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.
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spreaker.com/show/talk-nerdy-with-cara-santa-mariaEpisodes
Power of Life w/ Jessica Riskin
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.
2026-07-07Link to episode
We Are All Mutants w/ Roxanne Khamsi
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
2026-06-29Link to episode
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
2026-06-15Link to episode
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
2026-06-08Link to episode
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
2026-06-01Link to episode
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
2026-05-25Link to episode
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
2026-05-18Follow Emma: @dremmachapman
Link to episode
Art of Medicine w/ Grace Farris
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
2026-05-11Link to episode
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
2026-05-04Link to episode
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
2026-04-27Link to episode
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
2026-04-20Link to episode
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
2026-04-13Link to episode
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
2026-04-06Link to episode
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.
2026-03-30Link to episode
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
2026-03-23Link to episode
Salt Lakes w/ Caroline Tracey
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by journalist Dr. Caroline Tracey to talk about her debut book, Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History. Follow Caroline: @ce_tracey
2026-03-16Link to episode
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
2026-03-09Link to episode
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
2026-03-02Link to episode
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
2026-02-23Link to episode
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
2026-02-16Link to episode
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
2026-02-09Link to episode
Racist Economy w/ Mehrsa Baradaran
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by UC Irvine Law Professor, and acclaimed author, Mehrsa Baradaran. They talk about her latest book, The Racial Wealth Gap: A Brief History. Follow Mehrsa: @mehrsab
2026-02-02Link to episode
Every Last Fish w/ Rose George
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by journalist and author of four previous books, Rose George. They discuss her newest book, Every Last Fish: A Deep Dive into Everything They Do for Us and We Do to Them. Follow Rose: Substack.
2026-01-26Link to episode
Corporate Sex Cult w/ Ellen Huet
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Bloomberg investigative journalist, and author, Ellen Huet. They discuss her 2025 book about OneTaste, Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult. Follow Ellen: @ellenhuet
2026-01-19Link to episode
White People Are Crazy w/ Jonathan Mathias Lassiter
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by licensed clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and educator, Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter. They discuss his new book, How I Know White People are Crazy and Other Stories: Notes from a Frustrated Black Psychologist. Follow Jonathan: @lassiterhealth
2026-01-12Link to episode
Disembodied World w/ Christine Rosen
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by American historian, writer, and author, Dr. Christine Rosen. They discuss her newest book, The Extinction of Experience: Being Human in a Disembodied World.
2026-01-05Link to episode
Pods Fight Poverty w/ Miriam Laker
In this week?s episode of Talk Nerdy, we revisit a 2022 episode with former Research Director at GiveDirectly, Dr. Miriam Laker-Oketta. Talk Nerdy is joining podcasts across the globe in the Pods Fight Poverty Campaign. If you?re able, please consider helping 3 villages in Rwanda out of extreme poverty by donating to givedirectly.org/nerdy. Follow: @GiveDirectly
2025-12-22Link to episode
Science Photography w/ Felice Frankel
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by MIT research scientist, and science photographer, Felice Frankel. They discuss her book, Phenomenal Moments: Revealing the Hidden Science Around Us. Follow Felice: @Felice_Frankel
2025-12-15Link to episode
Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by climate change researcher, and Associate Professor of Political Science at Providence College, Dr. Thea Riofrancos. They discuss her newest book, Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism.
2025-12-08Link to episode
Lab Dog w/ Melanie D. G. Kaplan
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science writer and longtime independent journalist, Melanie D. G. Kaplan. They discuss Melanie?s newest book, Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research. Follow Melanie: @melaniedgkaplan
2025-12-01Link to episode
Science Under Siege w/ Michael Mann
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by acclaimed climatologist, geophysicist, and University of Pennsylvania distinguished Professor, Dr. Michael Mann. They discuss his latest co-authored book, Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World. Follow Dr. Mann: @MichaelEMann
2025-11-24Link to episode
Rivers w/ Ellen Wohl
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by prolific author and University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Colorado State University, Dr. Ellen Wohl. They discuss Ellen?s newest book, Following the Bend: How to Read a River and Understand Its Nature.
2025-11-17Link to episode
Play w/ Cas Holman
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by founder and chief designer of the toy company Heroes Will Rise and a former Professor of Industrial Design at RISD, Cas Holman. They discuss her new book, Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity. Follow Cas: @casholman
2025-11-10Link to episode
Immigrant Physicians w/ Eram Alam
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by associate professor in the Department of the History of Science at Harvard University, Dr. Eram Alam. They discuss her highly relevant book, The Care of Foreigners: How Immigrant Physicians Changed US Healthcare.
2025-11-03Link to episode
Whispers of Rock w/ Anjana Khatwa
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by award-winning earth scientist, TV presenter, writer, and advocate for diversity in the geosciences and nature, Dr. Anjana Khatwa. They discuss Anjana?s new book, The Whispers of Rock: The Stories That Stone Tells About Our World and Our Lives. Follow Anjana: @anjanakhatwa
2025-10-27Link to episode
Influence of Jim West w/ Ainissa Ramirez
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined award-winning scientist and science communicator, Dr. Ainissa Ramirez. They discuss her newest book, Spark: Jim West's Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone. Follow Ainissa: @ainissaramirez
2025-10-20Link to episode
Dinosaurs and Deep Time w/ Rachel Ignotofsky
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by New York Times Best Selling author, illustrator, and science communicator Rachel Ignotofsky. They discuss her forthcoming book, Dinosaurs: Exploring Prehistoric Life and Geological Time . Follow Rachel: @rachelignotofsky
2025-10-13Link to episode
Sea Monsters w/ Prema Arasu
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by University of Western Australia research fellow, and creative writer, Dr. Prema Arasu. They discuss Prema?s new book, The Book of Sea Monsters. Follow Prema: @prema_arasu
2025-10-06Link to episode
Better Public Health w/ Tom Frieden
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by former CDC director, physician, and author, Dr. Tom Frieden. They discuss his newly released book, The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives?Including Your Own. Follow Tom: @drtomfrieden
2025-09-29Link to episode
Period Brain w/ Sarah E. Hill
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by evolutionary social psychologist and author who studies women and health, Dr. Sarah E. Hill. They discuss her newest book, The Period Brain: The New Science of Why We PMS and How to Fix It: A Manifesto for Women. Follow Sarah: @sarahehillphd
2025-09-22Link to episode
Replaceable You w/ Mary Roach
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by prolific science writer, and author of eight New York Times bestsellers, Mary Roach. They discuss her newest book, Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy. Follow Mary: @authormaryroach
2025-09-15Link to episode
Baboons and Humans w/ Shirley C. Strum
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by renowned anthropologist, and Director of the Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project in Kenya, Dr. Shirley Strum. They talk about her new book, ECHOES OF OUR ORIGINS: Baboons, Humans and Nature.
2025-09-08Link to episode
Arrogant Ape w/ Christine E. Webb
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Primatologist and Assistant Professor at NYU Dept of Environmental Studies, Dr. Christine E. Webb. They discuss her new book, The Arrogant Ape: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism and Why It Matters.
2025-09-01Link to episode
Social Brain w/ Virginia Sturm
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by professor in the Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the UC San Francisco, Dr. Virginia Sturm. They discuss her book: Mysteries of the Social Brain: Understanding Human Behavior Through Science. Follow Virginia: @brainsturming
2025-08-25Link to episode
Infodemiology w/ Pauline W. Hoffmann
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by scholar practitioner dedicated to truth-telling through research and education, Pauline W. Hoffmann Ph.D. We discuss Pauline?s book, Fake News, Witch Hunts, & Conspiracy Theories. Follow Pauline: @pwHoffmann
2025-08-18Link to episode
Politics of Adoption w/ Gretchen Sisson
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by qualitative sociologist, Dr. Gretchen Sisson. Gretchen?s researches pregnancy, abortion and adoption at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) department at UC San Francisco. Her 2024 book is: ?Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood ? Follow Gretchen: @GretchenSisson
2025-08-11Link to episode
Writing Science w/ Anne E. Greene
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by biologist and Professor of science writing, Anne E. Greene. They discuss Anne?s book, ?Writing Science in Plain English, Second Edition.?
2025-08-04Link to episode
The Stronger Sex w/ Starre Vartan
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and Science & Environment Writer, Starre Vartan. They discuss Starre?s newest book, ?The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us about the Power of the Female Body.? Follow: @StarreVartan
2025-07-28Link to episode
More Than Words w/ Maryellen MacDonald
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
2025-07-21Link to episode
Forever Chemicals w/ Rachel Frazin
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
2025-07-14Link to episode