Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
852 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 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 221 - Ben Goldfarb
August 20, 2018 08:13 - 1 hour - 39.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Ben Goldfarb, environmental journalist and author of the new book "Eager: The Surprising Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter." Ben informs Cara of little-known beaver facts and she admits to having never seen one in the wild! They also talk about the ecological importance of this strange, magnificent creature. Follow Ben: @ben_a_goldfarb.
Beavers w/ Ben Goldfarb
August 20, 2018 08:13 - 1 hour - 39.1 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Ben Goldfarb, environmental journalist and author of the new book "Eager: The Surprising Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter." Ben informs Cara of little-known beaver facts and she admits to having never seen one in the wild! They also talk about the ecological importance of this strange, magnificent creature.
Episode 220 - Siva Kumari
August 13, 2018 23:13 - 1 hour - 40.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with the Director General of the International Baccalaureate (IB), Dr. Siva Kumari. They discuss her role as the first-ever woman to lead the IB, a 50-year-old multinational, not-for-profit foundation focused on delivering exceptional global education to students around the world. Follow Siva: @siva_kumari.
International Baccalaureate w/ Siva Kumari
August 13, 2018 23:13 - 1 hour - 40.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with the Director General of the International Baccalaureate (IB), Dr. Siva Kumari. They discuss her role as the first-ever woman to lead the IB, a 50-year-old multinational, not-for-profit foundation focused on delivering exceptional global education to students around the world.
Episode 219 - Adam Frank
August 07, 2018 03:43 - 1 hour - 43.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Dr. Adam Frank, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester. They talk about his new book, "Light of the Stars: Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth." Topics include: how we can shift our perspective on climate change to be better prepared for its challenges, and why we're likely not alone in the universe. Follow Adam: @AdamFrank4.
Light of the Stars w/ Adam Frank
August 07, 2018 03:43 - 1 hour - 43.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Dr. Adam Frank, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester. They talk about his new book, "Light of the Stars: Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth." Topics include: how we can shift our perspective on climate change to be better prepared for its challenges, and why we're likely not alone in the universe.
Malaria w/ Helen Pates Jamet
July 31, 2018 06:21 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Helen Pates Jamet, a medical entomologist who specializes in malaria prevention, research, and vector control product development. She works as the Global Head of Research and Market Access for Vestergaard, the world's largest producer of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets. They talk about the global impact of malaria, a devastating disease that infects over 200 million people and causes nearly half a million deaths annually. Helen shares th...
Episode 218 - Helen Pates Jamet
July 31, 2018 06:21 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Helen Pates Jamet, a medical entomologist who specializes in malaria prevention, research, and vector control product development. She works as the Global Head of Research and Market Access for Vestergaard, the world's largest producer of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets. They talk about the global impact of malaria, a devastating disease that infects over 200 million people and causes nearly half a million deaths annually. Helen shares th...
Episode 217 - Eugenia Bone
July 24, 2018 18:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Eugenia Bone, author of the new book "Microbia: A Journey into the Unseen World Around You." They discuss Eugenia's journey back to school to learn about the microbiome, the vast collection of all the microbes (and their genes) living inside you. They also talk about her fascinating career as a nature and food writer. Follow Eugenia: @eugeniabone.
Microbiome w/ Eugenia Bone
July 24, 2018 18:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Eugenia Bone, author of the new book "Microbia: A Journey into the Unseen World Around You." They discuss Eugenia's journey back to school to learn about the microbiome, the vast collection of all the microbes (and their genes) living inside you. They also talk about her fascinating career as a nature and food writer.
Episode 216 - Heather Burdick
July 16, 2018 07:38 - 1 hour - 38.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by Heather Burdick, the Director of Marine Operations for the Bay Foundation. They talk about her work supporting the Marine Team on various projects involving research, monitoring, and ecological restoration throughout the Santa Monica Bay. The specifically discuss the Palos Verdes Kelp Restoration Project and southern California abalone recovery efforts. Follow the Bay Foundation: @SMBRF.
Bay Foundation w/ Heather Burdick
July 16, 2018 07:38 - 1 hour - 38.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by Heather Burdick, the Director of Marine Operations for the Bay Foundation. They talk about her work supporting the Marine Team on various projects involving research, monitoring, and ecological restoration throughout the Santa Monica Bay. The specifically discuss the Palos Verdes Kelp Restoration Project and southern California abalone recovery efforts.
Episode 215 - Margot Mifflin
July 09, 2018 23:56 - 1 hour - 40.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Lehman College/City University of New York and CUNY's Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Professor Margot Mifflin. They talk about her research into feminist tattoo culture, including two of her books, "Bodies of Subversion" and "The Blue Tattoo." Follow Margot: @Msmifflin.
Tattoos w/ Margot Mifflin
July 09, 2018 23:56 - 1 hour - 40.8 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Lehman College/City University of New York and CUNY's Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Professor Margot Mifflin. They talk about her research into feminist tattoo culture, including two of her books, "Bodies of Subversion" and "The Blue Tattoo."
Episode 214 - Bertha Vazquez
July 02, 2018 06:59 - 1 hour - 35.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Bertha Vazquez, the Director of the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES) of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, a division of the Center for Inquiry. They discuss her incredible work providing the tools and training necessary to effectively teach the science of evolution throughout middle schools in the United States. Follow TIES: @rdfrsTIES.
Teaching Evolution w/ Bertha Vazquez
July 02, 2018 06:59 - 1 hour - 35.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Bertha Vazquez, the Director of the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES) of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, a division of the Center for Inquiry. They discuss her incredible work providing the tools and training necessary to effectively teach the science of evolution throughout middle schools in the United States.
Episode 213 - Michael Lemonick
June 27, 2018 02:38 - 1 hour - 39.4 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Michael Lemonick, the Opinion Editor at Scientific American. They talk about his book, "The Perpetual Now: A story of amnesia, memory, and love." He shares the tale of a woman whose brain was ravaged by encephalitis, disrupting her ability to form new memories and destroying her recollections from the past. However, her intellect and artistic ability remained relatively intact, providing researchers with insights into the wonders of the human...
Memory w/ Michael Lemonick
June 27, 2018 02:38 - 1 hour - 39.4 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Michael Lemonick, the Opinion Editor at Scientific American. They talk about his book, "The Perpetual Now: A story of amnesia, memory, and love." He shares the tale of a woman whose brain was ravaged by encephalitis, disrupting her ability to form new memories and destroying her recollections from the past. However, her intellect and artistic ability remained relatively intact, providing researchers with insights into the wonders of the human...
Spying on Whales w/ Nick Pyenson
June 18, 2018 23:28 - 1 hour - 44.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History paleobiologist and Curator of Fossil Marine Mammals Dr. Nick Pyenson about his new book, "Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures." They talk about the similarities between cetaceans and land-dwelling mammals, along with what makes them unique among Earth's creatures (extinct and extant).
Episode 212 - Nick Pyenson
June 18, 2018 23:28 - 1 hour - 44.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History paleobiologist and Curator of Fossil Marine Mammals Dr. Nick Pyenson about his new book, "Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures." They talk about the similarities between cetaceans and land-dwelling mammals, along with what makes them unique among Earth's creatures (extinct and extant). Follow Nick: @PyensonLab.
Episode 211 - Angela Garbes
June 12, 2018 00:06 - 1 hour - 35.3 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Angela Garbes, author of Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy. Angela tells Cara about her own experiences as a writer and a mother, including the ways women lack pre- and postnatal support in American society. Follow Angela: @agarbes.
Motherhood w/ Angela Garbes
June 12, 2018 00:06 - 1 hour - 35.3 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Angela Garbes, author of Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy. Angela tells Cara about her own experiences as a writer and a mother, including the ways women lack pre- and postnatal support in American society.
Episode 210 - Carl Zimmer
June 04, 2018 07:56 - 53 minutes - 31.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by celebrated science writer Carl Zimmer, author of "She Has Her Mother's Laugh: The Powers, Perversions, and Potentials of Heredity." They discuss the promises of modern genetics research and applications, as well as the dark history of the eugenics movement. Carl also tells of his personal journey to uncover the secrets that lie within his own genome. Follow Carl: @carlzimmer.
Heredity w/ Carl Zimmer
June 04, 2018 07:56 - 53 minutes - 31.6 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by celebrated science writer Carl Zimmer, author of "She Has Her Mother's Laugh: The Powers, Perversions, and Potentials of Heredity." They discuss the promises of modern genetics research and applications, as well as the dark history of the eugenics movement. Carl also tells of his personal journey to uncover the secrets that lie within his own genome.
Geologic w/ George Hrab
May 28, 2018 06:03 - 1 hour - 50.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by jack-of-all-trades and skeptic extraordinaire George Hrab. They talk about his work as the drummer of the Philadelphia Funk Authority and the producer/host of the Geologic Podcast. They also discuss the fun he has emceeing skeptic events across the globe.
Episode 209 - George Hrab
May 28, 2018 06:03 - 1 hour - 50.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by jack-of-all-trades and skeptic extraordinaire George Hrab. They talk about his work as the drummer of the Philadelphia Funk Authority and the producer/host of the Geologic Podcast. They also discuss the fun he has emceeing skeptic events across the globe. Follow George: @georgehrab.
Episode 208 - Kari Byron
May 21, 2018 07:18 - 56 minutes - 33.1 MBOn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Kari Byron to talk about her new book, "Crash Test Girl: An Unlikely Experiment in Using the Scientific Method to Answer Life's Toughest Questions." They talk about her time on Mythbusters, the importance of the scientific method, and how her work on television is empowering her daughter and other young girls to be who they really are. Follow Kari: @KariByron.
Crash Test Girl w/ Kari Byron
May 21, 2018 07:18 - 56 minutes - 33.1 MBOn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Kari Byron to talk about her new book, "Crash Test Girl: An Unlikely Experiment in Using the Scientific Method to Answer Life's Toughest Questions." They talk about her time on Mythbusters, the importance of the scientific method, and how her work on television is empowering her daughter and other young girls to be who they really are.
Science Sam w/ Samantha Yammine
May 15, 2018 00:51 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with science communicator and Ph.D. student Samantha Yammine, better known as Science Sam. They discuss the importance of the public dissemination of science, the special role social media has to play, and the difficulties facing some science communicators within their own institutions.
Episode 207 - Samantha Yammine
May 15, 2018 00:51 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with science communicator and Ph.D. student Samantha Yammine, better known as Science Sam. They discuss the importance of the public dissemination of science, the special role social media has to play, and the difficulties facing some science communicators within their own institutions. Follow Sam: @heysciencesam.
Apollo 8 w/ Robert Kurson
May 07, 2018 20:20 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Robert Kurson, the author of "Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man's First Journey to the Moon." He describes the trials and tribulations of the Apollo 8 mission as well as the bravery and fortitude of the men and women who made it happen. In addition, they discuss the impact of the odyssey, during arguably one of the worst years in American history, 1968.
Episode 206 - Robert Kurson
May 07, 2018 20:20 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Robert Kurson, the author of "Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man's First Journey to the Moon." He describes the trials and tribulations of the Apollo 8 mission as well as the bravery and fortitude of the men and women who made it happen. In addition, they discuss the impact of the odyssey, during arguably one of the worst years in American history, 1968. Follow Robert: @robertkurson.
Episode 205 - Sharon Weinberger
May 01, 2018 08:58 - 54 minutes - 32 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Sharon Weinberger, the executive editor for news at Foreign Policy. They talk about her new book, "The Imagineers of War: The Untold Story of DARPA, the Pentagon Agency that Changed the World." They discuss DARPA's successes and failures, including the internet, drones, Agent Orange, mass surveillance, and its curious relationship with climate science. Follow Sharon: @weinbergersa.
DARPA w/ Sharon Weinberger
May 01, 2018 08:58 - 54 minutes - 32 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Sharon Weinberger, the executive editor for news at Foreign Policy. They talk about her new book, "The Imagineers of War: The Untold Story of DARPA, the Pentagon Agency that Changed the World." They discuss DARPA's successes and failures, including the internet, drones, Agent Orange, mass surveillance, and its curious relationship with climate science.
Episode 204 - Lauren Ayton
April 23, 2018 22:35 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Lauren Ayton, the Director of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Bionic Eye Technologies. They talk about all things vision, including how the eye works and what can go wrong with it. Then they discuss incredible bionic implants and prostheses that are offering the gift of sight to those who've been living without it. Follow Lauren: @DrLaurenAyton.
Bionic Eyes w/ Lauren Ayton
April 23, 2018 22:35 - 1 hour - 42.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Lauren Ayton, the Director of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Bionic Eye Technologies. They talk about all things vision, including how the eye works and what can go wrong with it. Then they discuss incredible bionic implants and prostheses that are offering the gift of sight to those who've been living without it.
Deep Brain Stimulation w/ Lone Frank
April 16, 2018 07:27 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by science journalist Dr. Lone Frank, author of "The Pleasure Shock: The Rise of Deep Brain Stimulation and Its Forgotten Inventor." They discuss her work as a Danish science communicator and her history in academic neurobiology. Then, Lone tells Cara about the fascinating history of Robert G. Heath, the Tulane psychiatrist who performed controversial surgeries and experiments while developing a groundbreaking procedure that was surely ...
Episode 203 - Lone Frank
April 16, 2018 07:27 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by science journalist Dr. Lone Frank, author of "The Pleasure Shock: The Rise of Deep Brain Stimulation and Its Forgotten Inventor." They discuss her work as a Danish science communicator and her history in academic neurobiology. Then, Lone tells Cara about the fascinating history of Robert G. Heath, the Tulane psychiatrist who performed controversial surgeries and experiments while developing a groundbreaking procedure that was surely ...
Episode 202 - Mark O'Connell
April 10, 2018 04:02 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with author Mark O'Connell about his new book "To Be a Machine: Adventures Among Cyborgs, Utopians, Hackers, and the Futurists Solving the Modest Problem of Death." They talk about the process of writing a book, a well as the things he learned during his investigation of the fascinating and sometimes troubling transhumanist movement. Follow Mark: @mrkocnnll.
Transhumanism w/ Mark O'Connell
April 10, 2018 04:02 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with author Mark O'Connell about his new book "To Be a Machine: Adventures Among Cyborgs, Utopians, Hackers, and the Futurists Solving the Modest Problem of Death." They talk about the process of writing a book, a well as the things he learned during his investigation of the fascinating and sometimes troubling transhumanist movement.
Cringeworthy w/ Melissa Dahl
April 02, 2018 07:27 - 45 minutes - 42.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with journalist and editor Melissa Dahl about her new book, “Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness.” They talk about what makes us shudder, from the sound of our own voices to the prospect of starting a conversation with strangers on the New York City subway.
Episode 201 - Melissa Dahl
April 02, 2018 07:27 - 45 minutes - 42.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with journalist and editor Melissa Dahl about her new book, “Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness.” They talk about what makes us shudder, from the sound of our own voices to the prospect of starting a conversation with strangers on the New York City subway. Follow Melissa: @melissadahl.
Episode 200 - Cara Santa Maria (feat. Alie Ward)
March 24, 2018 09:36 - 1 hour - 97 MBIt's the 200th episode of Talk Nerdy! To celebrate, Cara brings back the Ask Me Anything (AMA) format, with a twist! This week, Cara is joined in studio by friend of the show and host of the Ologies podcast, Alie Ward. She scans the brilliant questions provided by you, the Talk Nerdy listeners, and selects her favorites to turn the tables and interview Cara! They cover ground from space travel to science communication to Killer, of course! And Cara answers her famous final two questions. THAN...
Episode 200 - Cara Santa Maria AMA
March 24, 2018 09:29 - 1 hour - 97 MBIt's the 200th episode of Talk Nerdy! To celebrate, Cara brings back the Ask Me Anything (AMA) format, with a twist! This week, Cara is joined in studio by friend of the show and host of the Ologies podcast, Alie Ward. She scans the brilliant questions provided by you, the Talk Nerdy listeners, and selects her favorites to turn the tables and interview Cara! They cover ground from space travel to science communication to Killer, of course! And Cara answers her famous final two questions. THAN...
Ask Me Anything w/ Cara Santa Maria & Alie Ward
March 24, 2018 09:29 - 1 hour - 97 MBIt's the 200th episode of Talk Nerdy! To celebrate, Cara brings back the Ask Me Anything (AMA) format, with a twist! This week, Cara is joined in studio by friend of the show and host of the Ologies podcast, Alie Ward. She scans the brilliant questions provided by you, the Talk Nerdy listeners, and selects her favorites to turn the tables and interview Cara! They cover ground from space travel to science communication to Killer, of course! And Cara answers her famous final two questions. THAN...
Episode 199 - Adam Becker
March 19, 2018 20:48 - 1 hour - 120 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by astrophysicist Dr. Adam Becker to talk about his new book, "What is Real? The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics." They talk about the important role philosophy plays in understanding the scientific process as well as what happens when you question one of the sacred cows of quantum physics, the Copenhagen interpretation. Follow Adam: @FreelanceAstro.
What is Real w/ Adam Becker
March 19, 2018 20:48 - 1 hour - 120 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by astrophysicist Dr. Adam Becker to talk about his new book, "What is Real? The Unfinished Quest for the Meaning of Quantum Physics." They talk about the important role philosophy plays in understanding the scientific process as well as what happens when you question one of the sacred cows of quantum physics, the Copenhagen interpretation.
Magnetism w/ Alanna Mitchell
March 12, 2018 07:04 - 57 minutes - 80.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with science journalist Alanna Mitchell about her new book, “The Spinning Magnet.” They examine magnetismʼs long history of discovery, including the hundreds of times the Earthʼs poles have flipped.
Episode 198 - Alanna Mitchell
March 12, 2018 07:04 - 57 minutes - 80.2 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with science journalist Alanna Mitchell about her new book, “The Spinning Magnet.” They examine magnetismʼs long history of discovery, including the hundreds of times the Earthʼs poles have flipped. Follow Alanna @amitchelltweets.
Episode 197 - David Huntsberger
March 05, 2018 21:18 - 1 hour - 134 MBIn this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by stand-up comedian David Huntsberger. They talk, among other random things, about the wonderful work he's doing on his science podcast, "The Space Cave." Also discussed: the frustrating and fantastic world of freelance content creation. Follow Dave: @huntsbergerjunk.