Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

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 .” 

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by distinguished life fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School , Judith Herman MD. They discuss her new book, “ Truth and Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice ."

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Lebanese-American writer, Stephanie Gorton. They discuss Stephanie’s new book, “ The Icon and the Idealist: Margaret Sanger, Mary Ware Dennett, and the Rivalry that Brought Birth Control to America .” Follow Stephanie: @sdgorton

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Mexican-American architect, attorney, Cornell University professor and National Zoning Atlas founder, Sara Bronin. They discuss Sara’s new book: “ Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World .” Follow Sara: @sarabronin

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by practicing therapist, writer, speaker on mental health inclusion, and founder of Brown Girl Therapy , Sahaj Kaur Kohli (MaEd, LGPC). They discuss her debut book: “ But What Will People Say? Navigating Mental Health, Identity, Love, and Family Between Cultures .” Follow Sahaj: sahajkohli

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by bestselling writer and Fellow of St Catherine's College , Katherine Rundell. They discuss her newest book, “ Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of Extraordinary Endangered Creatures .” Follow Kate:  Katherine.rundell

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by human rights lawyer, scientist,  scholar of bias, and the founder and CEO of BE MORE with Anu , Anu Gupta. They discuss his new book: “ Breaking Bias: Where Stereotypes and Prejudices Come From--and the Science-Backed Method to Unravel ” Follow Anu: @anuguptany

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by natural history writer and author , Josh Davis. They discuss his new book, “ A Little Queer Natural History ”. Follow Josh:  @joshlukedavis.bsky.social

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and professor of history at the University of Delaware , Rebecca L. Davis. They talk about her new book, “ Fierce Desires: A New History of Sex and Sexuality in America. ”

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by San Angelo-based oncologist, author and Advocate for Medical Humanities & Ethics, Dr. Fazlur Rahman MD . They discuss his just released book, Our Connected Lives: Caring for Cancer Patients in Rural Texas .

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and assistant professor at the Dept. of Logic, History, and Philosophy of Science at the National Distance Education University  (UNED) in Madrid, Susana Monsó. They discuss her new book, “ Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death ” which grapples with how animals conceive death—and what it can teach us  about our own relationship with mo...

On this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer and language scientist , Julie Sedivy. They discuss her newest book, “ Linguaphile: A Life of Language Love .” Follow Julie: @JulieSedivy