Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Transgender Activism w/ Julia Serano

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 book...

Our Future with Robots w/ Daniela Rus

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by roboticist and the first female director of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Labo...

Unclaimed w/ Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by sociologists Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans to talk about their book, “THE UNCLAIMED: Aband...

Our Moon w/ Rebecca Boyle

11 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Merze Tate w/ Barbara Savage

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Pennsy...

How We Age w/ Coleen Murphy

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Dire...

Why We Remember w/ Charan Ranganath

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Motivation Science w/ Ayelet Fishbach

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the Jeffrey Breakenridge Keller Professor of Behavioral Science and Marketing at the University of Ch...

Learning to Think w/ Tracy King

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by England based writer, producer, and science communicator, Tracy King. We talk about her upcoming memo...

Legacy w/ Uché Blackstock

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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, “...

Fire Season w/ Manjula Martin

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Py...

Transient and Strange w/ Nell Greenfieldboyce

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce. They talk about her new book, "Transient and Strange:...

Free Will w/ Robert Sapolsky

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Brave the Wild River w/ Melissa Sevigny

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, winn...

Planetary Magnetism w/ Sabine Stanley

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Sabine Stanley, a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University in the Department...

Against Technoableism w/ Ashley Shew

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Misophonia w/ Jane Gregory

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, "Soun...

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

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ab...

Covid Pseudoscience w/ Jonathan Howard

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Live from QED w/ Anita Powell

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live from the QED Conference in Manchester, UK, this episode of Talk Nerdy features community engagement advocate and menopause activist Anit...

Mother Tongue w/ Jenni Nuttall

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, "Mo...

Good Dogs w/ Jessica Pierce

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Eight Bears w/ Gloria Dickie

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Women Soldiers w/ Lena Andrews

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Handmade Materials w/ Anna Ploszajski

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 f...

Recognizing Our Humanity w/ Michèle Lamont

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Un...

Natality w/ Jennifer Banks

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, "Nata...

Junk Science w/ M. Chris Fabricant

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 h...

Is Math Real? w/ Eugenia Cheng

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Switch Craft w/ Elaine Fox

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Bluefin Tuna w/ Karen Pinchin

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, O...

Defiant Dreams w/ Sola Mahfouz & Malaina Kapoor

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by quantum computing researcher Sola Mahfouz and human rights advocate Malaina Kapoor, authors of the ne...

Gestures w/ Susan Goldin-Meadow

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 wit...

Anxiety w/ Luana Marques

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital psychologist Dr. Luana Marques. They talk a...

Fragmented Healthcare w/ Ilana Yurkiewicz

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Ilana Yurkiewicz, oncologist, internal medicine physician, and professor at Stanford University. ...

Microbiome Anthropology w/ Amber Benezra

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Fungal Pandemic w/ Emily Monosson

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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." ...

Investigative Genetic Genealogy w/ Barbara Rae-Venter

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Unm...

Forensic Anthropology at the Dozier School w/ Erin Kimmerle

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Justic...

Ecology of Abandoned Places w/ Cal Flyn

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Cal Flyn, author, investigative journalist, and MacDowell fellow from the Highlands of Scotland. They...

Egg w/ Lizzie Stark

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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." T...

Gamification w/ Adrian Hon

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, Governme...

Edison's Ghosts w/ Katie Spalding

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Patriarchy w/ Angela Saini

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 P...

Historical Abortion w/ Jennifer Wright

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Resu...

SciComm w/ Leah Elson

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Question...

Period w/ Kate Clancy

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Kate Clancy, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Illinois and intersectional...

Dog Cognition w/ Alexandra Horowitz

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, professor and head of the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College, Columbia Univ...

Cognitive Liberty w/ Nita Farahany

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 ...

The Self w/ Brian Lowery

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Stanford University professor Dr. Brian Lowery joins Cara to talk about his new book, "Selfless: The Social Creation of...

Koalas w/ Danielle Clode

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 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." Th...

Slime w/ Susanne Wedlich

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 w...

Bioelectricity w/ Sally Adee

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 2...

Sweet in Tooth and Claw w/ Kristin Ohlson

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Genero...

Neurology and Dementia w/ Sara Manning Peskin

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by University of Pennsylvania clinical neurologist Dr. Sara Manning Peskin. They talk about her new book...

Accelerator Physics w/ Suzie Sheehy

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Cur...

Attention and Technology w/ Gloria Mark

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Gloria Mark, Chancellor's Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. They ...

Frozen Head Feed Drop

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hosted 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, yo...

Mathematical Models w/ Erica Thompson

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 L...

Amazonian Wildcats w/ Samantha Zwicker

16 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Samantha Zwicker, a tropical biologist and wildlife rehabilitation specialist. Sam is also the co-fou...

Legacy of P-22 w/ Beth Pratt

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the California Regional Executive Director of the National Wildlife Federation, Beth Pratt. They cele...

Black Hole Astrophysics w/ Feryal Özel

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 care...

Indigenous Robotics w/ Danielle Boyer

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Indigenous (Ojibwe) queer robotics inventor Danielle Boyer. They talk about her work making technical...

Star Trek Science w/ Erin Macdonald

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Erin Macdonald, astrophysicist and consultant for the Star Trek franchise. They talk about STEM, ...

Flight Safety w/ Kimberly Perkins

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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...

Sounds of Nature w/ Karen Bakker

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Karen Bakker, Fellow of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies and multidisciplinar...

Urology w/ Fenwa Milhouse

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Fenwa Milhouse to talk about all things urology! They discuss common urological conditions, like ...

History of the Computer w/ Rachel Ignotofsky

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 th...

Evolution w/ Joseph L. Graves Jr

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 i...

Structural Engineering w/ Roma Agrawal

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Stor...

The Biggest Ideas w/ Sean Carroll

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined for the third time by Dr. Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist and professor of natural philosophy at Joh...

Music on the Brain w/ Susan Rogers

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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." Th...

Pain w/ Haider Warraich

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 ...

The Sky Is for Everyone w/ Virginia Trimble & Sara Seager

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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: Wom...

Intellectual Property Law w/ Jessica Silbey

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Progres...

Chemical Engineering w/ Jayshree Seth

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Jayshree Seth, Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate at 3M. They discuss the prevalence ...

Dreams w/ Karen Cerulo & Janet Ruane

05 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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: Ho...

Bitch w/ Lucy Cooke

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Spec...

Punk Rock Paleontology w/ Jingmai O'Connor

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Associa...

Museum Science w/ Olivia Castellini

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Olivia Castellini, Senior Exhibit Developer at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. The...

The Other Dark Matter w/ Lina Zeldovich

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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...

Art and Space w/ Jancy McPhee

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Jancy McPhee, the Founder and Executive Director of SciArt Exchange. They talk abo...

Beauty Science w/ Rolanda Wilkerson

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson, Principle Beauty Scientist at Procter & Gamble. They talk about the chemistry ...

Vagina Obscura w/ Rachel E. Gross

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Anat...

GiveDirectly w/ Miriam Laker

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Miriam Laker-Oketta, Research Director at GiveDirectly. They talk about her work in tropical medi...

Pediatric Palliative Care w/ Natasha Datoo

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Natasha Datoo, a pediatric palliative care physician at Canuck Place Children's Hospice. They tal...

Egyptology w/ Kara Cooney

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Anci...

Vermin w/ Lisa T. Sarasohn

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 ...

Empowering Young Women w/ Emma Asiedu-Akrofi

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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...

Beasts Before Us w/ Elsa Panciroli

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Mamm...

The Tailored Brain w/ Emily Willingham

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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: Fr...

Unconscious Bias w/ Jessica Nordell

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 ...

Climate Miseducation w/ Katie Worth

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by award-winning investigative journalist Katie Worth to talk about her new book, "Miseducation: How Cli...

The Social Lives of Animals w/ Ashley Ward

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 So...

Climate Justice w/ Elizabeth Cripps

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Wh...

Magnificent Makers w/ Theanne Griffith

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Theanne Griffith to talk about her STEM-themed chapter book series, "The Magnifice...

The Shame Machine w/ Cathy O'Neil

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 ...

Back to Earth w/ Nicole Stott

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by astronaut Nicole Stott to talk about her new book, "Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About...

Making Cool Stuff w/ Estefannie

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by computer scientist, engineer, maker, and content creator Estefannie. They talk about her fun and wack...

The Authority Gap w/ Mary Ann Sieghart

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Wo...