Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Latest Episodes:

Amphibian Extinction w/ Jodi Rowley Mar 28, 2017

Show notes

This week, Cara connects across the globe with the Curator of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Biology at the Australian Museum, Dr. Jodi Rowley (she discovered "Helen's Flying Frog" among others). They talk about Jodi's biodiversity field work in Cambodia and Vietnam, with a specific focus on conservation efforts to counter the extinction threats facing frogs and toads worldwide.

Smog Science w/ Kelvin Bates Mar 21, 2017

Show notes

Cara is joined in studio by Caltech PhD candidate Kelvin Bates. They talk about his work in atmospheric chemistry, including how isoprene contributes to smog. They also talk about the importance of creativity and the arts when working in a strict academic environment, as well as the issues facing LGBTQ individuals in academia.

Venom w/ Christie Wilcox Mar 13, 2017

Show notes

Cara chats remotely with Dr. Christie Wilcox, a conservation biologist and science writer. They focus on the topic of her new book, "Venomous," including the difference between venom and poison, the vast number of animals that have evolved venom as a predation or defensive mechanism, and how the toxins in venom are being used in modern medicine to treat a variety of diseases.

Sea Turtle Poachers w/ Jason Goldman Mar 07, 2017

Show notes

Cara is joined for the third time by her dear friend and colleague Dr. Jason Goldman. They talk about the relationship between ecology and cognitive science, including the massive influence human beings have on the planet's wildlife. They also discuss one of Jason's recent stories about a brilliant decoy that could one day defeat sea turtle poachers in Nicaragua.

Online Echo Chambers w/ Ramesh Srinivasan Feb 28, 2017

Show notes

Cara is joined in studio by UCLA Professor of Information Studies and Design Dr. Ramesh Srinivasan. They talk about themes from his new book, "Whose Global Village? Rethinking How Technology Shapes Our World," including online echo chambers, cultural empathy, and fake news.

Ninja Sex Party w/ Brian Wecht Feb 20, 2017

Show notes

On a particularly rainy Los Angeles day, Cara is joined in studio by Dr. Brian Wecht, a theoretical physicist-turned YouTuber and musician (Ninja Sex Party, Game Grumps). They talk about his work in string theory, the intersection of science and music, and the incredible work he does as a co-founder and producer of Story Collider.

Storm in a Teacup w/ Helen Czerski Feb 13, 2017

Show notes

Cara is joined in studio by physicist, oceanographer, and BBC television presenter Helen Czerski. They talk about the science of bubbles, the current science landscape in broadcast television, and Helen's wonderful new book, "Storm in a Teacup: The Physics of Everyday Life," in which she explores the foundational physics surrounding us in the simplest everyday objects and experiences.

Metamaterials w/ Dagny Fleischman Feb 07, 2017

Show notes

Cara is joined in studio by Dagny Fleischman, a PhD candidate studying plasmonics and metamaterials at Caltech. They talk about what the field of materials science is and what exciting developments it has to offer (including her own studies of light, color, and specialized image sensors). They also discuss the important work Dagny is doing on campus to improve how student satisfaction metrics are measured and interpreted.

Jehovah's Witness and Race Relations w/ Val Harvey Jan 31, 2017

Show notes

Cara is joined in studio by celebrity makeup artist Val Harvey, who she's also lucky enough to call her friend. What begins as an intriguing conversation about Val's upbringing as a Jehovah's Witness evolves into a frank and telling discussion of race relations in Trump's America.

Bad PR w/ Michael Marshall Jan 24, 2017

Show notes

This week, Cara chats with Michael Marshall of the Merseyside Skeptics Society. They discuss his incredible work both as the Project Director of the Good Thinking Society and the host of the Be Reasonable Podcast. But the primary focus of their conversation is the unholy alliance between journalists and PR companies, as Marsh exposes in his blog "Bad PR."