Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
- Episodes
- 627
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 9, 2026
About the podcast
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.
Episodes 627
Prepared Patient w/ Terry Adirim
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by public health expert, physician, former Senior Federal Health Official, and author, Terry Admirim MD, MPH. They discuss her newest book, The Prepared Patient …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by public health expert, physician, former Senior Federal Health Official, and author, Terry Admirim MD, MPH. They discuss her newest book, The Prepared Patient: Your Guide to Surviving the Health Care System. Follow Terry: @TerryAdirimMDAdversity's Impact w/ Eranda Jayawickreme
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Professor of Psychology and senior research fellow at the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University, Dr. Eranda Jayawickreme. They discuss …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Professor of Psychology and senior research fellow at the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University, Dr. Eranda Jayawickreme. They discuss his new book, Is There Always Value to Adversity? Looking Beyond "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger".Placebo and Nocebo w/ Helen Pilcher
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by acclaimed science writer, science reporter, and former neuroscientist, Helen Pilcher. They discuss her new book, This Book May Cause Side Effects: The Curious …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by acclaimed science writer, science reporter, and former neuroscientist, Helen Pilcher. They discuss her new book, This Book May Cause Side Effects: The Curious and Dangerous Power of the Nocebo Effect, Placebo’s Evil Twin. Follow Helen: @HelenPilcherThe Real Sherlock Holmes w/ Lindsey Fitzharris
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by New York Times bestselling author, television host, and medical historian, Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris. They discuss her newest book, Sleuth-Hound: The Case of the …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by New York Times bestselling author, television host, and medical historian, Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris. They discuss her newest book, Sleuth-Hound: The Case of the Real Sherlock Holmes. Follow Lindsey: @drlindseyfitzharrisBogland w/ Merritt R. Turetsky
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by professor, ecosystem ecologist, and climate scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, Merritt R. Turetsky. They discuss her Merritt’s new book, Bogland …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by professor, ecosystem ecologist, and climate scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, Merritt R. Turetsky. They discuss her Merritt’s new book, Bogland: The Secret World That Defies Death and Protects Life. Follow Merritt: @queenofpeatMonstrous Bitch w/ Eleanor Johnson
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, and the author of five books, Dr. Eleanor Johnson. They discuss her most recent book …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, and the author of five books, Dr. Eleanor Johnson. They discuss her most recent book, Monstrous Bitch: A History of Terrifying Women. Follow Eleanor’s substack: @eleanorsHorrorsTime Without Clocks w/ Cathy Haynes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by UK based curator, writer, artist, and educator Cathy Haynes. Cathy has been researching, writing, and developing a creative practice on aspects of time for more …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by UK based curator, writer, artist, and educator Cathy Haynes. Cathy has been researching, writing, and developing a creative practice on aspects of time for more than two decades. They discuss her book, The Fullness of Time: Marking the Day by Birdsong, Blooms, Shadows, and Stars. Follow Cathy: @Cathy.Haynes.UKPunctuation w/ Florence Hazrat
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by researcher, writer, and punctuation expert, Florence Hazrat. They discuss her latest book, On the Mark: From Periods to Interrobangs, How Punctuation Remade the …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by researcher, writer, and punctuation expert, Florence Hazrat. They discuss her latest book, On the Mark: From Periods to Interrobangs, How Punctuation Remade the World. Follow Florence: @thepunctuationladyThe Datafication of Language w/ Xiaochang Li
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Stanford University, Dr. Xiaochang Li. They discuss her book, Divination Engines: Natural Language …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Stanford University, Dr. Xiaochang Li. They discuss her book, Divination Engines: Natural Language Processing, Artificial Intelligence, and the Making of Algorithmic Culture. Follow Dr. Li: @xiaochangSex Is a Spectrum w/ Agustín Fuentes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by biological anthropologist and the chair of the Department of Anthropology at Princeton University, Agustín Fuentes. They discuss his new book, Sex Is a Spectrum …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by biological anthropologist and the chair of the Department of Anthropology at Princeton University, Agustín Fuentes. They discuss his new book, Sex Is a Spectrum: The Biological Limits of the Binary. Follow Agustín: @AnthrofuentesCash on the Block w/ Beryl Satter
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, and Professor Emerita of History at Rutgers University-Newark, Dr. Beryl Satter. They discuss her newest book, Cash on the Block: The Broken Promise of …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, and Professor Emerita of History at Rutgers University-Newark, Dr. Beryl Satter. They discuss her newest book, Cash on the Block: The Broken Promise of Reinvestment in Black Urban Neighborhoods.Black Beyond Borders w/ Edna Bonhomme
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by American critic, historian of science, and journalist, Dr. Edna Bonhomme. They discuss her latest book, Tending to Our Wounds: A Diasporic Memoir. Follow Edna: @bonhomme
Sex in Public w/ Angela Jones
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer, and Stony Book University professor of women, gender, and sexuality studies, Angela Jones. They discuss Angela’s latest book, Sex in Public: The …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by writer, and Stony Book University professor of women, gender, and sexuality studies, Angela Jones. They discuss Angela’s latest book, Sex in Public: The Transformative Social Power of Our Erotic Lives. Follow Angela: @angelajwriterLost in Curiosity w/ Roberta Kwok
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and award-winning freelance journalist, Roberta Kwok. They discuss Roberta’s latest book, Lost in Curiosity: Field Notes from Scientists' Adventures into …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and award-winning freelance journalist, Roberta Kwok. They discuss Roberta’s latest book, Lost in Curiosity: Field Notes from Scientists' Adventures into the Unknown. Follow Roberta: @robertakwokData and Colonialism w/ Roopika Risam
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, and Associate Professor of Digital Humanities and Social Engagement at Dartmouth, Roopika Risam. They discuss her new book, Data Empire: The Power of …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, and Associate Professor of Digital Humanities and Social Engagement at Dartmouth, Roopika Risam. They discuss her new book, Data Empire: The Power of Information to Organize, Control, and Dominate. Follow Roopika: @roopikarisamAccents w/ Valerie Fridland
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, and professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada, Reno, Valerie Fridland. They discuss Valerie’s new book, Why We Talk Funny: The Real Story …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, and professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada, Reno, Valerie Fridland. They discuss Valerie’s new book, Why We Talk Funny: The Real Story Behind Our Accents. Follow Valerie: @liketotallydudeArachnomania w/ Maria Tatar
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Harvard professor of Literature and of Folklore and Mythology, Dr. Maria Tatar. They discuss her new book, Arachnomania: Spiders and the Cultural Work They Do …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Harvard professor of Literature and of Folklore and Mythology, Dr. Maria Tatar. They discuss her new book, Arachnomania: Spiders and the Cultural Work They Do for Us. Follow Maria: @mariamtatarRarity w/ Zoe Nyssa
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by anthropologist, author, and associate professor of anthropology at Purdue University, Dr. Zoe Nyssa. They discuss her new book, Rarities: Conservation Science in …
Show notes
In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by anthropologist, author, and associate professor of anthropology at Purdue University, Dr. Zoe Nyssa. They discuss her new book, Rarities: Conservation Science in a Time of Unintended Consequences.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 …
Show notes
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.Follow Jessica’s work: @JessicaRiskinWe 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 …
Show notes
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: @roxannekhamsiIntersectional 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 …
Show notes
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: @chandaUnlocking 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 …
Show notes
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: @chadtopazBitter 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 …
Show notes
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.durantDaughtering 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 …
Show notes
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: @daughtering101Radio 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 …
Show notes
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: @dremmachapmanArt 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 …
Show notes
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: @GraceFarrisNeurogastroenterology 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 …
Show notes
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: @trishapasrichamdEvidence 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 …
Show notes
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: HelenPearsonCriminal 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 …
Show notes
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: @JenniferDoleacGather 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 …
Show notes
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
These are the latest 40 of 627 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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