Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Cara is joined by Gia Mora (Einstein’s Girl) to talk about physics and love are intertwined, social mobility in America, and the benefits and perils of modern technology.

Finally! Cara sits down with the remaining member of the #NerdBrigade, Alie Ward (Unique Sweets, Innovation Nation). She learns of Alie's passion for biological illustration and entomology, including curious tales of bug sex--just in time for Valentine's Day!

Cara is honored to sit down with paleoanthropologist Dr. Donald Johanson to talk about his discovery of "Lucy" (Australopithecus afarensis), America's climate of anti-intellectualism, and atheism in the scientific community.

After appearing on his podcast, Cara turns the tables on Jay Novella, co-host and producer of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe. They discuss the anti-intellectual movement that's taken hold in America, including anti-vaxxers, the stigmatism of depression and mental illness, and misogyny on the internet.

The Bad Astronomer himself, Dr. Phil Plait, joins Cara to chat about chaos in weather, the recent QVC "is the moon a planet or a star?" debacle, and the politicization of anti-science views.

Cara sits down with engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of A Human Right, Kosta Grammatis. They talk about his non-traditional path from developing a bionic eye, to working at SpaceX and MIT, to creating a non-profit with the goal of bringing internet access to everyone on the planet.

Cara catches up with biology professor Dr. PZ Myers at the Skepticon Conference in Springfield, MO. He shares how he balances research, teaching and public outreach. They also talk about the importance of animal research and the contentious comments section on his popular blog, Pharyngula.

Cara chats with the Vice President and Provost of Kean University, Dr. Jeffrey Toney, about science and human rights, including the great work being done by Linkin Park and Music for Relief.

Theoretical physicist and founder of Fiat Physica Dr. Mark G. Jackson gives Cara a lesson in Newtonian physics, general relativity, special relativity, quantum mechanics, and eventually, string theory.

Cara is joined by Hemant Mehta (FriendlyAtheist.com; the Atheist Voice). They talk about how he sold his soul on eBay (sort of), why common core isn’t all bad (at least in math), and what inspirational young atheists are doing to affect change in their schools and communities.