Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

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

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

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  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 .”

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

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:...

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Emory University professor of biology and director of the Infectious Diseases across Scales Training Program , Dr. Jaap De Roode. They discuss his new book, “ Doctors by Nature: How Ants, Apes, and Other Animals Heal Themselves .”

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Assistant Professor at University of Michigan School of Information , Oliver L. Haimson. They talk about his forthcoming book,  Trans Technologies . Follow Oliver: @haimson

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by historian and Distinguished Research Professor at UCLA , Dr. Lynn Hunt. They discuss Lynn’s newest book, The Revolutionary Self: Social Change and the Emergence of the Modern Individual, 1770-1800 .

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by award-winning author and associate professor of sociology at Rutgers University, Dr. Rina Bliss. They discuss Rina’s new book, " What's Real about Race? Untangling Science, Genetics, and Society ". Follow Rina: Dr.rinabliss

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by British writer, speaker, historian , and monster consultant , Dr. Surekha Davies. They discuss Surekha’s new book, Humans: A Monstrous History . Follow Surekha: @surekhadavies

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by  historian , BBC broadcaster and writer , Eleanor Barraclough. They discuss Eleanor’s new book, Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age .

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Science at Pace University , Anne Toomey. They discuss Anne’s new book, “ Science with Impact: How to Engage People, Change Practice, and Influence Policy .”