
Talk Nerdy with 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.
Latest episodes

Jan 29, 2024 • 53min
Legacy w/ Uché Blackstock
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by physician and founder of Advancing Health Equity, Dr. Uché Blackstock. We talk about her new book, “Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine.” Follow Uché: @uche_blackstock

Jan 23, 2024 • 1h 6min
Fire Season w/ Manjula Martin
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer and editor Manjula Martin to talk about her new book, "The Last Fire Season: A Personal and Pyronatural History." Follow Manjula: @manjulatm.

Jan 15, 2024 • 52min
Transient and Strange w/ Nell Greenfieldboyce
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce. They talk about her new book, "Transient and Strange: Notes on the Science of Life." Follow Nell: @nellgreenfieldboyce.

Jan 8, 2024 • 1h 12min
Free Will w/ Robert Sapolsky
Guest Robert Sapolsky, Professor of Biology and Neurology at Stanford University, discusses the biology of human behavior, determinism's impact on free will, and the implications of a lack of free will in society. They also delve into the role of belief in free will in personal growth and rehabilitation.

Dec 18, 2023 • 54min
Brave the Wild River w/ Melissa Sevigny
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by KNAU (Arizona Public Radio) science journalist Melissa L. Sevigny. They talk about her new book, winner of the 2023 National Outdoor Book Award for History/Biography, "Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon." Follow Melissa: @MelissaSevigny.

Dec 12, 2023 • 52min
Planetary Magnetism w/ Sabine Stanley
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Sabine Stanley, a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Space Exploration Sector of the Applied Physics Lab. They talk about her newest book, "What's Hidden Inside Planets?" with a special emphasis on planetary magnetism.

Dec 4, 2023 • 1h
Against Technoableism w/ Ashley Shew
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Ashley Shew, an Associate Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Virginia Tech, who has a special interest in technology and disability studies. They talk about her new book, "Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement."

4 snips
Nov 27, 2023 • 54min
Misophonia w/ Jane Gregory
In this podcast, they discuss misophonia and its impact on daily life. They explore the concept of testing hypotheses related to unpleasant sounds and the phenomenon of reactivity in the brain. The speakers delve into the categorization of misophonia as a neurodevelopmental condition and discuss therapeutic approaches for managing it. They also talk about the book 'Sounds Like Misophonia: How to Stop Small Noises from Causing Extreme Reactions'.

Nov 20, 2023 • 59min
Things That Go Bump in the Universe w/ C. Renée James
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. C. Renée James, professor of physics and astronomy at Sam Houston State University. They talk about her new book, "Things That Go Bump in the Universe: How Astronomers Decode Cosmic Chaos." Follow Renée: @drcrj.

Nov 13, 2023 • 1h 5min
Covid Pseudoscience w/ Jonathan Howard
Debunking COVID pseudoscience and the impact on anti-vaccine movement. Navigating the conversation around COVID, fueling anti-vax rhetoric. Exploring natural immunity in newborns and its relationship with measles and COVID. Motives of contrarian doctors in downplaying COVID-19. Examining COVID-19 disinformation on social media and personal biases. Reflecting on the early days of vaccine release and addressing misinformation about COVID-19.