

Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 26, 2016 • 1h 19min
Aesthetics w/ Landon Ross
Cara sits down with artist Landon Ross to talk about his new gallery show, ARTIfACT. They discuss aesthetics, politics, atheism, and the power of metaphor both in art and science.

Jul 19, 2016 • 1h 14min
Skeptical Rogue w/ Bob Novella
Cara finally chats with Bob Novella of the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe! They talk physics, health, and of course, skepticism as she rounds out her final interview with each of the skeptical rogues.

Jul 12, 2016 • 59min
NASA's Juno w/ Michelle Thaller
This week, Cara and Dr. Michelle Thaller (Deputy Director of Science for Communication, NASA) #TalkNerdy about the Juno spacecraft's recent entry into Jupiter's orbit and why it's so damn important that all of humanity take a moment to stop and just look up.

Jul 5, 2016 • 1h 28min
Value of Human Life w/ Teagan Wall
Science Communicator & Nerd Brigade cofounder Teagan Wall joins Cara to discuss the economics of decision making, including the different ways to calculate the value of a human life. (Mostly, though, they end up talking about dropping their phones in toilets. We've all been there.)

Jun 28, 2016 • 1h 18min
Black Hole Blues w/ Janna Levin
Astrophysicist and author of "Black Hole Blues" Janna Levin joins Cara to talk about why theoretical physics is so fascinating, how Einstein really got it right, and what the incredible detections at LIGO mean for our understanding of the universe.

Jun 21, 2016 • 1h 17min
Neuroscience of Mental Illness w/ Heather Berlin
Neuroscientist, professor, and television host Dr. Heather Berlin (Science Goes to the Movies) joins Cara on a recent visit to LA where they discuss the origins of consciousness, scientific studies of impulsive and compulsive psychiatric/neurological conditions, and of course, #SciComm!

Jun 13, 2016 • 1h 18min
Secular Apocalypse w/ Phil Torres
Author and philosopher Phil Torres (The End) joins Cara to talk about how eschatologies (end-of-the-world theologies), may be paving the way for a secular apocalypse, and how we can mitigate existential risk by applying scientific rigor to these big-picture philosophical quandaries.

Jun 7, 2016 • 1h 4min
A Better Life w/ Chris Johnson
Live from the Reason Rally, Cara sits down with Chris Johnson (A Better Life) to talk about his photography book and film, what it means to be an atheist, and why it's imperative we talk about not just what we don't believe, but how we find meaning in a world without god.

May 31, 2016 • 1h 13min
Reason Rally w/ Dave Rubin
Cara talks nerdy with Dave Rubin (The Rubin Report) about their upcoming appearances at the Reason Rally 2016 and first amendment protections.

May 25, 2016 • 52min
New York City Stargazing w/ Summer Ash
Cara chats remotely with the Director of Outreach for Columbia University's Astronomy Department, Summer Ash. They talk about stargazing in New York City, Summer's heart surgery, and how biofeedback can help manage the anxiety and depression that accompany trauma. Oh, and @STARTORIALIST!!