Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Cara digs deep into GMOs (genetically modified organisms) with Dr. Kevin Folta, a preeminent researcher and science communicator. They discuss the technique's risks and benefits, its top three uses, and how "golden rice" could have saved millions of lives.

Did you know that 95% of the known universe is made up of stuff that we can neither see nor measure directly? Cara sits down with theoretical physicist Dr. Katherine Freese to talk about her new book, "The Cosmic Cocktail: Three Parts Dark Matter."

Sex educator and podcaster Sandra Daugherty (Sex Nerd Sandra) joins Cara to discuss sexual health, struggles with motivation, and self-expression among millennials.

Science Editor at Nerdist Industries Kyle Hill sits down with Cara to talk about being a geek-of-all-trades, how the media overhypes biomedical stories, and what it means to be a scientific thinker.

In light of the tragic news of Robin Williams's death, comedian Paul Gilmartin joins Cara to talk candidly about depression, suicide, and the important work he's doing to reduce stigma on his podcast, "The Mental Illness Happy Hour."

Producer and web host John Iadarola (TYT University) chats with Cara about The Young Turks news network, driving an electric vehicle, and how he deals with trolls on the internet.

Comedian and author Sara Benincasa ("Agorafabulous", "Great") opens up to Cara about her struggles with mental illness, including debilitating agoraphobia, and the importance of comedy in our lives.

Phil Torres, an engaging entomologist and host of TechKnow, shares his adventures from the Amazon rainforest. He recounts a hilariously dangerous mishap involving spitting cobra venom and reflects on the urgent threats like illegal gold mining. Phil also performs a whimsical song about frogs navigating their changing environment. The conversation spans his journey through science television, innovative wildlife research methods, and the challenges of promoting insect consumption as a sustainable food source.

Dr. Alex Lockwood joins Cara to discuss the novel approach she developed to study exoplanets, her role in the PhD Movie, and her soon-to-be new life in an Islamic country.

Cara talks to actress and science communicator Christina Ochoa about her new "No Brainer Podcast," the benefits and missteps of living abroad, and how you can form your very own "Nerd Brigade."