Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Narissa Bax, the Marine and Coastal Program Coordinator for the South Atlantic Environmental Research Group in the Falkland Islands. Narissa shares her love for all things conservation and ecology, especially the work she is doing to better understand and preserve deep-sea corals in the Antarctic region.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by awardee of President Barack Obama's White House Champion of Change for Technology Inclusion, Deena Pierott. Deena is the founder of iUrban Teen, a science, technology, engineering, manufacturing (STEM), and arts program for youth of color, and co-founder of Black Women in STEM 2.0, an organization advocates for equitable and inclusive workspaces while supporting black women in high-tech careers. They talk about the issues facing historically excluded individuals in STEM spaces, and how we can all work to effect change.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer and historian Dr. Audrey Clare Farley to talk about her new book, "The Unfit Heiress: The Tragic Life and Scandalous Sterilization of Ann Cooper Hewitt." Audrey tells a story steeped in white supremacy and greed, against a backdrop of the growing eugenics movement in 1930s America.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer, researcher, and broadcaster Melanie Challenger to talk about her newest book, "How to Be Animal: A New History of What It Means to Be Human." They reflect on the existential and moral roots of the human experience, as well as our deep evolutionary nature as creatures living on Planet Earth.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Australian GP and science communicator Dr. Brad McKay to talk about his new book, “Fake Medicine: Exposing the Wellness Crazes, Cons and Quacks Costing Us Our Health.” They dive into the world of snake oil and pseudoscience, and Brad shares his own journey into science, skepticism, and LGBTQIA+-affirmative practice.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by two brilliant teenagers who recently won top honors in science competitions. First, she speaks with Michelle Hua, first-place winner of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award. Michelle tells how she designed and implemented a novel deep-learning framework using human silhouettes. Next, Yunseo Choi, first-place winner of the Regeneron Science Talent Search, shares her work in matching theory.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Alexa Miller, founder of the medical education consultancy Arts Practica. They discuss the use of visual arts education to improve diagnostic outcomes, as well as physician and patient comfort in times of uncertainty.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Eman Tadros, Assistant Professor in the Division of Psychology and Counseling at Governor’s State University. They talk about the profound effects racism has on the perception of expertise as well as her research into incarceration and family systems. Follow Eman: @EmanTadros.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by environmental educator and children’s book author Heather L. Montgomery to talk about “Who Gives a Poop? Surprising Science from One End to the Other.” They discuss the joys of gross science, why kids rule, and some of the strange and wonderful promises of, you guessed it, poop.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Kenneth Catania to talk about his new book, "Great Adaptations: Star-Nosed Moles, Electric Eels, and Other Tales of Evolution's Mysteries Solved." They discuss Ken's groundbreaking research into some of planet Earth's most bizarre and incredible creatures, including star-nosed moles, electric eels, and more.