Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Cara is joined by the Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Oxford Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Marcus Du Sautoy, to talk about his new book "The Great Unknown: Seven Journeys to the Frontiers of Science." They discuss his role as a professional science communicator, as well as his take on the very edges of modern science understanding, from chaos to consciousness to infinity.

Cara is joined in studio by the ever charming, hilarious, and insightful Annabelle Gurwitch to talk about her new book, "Wherever You Go, There They Are: Stories About My Family You Might Relate To." They discuss how to find joy and humor in all of our families, biological and chosen, including our parents and siblings, friends, coworkers, and even our social and religious communities. Sprinkled in are conversations about the marginalization of science and scientists in Trump's America, and why it's important to poke fun at even the most sensitive of topics.

This week, Cara connects across the globe with the Curator of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Biology at the Australian Museum, Dr. Jodi Rowley (she discovered "Helen's Flying Frog" among others). They talk about Jodi's biodiversity field work in Cambodia and Vietnam, with a specific focus on conservation efforts to counter the extinction threats facing frogs and toads worldwide.

Cara is joined in studio by Caltech PhD candidate Kelvin Bates. They talk about his work in atmospheric chemistry, including how isoprene contributes to smog. They also talk about the importance of creativity and the arts when working in a strict academic environment, as well as the issues facing LGBTQ individuals in academia.

Cara chats remotely with Dr. Christie Wilcox, a conservation biologist and science writer. They focus on the topic of her new book, "Venomous," including the difference between venom and poison, the vast number of animals that have evolved venom as a predation or defensive mechanism, and how the toxins in venom are being used in modern medicine to treat a variety of diseases.

Cara is joined for the third time by her dear friend and colleague Dr. Jason Goldman. They talk about the relationship between ecology and cognitive science, including the massive influence human beings have on the planet's wildlife. They also discuss one of Jason's recent stories about a brilliant decoy that could one day defeat sea turtle poachers in Nicaragua.

Cara is joined in studio by UCLA Professor of Information Studies and Design Dr. Ramesh Srinivasan. They talk about themes from his new book, "Whose Global Village? Rethinking How Technology Shapes Our World," including online echo chambers, cultural empathy, and fake news.

On a particularly rainy Los Angeles day, Cara is joined in studio by Dr. Brian Wecht, a theoretical physicist-turned YouTuber and musician (Ninja Sex Party, Game Grumps). They talk about his work in string theory, the intersection of science and music, and the incredible work he does as a co-founder and producer of Story Collider.

Cara is joined in studio by physicist, oceanographer, and BBC television presenter Helen Czerski. They talk about the science of bubbles, the current science landscape in broadcast television, and Helen's wonderful new book, "Storm in a Teacup: The Physics of Everyday Life," in which she explores the foundational physics surrounding us in the simplest everyday objects and experiences.

Cara is joined in studio by Dagny Fleischman, a PhD candidate studying plasmonics and metamaterials at Caltech. They talk about what the field of materials science is and what exciting developments it has to offer (including her own studies of light, color, and specialized image sensors). They also discuss the important work Dagny is doing on campus to improve how student satisfaction metrics are measured and interpreted.