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Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

by Cara Santa Maria

608 Episodes

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.

Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

by Cara Santa Maria

Jun 15, 2026

Intersectional Cosmology w/ Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

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

01:13:19

Jun 08, 2026

Unlocking Justice w/ Chad M. Topaz

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

00:55:29

Jun 01, 2026

Bitter Honey w/ Jennie Durant

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

01:00:46

May 25, 2026

Daughtering w/ Allison M. Alford

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

00:57:35

May 18, 2026

Radio Astronomy w/ Emma Chapman

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

00:58:36

May 11, 2026

Art of Medicine w/ Grace Ferris

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by physician, author, and illustrator, Dr. Grace Ferris. They discuss her new book, See One, Do One, Teach One: The Art of Becoming a Doctor: A Graphic Memoir. Follow Grace: @GraceFerris

00:57:14

May 04, 2026

Neurogastroenterology w/ Trisha Pasricha

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

01:10:50

Apr 27, 2026

Evidence w/ Helen Pearson

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

01:06:27

Apr 20, 2026

Criminal Justice w/ Jennifer Doleac

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

01:08:08

Apr 13, 2026

Gather w/ Ashanté M. Reese

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

01:13:53

Apr 06, 2026

Black Evidence w/ Candis Watts Smith

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

01:03:37

Mar 30, 2026

Outsider Animals w/ Marlene Zuk

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, and Regents Professor of ecology, evolution, and behavior at the University of Minnesota, Professor Marlene Zuk. We discuss her book, Outsider Animals: How the Creatures at the Margins of Our Lives Have the Most to Teach Us.

01:09:25

Mar 23, 2026

Disagreement w/ Julia Minson

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

01:03:42

Mar 16, 2026

Salt Lakes w/ Caroline Tracey

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by journalist and writer, Dr. Caroline Tracey. They discuss Tracey’s debut book, Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History. Follow Caroline: @ce_tracey

00:47:38

Mar 09, 2026

Societal Change and Criminology w/ Robert J. Sampson

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Professor of Social Sciences at Harvard University, Affiliated Research Professor at the American Bar Foundation, and member of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Robert J. Sampson. They discuss his new book, Marked by Time: How Social Change Has Transformed Crime and the Life Trajectories of Young Americans. Follow Robert’s work: @RobertJSampson

01:06:23

Mar 09, 2026

Societal Change and Criminology w/ Robert J. Sampson

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Professor of Social Sciences at Harvard University, Affiliated Research Professor at the American Bar Foundation, and member of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Robert J. Sampson. They discuss his new book, Marked by Time: How Social Change Has Transformed Crime and the Life Trajectories of Young Americans. Follow Robert’s work: @RobertJSampson

01:06:23

Mar 02, 2026

Social Genomics w/ Daphne O. Martschenko

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Bioethicist and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University, Dr. Daphne O. Martschenko. They discuss her book, What We Inherit: How New Technologies and Old Myths Are Shaping Our Genomic Future. Follow Daphne: @daphmarts

01:06:12

Feb 23, 2026

Strata and Deep Time w/ Laura Poppick

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science and environmental journalist, Laura Poppick. They discuss her book, Strata: Stories from Deep Time. Follow Laura: @LauraPoppick

00:56:20

Feb 16, 2026

Zombie Bugs w/ Mindy Weisberger

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer and media producer, Mindy Weisberger. They discuss her 2025 book, Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control. Follow Mindy: @laminda

00:57:16

Feb 09, 2026

Women Weaving Stories w/ Nicole Nehrig

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by clinical and research psychologist, passionate knitter, and writer -- Dr. Nicole Nehrig. They discuss her book, With Her Own Hands: Women Weaving Their Stories. Follow Nicole: @nicolenehrig

01:04:01