Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Technology, Law, and Policy, April Falcon Doss. They talk about her new book, "Cyber Privacy: Who Has Your Data and Why You Should Care." Informed by her time spent both at the NSA and serving as counsel for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, April explains what happens to our data online and why we should care.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dave Farina (Professor Dave Explains) to talk about his new book, "Is this Wifi Organic? A Guide to Spotting Misleading Science Online." They talk about the business of YouTube, the importance of basic science education, and how we can protect ourselves from pseudoscience.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by infectious disease scientist Dr. Rita Colwell, who served as the first female director of the National Science Foundation and continues to engage in academic research at the age of 86. They talk about her newest book, "A Lab of One's Own: One Woman's Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science." In addition to describing the incredible barriers faced throughout her career, Rita shares stories of her groundbreaking discoveries in microbiology, including uncovering the nature of cholera and anthrax.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer Riley Black ("Written in Stone," "My Beloved Brontosaurus," "Skeleton Keys"), who shares her experience as a transgender woman in paleontology. She also talks about cool new fossil discoveries that will blow your mind.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by economist, NYU Professor of Public Service, and cofounder of the Coleridge Initiative Dr. Julia Lane to talk about her newest book, "Democratizing Our Data: A Manifesto." They discuss how big data can be used safely and transparently as a powerful governmental tool for social justice, representation, and equity.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Pia Sörensen, Senior Preceptor in Chemical Engineering and Applied Materials at Harvard University. They talk about her new book, "Science and Cooking: Physics Meets Food, From Homemade to Haute Cuisine." From diffusion to pH, fermentation to viscosity, they discuss the physical, chemical, and biological processes underlying our favorite culinary creations. Follow Pia's work: @hseas.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Carol Hay, philosopher and author of "Think Like a Feminist: the Philosophy Behind the Revolution." They discuss the core philosophy of feminism, diving deep into topics like historical oppression of women, the importance of trans inclusion, and why intersectionality matters.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by materials scientist, author, and science communicator Dr. Ainissa Ramirez. They talk about her new book (and winner of the 2021 AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books), The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another. From clocks to light bulbs to silicon chips, they dig into the myriad ways such groundbreaking inventions have profoundly changed the way we exist in the world, with a special emphasis on the under-appreciated figures who paved the way.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by NYU professor of journalism and pediatrics Dr. Perri Klass to talk about her new book, "A Good Time to Be Born: How Science and Public Health Gave Children a Future." They examine the profound impact that medical advancements like vaccines have had on infant mortality and public health. Also discussed: the often-overlooked women and minority practitioners who changed the course of human history.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the chair of Columbia University's psychology department, Dr. Carl L. Hart. They talk about his newest book, "Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear." Discussed topics include: public misunderstanding about responsible drug use versus addiction, the racist underpinnings of the war on drugs, and how evidence-based policy could improve countless lives.