Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Cara Santa Maria is a science communicator, television host, producer, and journalist. She is excited to present "Talk Nerdy," a place for conversations with interesting people about interesting topics.

Episodes

More Than Words w/ Maryellen MacDonald

July 21, 2025 • 65 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by psycholinguist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Language Sciences at the University of Wisconsin−Madison, Dr. Maryellen MacDonald. They discuss her book, More Than Words: How Talking Sharpens the Mind and Shapes Our World. Follow Maryellen: @maryellenmacdonald
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Forever Chemicals w/ Rachel Frazin

July 14, 2025 • 49 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and Energy and Environment Reporter for The Hill, Rachel Frazin. They talk about her book, “Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America” Follow Rachel: @RachelFrazin
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History of Photography w/ Anika Burgess

July 7, 2025 • 68 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by photo editor and writer Anika Burgess to discuss her new book, “Flashes of Brilliance: The Genius of Early Photography and How It Transformed Art, Science, and History.” Follow Anika: @aburgessphoto
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Meltdown w/ Sarah Boon

June 30, 2025 • 43 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by environmental scientist turned freelance writer and editor, Sarah Boon. They discuss her new book, “Meltdown: The Making and Breaking of a Field Scientist” Follow Sarah: @snowhydro.bsky.social
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Weird Universe w/ Erika Hamden

June 23, 2025 • 64 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by astrophysicist, University of Arizona Associate Professor, and Director of the Arizona Space Institute, Erika Hamden. We discuss her new book, “Weird Universe: Everything We Don’t Know About Space (and Why It’s Important).” Follow Erika: @erika.hamden  
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Silly Science w/ Carly Anne York

June 16, 2025 • 54 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science communicator, author and associate professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University, Dr. Carly Anne York. They discuss her new book, “ The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog: And Other Serious Discoveries of Silly Science.” Follow Carly: @CarlyAnneYork
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Reefs of Time w/ Lisa S. Gardiner

June 9, 2025 • 61 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer, author, and geoscientist, Dr. Lisa S. Gardiner. They discuss her newly released book, Reefs of Time: What Fossils Reveal about Coral Survival . Follow Lisa: @Lisasgardiner
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Animal Illness w/ Liz Kalaugher

June 3, 2025 • 54 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science journalist and author, Liz Kalaugher. They discuss Liz’s newly released book, “The Elephant in the Room: How to Stop Making Ourselves and Other Animals Sick.” Follow Liz: @LizKalaugher
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Proteins & SciComm w/ Maggie Fink

May 26, 2025 • 56 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by microbiologist, science communicator, Adjunct Professor at Indiana University South Bend and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Maggie M. Fink. They discuss her newest co-authored book, “The Color of North: The Molecular Language of Proteins and the Future of Life.” Follow Maggie: @MaggieMFink
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The Intermediaries w/ Brandy Schillace

May 19, 2025 • 58 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, historian, journalist and mystery novelist, Brandy Schillace, PHD. They discuss Brandy’s newest book, “The Intermediaries: A Weimar Story.” Follow Brandy: ‪@bschillace.brandyschillace.com
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Intraterrestrials w/ Karen G. Lloyd

May 12, 2025 • 59 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by microbial biogeochemist, Professor of Earth Science and Wrigley Chair in Environmental Studies at the University of Southern California, Dr. Karen G. Lloyd. They discuss Karen’s new book, “Intraterrestrials: Discovering the Strangest Life on Earth.” Follow Karen: @KarenLloyd
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Historical Abortion w/ Mary Fissell

May 5, 2025 • 65 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Inaugural J. Mario Molina Professor of the History of Medicine in the Department of the History of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Mary Fissell. They talk about her book, “Pushback: The 2,500-Year Fight to Thwart Women by Restricting Abortion.”
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Education w/ John B. King, Jr.

April 28, 2025 • 64 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by educator,  civil servant, and the 15th Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), John B. King, Jr. We discuss his new book, “Teacher By Teacher: The People Who Change Our Lives.” Follow John: @John.B.King
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Wild Kingdom w/ Rae Wynn-Grant

April 21, 2025 • 73 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by wildlife ecologist, TV presenter, author, and science communicator, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. They discuss Rae’s newest project co-hosting NBC’s original series Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild.  This new series showcases wildlife success stories across the United States and inspires the next generation of conservationists. Follow Rae: @raewynngrant
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Wild By Design w/ Laura J. Martin

April 14, 2025 • 60 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by historian, ecologist, and environmental studies professor at Williams College, Dr. Laura J. Martin. They discuss her book, “Wild by Design: The Rise of Ecological Restoration.” Follow Laura: @Laura_J_Martin
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History of the Female Body w/ Helen King

April 7, 2025 • 71 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Helen King. Helen is a Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at The Open University, and an elected member of the General Synod of the Church of England, where she is vice chair of Together. They discuss her newest book: “Immaculate Forms: A History of the Female Body in Four Parts.” Follow Helen: @helenking
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Autism Spectrum w/ Gina Rippon

March 31, 2025 • 68 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by cognitive neuroscientist and neuroimaging expert, Gina Rippon. They discuss her forthcoming book (April 1 2025), “Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls”, which is a call to recognize the full spectrum of the autistic experience. Follow Gina: @ginarippon1
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Brainwashing w/ Rebecca Lemov

March 24, 2025 • 62 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Harvard University Professor of the History of Science and author, Rebecca Lemov. They discuss her newest book, “THE INSTABILITY OF TRUTH: Brainwashing, Mind Control and Hyper-Persuasian.” Follow Rebecca: @rebeccalemov
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Night Magic w/ Leigh Ann Henion

March 17, 2025 • 43 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by New York Times bestselling nature writer, Leigh Ann Henion. They talk about Leigh’s newest book, “Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark.” Follow Leigh: @leighannhenion
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Treekeepers w/ Lauren E. Oakes

March 10, 2025 • 57 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by conservation scientist and award-winning science writer, Lauren E. Oakes. They talk about her latest book on the global reforestation movement, “Treekeepers: The Race for a Forested Future.” Follow Lauren: @OakesLE
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