Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Microglia w/ Donna Jackson Nakazawa

02 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Donna Jackson Nakazawa, award-winning author of the new book, "The Angel and the Assassin: The Tiny B...

Rocket Launch w/ Tony Gingiss

24 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara sits down with Tony Gingiss, the CEO of OneWeb Satellites, just before OneWeb's second rocket launch at th...

Magic and Feminism w/ Kayla Drescher

17 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by magician and podcaster Kayla Drescher. They discuss the barriers women face in the world of magic, in...

Cemetery Conservation w/ Paul Kwaitkowski & Maria Aliberti-Lubertazzi

10 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Paul Kwaitkowski and Dr. Maria Aliberti-Lubertazzi. Paul is Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Wildlife Conser...

Mental Health in Grad School w/ Susanna Harris

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Susanna Harris, a PhD candidate in microbiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel ...

Math with Bad Drawings w/ Ben Orlin

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Ben Orlin, teacher and author of the "Math with Bad Drawings" blog. They talk about the importance of...

Amazon Rainforest w/ Hilary Scheppers & Daniel Couceiro

21 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Hilary Scheppers and Daniel Couceiro, both of whom previously worked at Rainforest Expeditions in the...

Honeybees w/ Thomas Seeley

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Thomas Seeley, professor of biology at Cornell University and international expert on bees...

Letters from an Astrophysicist w/ Neil deGrasse Tyson

07 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with American Museum of Natural History astrophysicist and science popularizer Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson abou...

Just a Girl w/ Lucinda Jackson

16 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Lucinda Jackson, author of "Just a Girl: Growing Up Female and Ambitious." They discuss her ...

All the Rage w/ Darcy Lockman

09 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by clinical psychologist, journalist, and author of the new book, "All the Rage: Mothers, Fathers, and t...

Science and Authority w/ Robert Crease

03 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Robert P. Crease, Chair of the Philosophy Department at Stony Brook University. They dive into th...

The Last Butterflies w/ Nick Haddad

26 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Nick Haddad, Senior Terrestrial Ecologist in the Department of Integrative Biology at Michigan St...

Air Quality w/ Marilyn Black

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by vice president and senior technical advisor of Underwriter Laboratories Inc. and founder of Air Quali...

Genuine Fakes w/ Lydia Pyne

12 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer and historian Dr. Lydia Pyne to talk about her new book, “Genuine Fakes: How Phony Things Te...

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria w/ Miriam Barlow

04 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by molecular cell biologist at the University of California Merced, Dr. Miriam Barlow. They talk about h...

Shark Teeth w/ Sora Kim

28 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Sora Kim, Life and Environmental Sciences professor at UC Merced. They talk about the importance ...

Mass Photometry w/ Joanna Andrecka

22 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Joanna Andrecka, product marketing manager at Refeyn. They discuss an exciting new technology cal...

Birth Control w/ Sarah E. Hill

14 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by evolutionary psychologist Dr. Sarah E. Hill to talk about her new book, "This Is Your Brain on Birth ...

Dopamine w/ Daniel Lieberman

08 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Daniel Z. Lieberman, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at George Washington Univers...

Quantum Worlds w/ Sean Carroll

01 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara once again sits down with Caltech physicist Dr. Sean Carroll, this time to talk about his new book, “Something D...

Poison Thread w/ Laura Purcell

23 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by novelist Laura Purcell to talk about her book, “The Poison Thread.” They discuss the science and ...

Ancient Migration w/ Craig Childs

16 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author Craig Childs to talk about his new book, “Atlas of a Lost World: Travels in Ice Age America....

Everyday Einstein w/ Sabrina Stierwalt

09 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with extragalactic astrophysicist and host of the Everyday Einstein podcast, Dr. Sabrina Stierwalt about th...

Periodic Table w/ Kit Chapman

02 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science journalist Kit Chapman to talk about his new book, "Superheavy: Making and Breaking the Perio...

Why We Need Insects w/ Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson

26 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with conservation biologist and author Dr. Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson about her new book, "Buzz, Sting, Bite: W...

Math and Football w/ John Urschel

19 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by mathematician and former NFL player, John Urschel. They talk about his passion for mathematics, inclu...

Chemistry w/ Molly Strausbaugh

12 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Molly Strausbaugh, chemist and assistant director of the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS). They talk ...

Existential Philosophy w/ Michael Ruse

05 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by philosopher and historian of science, Dr. Michael Ruse, to discuss his new book, "A Meaning to Life."...

Consciousness w/ Annaka Harris

30 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Annaka Harris, science editor, consultant, and author of the new book, “Conscious: A Brief Guide to...

CRISPR w/ Kevin Holden

23 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the Head of Science at Synthego, Dr. Kevin Holden. They talk about new advances in genetic engineerin...

Rare Earths w/ Alexis Pedrick

15 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Alexis Pedrick, the manager of public programs at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia, Penn...

The Big One w/ Lucy Jones

08 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara sits down with Dr. Lucy Jones, founder of the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society and author of the new ...

Queers in STEM w/ Rob Ulrich

01 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by UCLA biogeochemistry PhD student Rob Ulrich. They talk about his work as the founding president of Qu...

Top Prize w/ Ana Humphrey

24 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Ana Humphrey, winner of the 2019 Regeneron Science Talent Search. They talk about her $250,000 winnin...

Brain Child w/ Sahana Srinivasan

18 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with fellow Texan Sahana Srinivasan, host of Netflix’s “Brain Child.” They talk about what is was lik...

Everyday Amazing w/ Katie McKissick

10 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is once again joined in-studio by Katie McKissick, author and illustrator of Beatrice the Biologist. They talk abo...

Evidence-Based Parenting w/ Erin Clabough

03 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by neuroscientist and author, Dr. Erin Clabough. They talk about her new book, “Second Nature...

Women's Suffrage w/ Elaine Weiss

27 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the author of “The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote,” Elaine Weiss. They talk abou...

Conservation Hunting w/ Byron Pace

20 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with filmmaker, conservationist, hunter, and cohost of the “Into the Wilderness” podcast Byron Pace w...

Namibian Conservation w/ Maxi Louis

13 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, recorded in Windhoek, Namibia, Cara speaks with the Director of the Namibian Association of CBNRM (community-based natu...

Digital Colorization w/ Barry Sandrew

05 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Harvard neuroscientist-turned-visual effects pioneer Dr. Barry Sandrew. They talk about his innovativ...

Sports Recovery Pseudoscience w/ Christie Aschwanden

29 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer Christie Aschwanden to talk about her new book, “Good to Go: What the Athlete in All...

Deep-Sea Geobiology w/ Jeffrey Marlow

24 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Jeffrey Marlow, a science journalist, National Geographic Emerging Explorer, and Geobiologist at H...

Computational Systems Biology w/ Stacey Finley

15 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara has an in-studio chat with Dr. Stacey Finley, head of the Computational Systems Biology Laboratory at the Universi...

Hormones w/ Randi Hutter Epstein

08 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Randi Hutter Epstein, author of “Aroused: The History of Hormones and How They Control Just Abo...

Hood Science w/ Justin Shaifer

01 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Mr. Fascinate himself, Justin Shaifer. They talk about the work he’s doing to bring culturally resp...

Flash Forward w/ Rose Eveleth

26 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by producer, writer, and designer Rose Eveleth. They discuss the futuristic scenarios explored on Rose’...

Candy Science w/ Stacey Espinosa

18 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Stacey Espinosa, Global Product Development Senior Manager for Mints and New Benefits at Mars Wrigley C...

Intelligent Environments w/ Burcin Becerik-Gerber

11 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in-studio by Dr. Burcin Becerik-Gerber, founding director of the Innovation in Integrated Informatics La...

Women in Engineering w/ Kristina Ropella

04 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Kristina (Kris) Ropella, Dean of the College of Engineering and professor of biomedical engineeri...

Indigenous Agriculture w/ Gary Paul Nabhan

25 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Gary Paul Nabhan, founder of the Center for Regional Food Studies at the University of Arizona. Th...

Cancer Chemistry w/ Livia Eberlin

19 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Livia Eberlin, an analytical chemist at the University of Texas. They talk about her recognition ...

Megafauna Extinction w/ Ross MacPhee

12 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Ross MacPhee, Curator of the Department of Mammalogy in the Division of Vertebrate Zoology at the ...

Vitamania w/ Sonya Pemberton

04 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with award-winning documentarian and creative director of Genepool Productions, Sonya Pemberton. They talk a...

Stoic Philosophy w/ William Irvine

28 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Wright State University professor of philosophy Dr. William Irvine about his new book, “You: A Natur...

Paper Arts w/ Shawn Sheehy

21 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and artist Shawn Sheehy to talk about his newest book, “Beyond the Sixth Extinction: A Post-...

Molecular Phylogenetics w/ David Quammen

15 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara connects with science writer David Quammen to talk about his new book, “The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History ...

Children's Books w/ J.R. Becker

08 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by J.R. Becker, author of the “Annabelle and Aiden” children’s book series. They discuss how his ...

Conservation Technology w/ Shah Selbe

18 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by National Geographic Explorer and conservation technologist, Shah Selbe. They talk about his...

Astronomer Royal w/ Lord Martin Rees

10 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara joins Astronomer Royal and Emeritus Professor of Astronomy and Cosmology, Lord Martin Rees, in his office at Cambr...

Gross Science w/ Anna Rothschild

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Anna Rothschild, the creator and host of the incredible Washington Post Youtube series “Anna’s Sc...

Science Fair w/ Cristina Costantiti & Darren Foster

27 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by documentarians Christina Costantini and Darren Foster. They talk about their wonderful new ...

Black Holes w/ Chris Impey

19 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Chris Impey, astrophysicist and author of “Einstein’s Monsters: The Life and Times of Black H...

Songs of Trees w/ David George Haskell

13 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. David George Haskell, the author of “Songs of Trees: Stories of Nature’s Great Connectors,” ...

Universal Flu Vaccine w/ Tammy Ben-Yedidia

06 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, connects with Israeli-based immunologist and Chief Scientific Officer of BiondVax Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Tammy Ben-Yedidi...

Algorithms w/ Hannah Fry

30 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with mathematician Dr. Hannah Fry about her new book, “Hello World: Being Human in the Age of Algorithms....

Tea & Empathy w/ Kate Kenfield

23 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by speaker, writer, and empathy educator Kate Kenfield. They talk about her ingenious Tea & Empathy card...

Sand w/ Vince Beiser

16 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in-studio by journalist Vince Beiser to talk about his new book, “The World in a Grain: The Story of S...

Dinosaur Comics w/ Ryan North

08 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with the creator and author of “Dinosaur Comics,” computer programmer-turned-writer Ryan North. From hi...

Improvisation w/ Alison Becker

01 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with actress Alison Becker (Parks and Recreation) about the ups and downs of the television industry with a ...

James Webb Space Telescope w/ Kevin Hainline

24 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Kevin Hainline, a postdoctoral researcher in astrophysics at the Steward Observatory in Tucson, A...

Gross Anatomy w/ Mara Altman

17 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara sits down in studio with Mara Altman, author of the hilarious and enlightening new book, “Gross Anatomy: Dispatc...

Super Cool Scientists w/ Sara MacSorley

10 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Sara MacSorley, the author of "Super Cool Scientists: A Coloring Book Celebrating Women in Science." ...

Human Genetics w/ Adam Rutherford

03 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Adam Rutherford, author of "A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived: The Human Story Retold Thr...

Donating Your Body w/ Breanna Cox

27 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Breanna Cox, the Quality Assurance Manager at MedCure, Inc., a whole-body donation program. They det...

Beavers w/ Ben Goldfarb

20 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Ben Goldfarb, environmental journalist and author of the new book "Eager: The Surprising Secret Life ...

International Baccalaureate w/ Siva Kumari

13 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with the Director General of the International Baccalaureate (IB), Dr. Siva Kumari. They discuss her role a...

Light of the Stars w/ Adam Frank

07 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 ...

Malaria w/ Helen Pates Jamet

31 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Helen Pates Jamet, a medical entomologist who specializes in malaria prevention, research, and vec...

Microbiome w/ Eugenia Bone

24 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 disc...

Bay Foundation w/ Heather Burdick

16 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by Heather Burdick, the Director of Marine Operations for the Bay Foundation.  They talk abou...

Tattoos w/ Margot Mifflin

09 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Lehman College/City University of New York and CUNY's Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Professor ...

Teaching Evolution w/ Bertha Vazquez

02 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Bertha Vazquez, the Director of the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES) of the Richard D...

Memory w/ Michael Lemonick

27 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Michael Lemonick, the Opinion Editor at Scientific American.  They talk about his book, "The Perpet...

Spying on Whales w/ Nick Pyenson

18 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History paleobiologist and Curator of Fossil Marine Mammals Dr....

Motherhood w/ Angela Garbes

12 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In 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...

Heredity w/ Carl Zimmer

04 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In 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...

Geologic w/ George Hrab

28 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In 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...

Crash Test Girl w/ Kari Byron

21 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On 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 Scientif...

Science Sam w/ Samantha Yammine

15 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with science communicator and Ph.D. student Samantha Yammine, better known as Science Sam. They discuss the ...

Apollo 8 w/ Robert Kurson

07 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Ma...

DARPA w/ Sharon Weinberger

01 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In 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, "Th...

Bionic Eyes w/ Lauren Ayton

23 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Lauren Ayton, the Director of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Bionic Eye Technologies. They ta...

Deep Brain Stimulation w/ Lone Frank

16 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 St...

Transhumanism w/ Mark O'Connell

10 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In 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...

Cringeworthy w/ Melissa Dahl

02 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with journalist and editor Melissa Dahl about her new book, “Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness.” The...

Ask Me Anything w/ Cara Santa Maria & Alie Ward

24 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It'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 stud...

What is Real w/ Adam Becker

19 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 Qu...

Magnetism w/ Alanna Mitchell

12 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with science journalist Alanna Mitchell about her new book, “The Spinning Magnet.” They examine magne...