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Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Cara Santa Maria 620 Episodes Oct 12, 2026

Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria is hosted by Dr. Cara Santa Maria, a clinical health psychologist, television presenter, and science communicator. Since 2014, the show has featured conversations with scientists, thinkers, artists, and other interesting people. Episodes explore a wide range of topics, often through a science-informed and curious lens. The podcast aims to make complex ideas accessible while showcasing diverse perspectives.

Episodes

Bogland w/ Merritt R. Turetsky
Bogland w/ Merritt R. Turetsky Oct 12, 2026 3469 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: @queenofpeat
Monstrous Bitch w/ Eleanor Johnson
Monstrous Bitch w/ Eleanor Johnson Oct 7, 2026 3531 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: @eleanorsHorrors
Time Without Clocks w/ Cathy Haynes
Time Without Clocks w/ Cathy Haynes Sep 28, 2026 4019 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.UK
Punctuation w/ Florence Hazrat
Punctuation w/ Florence Hazrat Sep 21, 2026 4098 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: @thepunctuationlady
The Datafication of Language w/ Xiaochang Li
The Datafication of Language w/ Xiaochang Li Sep 14, 2026 4322 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: @xiaochang
Sex Is a Spectrum w/ Agustín Fuentes
Sex Is a Spectrum w/ Agustín Fuentes Sep 7, 2026 3894 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: @Anthrofuentes
Cash on the Block w/ Beryl Satter
Cash on the Block w/ Beryl Satter Aug 31, 2026 4083 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
Black Beyond Borders w/ Edna Bonhomme Aug 24, 2026 3859 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
Sex in Public w/ Angela Jones Aug 17, 2026 3867 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: @angelajwriter
Lost in Curiosity w/ Roberta Kwok
Lost in Curiosity w/ Roberta Kwok Aug 10, 2026 3583 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: @robertakwok
Data and Colonialism w/ Roopika Risam
Data and Colonialism w/ Roopika Risam Aug 3, 2026 4039 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: @roopikarisam
Accents w/ Valerie Fridland
Accents w/ Valerie Fridland Jul 27, 2026 4303 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: @liketotallydude

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