Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Latest Episodes:

Patient H.M. w/ Luke Dittrich Aug 08, 2016

Show notes

Cara is joined by author Luke Dittrich to discuss his new book "Patient H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness, and Family Secrets." They dive deeply into the story of famed neurological patient Henry Molaison, who, at the age of 27, received an invasive brain surgery that left him with profound memory loss. Luke's telling of the story is especially poignant since his very own grandfather was the lobotomist who performed the surgery back in 1953.

Interviewing Mom w/ Charlotte Salmon Aug 02, 2016

Show notes

In a very special episode of #TalkNerdy, Cara's mom has come to town! They sit down to discuss what it was like to grow up during the Civil Rights movement, protesting the Vietnam War, and her life's work in Spanish education.

Aesthetics w/ Landon Ross Jul 26, 2016

Show notes

Cara sits down with artist Landon Ross to talk about his new gallery show, ARTIfACT. They discuss aesthetics, politics, atheism, and the power of metaphor both in art and science.

Skeptical Rogue w/ Bob Novella Jul 19, 2016

Show notes

Cara finally chats with Bob Novella of the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe! They talk physics, health, and of course, skepticism as she rounds out her final interview with each of the skeptical rogues.

NASA's Juno w/ Michelle Thaller Jul 12, 2016

Show notes

This week, Cara and Dr. Michelle Thaller (Deputy Director of Science for Communication, NASA) #TalkNerdy about the Juno spacecraft's recent entry into Jupiter's orbit and why it's so damn important that all of humanity take a moment to stop and just look up.

Value of Human Life w/ Teagan Wall Jul 05, 2016

Show notes

Science Communicator & Nerd Brigade cofounder Teagan Wall joins Cara to discuss the economics of decision making, including the different ways to calculate the value of a human life. (Mostly, though, they end up talking about dropping their phones in toilets. We've all been there.)

Black Hole Blues w/ Janna Levin Jun 28, 2016

Show notes

Astrophysicist and author of "Black Hole Blues" Janna Levin joins Cara to talk about why theoretical physics is so fascinating, how Einstein really got it right, and what the incredible detections at LIGO mean for our understanding of the universe.

Neuroscience of Mental Illness w/ Heather Berlin Jun 21, 2016

Show notes

Neuroscientist, professor, and television host Dr. Heather Berlin (Science Goes to the Movies) joins Cara on a recent visit to LA where they discuss the origins of consciousness, scientific studies of impulsive and compulsive psychiatric/neurological conditions, and of course, #SciComm!

Secular Apocalypse w/ Phil Torres Jun 13, 2016

Show notes

Author and philosopher Phil Torres (The End) joins Cara to talk about how eschatologies (end-of-the-world theologies), may be paving the way for a secular apocalypse, and how we can mitigate existential risk by applying scientific rigor to these big-picture philosophical quandaries.

A Better Life w/ Chris Johnson Jun 07, 2016

Show notes

Live from the Reason Rally, Cara sits down with Chris Johnson (A Better Life) to talk about his photography book and film, what it means to be an atheist, and why it's imperative we talk about not just what we don't believe, but how we find meaning in a world without god.