Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

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 Resurrection of Old New York’s Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist." They talk about the state of abortion in the mid-1800s and how it is being recapitulated in today's political and legal war on women's reproductive rights.

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 Questions...In Science." They discuss the importance of science communication in an increasingly polarized world as well as the joy of scientific curiosity and discovery. Follow Leah: @gnarlybygnature

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Kate Clancy, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Illinois and intersectional feminist biology researcher. They talk about her new book, "Period: The Real Story of Menstruation," with a special focus on the function, variability, and stigma connected to our periods.

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 University. They talk about her newest book, "The Year of the Puppy: How Dogs Become Themselves." Also discussed is the special relationship we have with our dogs and the developmental stages they experience, from puppy to older adult.

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 Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology." They discuss the concept of cognitive liberty from a legal and ethical framework, including how privacy and convenience will continue to shift as technology allows deeper access to our internal worlds.

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 "You." They discuss the complex psychology of identity, intersubjectivity, and humanity in a reality shaped by social pressures and norms.

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." They discuss the behavior, evolutionary biology, and ecology of this enigmatic yet threatened species.

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 what slime is (and isn't), why it evokes disgust, and how it may improve medicine and technology in the future.

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 200-Year Hunt for Our Body's Bioelectric Code, and What the Future Holds.” They discuss the history of bioelectricity, as well as the promise it may hold for our biomedical future.

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 Generosity and Cooperation in the Natural World." They discuss mutualism (cooperative relationships) between microbes, fungi, plants, and animals (including humans) across the natural world. Follow Kristin: @kristinohlson.