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Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

Cara Santa Maria
Misophonia
Science Journalism
Free Will
Psychology
Neuroscience
Memory
Aging
Climate Change
Mental Health
Existentialism
Brave the Wild River
Transient and Strange
Wildfires
Learning To Think
Disability Studies
Grand Canyon
Determinism
NPR
Reproductive Health
Racial Health Inequities

Cara Santa Maria is a science communicator, television host, producer, and journalist. She is excited to present "Talk Nerdy," a place for conversations with interesting people about interesting topics.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes588Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Talk Nerdy

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by www.law.uci.edu/faculty/full-time/baradaran/, and www.mehrsa.com/books, Mehrsa Baradaran. They talk about her latest book, wwnorton.com/books/9780393881820. Follow Mehrsa:...

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In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by journalist and author of four previous books, Rose George. They discuss her newest book, Every Last Fish: A Deep Dive into Everything They Do for Us and We Do to Them. Follow Rose: Substack.

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In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Bloomberg investigative journalist, and author, Ellen Huet. They discuss her 2025 book about OneTaste, Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult. Follow Ellen: @ellenhuet

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In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by licensed clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and educator, Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter. They discuss his new book, How I Know White People are Crazy and Other Stories: Notes from a Frustrated Bla... more

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Recent Guests

Rose George
Author focused on social issues, including sanitation and fish ethics.
Episode: Every Last Fish w/ Rose George
Ellen Huet
Investigative journalist covering technology and Silicon Valley for Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Episode: Corporate Sex Cult w/ Ellen Huet
Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter
Licensed clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and educator
Episode: White People Are Crazy w/ Jonathan Mathias Lassiter
Christine Rosen
Historian, columnist for Commentary magazine, and senior editor at The New Atlantis.
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: Disembodied World w/ Christine Rosen
Dr. Miriam Laker
Public health physician and former director of research for GiveDirectly
GiveDirectly
Episode: Pods Fight Poverty w/ Miriam Laker
Felice Frankel
Science photographer and author
MIT, Author of Phenomenal Moments
Episode: Science Photography w/ Felice Frankel
Dr. Thea Riofrancos
Associate Professor of Political Science at Providence College and author of 'Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism.'
Providence College
Episode: Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos
Melanie D. G. Kaplan
Independent journalist and author of Lab Dog
Episode: Lab Dog w/ Melanie D. G. Kaplan
Michael E. Mann
Presidential Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Science Under Siege w/ Michael Mann

Host

Cara Santa Maria
Cara Santa Maria is a renowned science communicator and journalist who engages listeners through meaningful conversations with experts in diverse fields. Her background in science and her work in media enable her to simplify complex topics and foster a connection between scientific concepts and everyday life, making her a respected figure in science outreach and education.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.6k ratings
  • A very unique and special podcast that people should listen to.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Larian
    4 months ago
  • Science is the limit

    You should cover the HPV Vaccine that came out to help prevent cervical cancer that was so popular in 2010 or 2011. Despite the Catholic Church being opposed to it, a lot of women in that community got it, including an ex friend with benefits.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Ray Reesey
    United Statesa year ago
  • Science communication is all about timing

    The ads would have changed to Nevada ads when we all moved out here, not when James told you we all moved out here.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ray Reesey
    United Statesa year ago
  • Broad generalizations and bias

    To be fair, I only listened to 4 shows; it got repetitious. Cara is incapable of viewing an issue without seeing racism, sexism or some form of persecution. Lots of broad generalizations and selective examples; this pod is confirmation bias on steroids. It’s like one of a dozen NPR shows without the depth or production quality.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Marcus517
    United Statesa year ago
  • Cara is brilliant

    Cara is brilliant, and her guests are always workin on, near or with something interesting. Would recommend to anyone with a curious mind.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jorgan_Garlath
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Critiques occasionally point to interruptions during guest segments, suggesting the desire for a more balanced dialogue.
The engaging interview style of the host is often highlighted as a positive aspect, contributing to lively and informative discussions.
Listeners appreciate the wide range of topics and the depth of insight provided by expert guests.
Many find the content inspiring and relevant, praising the podcast for its educational value and accessibility of complex ideas.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Corporate Sex Cult w/ Ellen Huet
Q: What were the key outcomes of your investigation into OneTaste?
Ellens detailed the criminal trial against the leaders for forced labor conspiracy, highlighting the complex truths about exploitation within the group.
Corporate Sex Cult w/ Ellen Huet
Q: What is your perspective on the practice of aversion practice within OneTaste?
Ellen shared how participants were encouraged to engage in acts they were resistant to for personal growth, but this often undermined their sense of consent.
Corporate Sex Cult w/ Ellen Huet
Q: What led you to be interested in subcultures and curious people doing curious things?
Ellen mentioned her fascination with writing stories about unusual things that reveal more about human psychology.
White People Are Crazy w/ Jonathan Mathias Lassiter
Q: What was your motivation for writing the book?
The motivation was to share compelling stories and insights on race and mental health, particularly regarding the 'whiteness mindset.'
Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos
Q: How do we proactively reduce environmental harm from extraction?
We need to think about harm prevention and hold companies accountable for their impacts.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Talk Nerdy

What is Talk Nerdy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring a wide range of captivating topics, this podcast offers insightful conversations that merge science with culture and human experience. Episodes feature experts from various fields discussing issues such as climate change, public health, the dynamics of rivers, and the importance of play in creativity. Notable discussions often highlight personal stories that connect scientific concepts to everyday life, fostering both curiosity and critical thinking. The podcast is characterized by its engaging, informal style and aims to make complex scientific ideas accessible and relatable for a broader audience.

With a diverse lineup of guests, including researchers, authors, and practitioners from different disciplines, the series stands out... more

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How many listeners does Talk Nerdy get?

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How many subscribers and views does Talk Nerdy have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Talk Nerdy has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Talk Nerdy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talk Nerdy:

1. The Scathing Atheist
2. The Skepticrat
3. Cognitive Dissonance
4. God Awful Movies
5. Citation Needed

How many episodes of Talk Nerdy are there?

Talk Nerdy launched 12 years ago and published 588 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Talk Nerdy?

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What guests have appeared on Talk Nerdy?

Recent guests on Talk Nerdy include:

1. Rose George
2. Ellen Huet
3. Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter
4. Christine Rosen
5. Dr. Miriam Laker
6. Felice Frankel
7. Dr. Thea Riofrancos
8. Melanie D. G. Kaplan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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