Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Dr. Cara Santa Maria is a clinical health psychologist, television presenter, and science communicator. Since 2014, her podcast Talk Nerdy has been a place for conversations with interesting people about interesting topics.

Episodes

August 10, 2026 59 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and award-winning freelance journalist, Roberta Kwok. They discuss Roberta’s latest book, Lost in Curiosity: Field Notes from Scientists' Adventures into the Unknown. Follow Roberta: @robertakwonk
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In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, and Associate Professor of Digital Humanities and Social Engagement at Dartmouth, Roopika Risam. They discuss her new book, Data Empire: The Power of Information to Organize, Control, and Dominate. Follow Roopika: @roopikarisam
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July 27, 2026 71 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, and professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada, Reno, Valerie Fridland. They discuss Valerie’s new book, Why We Talk Funny: The Real Story Behind Our Accents. Follow Valerie: @liketotallydude
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July 20, 2026 53 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Harvard professor of Literature and of Folklore and Mythology, Dr. Maria Tatar. They discuss her new book, Arachnomania: Spiders and the Cultural Work They Do for Us. Follow Maria: @mariamtatar
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July 13, 2026 61 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by anthropologist, author, and associate professor of anthropology at Purdue University, Dr. Zoe Nyssa. They discuss her new book, Rarities: Conservation Science in a Time of Unintended Consequences.
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July 6, 2026 61 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, and Frances and Charles Field Professor of History at Stanford University, Jessica Riskin. They discuss her latest book, The Power of Life: The Invention of Biology and the Revolutionary Science of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.Follow Jessica’s work: @JessicaRiskin
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June 29, 2026 61 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science journalist, author, and contributing writer at The Atlantic, Roxanne Khamsi. We discuss her latest book, Beyond Inheritance: Our Ever-Mutating Cells and a New Understanding of Health. Follow Roxanne: @roxannekhamsi
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In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by theoretical physicist, and associate professor of physics and astronomy, and core faculty in women’s and gender studies at the University of New Hampshire, Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein. They discuss her newest book, The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie. Follow Chanda: @chanda
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June 8, 2026 55 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by professor of complex systems at Williams College and cofounder of the QSIDE Institute, Chad M. Topaz. They discuss his book, Unlocking Justice: The Power of Data to Confront Inequity and Create Change. Follow Chad: @chadtopaz
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June 1, 2026 60 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer and researcher focused on bees, agriculture, and the environment, Dr. Jennie Durant. They discuss her new book, Bitter Honey: Big Ag’s Threat to Bees and the Fight to Save Them. Follow Jennie: @jennie.durant
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May 25, 2026 57 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Professor, researcher, and speaker empowering adult daughters, Dr. Allison M. Alford. They discuss her book, Good Daughtering: The Work You’ve Always Done, the Credit You’ve Never Gotten, and How to Finally Feel Like Enough. Follow Allison: @daughtering101
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May 18, 2026 58 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by British astrophysicist and Royal Society Research Fellow, Dr. Emma Chapman. They discuss her new book The Echoing Universe: How Radio Astronomy Helps Us See the Invisible Cosmos. Releasing in the US tomorrow, 5/19.
Follow Emma: @dremmachapman
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May 11, 2026 57 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by physician, author, and illustrator, Dr. Grace Farris. They discuss her new book, See One, Do One, Teach One: The Art of Becoming a Doctor: A Graphic Memoir. Follow Grace: @GraceFarris
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In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by neurogastroenterologist, and instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Trisha Pasricha. They discuss her new book, You've Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy. Follow Trisha: @trishapasrichamd
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April 27, 2026 66 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by award-winning science journalist, editor, author and communicator, Helen Pearson. They discuss her newly released book, Beyond Belief: How Evidence Shows What Really Works. Follow Helen: HelenPearson
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April 20, 2026 68 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by academic economist, and head of the Criminal Justice program at philanthropy Arnold Ventures, Jennifer Doleac. They discuss her recently released book, The Science of Second Chances: A Revolution in Criminal Justice. Follow Jen: @JenniferDoleac
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April 13, 2026 73 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer, anthropologist, and associate professor of African and African diaspora studies at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Ashanté M. Reese. They discuss her new book, Gather: Black Food, Nourishment, and the Art of Togetherness. Follow Ashanté: @dramreese
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April 6, 2026 63 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Duke University professor of political science, and author, Candis Watts Smith. They discuss her latest book, Black Evidence: A History and a Warning. Follow Candis’ work: @CandisSmith
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March 30, 2026 69 mins
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March 23, 2026 63 mins
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by behavioral scientist, and Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Julie Minson. They discuss her latest book, How to Disagree Better. Follow Julia: @juliaminson
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