
Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
Cara Santa Maria is a science communicator, television host, producer, and journalist. She is excited to present "Talk Nerdy," a place for conversations with interesting people about interesting topics.
Latest episodes

Aug 26, 2024 • 60min
Body Image w/ Charlotte Markey
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by body image expert, professor of psychology and director of the Health Sciences Center at Rutgers University-Camden, Dr. Charlotte Markey. They discuss her new book, “Adultish: The Body Image Book for Life.” Follow Charlotte: @Char_Markey

Aug 19, 2024 • 1h 5min
Assembly Theory w/ Sara Imari Walker
Sara Imari Walker, an astrobiologist and theoretical physicist at Arizona State University, delves into her new book, exploring the complex origins of life. She combines physics and biochemistry to discuss how life emerges and consciousness develops. The conversation highlights assembly theory, arguing only living beings can create complex structures like DNA. Walker emphasizes the philosophical implications of these scientific inquiries and advocates for a deeper understanding of life's boundaries and the interplay of information in living systems.

Aug 12, 2024 • 1h 2min
The Port of LA w/ James Tejani
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Historian of the United States, American West & Civil War, James Tejani. They discuss his new book, “A Machine to Move Ocean and Earth: The Making of the Port of Los Angeles and America.” Follow James’ work.

Aug 5, 2024 • 1h 3min
Vector w/ Robyn Arianrhod
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by mathematician and science writer, Robyn Arianrhod. They discuss Robyn’s newest book, “Vector: A Surprising Story of Space, Time, and Mathematical Transformation.” Published by: @UChicagoPress

Jul 29, 2024 • 1h 1min
Classical Women w/ Daisy Dunn
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by award-winning classicist and author of seven books, Dr. Daisy Dunn. We discuss her newest book, “The Missing Thread: A New History of the Ancient World through the Women Who Shaped It.” Follow Daisy: @DaisyfDunn

Jul 22, 2024 • 56min
You Bet Your Life w/ Paul Offit
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Paul A. Offit, MD. He is the director of the Vaccine Education Center, an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and a professor of pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. We discuss his 2021 book, “You Bet Your Life: From Blood Transfusions to Mass Vaccinations—The Long and Risky History of Medical Innovations.” Follow Paul: @DrPaulOffit

Jul 15, 2024 • 59min
Community Science w/ Krystle Hickman
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Los Angeles based nature conservation photographer, native bee educator and community scientist, Krystle Hickman. Her endeavors elevate awareness of the decline of native bee species while shedding light on their intricate and biodiverse ecosystems. Follow Krystle: @BeeSipOnline Krystle’s photography: BeeSip

Jul 8, 2024 • 1h 4min
Meet the Neighbors w/ Brandon Keim
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science journalist and author, Brandon Keim. They discuss his forthcoming book about our relationships to wild animals and to nature, “Meet the Neighbors: Animal Minds and Life in a More-than-Human World.” Releasing July 16 2024. Follow Brandon: @9brandon

Jul 1, 2024 • 56min
Sharing Space w/ Cady Coleman
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by former NASA astronaut, retired United States Air Force colonel, scientist, and pilot Cady Coleman. They discuss Cady’s forthcoming book, “Sharing Space: An Astronaut’s Guide to Mission, Wonder, and Making Change.” Releasing July 2, 2024. Follow Cady: @Astro_Cady

Jun 24, 2024 • 1h 13min
Becoming Earth w/ Ferris Jabr
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer and author Ferris Jabr to discuss his forthcoming book, “Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life.” Follow Ferris: @ferrisjabr