Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Cara Santa Maria
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Dec 22, 2025 • 58min

Pods Fight Poverty w/ Miriam Laker

In this week’s episode of Talk Nerdy, we revisit a 2022 episode with former Research Director at GiveDirectly, Dr. Miriam Laker-Oketta. Talk Nerdy is joining podcasts across the globe in the Pods Fight Poverty Campaign. If you’re able, please consider helping 3 villages in Rwanda out of extreme poverty by donating to givedirectly.org/nerdy. Follow: @GiveDirectly
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Dec 15, 2025 • 55min

Science Photography w/ Felice Frankel

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by MIT research scientist, and science photographer, Felice Frankel. They discuss her book, Phenomenal Moments: Revealing the Hidden Science Around Us. Follow Felice: @Felice_Frankel
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Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 9min

Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by climate change researcher, and Associate Professor of Political Science at Providence College, Dr. Thea Riofrancos. They discuss her newest book, Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism.
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Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 8min

Lab Dog w/ Melanie D. G. Kaplan

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer and longtime independent journalist, Melanie D. G. Kaplan. They discuss Melanie’s newest book, Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research. Follow Melanie: @melaniedgkaplan
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Nov 24, 2025 • 47min

Science Under Siege w/ Michael Mann

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by acclaimed climatologist,  geophysicist, and University of Pennsylvania distinguished Professor, Dr. Michael Mann. They discuss his latest co-authored book, Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World. Follow Dr. Mann: @MichaelEMann
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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

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