Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
Episodes
Gifted Kids w/ Stella Krone
08 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Cara chats with "mini-nerd" Stella Krone about what it's like being a ten year-old who loves to learn! They discuss her interest in genetics, the perk...
SciBabe w/ Yvette D'Entremont
01 Feb 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by the SciBabe herself, Yvette D'Entremont, to talk about science and skepticism. They dive into Yvette's turn from forensics and chemi...
Texas Memories w/ Michael Matthews
27 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Cara reminisces with her old roommate and labmate, Michael Matthews, while she's visiting her home state of Texas. They talk about the good old days a...
Real Future w/ Kevin Roose
18 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin Roose (News Director, Fusion) chats with Cara about their new television show, "Real Future." They offer an inside look at the production proces...
Public Health w/ Noemie Sportiche
11 Jan 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by Noemie Sportiche, a public health planner and research analyst for the Boston metropolitan area. She shares the story of her windy p...
Skeptical Activism w/ Evan Bernstein
21 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by fellow "The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe" rogue Evan Bernstein! They talk exorcisms, politics, and how Evan came to become a skep...
Urban Wildlife w/ Jason Goldman
14 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara chats with science writer Dr. Jason Goldman about urban wildlife in Southern California, including the pumas/mountain lions/panthers/cougars of t...
Creationism Laws w/ Zack Kopplin
08 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by science education activist and reporter Zack Kopplin, to talk about his work to repeal Louisiana's "creationism law," as well as why...
Disaster Science w/ Mika McKinnon
01 Dec 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by the "Master of Disaster" herself, geophysicist and science writer Mika McKinnon. They discuss her work as the science consultant on ...
Non-Traditional Academics w/ Raquel Nuno
23 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by graduate student Raquel Nuno, from UCLA's Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences. They talk science communication, water...
Ecotourism w/ Jeff Cremer
17 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by wildlife photographer Jeff Cremer to discuss life in the Amazon, including how ecotourism can support local communities.
Medical School w/ Varshana Gurusamy
10 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Doctors are people too, y'all! This week, Cara peers behind the proverbial surgical mask to demystify medical school and beyond with the help of Dr. V...
Life After God w/ Ryan Bell
02 Nov 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by ex-Seventh Day Adventist pastor Ryan Bell to talk about his "Year Without God" and how he's now spending his "Life After God." Also ...
Evidence-Based Financial Planning w/ Phil Ferguson
19 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Financial planner Phil Ferguson (Polaris Financial Planning) joins Cara to talk about what you can do to protect yourself and invest your money in a w...
Forest Fires w/ Chad Hanson
12 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Chad Hanson, ecologist with the John Muir Project, informs Cara about current legislative efforts to deregulate logging in America's forests. Myth...
Exoplanets w/ Leslie Rogers
05 Oct 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Astrophysicist Dr. Leslie Rogers joins Cara to talk about exoplanets, specifically those that are larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. They off...
Bed Bugs w/ Brooke Borel
28 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Science writer Brooke Borel joins Cara to discuss the differences between science journalism and science communication, as well as the ethical quandar...
Science Fiction - Steven Paul Leiva
21 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by independent author Steven Paul Leiva ("Traveling In Space") to talk about the power of storytelling, the difference between genre fi...
Hyperloop w/ Casey Handmer
14 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Casey Handmer braves the broken A/C at Cara's apartment to inform her of the wonders of black holes, gravitational wave simulations, space robots,...
Death Salon w/ Megan Rosenbloom
08 Sep 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by Megan Rosenbloom (Associate Director for Collection Resources, Norris Medical Library) to talk about the importance of library scien...
Human Rights w/ Faisal Saeed Al-Mutar
31 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Human rights activist Faisal Saeed Al-Mutar speaks out about growing up in Iraq under Sadam Hussein's oppressive regime, the global effects of extremi...
HIV Prevention and Treatment w/ Jessica Taaffe
24 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Global health scientist and science communicator Dr. Jessica Taaffe joins Cara to discuss the importance of health initiatives aimed at the prevention...
Evolutionary Psychology w/ Gad Saad
17 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined in studio by Dr. Gad Saad, an evolutionary psychologist who specializes in consumer behavior. They discuss what evolutionary psychology...
Science Diplomacy w/ Marga Gual Soler
10 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is pleased to welcome science diplomat Dr. Marga Gual Soler to the podcast to discuss how evidence-based diplomacy can be used to achieve peace t...
Sports Science w/ Asher Price
03 Aug 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara welcomes reporter Asher Price (the Austin American-Statesman) to the podcast to talk about his new book, "Year of the Dunk." It's Talk Nerdy's fi...
Science-Based Medicine w/ Steven Novella
27 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Steven Novella (The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe, NeuroLogica) joins Cara to talk about the history of the SGU and his 20+ year involvement in ...
Green News Report w/ Desi Doyen
20 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Desi Doyen of the Green News Report talks with Cara about the culture of climate denialism in America, including who's really pulling the strings and ...
Gravitational Waves w/ Chiara Mingarelli
13 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Chiara Mingarelli, Marie Curie Fellow in Theoretical Astrophysics at Caltech, gives Cara a primer on gravitational waves. She talks about using pu...
Thinking Atheist w/ Seth Andrews
06 Jul 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Seth Andrews (The Thinking Atheist) tells Cara stories about his past as a fundamentalist Christian. Also discussed: how to be an example to atheists ...
Producing the News w/ Jenny Churchill
29 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Producer Jenny Churchill offers Cara a behind-the-scenes look at producing the news, including how we learn by making huge mistakes, what qualifies as...
Astrobiology w/ Michael Lee
22 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara sits down with USC graduate student Michael Lee to talk about all things astrobiology. What is it? What can it tell us about alien life? And how ...
Congressional Dish w/ Jennifer Briney
15 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Cara is joined in studio by one of #TalkNerdy's most requested guests, Jennifer Briney of the Congressional Dish Podcast. They discuss the ...
GMOs and Society w/ Kevin Folta
08 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara sits down with Dr. Kevin Folta (Professor and Chair of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida) to continue their conversation about geneti...
Atheist Activism w/ Jaclyn Glenn
01 Jun 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara chats with YouTuber Jaclyn Glenn about her departure from the Catholic Church and subsequent rise as an atheist advocate. Also discussed: hate co...
Fluid Dynamics w/ Shini Somara
25 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Shini Somara (TechKnow) sits down with Cara to talk about why computational fluid dynamics is so important. Also included: lots of airplane talk a...
Everyone is Gay w/ Dannielle Owens-Reid
18 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara and Dannielle Owens-Reid (Everyone Is Gay and The Parents Project) talk about issues facing LGBTQ youth, including the special struggles of bisex...
Photography w/ Rachael Porter
11 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara and photographer Rachael Porter nerd out about the history of photography, the weird and wonderful Burning Man community, and the role of art in ...
Amazonian Insects w/ Aaron Pomerantz
04 May 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara talks nerdy with entomologist Aaron Pomerantz about his work at thenextgenscientist.com, exploring the Amazonian rainforest, and how researching ...
Female Characters w/ Taryn O'Neill
27 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara sits down with actress, writer, and producer Taryn O'Neill (Granite Flats, After Judgment) to talk about her love of scifi and her STEM advocacy ...
Rocket Science w/ Natalie Panek
20 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Rocket scientist, explorer, and champion for women in engineering Natalie Panek connects with Cara across international borders to talk about how we c...
Climate Change w/ Chris Mooney
13 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara speaks with Chris Mooney, Energy And Environment Reporter for the Washington Post, about all things climate change. Topics discussed include: how...
YouTube Science w/ Hank Green
06 Apr 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara talks nerdy with master of teh interwebs Hank Green (SciShow, Crash Course, vlogbrothers, etc, etc, etc). He talks about his love affair with sci...
Dogma Debate w/ David Smalley
30 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara meets up with David Smalley (Dogma Debate Radio) to talk about how he lost his religion, southern hospitality, and the best approaches to sharing...
Quantum Information Theory w/ Shaun Maguire
23 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara gets a lesson in quantum information theory from Caltech graduate student and entrepreneur Shaun Maguire. Shaun schools her in the real definitio...
Neuroscience of Religion w/ Matthew Facciani
16 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara speaks with Matthew Facciani, a PhD candidate in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of South Carolina. Topics include: his work as a gender...
Scirens w/ Tamara Krinsky
09 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by actress/journalist Tamara Krinsky to talk about the good and bad of labor unions, the #AskHerMore campaign, and how she's working wi...
Science Journalism w/ Joe Palca
02 Mar 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is thrilled to chat with NPR science correspondent Dr. Joe Palca. They talk about advocacy vs. journalism, science literacy, and how new media ca...
Opera and Neuroscience w/ Indre Viskontas
23 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara chats with Dr. Indre Viskontas (Inquiring Minds) about getting to know ourselves with the help of behavioral science, the interplay between scien...
Einstein's Girl w/ Gia Mora
16 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by Gia Mora (Einstein’s Girl) to talk about physics and love are intertwined, social mobility in America, and the benefits and perils...
Bug Sex w/ Alie Ward
09 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Finally! Cara sits down with the remaining member of the #NerdBrigade, Alie Ward (Unique Sweets, Innovation Nation). She learns of Alie's passion for ...
Discovering Lucy w/ Donald Johanson
02 Feb 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is honored to sit down with paleoanthropologist Dr. Donald Johanson to talk about his discovery of "Lucy" (Australopithecus afarensis), America's...
The Skeptics' Guide w/ Jay Novella
26 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
After appearing on his podcast, Cara turns the tables on Jay Novella, co-host and producer of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe. They discuss the an...
Anti-Science Politics w/ Phil Plait
19 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
The Bad Astronomer himself, Dr. Phil Plait, joins Cara to chat about chaos in weather, the recent QVC "is the moon a planet or a star?" debacle, and t...
Global Internet Access w/ Kosta Grammatis
12 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara sits down with engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of A Human Right, Kosta Grammatis. They talk about his non-traditional path from developing a ...
Animal Research w/ PZ Myers
05 Jan 2015
Contributed by Lukas
Cara catches up with biology professor Dr. PZ Myers at the Skepticon Conference in Springfield, MO. He shares how he balances research, teaching and p...
Provosting it Up w/ Jeffrey Toney
15 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara chats with the Vice President and Provost of Kean University, Dr. Jeffrey Toney, about science and human rights, including the great work being d...
String Theory w/ Mark Jackson
08 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Theoretical physicist and founder of Fiat Physica Dr. Mark G. Jackson gives Cara a lesson in Newtonian physics, general relativity, special relativity...
Friendly Atheist w/ Hemant Mehta
01 Dec 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by Hemant Mehta (FriendlyAtheist.com; the Atheist Voice). They talk about how he sold his soul on eBay (sort of), why common core isn’...
Deathsquad w/ Brian Redban
23 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by comedian, creator of the Deathsquad Podcast Network, and occasional co-host of the Joe Rogan Experience, Brian Redban. They talk abo...
Why Tuesday w/ Jacob Soboroff
17 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara talks nerdy with her old co-host and pal, Jacob Soboroff. They reminisce about their time together on air, weigh the pros and cons of privacy vs....
Neuroeconomics w/ Teagan Wall
10 Nov 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Teagan Wall of the "Nerd Brigade" schools Cara on the real definition of economics as well as the ups and downs she faced on the road to graduate scho...
Fight Like a Girl w/ Jill Morley
27 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Boxer and filmmaker Jill Morley “Fight Like a Girl” talks to Cara about the culture of female fighters and how her own struggles inspire her to ge...
Space Rainbows w/ Holly Bender
27 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Optical engineer Holly Bender speaks with Cara about making and using cool imaging spectrometers (for science!) at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory,...
Marijuana w/ Adam Scorgie
20 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara chats with Adam Scorgie, producer of "The Culture High," about marijuana prohibition, how the failed drug war is shaping the US justice system, a...
Visual Effects w/ Paul Debevec
08 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara is joined by Dr. Paul Debevec, Chief Visual Officer at the University of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies. (His cutting-...
Nerd Alert w/ Kim Horcher
06 Oct 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara chats with Kim Horcher, host of “Nerd Alert” on The Young Turks Network, about the difference between nerds and geeks, how the internet is ev...
Gravitational Waves w/ Lawrence Krauss
29 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara sits down with theoretical physicist Dr. Lawrence Krauss ("A Universe from Nothing") at Apostacon in Omaha, Nebraska to discuss his cover story i...
American Atheist w/ David Silverman
21 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
President of American Atheists, David Silverman, joins Cara at the Apostacon Convention in Omaha, Nebraska to talk about why atheist activism matters,...
GMOs w/ Kevin Folta
15 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara digs deep into GMOs (genetically modified organisms) with Dr. Kevin Folta, a preeminent researcher and science communicator. They discuss the tec...
Dark Matter w/ Katherine Freese
08 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that 95% of the known universe is made up of stuff that we can neither see nor measure directly? Cara sits down with theoretical physicis...
Sex Nerd w/ Sandra Daugherty
01 Sep 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Sex educator and podcaster Sandra Daugherty (Sex Nerd Sandra) joins Cara to discuss sexual health, struggles with motivation, and self-expression amon...
Because Science w/ Kyle Hill
25 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Science Editor at Nerdist Industries Kyle Hill sits down with Cara to talk about being a geek-of-all-trades, how the media overhypes biomedical storie...
Suicide w/ Paul Gilmartin
18 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
In light of the tragic news of Robin Williams's death, comedian Paul Gilmartin joins Cara to talk candidly about depression, suicide, and the importan...
Young Turks w/ John Iadarola
10 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Producer and web host John Iadarola (TYT University) chats with Cara about The Young Turks news network, driving an electric vehicle, and how he deals...
Agoraphobia w/ Sara Benincasa
04 Aug 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian and author Sara Benincasa ("Agorafabulous", "Great") opens up to Cara about her struggles with mental illness, including debilitating agoraph...
Entomology w/ Phil Torres
28 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Entomologist Phil Torres ("TechKnow") tells Cara about life in the Amazonian rainforest and a hilariously dangerous mishap with spitting cobra venom. ...
Exoplanets w/ Alex Lockwood
20 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Alex Lockwood joins Cara to discuss the novel approach she developed to study exoplanets, her role in the PhD Movie, and her soon-to-be new life i...
No Brainer w/ Christina Ochoa
14 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara talks to actress and science communicator Christina Ochoa about her new "No Brainer Podcast," the benefits and missteps of living abroad, and how...
Graduate School w/ Crystal Dilworth
07 Jul 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Scientist, television host, and dancer Dr. Crystal Dilworth chats with Cara about the tribulations and triumphs of graduate school and the crossroads ...
It's Okay to Be Smart w/ Joe Hanson
30 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Joe Hanson ("It's Okay to Be Smart") joins Cara to talk about growing up in Texas, minorities in the sciences, and how important storytelling is t...
Gay Stereotypes w/ Dave Rubin
15 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, comedian Dave Rubin ("The Rubin Report") chats with Cara about gay stereotypes, comedy before YouTube, and his love of ...
Acting Disruptive w/ Max Lugavere
15 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, media personality Max Lugavere ("Acting Disruptive") is optimistic yet skeptical about futurism and nutrition.
Skeptic Magazine w/ Michael Shermer
09 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Michael Shermer ("Skeptic Magazine") answers the questions you submitted via Facebook and Twitter. He and Cara discuss skepticism (of course!), ps...
Craters on the Moon w/ Meg Rosenburg
02 Jun 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara talks to science historian Dr. Meg Rosenburg ("True Anomalies") about the history of science, how the moon got its craters, and the struggles wom...
Veritasium w/ Derek Muller
19 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Derek Muller of Veritasium talks with Cara about YouTube celebrity status, being a global citizen, and what the future holds for net neutrality.
Read Science w/ Joanne Manaster
19 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara sits down with science educator Joanne Manaster in Ottawa, Canada to talk about her favorite science authors, Google+, and science education arou...
Wild Sex w/ Carin Bondar
12 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Science communicator Dr. Carin Bondar (Wild Sex, Stephen Hawking's Brave New World) joins Cara to talk about sex in the animal kingdom, human interper...
Social Mobility w/ Josh Zepps
05 May 2014
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Josh Zepps (HuffPost Live, Point of Inquiry) joins Cara in New York City to discuss skepticism, social mobility, and re...
Eighties Flashback w/ Brett Erlich
28 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara nerds it up with comedian Brett Erlich (Pop Trigger) in a brand new episode of "Talk Nerdy." They discuss their favorite 80s movies, Trivial Purs...
Animal Cognition w/ Jason Goldman
20 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Science communicator Dr. Jason G. Goldman joins Cara to talk about the new discovery of an insect with a female "penis...
Dinosaurs w/ Brian Switek
14 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Calling your inner five-year-old! Science writer Brian Switek ("My Beloved Brontosaurus") joins Cara to talk about one of her favorite topics--dinosau...
Acid Trip w/ Jennifer Ouellette
07 Apr 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Science writer Jennifer Ouellette ("Me, Myself, and Why") sits down with Cara to talk about her search for the science of self, including taking LSD f...
Late Night Cosmology w/ Katie Mack
31 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara has a late-night chat with cosmologist Dr. Katie Mack about dark matter, black holes, the recent BICEP2 findings, and a bunch of other "holy shit...
Time and the Higgs w/ Sean Carroll
24 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Are there parallel universes beyond our own? Is time a human construct, or does it exist outside of us? And what the hell is the Higgs Boson, anyway? ...
Cryptocurrency w/ David Seaman
19 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What the hell is Bitcoin, anyway? David Seaman (journalist, founder of "Credit Card Outlaw," and host of the "David Seaman Hour Podcast") answers all ...
Internet Trolls w/ Ana Kasparian
19 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Cara chats with Ana Kasparian about "The Young Turks," internet trolls, and new vs traditional media. Follow Ana: @AnaKasparian.
Utopia w/ Joe Rogan
19 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Rogan sits down with Cara to talk about brain damage in sports, social mobility, and his vision for a utopian future in the very first episode of ...