Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Latest Episodes:

Motherhood w/ Angela Garbes Jun 12, 2018

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Angela Garbes, author of Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy. Angela tells Cara about her own experiences as a writer and a mother, including the ways women lack pre- and postnatal support in American society.

Heredity w/ Carl Zimmer Jun 04, 2018

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In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by celebrated science writer Carl Zimmer, author of "She Has Her Mother's Laugh: The Powers, Perversions, and Potentials of Heredity." They discuss the promises of modern genetics research and applications, as well as the dark history of the eugenics movement. Carl also tells of his personal journey to uncover the secrets that lie within his own genome.

Geologic w/ George Hrab May 28, 2018

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by jack-of-all-trades and skeptic extraordinaire George Hrab. They talk about his work as the drummer of the Philadelphia Funk Authority and the producer/host of the Geologic Podcast. They also discuss the fun he has emceeing skeptic events across the globe.

Crash Test Girl w/ Kari Byron May 21, 2018

Show notes

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Kari Byron to talk about her new book, "Crash Test Girl: An Unlikely Experiment in Using the Scientific Method to Answer Life's Toughest Questions." They talk about her time on Mythbusters, the importance of the scientific method, and how her work on television is empowering her daughter and other young girls to be who they really are.

Science Sam w/ Samantha Yammine May 15, 2018

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In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with science communicator and Ph.D. student Samantha Yammine, better known as Science Sam. They discuss the importance of the public dissemination of science, the special role social media has to play, and the difficulties facing some science communicators within their own institutions.

Apollo 8 w/ Robert Kurson May 07, 2018

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In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara chats with Robert Kurson, the author of "Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man's First Journey to the Moon." He describes the trials and tribulations of the Apollo 8 mission as well as the bravery and fortitude of the men and women who made it happen. In addition, they discuss the impact of the odyssey, during arguably one of the worst years in American history, 1968.

DARPA w/ Sharon Weinberger May 01, 2018

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Sharon Weinberger, the executive editor for news at Foreign Policy. They talk about her new book, "The Imagineers of War: The Untold Story of DARPA, the Pentagon Agency that Changed the World." They discuss DARPA's successes and failures, including the internet, drones, Agent Orange, mass surveillance, and its curious relationship with climate science.

Bionic Eyes w/ Lauren Ayton Apr 23, 2018

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In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Lauren Ayton, the Director of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Bionic Eye Technologies. They talk about all things vision, including how the eye works and what can go wrong with it. Then they discuss incredible bionic implants and prostheses that are offering the gift of sight to those who've been living without it.

Deep Brain Stimulation w/ Lone Frank Apr 16, 2018

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined in studio by science journalist Dr. Lone Frank, author of "The Pleasure Shock: The Rise of Deep Brain Stimulation and Its Forgotten Inventor." They discuss her work as a Danish science communicator and her history in academic neurobiology. Then, Lone tells Cara about the fascinating history of Robert G. Heath, the Tulane psychiatrist who performed controversial surgeries and experiments while developing a groundbreaking procedure that was surely ahead of its time.

Transhumanism w/ Mark O'Connell Apr 10, 2018

Show notes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara speaks with author Mark O'Connell about his new book "To Be a Machine: Adventures Among Cyborgs, Utopians, Hackers, and the Futurists Solving the Modest Problem of Death." They talk about the process of writing a book, a well as the things he learned during his investigation of the fascinating and sometimes troubling transhumanist movement.

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