Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Cara is joined in studio by celebrity makeup artist Val Harvey, who she's also lucky enough to call her friend. What begins as an intriguing conversation about Val's upbringing as a Jehovah's Witness evolves into a frank and telling discussion of race relations in Trump's America.

This week, Cara chats with Michael Marshall of the Merseyside Skeptics Society. They discuss his incredible work both as the Project Director of the Good Thinking Society and the host of the Be Reasonable Podcast. But the primary focus of their conversation is the unholy alliance between journalists and PR companies, as Marsh exposes in his blog "Bad PR."

Cara is joined by Jo Ruxton, the co-founder and Director of Education of Plastic Oceans Foundation, a global network of charitable organizations focused on changing attitudes toward the use of plastics. They discuss the upcoming film, "A Plastic Ocean," which highlights the detrimental effect plastic refuse is having on our marine habitats, and because of that, on our own health and safety. They also talk about ways we can make a difference.

Everyone's favorite astronomer Dr. Phil Plait (Death From the Skies!) is back on #TalkNerdy! He and Cara talk "Bad Astronomy," the movie "Arrival," and what lovers-of-science may have to work against during the new Trump administration.

Cara speaks with the Director of polio eradication efforts for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Jay Wenger. They discuss the history of wild poliovirus, including its devastating medical effects, as well as the incredible success of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. (Oral polio vaccination has reduced cases across the globe by 99.9% since 1988.) In addition, they focus on new cases in Nigeria, and why it is more important than ever to focus on final eradication efforts. To support the effort, visit www.endpolio.org.

This week's episode is a special live taping of the Paramount Science Summit, in which Cara moderates a panel of luminaries in theoretical physics: Dr. Michio Kaku (The Future of the Mind), Dr. Brian Greene, (The Hidden Reality), and Dr. Jim Gates. They discuss the role string theory may one day play in elucidating a theory of everything, along with other cosmic quandaries, like black holes, the multiverse, the big bang, and more.

Cara is joined by Dava Sobel, author of "The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars." They discuss the scientific contributions made by these pioneering women at the turn of the 20th century, and how their methods and discoveries continue to benefit astronomers today. Also discussed: Dava's inspiration for writing this story, and the lasting lessons its pages hold.

Cara chats remotely with the Science Comedian himself, Brian Malow! They talk about what exactly a "science comedian" is and does, Brian's epic Europe trip where he spent time with the Vatican Astronomer, and how much fun they had at the second annual #SciCommCamp.

Live from the QED Conference in Manchester, Cara chats with psychologist and author Dr. Sue Blackmore about her history as a parapsychologist studying out-of-body experiences. They discuss her transition from credulity to skeptical thinking, and how it has shaped her research and writing in the psychology of consciousness and more.

Following an unexpected American election result, Cara is joined by the host of the Congressional Dish podcast, Jennifer Briney, to clarify the separation of powers in the federal government (executive, legislative, and judicial), and the realistic extent to which each branch can successfully effect change. Also discussed: what President-elect Donald Trump could mean for the future of America, and how to prevent cynicism and disillusionment by putting pressure on our elected officials and being an active voter and citizen.