Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
847 episodes - English - Latest episode: 18 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.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
The Authority Gap w/ Mary Ann Sieghart
March 14, 2022 07:06 - 1 hour - 57 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by journalist and broadcaster Mary Ann Sieghart to talk about her new book, “The Authority Gap: Why Women Are Still Taken Less Seriously Than Men, and What We Can Do About It.” They discuss gender bias in work, school, media, politics, and larger society, with an emphasis on power, class, and privilege.
Jerks at Work w/ Tessa West
March 07, 2022 08:35 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by NYU psychology professor Dr. Tessa West to talk about her new book, "Jerks at Work: Toxic Coworkers and What to Do About Them." They talk about the types of conflicts you're likely to encounter in the workplace and evidence-based approaches for dealing with toxic bosses, annoying coworkers, and all-around jerks at work.
Synthetic Biology w/ Amy Webb
February 28, 2022 08:29 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by futurist Amy Webb to talk about her new book, "The Genesis Machine: Our Quest to Rewrite Life in the Age of Synthetic Biology." They discuss the promises of a future shaped by synthetic biology, as well as the risks and unintended consequences such a future may hold.
Dream Science w/ Sidarta Ribeiro
February 22, 2022 04:13 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Sidarta Ribeiro, professor of neuroscience and founder of the Brain Institute at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in Natal, Brazil. They talk about his new book, "The Oracle of Night: The History and Science of Dreams." Topics include what dreaming is (and isn't), why we dream, and what contemporary neuroscience, biochemistry, and genetics can tell us about this ancient evolutionary experience.
Heartbreak w/ Florence Williams
February 14, 2022 08:31 - 1 hour - 60.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Florence Williams to talk about her new book, “Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey.” They discuss what happens to your brain and body when grieving the loss of love, with a special focus on healing after loneliness.
Coronavirus Vaccine w/ Brendan Borrell
February 07, 2022 08:46 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Brendan Borrell, author of “The First Shots: The Epic Rivalries and Heroic Science Behind the Race to the Coronavirus Vaccine.” They highlight the incredible global achievement of developing multiple mRNA vaccines effective against a deadly new virus. Also discussed: how America’s audacious goals were accomplished against a political backdrop of utter ineptitude and failed leadership.
Healthcare and Covid w/ Anthony Harris
January 31, 2022 08:09 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Anthony Harris, owner of HFit Health and board-certified physician in occupational and environmental medicine. They talk about the American healthcare system with a special focus on COVID-19 and wellness disparities.
Olfaction (Smell) w/ Jude Stewart
January 24, 2022 08:37 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by journalist Jude Stewart to talk about her new book, "Revelations in Air: A Guidebook to Smell." They talk about the biology, physics, chemistry, psychology, and even the art of olfaction, a sense about which we have so much more to learn.
Sticky w/ Laurie Winkless
January 17, 2022 08:24 - 1 hour - 62.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by physicist and science writer Laurie Winkless to talk about her new book, "Sticky: The Secret Science of Surfaces." They discuss the role of friction in stickiness, why different surfaces stick differently, and how scientists and engineers use this information to create innovative materials.
Biophysics w/ Raghuveer Parthasarathy
January 10, 2022 08:47 - 1 hour - 76.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by University of Oregon Biophysicist Dr. Raghuveer Parthasarathy to talk about his new book, "So Simple a Beginning: How Four Physical Principles Shape Our Living World." They discuss how the principles of self-assembly, regulatory circuits, predictable randomness, and scaling underpin all of life on Earth.
Variable Stars w/ Stella Kafka
December 20, 2021 09:05 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Stella Kafka, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). They talk about what variable stars are, why they matter, and how you can be involved in global citizen science efforts!
Your Life Depends On It w/ Talya Miron-Shatz
December 13, 2021 08:47 - 1 hour - 67.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Talya Miron-Shatz, author of “Your Life Depends on It: What You Can Do to Make Better Choices About Your Health.” They discuss the power and purpose of medical decision-making, with a focus on improving our choices through increased comprehension, compassion, and self-efficacy.
Conservation and Zoonosis w/ Sarah Olson
December 06, 2021 08:01 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the director of the Wildlife Conservation Society Health Program, Dr. Sarah Olson. They talk about the link between human activity and emerging zoonotic pathogens, including her work on Ebola in hammer-headed fruit bats and coronaviruses in rodents.
Pizzly Bears w/ Larisa DeSantis
November 29, 2021 18:43 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Larisa DeSantis, paleontologist and associate professor of biological sciences at Vanderbilt University. They talk about the devastating effects of climate change on both living and extinct species, as well as the remote possibility for a warming arctic full of "pizzly bears."
How to Talk to a Science Denier w/ Lee McIntyre
November 22, 2021 09:14 - 1 hour - 66.4 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by philosopher Dr. Lee McIntyre to talk about his newest book, “How to Talk to a Science Denier: Conversations with Flat Earthers, Climate Deniers, and Others Who Defy Reason.” They discuss methods for communicating with folks victimized by post-truth propaganda, including conspiracy theories and anti-vaccine rhetoric.
Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy w/ Arik Kershenbaum
November 15, 2021 08:58 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Arik Kershenbaum to talk about his new book "The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal About Aliens--And Ourselves." They discuss some of the defining features of life and how we might recognize them elsewhere in the universe.
Science Vs. w/ Wendy Zukerman
November 08, 2021 08:11 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Wendy Zukerman, the host and executive producer of Gimlet Media's Science Vs, available on Spotify. They talk all things podcasting, science journalism, and America's obsession with the cult of personality.
Genetic Lottery w/ Kathryn Paige Harden
November 01, 2021 07:28 - 1 hour - 76.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by University of Texas psychologist and behavioral geneticist Dr. Kathryn Paige Harden to talk about her new book, “The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality.” They discuss the dark history of the eugenics movement, and how a better understanding of genetic science could lead to improved social justice.
Hummingbirds w/ Jon Dunn
October 25, 2021 09:23 - 1 hour - 71.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by natural history writer, photographer, and wildlife tour guide Jon Dunn to talk about his newest book, "The Glitter in the Green: In Search of Hummingbirds." They talk about his journey across the globe to witness the beauty and splendor of different hummingbird species, as well as the lessons he learned about human greed and hubris along the way.
Psychogenic Illness w/ Suzanne O'Sullivan
October 18, 2021 07:36 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by neurologist and author Dr. Suzanne O’Sullivan to talk about her new book, “The Sleeping Beauties: And Other Stories of Mystery Illness.” They discuss the fascinating and complex phenomenon of psychogenic disease, including how changes to the culture of medicine could improve biopsychosocial wellness.
Mental Immunity w/ Andy Norman
October 11, 2021 16:47 - 1 hour - 64.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Andy Norman, director of the Humanism Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University and founder of the Cognitive Immunology Research Initiative (CIRCE). They talk about his new book, “Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think.”
Brazilian Pseudoscience w/ Natalia Pasternak
October 04, 2021 07:03 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Natalia Pasternak, Brazilian microbiologist, skeptic, and popularizer of science. They talk about her work fighting back against the blatant anti-science rhetoric of Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fuzz, Stiff, Gulp, and More! w/ Mary Roach
September 27, 2021 07:19 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara has the opportunity to speak with her favorite living author, Mary Roach. They talk about her newest book, “Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law,” as well as her illustrious career reporting on and writing about the quirky, profound, and bitingly funny vicissitudes of human experience.
Social and Environmental Justice w/ adrienne maree brown
September 20, 2021 07:05 - 50 minutes - 47.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer-in-residence at the Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute, adrienne maree brown. They talk about her two newest books, “Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation” and “We Will Not Cancel Us: And Other Dreams of Transformative Justice.” Topics discussed include: racial, gender, and environmental justice; cancel culture; and the power of intersubjectivity.
Physics, Activism, and Leadership w/ Walter E. Massey
September 13, 2021 06:53 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by physicist Dr. Walter E. Massey to talk about his long and distinguished career as the past head of the National Science Foundation, president and chairman of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, director of Argonne National Laboratory, and president of Morehouse College, among countless other titles. They also talk about his new book, "In the Eye of the Storm: My Time as Chairman of Bank of America During the Country's Worst...
Claiming Space w/ Eliza VanCort
September 07, 2021 00:13 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Eliza VanCort, author of “A Woman’s Guide to Claiming Space: Stand Tall. Raise Your Voice. Be Heard.” They talk about her harrowing childhood and recovery from a traumatic brain injury, which influenced her work in women’s empowerment and anti-racism.
Quantum Life w/ Hakeem Oluseyi
August 30, 2021 07:25 - 1 hour - 74.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by astrophysicist Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi to talk about his new book, "A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Street to the Stars." They discuss his work in both theoretical cosmology and applied astrophysics as well as the absolute necessity of representation in the sciences.
Neurochemistry w/ Ginny Smith
August 16, 2021 08:29 - 1 hour - 66.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science communicator Ginny Smith to talk about her new book, “Overloaded: How Every Aspect of Your Life is Influenced by Your Brain Chemicals”. They discuss the importance of neurotransmission, the role different neurochemicals play in brain function, and when we shouldn’t believe the hype.
Geometry w/ Jordan Ellenberg
August 09, 2021 07:51 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by award-winning mathematician Dr. Jordan Ellenberg to talk about his newest book, "Shape: The Hidden Geometry of Information, Biology, Strategy, Democracy, and Everything Else." They discuss the importance of mathematics education, as well as the geometry that lies beneath the scientific, political, and philosophical problems we encounter as human beings.
Computational Neuroscience w/ Grace Lindsay
August 02, 2021 07:02 - 58 minutes - 34.4 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by computational neuroscientist Dr. Grace Lindsay to talk about the new book, "Models of the Mind: How Physics, Engineering, and Mathematics Have Shaped Our Understanding of the Brain." They talk about efforts to quantify mental processes like sensation, perception, and memory, as well as new frontiers in machine learning, computer vision, and artificial intelligence, using systems inspired by neurobiology.
Deep Sea Coral w/ Narissa Bax
July 26, 2021 07:01 - 54 minutes - 50.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Narissa Bax, the Marine and Coastal Program Coordinator for the South Atlantic Environmental Research Group in the Falkland Islands. Narissa shares her love for all things conservation and ecology, especially the work she is doing to better understand and preserve deep-sea corals in the Antarctic region.
Black in STEM w/ Deena Pierott
July 19, 2021 07:48 - 55 minutes - 51.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by awardee of President Barack Obama's White House Champion of Change for Technology Inclusion, Deena Pierott. Deena is the founder of iUrban Teen, a science, technology, engineering, manufacturing (STEM), and arts program for youth of color, and co-founder of Black Women in STEM 2.0, an organization advocates for equitable and inclusive workspaces while supporting black women in high-tech careers. They talk about the issues facing historically ex...
Forced Sterilization w/ Audrey Clare Farley
July 12, 2021 07:15 - 1 hour - 65.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer and historian Dr. Audrey Clare Farley to talk about her new book, "The Unfit Heiress: The Tragic Life and Scandalous Sterilization of Ann Cooper Hewitt." Audrey tells a story steeped in white supremacy and greed, against a backdrop of the growing eugenics movement in 1930s America.
How to Be Animal w/ Melanie Challenger
July 05, 2021 08:02 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer, researcher, and broadcaster Melanie Challenger to talk about her newest book, "How to Be Animal: A New History of What It Means to Be Human." They reflect on the existential and moral roots of the human experience, as well as our deep evolutionary nature as creatures living on Planet Earth.
Fake Medicine w/ Brad McKay
June 28, 2021 08:38 - 1 hour - 68.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Australian GP and science communicator Dr. Brad McKay to talk about his new book, “Fake Medicine: Exposing the Wellness Crazes, Cons and Quacks Costing Us Our Health.” They dive into the world of snake oil and pseudoscience, and Brad shares his own journey into science, skepticism, and LGBTQIA+-affirmative practice.
Best in Fair w/ Michelle Hua & Yunseo Choi
June 21, 2021 08:08 - 54 minutes - 50.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by two brilliant teenagers who recently won top honors in science competitions. First, she speaks with Michelle Hua, first-place winner of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award. Michelle tells how she designed and implemented a novel deep-learning framework using human silhouettes. Next, Yunseo Choi, first-place winner of the Regeneron Science Talent Search, shares her work in mat...
Uncertainty and Art in Medicine w/ Alexa Miller
June 14, 2021 07:01 - 55 minutes - 51.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Alexa Miller, founder of the medical education consultancy Arts Practica. They discuss the use of visual arts education to improve diagnostic outcomes, as well as physician and patient comfort in times of uncertainty.
Racism and Expertise w/ Eman Tadros
June 07, 2021 07:01 - 1 hour - 74.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Eman Tadros, Assistant Professor in the Division of Psychology and Counseling at Governor’s State University. They talk about the profound effects racism has on the perception of expertise as well as her research into incarceration and family systems. Follow Eman: @EmanTadros.
Who Gives a Poop? w/ Heather Montgomery
May 31, 2021 07:57 - 45 minutes - 42 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by environmental educator and children’s book author Heather L. Montgomery to talk about “Who Gives a Poop? Surprising Science from One End to the Other.” They discuss the joys of gross science, why kids rule, and some of the strange and wonderful promises of, you guessed it, poop.
Great Adaptations w/ Kenneth Catania
May 24, 2021 07:06 - 57 minutes - 53.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Kenneth Catania to talk about his new book, "Great Adaptations: Star-Nosed Moles, Electric Eels, and Other Tales of Evolution's Mysteries Solved." They discuss Ken's groundbreaking research into some of planet Earth's most bizarre and incredible creatures, including star-nosed moles, electric eels, and more.
Blackwell Doctors w/ Janice Nimura
May 17, 2021 07:47 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by historian Janice Nimura to talk about her new book, "The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Women Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine." She shares the story of Elizabeth Blackwell and her younger sister Emily, the first and second women in America to receive an M.D. (medical degree).
Fire in Paradise w/ Dani Anguiano
May 10, 2021 18:17 - 59 minutes - 55.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by The Guardian’s Dani Anguiano to talk about her new book, “Fire in Paradise: An American Tragedy.” Dani tells the harrowing details of the November 8, 2018 Camp Fire that claimed the lives of 85 people and destroyed virtually every home in Paradise, California. They also discussed the reality of wildfires and the necessity of prescribed burns, how climate change is affecting their frequency and severity, and how we can address the societal ills ...
Beloved Beasts w/ Michelle Nijhuis
May 03, 2021 15:50 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Michelle Nijhuis, author of "Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction." They discuss the nuanced efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to global conservation, including the good, the bad, and the colonialist.
Four Lost Cities w/ Annalee Newitz
April 26, 2021 17:24 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer Annalee Newitz to talk about their newest book, "Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age." They discuss the fascinating history of once-thriving metropolises, how/why they were abandoned, and the important contributions of those who were far too often erased from our collective memories.
Fundamentals w/ Frank Wilczek
April 19, 2021 16:59 - 1 hour - 62 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the winner of the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics, Dr. Frank Wilczek, to talk about his newest book, "Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality." They discuss the fundamental physics underlying the known universe, science's most burning unanswered questions, and the essential search for meaning that lies at the heart of humankind.
Cyber Privacy w/ April Falcon Doss
April 12, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Technology, Law, and Policy, April Falcon Doss. They talk about her new book, "Cyber Privacy: Who Has Your Data and Why You Should Care." Informed by her time spent both at the NSA and serving as counsel for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, April explains what happens to our data online and why we should care.
Is This Wifi Organic? w/ Dave Farina
April 05, 2021 07:25 - 1 hour - 71.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dave Farina (Professor Dave Explains) to talk about his new book, "Is this Wifi Organic? A Guide to Spotting Misleading Science Online." They talk about the business of YouTube, the importance of basic science education, and how we can protect ourselves from pseudoscience.
Cholera, Anthrax, & Sexism Too w/ Rita Colwell
March 29, 2021 07:12 - 55 minutes - 51.9 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by infectious disease scientist Dr. Rita Colwell, who served as the first female director of the National Science Foundation and continues to engage in academic research at the age of 86. They talk about her newest book, "A Lab of One's Own: One Woman's Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science." In addition to describing the incredible barriers faced throughout her career, Rita shares stories of her groundbreaking discoveries in microbiology, in...
Trans and Dinos w/ Riley Black
March 22, 2021 07:01 - 1 hour - 59.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer Riley Black ("Written in Stone," "My Beloved Brontosaurus," "Skeleton Keys"), who shares her experience as a transgender woman in paleontology. She also talks about cool new fossil discoveries that will blow your mind.
Democratizing Our Data w/ Julia Lane
March 15, 2021 19:25 - 58 minutes - 54 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by economist, NYU Professor of Public Service, and cofounder of the Coleridge Initiative Dr. Julia Lane to talk about her newest book, "Democratizing Our Data: A Manifesto." They discuss how big data can be used safely and transparently as a powerful governmental tool for social justice, representation, and equity.