Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
849 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 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
Dog Cognition w/ Alexandra Horowitz
April 10, 2023 07:00 - 59 minutes - 55.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, professor and head of the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College, Columbia University. They talk about her newest book, "The Year of the Puppy: How Dogs Become Themselves." Also discussed is the special relationship we have with our dogs and the developmental stages they experience, from puppy to older adult.
Cognitive Liberty w/ Nita Farahany
April 04, 2023 06:00 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Duke Law and Philosophy professor Dr. Nita Farahany to talk about her new book, "The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology." They discuss the concept of cognitive liberty from a legal and ethical framework, including how privacy and convenience will continue to shift as technology allows deeper access to our internal worlds.
The Self w/ Brian Lowery
March 27, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 68 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Stanford University professor Dr. Brian Lowery joins Cara to talk about his new book, "Selfless: The Social Creation of "You." They discuss the complex psychology of identity, intersubjectivity, and humanity in a reality shaped by social pressures and norms.
Koalas w/ Danielle Clode
March 20, 2023 07:00 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Danielle Clode to talk about her new book, "Koala: A Natural History and an Uncertain Future." They discuss the behavior, evolutionary biology, and ecology of this enigmatic yet threatened species.
Slime w/ Susanne Wedlich
March 13, 2023 07:00 - 55 minutes - 51.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer Susanne Wedlich to talk about her new book, "Slime: A Natural History." They discuss what slime is (and isn't), why it evokes disgust, and how it may improve medicine and technology in the future.
Bioelectricity w/ Sally Adee
February 27, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 61.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science and technology writer Sally Adee to talk about her new book, “We Are Electric: Inside the 200-Year Hunt for Our Body's Bioelectric Code, and What the Future Holds.” They discuss the history of bioelectricity, as well as the promise it may hold for our biomedical future.
Sweet in Tooth and Claw w/ Kristin Ohlson
February 20, 2023 08:10 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer Kristin Ohlson to talk about her new book, "Sweet in Tooth and Claw: Stories of Generosity and Cooperation in the Natural World." They discuss mutualism (cooperative relationships) between microbes, fungi, plants, and animals (including humans) across the natural world. Follow Kristin: @kristinohlson.
Neurology and Dementia w/ Sara Manning Peskin
February 13, 2023 08:00 - 59 minutes - 55.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by University of Pennsylvania clinical neurologist Dr. Sara Manning Peskin. They talk about her new book, "A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain," including a deep dive into the fascinating causes and outcomes of various type of dementia.
Accelerator Physics w/ Suzie Sheehy
February 06, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by accelerator physicist Dr. Suzie Sheehy to talk about her new book, "The Matter of Everything: How Curiosity, Physics, and Improbably Experiments Changed the World." They discuss how particle accelerators came to be, what they actually do, and their applications from fundamental particle physics to nuclear medicine and beyond. Follow Suzie: @suziesheehy.
Attention and Technology w/ Gloria Mark
January 30, 2023 08:01 - 1 hour - 57.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Gloria Mark, Chancellor's Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. They talk about her new book, "Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity." They highlight how our brains are affected by modern technology, including social media, entertainment, and vocational demands.
Frozen Head Feed Drop
January 27, 2023 03:27 - 4 minutes - 3.88 MBHosted by Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart from the hit show Morbid. When 90-year-old Laurence Pilgeram drops dead on the sidewalk outside his condo, you might think that’s the end of his story. But, really, it’s just the beginning. Because Laurence and others like him have signed up to be frozen and brought back to life in the future. And that belief will pull multiple generations of the Pilgeram family into a cryonics soap opera filled with dead pets, gold coins, grenades, fist fights, myster...
Mathematical Models w/ Erica Thompson
January 23, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 75.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Erica Thompson to talk about her new book, "Escape From Model Land: How Mathematical Models Can Lead Us Astray and What We Can Do About It." They discuss the intersection of science, mathematics, and humanity, including how we make sense of data and use it to predict future outcomes.
Amazonian Wildcats w/ Samantha Zwicker
January 16, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 58.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Samantha Zwicker, a tropical biologist and wildlife rehabilitation specialist. Sam is also the co-founder of Hoja Nueva, a conservation organization that confronts threats to biodiversity in the Peruvian Amazon. They discuss her work with elusive Amazonian felids, as is featured in a new documentary called Wildcat.
Legacy of P-22 w/ Beth Pratt
January 09, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 81.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the California Regional Executive Director of the National Wildlife Federation, Beth Pratt. They celebrate the extraordinary life and mourn the death of Los Angeles Mountain Lion P-22. In addition, Beth shares about P-22’s legacy, including the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.
Black Hole Astrophysics w/ Feryal Özel
December 19, 2022 08:17 - 55 minutes - 51.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Feryal Özel, chair of the School of Physics at Georgia Tech. They talk about her incredible career as a theoretical astrophysicist, her important work on the recent imaging of a black hole with the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration, and the critical need for representation in science.
Indigenous Robotics w/ Danielle Boyer
December 12, 2022 13:45 - 1 hour - 61.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Indigenous (Ojibwe) queer robotics inventor Danielle Boyer. They talk about her work making technical education accessible and representative for her community, primarily through the STEAM Connection, a nonprofit she founded to supply kids with no-cost, Indigenous language revitalization robots.
Star Trek Science w/ Erin Macdonald
December 05, 2022 01:32 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Erin Macdonald, astrophysicist and consultant for the Star Trek franchise. They talk about STEM, sci-fi, and her new board book, "Star Trek: My First Book of Space." Follow Erin: @drerinmac.
Flight Safety w/ Kimberly Perkins
November 28, 2022 09:32 - 1 hour - 68.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Kimberly Perkins, pilot and PhD student at the University of Washington. They talk about her research on the impact of cognitive biases on flight safety, including perspectives from psychology, neuroscience, and aviation.
Sounds of Nature w/ Karen Bakker
November 21, 2022 08:26 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Karen Bakker, Fellow of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies and multidisciplinary professor at the University of British Columbia. They talk about her new book, "The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technology Is Bringing Us Closer to the Worlds of Animals and Plants."
Urology w/ Fenwa Milhouse
November 14, 2022 20:05 - 1 hour - 61.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Fenwa Milhouse to talk about all things urology! They discuss common urological conditions, like erectile dysfunction, urinary tract infections, urogynecoloigical issues, and even the dreaded broken penis!
History of the Computer w/ Rachel Ignotofsky
November 07, 2022 08:42 - 1 hour - 58 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined once again by author and illustrator Rachel Ignotofsky to talk about her newest book, "The History of the Computer: People, Inventions, and Technology that Changed Our World." They discuss how learning about history changes our relationship with the present and the future, with a special emphasis on the empowerment that comes from using technology to create.
Evolution w/ Joseph L. Graves Jr
October 31, 2022 07:07 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by evolutionary biologist and geneticist Dr. Joseph L. Graves Jr. to talk about his new book, "A Voice in the Wilderness: A Pioneering Biologist Explains How Evolution Can Help Us Solve Our Biggest Problems." They discuss his incredible career, beginning as the first African American to earn a PhD in evolutionary biology, and continuing in the fight against racial and gender inequity in the sciences and society at large.
Structural Engineering w/ Roma Agrawal
October 24, 2022 07:14 - 53 minutes - 49.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by structural engineer Roma Agrawal to talk about her new children's book, "How Was That Built? The Stories Behind Awesome Structures." They discuss her incredible career designing bridges, skyscrapers, and structures, as well as the quintessentially human tendency to build things, take them apart, and build them up again. Follow Roma: @RomaTheEngineer.
The Biggest Ideas w/ Sean Carroll
October 17, 2022 07:31 - 1 hour - 61.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined for the third time by Dr. Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist and professor of natural philosophy at Johns Hopkins University. They talk about his new book, "The Biggest Ideas in the Universe: Space, Time, and Motion" as well as the fascinating relationship between physics, philosophy, politics, psychology, and so much more. Follow Sean: @seanmcarroll
Music on the Brain w/ Susan Rogers
October 10, 2022 07:18 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Susan Rogers, author of "This Is What it Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You." They talk about her illustrious career as an award-winning music producer turned cognitive neuroscientist at Berklee College of Music. They also discuss the relationship between our musical tastes and our own psychology.
Pain w/ Haider Warraich
October 03, 2022 07:02 - 1 hour - 68.3 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Haider Warraich, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the VA Boston Healthcare System. They talk about his new book, "The Song of Our Scars: The Untold Story of Pain," including the multidimensionality of chronic pain and how the healthcare profession can better serve those who suffer from it.
The Sky Is for Everyone w/ Virginia Trimble & Sara Seager
September 26, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by astronomers Dr. Virginia Trimble and Sara Seager to talk about the book "The Sky Is for Everyone: Women Astronomers in Their Own Words." Virginia discusses her work as a trailblazing astrophysicist and one of the first women to earn a doctorate in the field from Caltech. Sara shares how she and her team are learning about the possibility of life on exoplanets (and even Venus!) by studying the properties of their atmospheres. Follow Sara: @ProfS...
Intellectual Property Law w/ Jessica Silbey
September 19, 2022 07:07 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Jessica Silbey, Professor of Law at Boston University and author of the new book "Against Progress: Intellectual Property and Fundamental Values in the Internet Age." They talk about the complex interplay between social justice, ownership, and innovation against a legal framework that purports to promote the "progress" of science and art. Follow Jessica: @JSilbey.
Chemical Engineering w/ Jayshree Seth
September 12, 2022 07:23 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M. They discuss the prevalence of chemical engineering in our everyday lives, as well as the importance of science appreciation and representation.
Dreams w/ Karen Cerulo & Janet Ruane
September 05, 2022 07:14 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Drs. Karen Cerulo and Janet Ruane, sociologists and authors of the new book "Dreams of a Lifetime: How Who We Are Shapes How We Imagine Our Future." They discuss how our gender, race, age, and social positions deeply influence the nature of our dreams, which, in turn, affects the futures we pursue.
Bitch w/ Lucy Cooke
August 22, 2022 09:04 - 50 minutes - 47.3 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by National Geographic Explorer Lucy Cooke to talk about her new book, "Bitch: On the Female of the Species." They discuss gender in the animal kingdom, how science has long gotten it wrong, and how studying female animals can teach us about ourselves.
Punk Rock Paleontology w/ Jingmai O'Connor
August 15, 2022 08:14 - 51 minutes - 48.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Jingmai O'Connor, also known as the Punk Rock Paleontologist. They talk about her work as Associate Curator of Fossil Reptiles at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, including the transition from dinosaurs to birds, flying dinosaurs, and the importance of science communication.
Museum Science w/ Olivia Castellini
August 01, 2022 07:59 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Olivia Castellini, Senior Exhibit Developer at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. They talk about her incredible science museum installations, including a 40-foot interactive tornado!
The Other Dark Matter w/ Lina Zeldovich
July 25, 2022 17:30 - 59 minutes - 55.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by journalist Lina Zeldovich to talk about her new book "The Other Dark Matter: The Science and Business of Turning Waste into Wealth and Health." They discuss the value of human excerement, including ways we can better care for our planet and make smarter economic decisions while doing so.
Art and Space w/ Jancy McPhee
July 18, 2022 07:26 - 53 minutes - 50 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Jancy McPhee, the Founder and Executive Director of SciArt Exchange. They talk about SciArt Exchange's mission to engage people around the intersection of science and art, as well as her work as the Multidisciplinary Program Scientist in the NASA Human Research Program's Chief Scientist's Office.
Beauty Science w/ Rolanda Wilkerson
July 11, 2022 07:04 - 55 minutes - 51.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson, Principle Beauty Scientist at Procter & Gamble. They talk about the chemistry of skin and hair products, including her role in developing and testing them for safety and efficacy. They also discuss the importance of representation and product diversity, especially for varied skin colors and hair textures.
Vagina Obscura w/ Rachel E. Gross
July 04, 2022 07:13 - 1 hour - 69 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by award-winning science journalist Rachel E. Gross to talk about her new book, "Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage." They discuss the incredible anatomy and physiology of women (and trans men, nonbinary, and intersex folx!), with an emphasis on biomedical science's minimizations and misunderstandings. Cara also opens up about her upcoming hysterectomy.
GiveDirectly w/ Miriam Laker
June 27, 2022 07:15 - 58 minutes - 54 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Miriam Laker-Oketta, Research Director at GiveDirectly. They talk about her work in tropical medicine, international health, and research methods, as well as the evidence-based model used by the non-profit, GiveDirectly: putting cash directly in the hands of people living in poverty.
Pediatric Palliative Care w/ Natasha Datoo
June 20, 2022 21:25 - 1 hour - 72.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Natasha Datoo, a pediatric palliative care physician at Canuck Place Children's Hospice. They talk about the power of communication, the importance of a whole-person approach to care, as well as common misunderstandings about palliative medicine.
Egyptology w/ Kara Cooney
June 13, 2022 18:48 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by UCLA Egyptologist Dr. Kara Cooney to talk about her new book, "The Good Kings: Absolute Power in Ancient Egypt and the Modern World." They discuss power, privilege, and patriarchy in ancient Egypt, with a special focus on how they relate to modern authoritarianism.
Vermin w/ Lisa T. Sarasohn
June 06, 2022 07:05 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by historian Dr. Lisa T. Sarasohn to talk about her new book, "Getting Under Our Skin: The Cultural and Social History of Vermin." They discuss how our view of lice, fleas, bedbugs, and rats evolved with the advent of modern science, as well as the tendency to dehumanize, ostracize, and perpetrate violence against those deemed to be "other."
Empowering Young Women w/ Emma Asiedu-Akrofi
May 30, 2022 07:44 - 50 minutes - 47.3 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Emma Asiedu-Akrofi, the Executive Director of the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women's Empowerment. They talk about how society benefits when girls have access to opportunities, including a reduction in poverty and increased social justice overall. Follow Emma's work: @JACentre4Girls
Beasts Before Us w/ Elsa Panciroli
May 23, 2022 07:36 - 1 hour - 67.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by paleontologist Dr. Elsa Panciroli to talk about her book, "Beasts Before Us: The Untold Story of Mammal Origins and Evolution." They discuss how many of us have our timelines all wrong, as mammals have been evolving since far before the asteroid impact that rendered the dinosaurs extinct.
The Tailored Brain w/ Emily Willingham
May 16, 2022 07:38 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined once again by science writer Dr. Emily Willingham to talk about her newest book, "The Tailored Brain: From Ketamine, to Keto, to Companionship, A User's Guide to Feeling Better and Thinking Stronger." They discuss how our cognitive needs are not one-size-fits-all while applying much-needed skepticism to the gimmicks and tricks often offered by the self-help industry.
Unconscious Bias w/ Jessica Nordell
May 09, 2022 08:22 - 1 hour - 66.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Jessica Nordell, the award-winning author of "The End of Bias: A Beginning: The Science and Practice of Overcoming Unconscious Bias." They discuss the evidence behind unconscious (also known as implicit) bias, including what we can do to work toward a more egalitarian society.
Climate Miseducation w/ Katie Worth
May 02, 2022 07:03 - 1 hour - 71.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by award-winning investigative journalist Katie Worth to talk about her new book, "Miseducation: How Climate Change Is Taught in America." Kate reveals how the fossil fuel industry, libertarian think-tanks, legislators, and textbook publishers across the country are sowing doubt and distrust about the climate crisis, resulting in a young populace suffused with denialism.
The Social Lives of Animals w/ Ashley Ward
April 25, 2022 08:21 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by University of Sydney Professor of Animal Behavior Dr. Ashley Ward to talk about his new book, "The Social Lives of Animals." From termites to fish to chimpanzees, they discuss the ways animals form societies, communicate with one another, and engage in culture.
Climate Justice w/ Elizabeth Cripps
April 18, 2022 07:19 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by moral philosopher Dr. Elizabeth Cripps to talk about her new book, "What Climate Justice Means and Why We Should Care." They discuss the inextricable link between racism, social justice, and climate policy in addition to the importance of accountability and action.
Magnificent Makers w/ Theanne Griffith
April 11, 2022 07:10 - 50 minutes - 47 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Theanne Griffith to talk about her STEM-themed chapter book series, "The Magnificent Makers." They discuss the importance of diversity and inclusive representation in children's storytelling as well as her work investigating sensations like pain and temperature.
The Shame Machine w/ Cathy O'Neil
April 04, 2022 07:27 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by mathematician Dr. Cathy O’Neil to talk about her newest book, “The Shame Machine: Who Profits in the New Age of Humiliation.” They highlight the pernicious influence of America’s “shame-industrial complex” as well as shame’s role in effecting social change.