Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Latest Episodes:

British Pseudoscience w/ Simon Singh Oct 25, 2016

Show notes

While visiting Manchester for the QED Conference, Cara sits down with journalist, author, and television producer Dr. Simon Singh about his rich and fascinating career in science media and skepticism. They discuss his journey from particle physicist at CERN to bestselling author (The Code Book, The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets, etc.), including his love of math (or maths, for the British listeners!). They also talk about Simon's role in libel reform in England, following the influential court case "British Chiropractic Association v. Singh."

Rejected Princesses w/ Jason Porath Oct 18, 2016

Show notes

Cara is joined by the author (and illustrator) of "Rejected Princesses: Tales of History's Boldest Heroines, Hellions, and Heretics," Jason Porath. They discuss what led him to complete this wonderful project, as well as how one funds such a labor of love (hint: Patreon!). They also dive into the stories of many of the women featured in the book--some we've all heard about (like Harriet Tubman and Joan of Arc) and some less known (have you heard of Agontime and the Dahomey Amazons? I hadn't either).

Con Artists w/ Maria Konnikova Oct 11, 2016

Show notes

This week, Cara is joined by Maria Konnikova, the author of "The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It...Every Time." They discuss the art of the con artist (including whether Donald Trump fits the bill) as well as Maria's unique approach to writing, merging psychology and literature.

Women Beyond Belief w/ Karen Garst Oct 03, 2016

Show notes

Cara speaks to Karen Garst, the author of "Women Beyond Belief: Discovering Life Without Religion." They talk about some of the difficult experiences of the women featured in the book, as well as their own connections with atheist activism and feminism.

Science Communication w/ Kishore Hari Sep 27, 2016

Show notes

This week, Cara has a chance to #TalkNerdy with the director of the Bay Area Science Festival, Kishore Hari. They dive deep into the dos and don'ts of science communication, with a special focus on live events that involve members of the publ--the community. (Kishore hates the term "general public!") They also nerd out about DragonCon and cosplay.

Addiction Treatment w/ Maia Szalavitz Sep 19, 2016

Show notes

Cara is joined by Maia Szalavitz, author of Unbroken Brain, to talk about the way we treat addiction in this country, and why it is so very wrong. They focus on evidence-based approaches that work and how the cult of Synanon, incarceration, and 12-step programs often cause more harm than good.

Magic of Math w/ Arthur Benjamin Sep 12, 2016

Show notes

Cara is joined in studio by the "Mathemagician" himself, Dr. Arthur Benjamin! He demonstrates some of the amazing feats of mental math found in his newest book, "The Magic of Math: Solving for x and Figuring Out Why." They also discuss educational policy, including the power of fundamentals in mathematical literacy. Prepare to be amazed!

James Webb Space Telescope w/ Amber Straughn Aug 29, 2016

Show notes

Cara is joined by NASA Astrophysicist Dr. Amber Straughn, the Deputy Project Scientist for James Webb Space Telescope Science Communications. They dive into Amber's interests in deep sky objects like galaxies, as well as what the Hubble Space Telescope has taught us about the vast size of the universe. They focus on Hubble's successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, detailing just how it will aim to answer the biggest questions in astronomy, going beyond what Hubble can currently see.

Mountain Lion P-22 w/ Beth Pratt-Bergstrom Aug 22, 2016

Show notes

California Director of the National Wildlife Federation, Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, tells Cara the story of P-22, Hollywood's famous mountain lion. They also talk about ways we can all aid in conservation efforts, like inviting native wildlife into your home garden and supporting the Santa Monica Mountains wildlife corridor. To learn more, check out Beth's new book, "When Mountain Lions are Neighbors." 100% of the proceed go directly toward wildlife conservation.

Pterosaurs w/ Michael Habib Aug 15, 2016

Show notes

Dr. Michael Habib (USC, NHMLA) joins Cara to talk about the flight biomechanics of pterosaurs, the relationship between human gross anatomy and paleontology, and why some people enjoy keeping reptiles as pets.