Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Following an unexpected American election result, Cara is joined by the host of the Congressional Dish podcast, Jennifer Briney, to clarify the separation of powers in the federal government (executive, legislative, and judicial), and the realistic extent to which each branch can successfully effect change. Also discussed: what President-elect Donald Trump could mean for the future of America, and...

Cara connects with an astrophysicist who's working in the most remote place on Earth: Dr. Christine Corbett Moran talks nerdy from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, deep in the heart of Antarctica. They discuss the challenges and privileges of spending a cold, dark winter at the geographic South Pole, including stunning auroras and joining the 300 club.

Just in time for Halloween, Cara is joined by Dr. Lydia Pyne, the author of "Seven Skeletons: The Evolution of the World's Most Famous Human Fossils." A science historian with training in paleoanthropology, Lydia has special insight into the fossilized hominin ancestors many of us have grown to love, like Lucy, the Old Man of La Chapelle, and the Taung Child, to name a few.

While visiting Manchester for the QED Conference, Cara sits down with journalist, author, and television producer Dr. Simon Singh about his rich and fascinating career in science media and skepticism. They discuss his journey from particle physicist at CERN to bestselling author (The Code Book, The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets, etc.), including his love of math (or maths, for the Britis...

Cara is joined by the author (and illustrator) of "Rejected Princesses: Tales of History's Boldest Heroines, Hellions, and Heretics," Jason Porath. They discuss what led him to complete this wonderful project, as well as how one funds such a labor of love (hint: Patreon!). They also dive into the stories of many of the women featured in the book--some we've all heard about (like Harriet Tubman and...

This week, Cara is joined by Maria Konnikova, the author of "The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It...Every Time." They discuss the art of the con artist (including whether Donald Trump fits the bill) as well as Maria's unique approach to writing, merging psychology and literature.

Cara speaks to Karen Garst, the author of "Women Beyond Belief: Discovering Life Without Religion." They talk about some of the difficult experiences of the women featured in the book, as well as their own connections with atheist activism and feminism.

This week, Cara has a chance to #TalkNerdy with the director of the Bay Area Science Festival, Kishore Hari. They dive deep into the dos and don'ts of science communication, with a special focus on live events that involve members of the publ--the community. (Kishore hates the term "general public!") They also nerd out about DragonCon and cosplay.

Cara is joined by Maia Szalavitz, author of Unbroken Brain, to talk about the way we treat addiction in this country, and why it is so very wrong. They focus on evidence-based approaches that work and how the cult of Synanon, incarceration, and 12-step programs often cause more harm than good.

Cara is joined in studio by the "Mathemagician" himself, Dr. Arthur Benjamin! He demonstrates some of the amazing feats of mental math found in his newest book, "The Magic of Math: Solving for x and Figuring Out Why." They also discuss educational policy, including the power of fundamentals in mathematical literacy. Prepare to be amazed!

Cara is joined by NASA Astrophysicist Dr. Amber Straughn, the Deputy Project Scientist for James Webb Space Telescope Science Communications. They dive into Amber's interests in deep sky objects like galaxies, as well as what the Hubble Space Telescope has taught us about the vast size of the universe. They focus on Hubble's successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, detailing just how it will aim...

California Director of the National Wildlife Federation, Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, tells Cara the story of P-22, Hollywood's famous mountain lion. They also talk about ways we can all aid in conservation efforts, like inviting native wildlife into your home garden and supporting the Santa Monica Mountains wildlife corridor. To learn more, check out Beth's new book, "When Mountain Lions are Neighbors."...

Dr. Michael Habib (USC, NHMLA) joins Cara to talk about the flight biomechanics of pterosaurs, the relationship between human gross anatomy and paleontology, and why some people enjoy keeping reptiles as pets.

Cara is joined by author Luke Dittrich to discuss his new book "Patient H.M.: A Story of Memory, Madness, and Family Secrets." They dive deeply into the story of famed neurological patient Henry Molaison, who, at the age of 27, received an invasive brain surgery that left him with profound memory loss. Luke's telling of the story is especially poignant since his very own grandfather was the loboto...

In a very special episode of #TalkNerdy, Cara's mom has come to town! They sit down to discuss what it was like to grow up during the Civil Rights movement, protesting the Vietnam War, and her life's work in Spanish education.

Cara sits down with artist Landon Ross to talk about his new gallery show, ARTIfACT. They discuss aesthetics, politics, atheism, and the power of metaphor both in art and science.

Cara finally chats with Bob Novella of the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe! They talk physics, health, and of course, skepticism as she rounds out her final interview with each of the skeptical rogues.

This week, Cara and Dr. Michelle Thaller (Deputy Director of Science for Communication, NASA) #TalkNerdy about the Juno spacecraft's recent entry into Jupiter's orbit and why it's so damn important that all of humanity take a moment to stop and just look up.

Science Communicator & Nerd Brigade cofounder Teagan Wall joins Cara to discuss the economics of decision making, including the different ways to calculate the value of a human life. (Mostly, though, they end up talking about dropping their phones in toilets. We've all been there.)

Astrophysicist and author of "Black Hole Blues" Janna Levin joins Cara to talk about why theoretical physics is so fascinating, how Einstein really got it right, and what the incredible detections at LIGO mean for our understanding of the universe.

Neuroscientist, professor, and television host Dr. Heather Berlin (Science Goes to the Movies) joins Cara on a recent visit to LA where they discuss the origins of consciousness, scientific studies of impulsive and compulsive psychiatric/neurological conditions, and of course, #SciComm!

Author and philosopher Phil Torres (The End) joins Cara to talk about how eschatologies (end-of-the-world theologies), may be paving the way for a secular apocalypse, and how we can mitigate existential risk by applying scientific rigor to these big-picture philosophical quandaries.

Live from the Reason Rally, Cara sits down with Chris Johnson (A Better Life) to talk about his photography book and film, what it means to be an atheist, and why it's imperative we talk about not just what we don't believe, but how we find meaning in a world without god.

Cara talks nerdy with Dave Rubin (The Rubin Report) about their upcoming appearances at the Reason Rally 2016 and first amendment protections.

Cara chats remotely with the Director of Outreach for Columbia University's Astronomy Department, Summer Ash. They talk about stargazing in New York City, Summer's heart surgery, and how biofeedback can help manage the anxiety and depression that accompany trauma. Oh, and @STARTORIALIST!!