Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with award-winning documentarian and creative director of Genepool Productions, Sonya Pemberton. They talk about her newest film, Vitamania, as well as other projects she’s produced and aired across the globe. They also discuss the challenges of bringing Australian-made films to an American audience in the current science media landscape.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Wright State University professor of philosophy Dr. William Irvine about his new book, “You: A Natural History.” They discuss the various identities that make you, well, you, including perspectives from evolutionary biology, genetics, and physics. Then the conversation turns to classical philosophy and the perspective of the stoics.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and artist Shawn Sheehy to talk about his newest book, “Beyond the Sixth Extinction: A Post-Apocalyptic Pop-Up.” They discuss his journey into the paper arts as well as the ecological and evolutionary science that goes into his work.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara connects with science writer David Quammen to talk about his new book, “The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History of Life.” They discuss the complexity of modern evolutionary theory, from classical Darwinian natural selection to recent discoveries in the field of molecular phylogenetics.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by J.R. Becker, author of the “Annabelle and Aiden” children’s book series. They discuss how his transition into fatherhood inspired him to write books for kids that emphasize science, skepticism, and awe.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by National Geographic Explorer and conservation technologist, Shah Selbe. They talk about his work as the founder of Conservify, a non-profit organization dedicated to the democratization of data and technology to aid in global conservation.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara joins Astronomer Royal and Emeritus Professor of Astronomy and Cosmology, Lord Martin Rees, in his office at Cambridge University. They talk about his new book, “On the Future: Prospects of Humanity,” as well as his work as the co-founder of the Center for the Study of Existential Risk. They discuss the hazards of short-term decision-making and the great potential modern science and technology offers us to secure the future of planet Earth for generations to come.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Anna Rothschild, the creator and host of the incredible Washington Post Youtube series “Anna’s Science Magic Show Hooray!” They talk about her lifelong interest in how stuff works (including the gross stuff that never ceases to amaze and fascinate), as well as the ins and outs of creating, writing, animating, and starring in your own science Youtube series.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by documentarians Christina Costantini and Darren Foster. They talk about their wonderful new film, Science Fair, which Cristina describes as a “love letter to the subculture that saved” her and critics agree will restore your faith in humanity.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Chris Impey, astrophysicist and author of “Einstein’s Monsters: The Life and Times of Black Holes.” They discuss black holes’ rich history of discovery, from Galilean telescopes to spectroscopy to gravitational wave detection.