Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Latest Episodes:

Urban Wildlife w/ Jason Goldman Dec 14, 2015

Show notes

Cara chats with science writer Dr. Jason Goldman about urban wildlife in Southern California, including the pumas/mountain lions/panthers/cougars of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Catalina Island foxes. Also discussed: what we've learned about domestication from Dmitry Belyaev's silver fox study.

Creationism Laws w/ Zack Kopplin Dec 08, 2015

Show notes

Cara is joined by science education activist and reporter Zack Kopplin, to talk about his work to repeal Louisiana's "creationism law," as well as why we continue to fight to uphold the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution.

Disaster Science w/ Mika McKinnon Dec 01, 2015

Show notes

Cara is joined by the "Master of Disaster" herself, geophysicist and science writer Mika McKinnon. They discuss her work as the science consultant on Stargate, how life was a driving force behind an explosion of earthly minerals, and the improvements Canadians are hopeful for under their new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

Non-Traditional Academics w/ Raquel Nuno Nov 23, 2015

Show notes

Cara is joined by graduate student Raquel Nuno, from UCLA's Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences. They talk science communication, water in our solar system, and how a non-traditional academic path can sometimes lead to exactly where you wanted to be all along.

Ecotourism w/ Jeff Cremer Nov 17, 2015

Show notes

Cara is joined by wildlife photographer Jeff Cremer to discuss life in the Amazon, including how ecotourism can support local communities.

Medical School w/ Varshana Gurusamy Nov 10, 2015

Show notes

Doctors are people too, y'all! This week, Cara peers behind the proverbial surgical mask to demystify medical school and beyond with the help of Dr. Varshana Gurusamy.

Life After God w/ Ryan Bell Nov 02, 2015

Show notes

Cara is joined by ex-Seventh Day Adventist pastor Ryan Bell to talk about his "Year Without God" and how he's now spending his "Life After God." Also discussed: how secular individuals can be community leaders by practicing the empathy we all possess.

Evidence-Based Financial Planning w/ Phil Ferguson Oct 19, 2015

Show notes

Financial planner Phil Ferguson (Polaris Financial Planning) joins Cara to talk about what you can do to protect yourself and invest your money in a wise, evidence-based way. (Hint: start with a fiduciary!)

Forest Fires w/ Chad Hanson Oct 12, 2015

Show notes

Dr. Chad Hanson, ecologist with the John Muir Project, informs Cara about current legislative efforts to deregulate logging in America's forests. Myths are also busted regarding forest fires (hint: they're necessary for this habitat to thrive!).

Exoplanets w/ Leslie Rogers Oct 05, 2015

Show notes

Astrophysicist Dr. Leslie Rogers joins Cara to talk about exoplanets, specifically those that are larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. They offer an exciting opportunity to learn about planetary bodies that are different from anything in our own solar system. Also discussed: why Kepler-452b likely isn't Earth's twin.