

Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
Cara Santa Maria
Cara 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 17, 2025 • 50min
Rivers w/ Ellen Wohl
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by prolific author and University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Colorado State University, Dr. Ellen Wohl. They discuss Ellen’s newest book, Following the Bend: How to Read a River and Understand Its Nature.

Nov 10, 2025 • 50min
Play w/ Cas Holman
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by founder and chief designer of the toy company Heroes Will Rise and a former Professor of Industrial Design at RISD, Cas Holman. They discuss her new book, Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity. Follow Cas: @casholman

Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 3min
Immigrant Physicians w/ Eram Alam
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by associate professor in the Department of the History of Science at Harvard University, Dr. Eram Alam. They discuss her highly relevant book, The Care of Foreigners: How Immigrant Physicians Changed US Healthcare.

Oct 27, 2025 • 50min
Whispers of Rock w/ Anjana Khatwa
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by award-winning earth scientist, TV presenter, writer, and advocate for diversity in the geosciences and nature, Dr. Anjana Khatwa. They discuss Anjana’s new book, The Whispers of Rock: The Stories That Stone Tells About Our World and Our Lives. Follow Anjana: @anjanakhatwa

Oct 20, 2025 • 54min
Influence of Jim West w/ Ainissa Ramirez
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined award-winning scientist and science communicator, Dr. Ainissa Ramirez. They discuss her newest book, Spark: Jim West's Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone. Follow Ainissa: @ainissaramirez

Oct 13, 2025 • 50min
Dinosaurs and Deep Time w/ Rachel Ignotofsky
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by New York Times Best Selling author, illustrator, and science communicator Rachel Ignotofsky. They discuss her forthcoming book, Dinosaurs: Exploring Prehistoric Life and Geological Time . Follow Rachel: @rachelignotofsky

Oct 6, 2025 • 48min
Sea Monsters w/ Prema Arasu
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by University of Western Australia research fellow, and creative writer, Dr. Prema Arasu. They discuss Prema’s new book, The Book of Sea Monsters. Follow Prema: @prema_arasu

Sep 29, 2025 • 59min
Better Public Health w/ Tom Frieden
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by former CDC director, physician, and author, Dr. Tom Frieden. They discuss his newly released book, The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives—Including Your Own. Follow Tom: @drtomfrieden

Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 1min
Period Brain w/ Sarah E. Hill
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by evolutionary social psychologist and author who studies women and health, Dr. Sarah E. Hill. They discuss her newest book, The Period Brain: The New Science of Why We PMS and How to Fix It: A Manifesto for Women. Follow Sarah: @sarahehillphd

Sep 15, 2025 • 60min
Replaceable You w/ Mary Roach
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by prolific science writer, and author of eight New York Times bestsellers, Mary Roach. They discuss her newest book, Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy. Follow Mary: @authormaryroach


