Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Latest Episodes:

Everyday Amazing w/ Katie McKissick Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is once again joined in-studio by Katie McKissick, author and illustrator of Beatrice the Biologist. They talk about their mutual love of all things science and scicomm, including her newest book, “Everyday Amazing: Fascinating Facts About the Science that Surrounds Us.”

Evidence-Based Parenting w/ Erin Clabough Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

In this week’s episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by neuroscientist and author, Dr. Erin Clabough. They talk about her new book, “Second Nature: How Parents Can Use Neuroscience to Help Kids Develop Empathy, Creativity, and Self-Control.” Also discussed: Erin’s path to science and motherhood, as well as evidence-supported insights for parents.

Women's Suffrage w/ Elaine Weiss May 27, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by the author of “The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote,” Elaine Weiss. They talk about the fascinating history of women’s suffrage, including the brave individuals who fought against misogyny, racism, and corporate interests to secure the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Conservation Hunting w/ Byron Pace May 20, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with filmmaker, conservationist, hunter, and cohost of the “Into the Wilderness” podcast Byron Pace while attending a conference in Namibia. They discuss the controversial topic of African big game conservation, including the economic necessity of hunting programs in many regions.

Namibian Conservation w/ Maxi Louis May 13, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, recorded in Windhoek, Namibia, Cara speaks with the Director of the Namibian Association of CBNRM (community-based natural resource management) Support Organisations, Maxi Louis. They talk about her work as an anti-apartheid activist, advocate for indigenous peoples in southern Africa, and champion for conservation.

Digital Colorization w/ Barry Sandrew May 05, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Harvard neuroscientist-turned-visual effects pioneer Dr. Barry Sandrew. They talk about his innovative work in digital imaging for motion pictures, including his invention and later re-imagination of digital colorization. They also discuss what life is like living with prosopagnosia (face blindness).

Sports Recovery Pseudoscience w/ Christie Aschwanden Apr 29, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer Christie Aschwanden to talk about her new book, “Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Sports Recovery.” They talk about the myths and pseudoscience often peddled within the exercise recovery industry, as well as the strength of the scientific evidence available.

Deep-Sea Geobiology w/ Jeffrey Marlow Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with Dr. Jeffrey Marlow, a science journalist, National Geographic Emerging Explorer, and Geobiologist at Harvard University who studies deep-sea microbes. They talk about the importance of innovative technology to the scientific process, as well as the curious link between marine microbial communities and potential life on other worlds.

Computational Systems Biology w/ Stacey Finley Apr 15, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara has an in-studio chat with Dr. Stacey Finley, head of the Computational Systems Biology Laboratory at the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering. They discuss the work she’s doing at the intersection of systems biology, chemical engineering, computer science, and materials science to develop novel mechanistic models of disease processes such as cancer.

Hormones w/ Randi Hutter Epstein Apr 08, 2019

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Randi Hutter Epstein, author of “Aroused: The History of Hormones and How They Control Just About Everything.” They talk about her work as a science and medicine writer, and her winding journey from M.D. to M.P.H. and everything in between. Then they focus on the topic of her new book, the fascinating history and current impact of human hormones.