Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
850 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 923 ratingsCara 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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Episodes
Episode 100 - Cara Santa Maria
March 01, 2016 07:46 - 1 hour - 62.8 MBCara celebrates the 100th episode of #TalkNerdy by letting YOU interview HER! She turns the tables in this special #AskMeAnything edition, ranging from topics like depression to science fiction to, of course, her famous two questions that end the show. THANK YOU for an incredible 100 episodes! Talk Nerdy wouldn't be possible without the support of listeners like you.
Quantum Chess w/ Chris Cantwell
February 22, 2016 19:21 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBUSC PhD candidate Chris Cantwell joins Cara to talk about his recent labor of love, Quantum Chess. He tells the story of how the came was conceived and some of the challenges he's faced on his road through academia, including a spinal cord injury in high school that left him with limited mobility.
Episode 99 - Chris Cantwell
February 22, 2016 19:21 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBUSC PhD candidate Chris Cantwell joins Cara to talk about his recent labor of love, Quantum Chess. He tells the story of how the came was conceived and some of the challenges he's faced on his road through academia, including a spinal cord injury in high school that left him with limited mobility. Follow Chris: @SchrodingerKing.
Gravitational Waves w/ Sarah Gossan
February 17, 2016 09:54 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBCara is joined by Caltech PhD candidate Sarah Gossan, a researcher in the LIGO Lab who contributed to the recent detection of gravitational waves. They discuss what this discovery means--not just for physics, but for humanity--and just how they were able to detect two black holes merging 1.3 billion light years away.
Episode 98 - Sarah Gossan
February 17, 2016 09:54 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBCara is joined by Caltech PhD candidate Sarah Gossan, a researcher in the LIGO Lab who contributed to the recent detection of gravitational waves. They discuss what this discovery means--not just for physics, but for humanity--and just how they were able to detect two black holes merging 1.3 billion light years away. Follow Sarah: @PrincssSuprnova.
Gifted Kids w/ Stella Krone
February 08, 2016 19:38 - 56 minutes - 51.4 MBCara chats with "mini-nerd" Stella Krone about what it's like being a ten year-old who loves to learn! They discuss her interest in genetics, the perks and challenges of taking high school and college courses, and why she isn't terribly fond of the label "gifted."
Episode 97 - Stella Krone
February 08, 2016 19:38 - 56 minutes - 51.4 MBCara chats with "mini-nerd" Stella Krone about what it's like being a ten year-old who loves to learn! They discuss her interest in genetics, the perks and challenges of taking high school and college courses, and why she isn't terribly fond of the label "gifted."
SciBabe w/ Yvette D'Entremont
February 01, 2016 08:52 - 1 hour - 73.9 MBCara is joined by the SciBabe herself, Yvette D'Entremont, to talk about science and skepticism. They dive into Yvette's turn from forensics and chemistry to science communication, as well as her work debunking health gurus and charlatans, like the Food Babe.
Episode 96 - Yvette D'Entremont
February 01, 2016 08:52 - 1 hour - 73.9 MBCara is joined by the SciBabe herself, Yvette D'Entremont, to talk about science and skepticism. They dive into Yvette's turn from forensics and chemistry to science communication, as well as her work debunking health gurus and charlatans, like the Food Babe. Follow Yvette: @TheSciBabe.
Episode 95 - Michael Matthews
January 27, 2016 01:23 - 1 hour - 90.6 MBCara reminisces with her old roommate and labmate, Michael Matthews, while she's visiting her home state of Texas. They talk about the good old days at the Center for Network Neuroscience, the guilt associated with using non-renewable resources, like and oil and gas, and the American culture of perpetual debt. Also included: SHIPLEY'S DONUTS!!!
Texas Memories w/ Michael Matthews
January 27, 2016 01:23 - 1 hour - 90.6 MBCara reminisces with her old roommate and labmate, Michael Matthews, while she's visiting her home state of Texas. They talk about the good old days at the Center for Network Neuroscience, the guilt associated with using non-renewable resources, like and oil and gas, and the American culture of perpetual debt. Also included: SHIPLEY'S DONUTS!!!
Episode 94 - Kevin Roose
January 18, 2016 08:47 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBKevin Roose (News Director, Fusion) chats with Cara about their new television show, "Real Future." They offer an inside look at the production process, sharing stories of how technology is shaping our future in ways we never imagined. Follow Kevin: @kevinroose.
Real Future w/ Kevin Roose
January 18, 2016 08:47 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBKevin Roose (News Director, Fusion) chats with Cara about their new television show, "Real Future." They offer an inside look at the production process, sharing stories of how technology is shaping our future in ways we never imagined.
Episode 93 - Noemie Sportiche
January 11, 2016 08:24 - 1 hour - 86.7 MBCara is joined by Noemie Sportiche, a public health planner and research analyst for the Boston metropolitan area. She shares the story of her windy path from cognitive science to public health, and they discuss evidence-based strategies for encouraging community wellness.
Public Health w/ Noemie Sportiche
January 11, 2016 08:24 - 1 hour - 86.7 MBCara is joined by Noemie Sportiche, a public health planner and research analyst for the Boston metropolitan area. She shares the story of her windy path from cognitive science to public health, and they discuss evidence-based strategies for encouraging community wellness.
Skeptical Activism w/ Evan Bernstein
December 21, 2015 07:55 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBCara is joined by fellow "The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe" rogue Evan Bernstein! They talk exorcisms, politics, and how Evan came to become a skeptical activist.
Episode 92 - Evan Bernstein
December 21, 2015 07:55 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBCara is joined by fellow "The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe" rogue Evan Bernstein! They talk exorcisms, politics, and how Evan came to become a skeptical activist. Follow Evan: @EvanSGU.
Episode 91 - Jason Goldman
December 14, 2015 08:11 - 1 hour - 88.9 MBCara chats with science writer Dr. Jason Goldman about urban wildlife in Southern California, including the pumas/mountain lions/panthers/cougars of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Catalina Island foxes. Also discussed: what we've learned about domestication from Dmitry Belyaev's silver fox study. Follow Jason: @jgold85.
Urban Wildlife w/ Jason Goldman
December 14, 2015 08:11 - 1 hour - 88.9 MBCara chats with science writer Dr. Jason Goldman about urban wildlife in Southern California, including the pumas/mountain lions/panthers/cougars of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Catalina Island foxes. Also discussed: what we've learned about domestication from Dmitry Belyaev's silver fox study.
Episode 90 - Zack Kopplin
December 08, 2015 08:32 - 1 hour - 67.8 MBCara is joined by science education activist and reporter Zack Kopplin, to talk about his work to repeal Louisiana's "creationism law," as well as why we continue to fight to uphold the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution. Follow Zack: @ZackKopplin.
Creationism Laws w/ Zack Kopplin
December 08, 2015 08:32 - 1 hour - 67.8 MBCara is joined by science education activist and reporter Zack Kopplin, to talk about his work to repeal Louisiana's "creationism law," as well as why we continue to fight to uphold the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution.
Episode 89 - Mika McKinnon
December 01, 2015 05:00 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBCara is joined by the "Master of Disaster" herself, geophysicist and science writer Mika McKinnon. They discuss her work as the science consultant on Stargate, how life was a driving force behind an explosion of earthly minerals, and the improvements Canadians are hopeful for under their new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Follow Mika: @mikamckinnon.
Disaster Science w/ Mika McKinnon
December 01, 2015 05:00 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBCara is joined by the "Master of Disaster" herself, geophysicist and science writer Mika McKinnon. They discuss her work as the science consultant on Stargate, how life was a driving force behind an explosion of earthly minerals, and the improvements Canadians are hopeful for under their new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.
Non-Traditional Academics w/ Raquel Nuno
November 23, 2015 08:13 - 1 hour - 72.3 MBCara is joined by graduate student Raquel Nuno, from UCLA's Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences. They talk science communication, water in our solar system, and how a non-traditional academic path can sometimes lead to exactly where you wanted to be all along.
Episode 88 - Raquel Nuno
November 23, 2015 08:13 - 1 hour - 72.3 MBCara is joined by graduate student Raquel Nuno, from UCLA's Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences. They talk science communication, water in our solar system, and how a non-traditional academic path can sometimes lead to exactly where you wanted to be all along. Follow Raquel: @raquelnuno.
Episode 87 - Jeff Cremer
November 17, 2015 01:32 - 57 minutes - 52.2 MBCara is joined by wildlife photographer Jeff Cremer to discuss life in the Amazon, including how ecotourism can support local communities. Follow Jeff: @JCremerPhoto.
Ecotourism w/ Jeff Cremer
November 17, 2015 01:32 - 57 minutes - 52.2 MBCara is joined by wildlife photographer Jeff Cremer to discuss life in the Amazon, including how ecotourism can support local communities.
Episode 86 - Varshana Gurusamy
November 10, 2015 07:40 - 1 hour - 85.7 MBDoctors are people too, y'all! This week, Cara peers behind the proverbial surgical mask to demystify medical school and beyond with the help of Dr. Varshana Gurusamy. Follow Varshana: @DrVarshana.
Medical School w/ Varshana Gurusamy
November 10, 2015 07:40 - 1 hour - 85.7 MBDoctors are people too, y'all! This week, Cara peers behind the proverbial surgical mask to demystify medical school and beyond with the help of Dr. Varshana Gurusamy.
Life After God w/ Ryan Bell
November 02, 2015 18:47 - 1 hour - 81.2 MBCara is joined by ex-Seventh Day Adventist pastor Ryan Bell to talk about his "Year Without God" and how he's now spending his "Life After God." Also discussed: how secular individuals can be community leaders by practicing the empathy we all possess.
Episode 85 - Ryan Bell
November 02, 2015 18:47 - 1 hour - 81.2 MBCara is joined by ex-Seventh Day Adventist pastor Ryan Bell to talk about his "Year Without God" and how he's now spending his "Life After God." Also discussed: how secular individuals can be community leaders by practicing the empathy we all possess. Follow Ryan: @ryanjbell.
Episode 84 - Phil Ferguson
October 19, 2015 19:31 - 1 hour - 87.9 MBFinancial planner Phil Ferguson (Polaris Financial Planning) joins Cara to talk about what you can do to protect yourself and invest your money in a wise, evidence-based way. (Hint: start with a fiduciary!) Follow Phil: @skepticmoney.
Evidence-Based Financial Planning w/ Phil Ferguson
October 19, 2015 19:31 - 1 hour - 87.9 MBFinancial planner Phil Ferguson (Polaris Financial Planning) joins Cara to talk about what you can do to protect yourself and invest your money in a wise, evidence-based way. (Hint: start with a fiduciary!)
Forest Fires w/ Chad Hanson
October 12, 2015 21:22 - 1 hour - 71 MBDr. Chad Hanson, ecologist with the John Muir Project, informs Cara about current legislative efforts to deregulate logging in America's forests. Myths are also busted regarding forest fires (hint: they're necessary for this habitat to thrive!).
Episode 83 - Chad Hanson
October 12, 2015 21:22 - 1 hour - 71 MBDr. Chad Hanson, ecologist with the John Muir Project, informs Cara about current legislative efforts to deregulate logging in America's forests. Myths are also busted regarding forest fires (hint: they're necessary for this habitat to thrive!).
Episode 82 - Leslie Rogers
October 05, 2015 10:01 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBAstrophysicist Dr. Leslie Rogers joins Cara to talk about exoplanets, specifically those that are larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. They offer an exciting opportunity to learn about planetary bodies that are different from anything in our own solar system. Also discussed: why Kepler-452b likely isn't Earth's twin.
Exoplanets w/ Leslie Rogers
October 05, 2015 10:01 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBAstrophysicist Dr. Leslie Rogers joins Cara to talk about exoplanets, specifically those that are larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. They offer an exciting opportunity to learn about planetary bodies that are different from anything in our own solar system. Also discussed: why Kepler-452b likely isn't Earth's twin.
Bed Bugs w/ Brooke Borel
September 28, 2015 20:04 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBScience writer Brooke Borel joins Cara to discuss the differences between science journalism and science communication, as well as the ethical quandaries journalists sometimes face. They then turn the conversation to bed bugs, the topic of Brooke's new book, "Infested."
Episode 81 - Brooke Borel
September 28, 2015 20:04 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBScience writer Brooke Borel joins Cara to discuss the differences between science journalism and science communication, as well as the ethical quandaries journalists sometimes face. They then turn the conversation to bed bugs, the topic of Brooke's new book, "Infested." Follow Brooke: @BrookeBorel.
Episode 80 - Steven Paul Leiva
September 21, 2015 08:19 - 1 hour - 74.3 MBCara is joined by independent author Steven Paul Leiva ("Traveling In Space") to talk about the power of storytelling, the difference between genre fiction and literary fiction, and why it's okay to be a nerd, even if you aren't all that into sci-fi. Follow Steven: @StevenPaulLeiva.
Science Fiction - Steven Paul Leiva
September 21, 2015 08:19 - 1 hour - 74.3 MBCara is joined by independent author Steven Paul Leiva ("Traveling In Space") to talk about the power of storytelling, the difference between genre fiction and literary fiction, and why it's okay to be a nerd, even if you aren't all that into sci-fi.
Episode 79 - Casey Handmer
September 14, 2015 07:30 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBDr. Casey Handmer braves the broken A/C at Cara's apartment to inform her of the wonders of black holes, gravitational wave simulations, space robots, and the HYPERLOOP! "Interstellar" and "The Martian" thrown in for good measure. Follow Casey: @CJHandmer.
Hyperloop w/ Casey Handmer
September 14, 2015 07:30 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBDr. Casey Handmer braves the broken A/C at Cara's apartment to inform her of the wonders of black holes, gravitational wave simulations, space robots, and the HYPERLOOP! "Interstellar" and "The Martian" thrown in for good measure.
Episode 78 - Megan Rosenbloom
September 08, 2015 01:19 - 1 hour - 87.3 MBCara is joined by Megan Rosenbloom (Associate Director for Collection Resources, Norris Medical Library) to talk about the importance of library science in medical school and how she's working to change our perceptions of death through initiatives like the Death Salon. Follow Megan: @LibraryAtNight.
Death Salon w/ Megan Rosenbloom
September 08, 2015 01:19 - 1 hour - 87.3 MBCara is joined by Megan Rosenbloom (Associate Director for Collection Resources, Norris Medical Library) to talk about the importance of library science in medical school and how she's working to change our perceptions of death through initiatives like the Death Salon.
Episode 77 - Faisal Saeed Al-Mutar
August 31, 2015 08:46 - 1 hour - 78.1 MBHuman rights activist Faisal Saeed Al-Mutar speaks out about growing up in Iraq under Sadam Hussein's oppressive regime, the global effects of extremism in the Middle East, and how we can help secular progressives in closed societies achieve freedom of expression and religion. Faisal is the founder of the Global Secular Humanist Movement and actively works with the civil rights crowdsourcing platform Movements.org. Follow him: @faisalalmutar.
Human Rights w/ Faisal Saeed Al-Mutar
August 31, 2015 08:46 - 1 hour - 78.1 MBHuman rights activist Faisal Saeed Al-Mutar speaks out about growing up in Iraq under Sadam Hussein's oppressive regime, the global effects of extremism in the Middle East, and how we can help secular progressives in closed societies achieve freedom of expression and religion. Faisal is the founder of the Global Secular Humanist Movement and actively works with the civil rights crowd-sourcing platform Movements.org.
HIV Prevention and Treatment w/ Jessica Taaffe
August 24, 2015 08:24 - 1 hour - 127 MBGlobal health scientist and science communicator Dr. Jessica Taaffe joins Cara to discuss the importance of health initiatives aimed at the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases worldwide, including HIV.
Episode 76 - Jessica Taaffe
August 24, 2015 08:24 - 1 hour - 65 MBGlobal health scientist and science communicator Dr. Jessica Taaffe joins Cara to discuss the importance of health initiatives aimed at the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases worldwide, including HIV. Follow Jessica: @JessicaTaaffe.
Episode 75 - Gad Saad
August 17, 2015 04:34 - 1 hour - 72.2 MBCara is joined in studio by Dr. Gad Saad, an evolutionary psychologist who specializes in consumer behavior. They discuss what evolutionary psychology is and isn't, and what makes us universally human, regardless of culture or geography. Follow Gad: @gadsaad.