Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Cara chats with science fiction author Daniel Price about his newest book, "The Song of the Orphans." They talk about the deep process of creating alternative worlds on the written page. They also discuss themes of time and mortality, including very personal struggles Daniel has had with both.

Cara chats with Dr. Kelly Weinersmith, co-author of "Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That'll Improve and/or Ruin Everything." They talk about her work as a biologist and ecologist, focusing on parasitic agents that manipulate host behavior. Then the conversation shifts to her new book (co-written with her husband, Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal comic creator Zach Weinersmith). You should read it. It's really good.

Cara is joined by Professor of Epidemiology at Kent State University College of Public Health, Dr. Tara Smith. They talk about her work on zoonotic infectious (those that spillover from non-human animals to humans), with a specific focus on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) arising in livestock. Cara also shares her own tale of MRSA infection.

Cara is joined by author and graphic designer Rachel Ignotofsky to talk about her two books, “Women in Science” and “Women in Sports.” They discuss the important contributions of the badass women featured in her work, as well as the importance of role modeling in modern society.

Cara chats with Tristan Gooley, author of the new book, “How to Read Nature: Awaken Your Senses to the Outdoors You’ve Never Noticed.” They talk about the lost art of natural navigation, including the worldview that opens up when you begin to “intuit” your course.

Cara is joined in-studio by mortician and death-acceptance advocate, Caitlin Doughty. They talk about her new book, “From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death,” as well as her work revolutionizing the funeral industry with her non-profit mortuary “Undertaking LA.”

Cara chats with evolutionary biologist, behavioral ecologist, and science historian Dr. Lee Dugatkin about his new book "How to Tame a Fox (and Build a Dog)" (coauthored with Lyudmila Trut). They discuss the famed Siberian silver fox experiment, learning a lot about evolution along the way.

Cara connects across the globe with Dr. Rebeca Atencia, the Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute in the Congo and the Manager and Head Veterinarian at the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center. They talk about the joys and sorrows of working with orphaned chimpanzees, including our minor differences and profound similarities as species.

Cara chats with journalist and author Dr. Kathryn Miles about her new book, "Quakeland: On the Road to America's Next Devastating Earthquake." They talk about the natural history of disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes, how human activity is increasing their numbers and ferocity, and what we can do to be better prepared when disaster inevitably strikes.

Cara is joined by Dr. Agustin Fuentes, author of “The Creative Spark: How Imagination Made Humans Exceptional.” They discuss the similarities we share with non-human animals, as well as what makes us special, including the great responsibility we hold as shepherds of planet Earth.