.04.2023
Fungal Pandemic w/ Emily Monosson
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by toxicologist Dr. Emily Monosson to talk about her new book, "Blight: Fungi and the Coming Pandemic." They discuss the devastating consequences of pathogenic fungal infection in humans, animals, and plants,...
06.26.2023
Investigative Genetic Genealogy w/ Barbara Rae-Venter
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Barbara Rae-Venter to talk about her new book, "I Know Who You Are: How an Amateur DNA Sleuth Unmasked the Golden State Killer and Changed Crime Fighting Forever." They...
06.19.2023
Forensic Anthropology at the Dozier School w/ Erin Kimmerle
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Erin Kimmerle, forensic anthropologist and author of "We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys." They talk about the true story of the...
06.12.2023
Ecology of Abandoned Places w/ Cal Flyn
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Cal Flyn, author, investigative journalist, and MacDowell fellow from the Highlands of Scotland. They talk about her new book, "Islands of Abandonment: Nature Rebounding in the Post-Human Landscape."
06.05.2023
Egg w/ Lizzie Stark
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and participation designer Lizzie Stark to talk about her new book, "Egg: A Dozen Ovatures." They talk about her personal fascination with eggs, and she shares incredible stories about...
05.22.2023
Gamification w/ Adrian Hon
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by game designer Adrian Hon to talk about this new book, "You've Been Played: How Corporations, Governments, and Schools Use Games to Control Us All." They discuss how gamification is often...
05.15.2023
Edison's Ghosts w/ Katie Spalding
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by mathematician and writer Dr. Katie Spalding to talk about her new book, "Edison's Ghosts: The Untold Weirdness of History's Greatest Geniuses." They talk about how Edison, Newton, the Curies, and...
05.08.2023
Patriarchy w/ Angela Saini
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined once again by science writer and television presenter Angela Saini. They talk about her new book, "The Patriarchs: The Origins of Inequality." Together, they explore the history of the patriarchy, with...
05.01.2023
Historical Abortion w/ Jennifer Wright
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by history writer Jennifer Wright to talk about her new book, "Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York’s Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist." They talk about...
04.24.2023
SciComm w/ Leah Elson
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by clinical development scientist Leah Elson to talk about her new book, "There Are (No) Stupid Questions...In Science." They discuss the importance of science communication in an increasingly polarized world as...
04.17.2023
Period w/ Kate Clancy
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Kate Clancy, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Illinois and intersectional feminist biology researcher. They talk about her new book, "Period: The Real Story of Menstruation," with...

What's Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria about?

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Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria episodes:

Solitude w/ Netta Weinstein

Unrooted w/ Erin Zimmerman

Coral Reefs w/ Juli Berwald

Transgender Activism w/ Julia Serano

Our Future with Robots w/ Daniela Rus

Unclaimed w/ Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans

Our Moon w/ Rebecca Boyle

Merze Tate w/ Barbara Savage

How We Age w/ Coleen Murphy

Why We Remember w/ Charan Ranganath

Motivation Science w/ Ayelet Fishbach

Learning to Think w/ Tracy King

Legacy w/ Uché Blackstock

Fire Season w/ Manjula Martin

Transient and Strange w/ Nell Greenfieldboyce

Free Will w/ Robert Sapolsky

Brave the Wild River w/ Melissa Sevigny

Planetary Magnetism w/ Sabine Stanley

Against Technoableism w/ Ashley Shew

Misophonia w/ Jane Gregory

Things That Go Bump in the Universe w/ C. Renée James

Covid Pseudoscience w/ Jonathan Howard

Live from QED w/ Anita Powell

Mother Tongue w/ Jenni Nuttall

Good Dogs w/ Jessica Pierce

Eight Bears w/ Gloria Dickie

Women Soldiers w/ Lena Andrews

Handmade Materials w/ Anna Ploszajski

Recognizing Our Humanity w/ Michèle Lamont

Natality w/ Jennifer Banks

Junk Science w/ M. Chris Fabricant

Is Math Real? w/ Eugenia Cheng

Switch Craft w/ Elaine Fox

Bluefin Tuna w/ Karen Pinchin

Defiant Dreams w/ Sola Mahfouz & Malaina Kapoor

Gestures w/ Susan Goldin-Meadow

Anxiety w/ Luana Marques

Fragmented Healthcare w/ Ilana Yurkiewicz

Microbiome Anthropology w/ Amber Benezra

Fungal Pandemic w/ Emily Monosson

Investigative Genetic Genealogy w/ Barbara Rae-Venter

Forensic Anthropology at the Dozier School w/ Erin Kimmerle

Ecology of Abandoned Places w/ Cal Flyn

Egg w/ Lizzie Stark

Gamification w/ Adrian Hon

Edison's Ghosts w/ Katie Spalding

Patriarchy w/ Angela Saini

Historical Abortion w/ Jennifer Wright

SciComm w/ Leah Elson

Period w/ Kate Clancy

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