Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Cara meets up with David Smalley (Dogma Debate Radio) to talk about how he lost his religion, southern hospitality, and the best approaches to sharing atheism with others.

Cara gets a lesson in quantum information theory from Caltech graduate student and entrepreneur Shaun Maguire. Shaun schools her in the real definition of quantum, along with how new developments in Stephen Hawking's black hole information paradox are rocking the physics world.

Cara speaks with Matthew Facciani, a PhD candidate in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of South Carolina. Topics include: his work as a gender-equality activist, concerns about the simplicity of "new atheism," and the neuroscience of religiosity.

Cara is joined by actress/journalist Tamara Krinsky to talk about the good and bad of labor unions, the #AskHerMore campaign, and how she's working with the "Scirens" to improve science literacy from the screen and stage.

Cara is thrilled to chat with NPR science correspondent Dr. Joe Palca. They talk about advocacy vs. journalism, science literacy, and how new media can be a game-changer. He also details his journey from academia to television to radio in his incredible 30+ year career as a science journalist.

Cara chats with Dr. Indre Viskontas (Inquiring Minds) about getting to know ourselves with the help of behavioral science, the interplay between science and music, and what it means to have a fixed vs. growth mindset.

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.