Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

904

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.

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Recent Reviews
  • Mpffft
    PLEASE let your guests speak!
    I just listened to this podcast for the first time. Dr Ashley Shew was a fascinating expert guest, but she rarely got the chance to delve into her ideas in depth. Instead, she was constantly interrupted by the host, who chattered on at great length, injecting tangentially relevant personal anecdotes and facile analogies. It was really rude and disruptive to both the guest and the audience. I agree with much of the host’s perspective, but wouldn’t spend my time listening to her views rather than her invited experts’. I value informative podcasts and find the roster of past guests intriguing, but don’t think I can deal with the frustration of hearing them in “ conversation” with such an annoying interlocutor.
  • Rtyfds
    Lose the VOCAL FRY!
    The subject matter is great but Cara’s extreme case of “vocal fry” makes it a hard to listen to. Perhaps a speech therapist could help her be the best version of herself.
  • Papa or kudos
    A constant stream of well researched evidence based books.
    This podcasts makes finding interesting and accurate non-fiction on a plethora of different subjects easy. It makes my life so much easier!!
  • eshunt
    Fantastic
    Did you know Cara did 9/11? Any way this is an excellent way to learn about interesting topics. It’s a very good pod cast. Also she guests on GAM and she can be funny too.
  • Headhunter69
    This podcast can’t melt steel beams
    Discovered Cara because of God Awful Movies and she’s just as funny but also informative. Great podcast with a great host
  • wwld_dms
    Favorite Science Podcast
    I’ve been listening for many years now and I’m constantly impressed with these interviews. Cara isn’t asking the standard interview questions. Instead, she gets to know the author and really gets at what is important to them. We learn science on a level that is relatable. The interviews are more like conversations about what matters and how science impacts the quality of our lives. I highly recommend listening every week. I do.
  • imagine1world
    Inspiration to Inclusion through Education
    This is an impactful and informative Podcast! I get so tired of a singular ideology or narrative being pushed on me. We are so close to to an inclusionary society, and this I believe is the way we can make it to the finish line. It has been so refreshing to have this Podcast as resource to inspire me as I go through my busy days at my place of work. Thank you for doing this work!
  • gokester
    Pretentious
    The pretentious liberal dog whistling is hard to ignore.
  • calmsweet
    Every episode is great!
    During a time in life when I simply could not listen to yet another man talk about science, I found Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria. I look forward to every episode. No matter what the subject is, I will always be enthralled! It’s a great podcast. Listen to it.
  • KaraZielinski
    Great show!
    I appreciate the wide range of topics that Cara covers and she is such a good interviewer. I always learn loads
  • AyresLana
    Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
    Recovering from a broken leg I have had the time to listen to the back catalogue of Talk Nerdy. I am so appreciative of the research work, care and attention to representation that Ms Santa Maria brings to her podcast each week. Thank you!
  • itzEdgar
    Title
    Yea
  • sc_78
    Fantastic Science Podcast
    Cara Santa Maria is an amazing thinking and thoughtful science communicator.
  • Lucinda Ann Jackson
    Wild and fun!
    Every time I listen to Cara Santa Maria I get energized, provoked (in a good way) and learn something science-y. Her podcasts are lively, wild and informative while always managing to communicate something interesting and new! As a scientist and nerd myself, it’s perfect.
  • sameheretoday
    Excellent
    Exactly what you would expect from Bill Mahr’s sugar baby.
  • MeNotYou2251
    Nah
    Cara is very self-righteous and pretentious. Either you agree with her or you are an idiot.
  • aosmitty13
    Excellent insights, thought provoking
    Cara sets up such excellent people to interview who are clearly experts in their own fields. I love her incredibly thought provoking questions and comments that show how thoughtful and brilliant she is
  • Underwater55
    I’m into it!
    Great interviews. Huge fan of Cara Santa Maria.
  • cissp-taker-2020
    It’s ok, but could be phenomenal
    Cara, is a highly charismatic, articulate, witty and brilliant individual. The problem I have is that she dominates every discussion. I subscribe to this podcast because I want to hear from her interesting guests, but Cara routinely interjects with her own anecdotes and even interrupts her guests to talk about her experiences, excessively. I understand it’s a dialogue and not a traditional interviewer/interviewee format, but it’s very frustrating to hear more from Cara than her guest. Case in point, in the episode with Katherine Mack, Katherine had the opportunity to only explain one of her myriad theories on the end of the universe. Instead the discussion evolved to center on existential psychology; a topic I still found fascinating but obviously one that caters to Cara’s knowledge and less so Katherine’s. Please let your guests speak!
  • Ups_syndrome
    Consistently Great
    This show is always interesting and educational , great range in guests. Cara does great every week. Really enjoy it.
  • s.newnom
    fascinating show and amazing host
    she’s a great host- you can tell she is very passionate and engaged with all her guests. definitely one of my favorite podcasts :)
  • James314159265358973
    Keep it up!
    Huge fan of the SGU. I didn’t know you had your own podcast until it was mentioned on the SGU. Great job with the content here!
  • jlamoree
    One of my favorites
    I frequently see the episode names in my podcast client and think, "Hmm. I don't think this episode is for me." But I'll be darned if I don't listen and learn something fascinating or discover a huge blind spot in my awareness or understanding. I really enjoy Cara's perspective and style. I've only been a patron for a while, and I'm kicking myself for not supporting earlier. I look forward to new episodes because it leaves me feeling hopeful about what we can accomplish together.
  • San0648
    Great long form interviews
    The topics vary from almost anything you can imagine. Biology, astronomy, physics, philosophy, culture, etc. you name it she has it. The long form interviews with specialists in their areas really allow you to dive into a topic and either brush up on some things you used to know or be mind blown by what you didn’t. But the best thing is really the diversity of the guests allows you to get perspectives from a wide range of experiences. Highly recommended for anyone who just wants to learn.
  • jrlopezCa
    Passionate podcast about different sciences
    Since she covers different science topics I get lost sometimes but still enjoy listening to things I never even thought about. Loved the one with Ann Druyan!
  • Raduculous
    Used to be SO good, now mediocre
    Used to a really good science communication show and now it's just pc nonsense left and right.
  • Hasa Diga
    Variety
    Love all the various topics. Been diving into the back catalog of shows. This former Professor still loves learning.
  • HokieTechie
    High Quality Conversational Interviews
    Each episode is a high quality extended chat with a guest. Within this meandering format, Cara humanizes her guest and brings out the important ideas in the guest's research or occupation. About half the books I purchase come to my attention through this podcast.
  • OdieDenver
    Always surprising and wonderful
    Much like SGU (where I first was introduced to Santa Maria), I constantly find myself riveted by stories and ideas I had NO IDEA I would be interested in. Cara’s enthusiastic, so amazing in her knowledge and analysis of complex ideas and is a developing into one of all of podcasting’s GREAT interviewers.
  • EvertheHumanist
    Outstanding
    Outstanding
  • cmyreview
    Interesting variety
    Wide range of guests and in depth discussions of their area of expertise
  • SuzyScotch
    Where is the science?
    Listened to TN based on Alie Ward's rec. Main issue is having to wade through Cara's polticial leanings and ventings, in order to extract any nuggests from the interviewees. There are plenty of times to wax political WHILE interviewing the guest; for example David Shariatmadari speaking about linguistics and immigration. Generally, I wish she would dig deeper in interviews and share less, because for now, it's like trying to drink key lime pie through a straw. The Time Listened::Learning ratio is frustrating given that the guests are really wonderful.
  • biologistico
    Top-notch Sci Comm
    I found this jewel a few months ago and it quickly became one of my favorite science podcasts. Insightful, riveting, and humane deep dive into a different science-related topic every episode. Cara is an amazing host and science communicator extraordinaire and the show’s guests include fascinating experts doing all sorts of incredible work to improve our lot in this planet. What’s there not to love when two very smart people talk nerdy about science and how it helps us build a better world?
  • sem1conscious
    Level-headed thinking
    In a time of extremes in all directions it’s necessary and vital for level-headed, non-emotionally driven, clear thinking conversations being had. Thank You!
  • lexxii1456
    A diamond in the ruff of a podcast
    We need more women talking to and about women in science! Thank you Cara for making sure that you provide equal representation of men and women on the podcast, across all different kinds of subjects. Even as a scientist I learn so much from this podcast, and I am able to stay up to date on the latest scientific research and initiatives.
  • mcbobmcbob
    Excellent deep dive into lots of fantastic science topics
    One of the few podcasts where I learn so much science knowledge that it fulfills my “enlightened” quotient for the day. I cannot get that from a 5-15 interview. Cara talks to so many brilliant scientists who share the exciting things happening in their research/field. I can always hear the enthusiasm of the guests as they explain what they have discovered. That passion for science is inflective. Cara is good at asking those intelligent questions that makes her guests want to talk more about their work. There are too many episodes where I wish they had a few hours more to talk about that topic.
  • clgood
    State of the art SciCom
    Cara's enthusiasm for science communication is downright contagious. She consistently gets really interesting guests on wide-ranging topics and does the kind of deep dive that podcasting is so well suited for. Talk Nerdy always bubbles to the top of my listening queue when it drops.
  • Snapbacksandsportbras
    Talk Nerdy Saved My Life
    I stumbled upon Cara and Talk Nerdy during some of the lowest points of my latest struggle with depression (amidst a continuous existential crisis). Stick with me, fam, I swear this is about to get positive. I still struggle with the memory of feeling happy on a consistent basis. However, as I listen through all the archives of the podcast episodes, I’m constantly reminded that there is so much of life (and science) to be discovered. And THAT, my friends, is exciting. Cara will never know the impact she’s made in recreating the excitement I felt like I lost
  • Kenjamin72
    Great science podcast!
    I can't say enough positive about Cara Santa Maria's (CSM) podcast or CSM herself. She's such a great interviewer and a joy to listen too. Plus I love science. Just listen...
  • DarthCreel
    An amazingly eclectic podcast
    Pros: Cara Santa Maria brings such a great variety of guests to her show. The topics will appeal to anyone with even a hint of an interest in science. Cara and her guests break down the topics in such a great way that everyone will walk away having learned something. At this point, I’m not surprised by how interesting the most seemingly mundane topic, such as sand, can become when explained by an expert. The host also does a great job of asking the questions I wish I could ask her guests at the right moment. Cons: None
  • Melisa D.
    Monday Motivation
    I cannot emphasize how amazing it is to start my week off with a new episode of Talk Nerdy! I feel as if Cara recharges my love and passion for science and science communication, which says a lot when you are constantly dealing with academia. Cara, if you’re reading this, stay nerdy, stay quirky, and please never stop podcasting.
  • elsevier
    So interesting, beautiful voice
    I no longer listen to podcast on Apple but I love this one so much I came back here to write this review! It is that great!
  • EnigmaMonero
    Nice
    Cara is a great interviewer, I found her podcast through the skeptics guide. She’s often complained about on the skeptics guide for being too outspoken, but it’s not her fault. She’s a strong woman surrounded by a group of weak men.
  • Emilygddthgddjb
    Great Podcast!
    I always learn some great stuff when I listen. Cara keeps it fun and interesting!
  • Athena M Martinez
    !!
    I love this podcast so much!
  • TheyCallMeFernando
    Great podcast!
    One of the few podcasts that I both listen to and find worthy of financially supporting! Keep up the great work!
  • chinalewis
    Podcast 138, the best
    Good job, keeping the 3 illuminaries of string theory on point..beautiful job hosting and wonderful interplay with audience. Any chance I can get a transcript for my university students as they are nonnative English speakers. Does any one have an idea on this (except for me to listen/write it myself for the next 3 months:>)
  • Joey Ketoey
    Love it!
    Awesome podcast! Definitely one of my new favorites, hosted by one of my favorite scientists. MUCH LOVE to you Cara.
  • GTYJ81
    Thoroughly interesting and fun
    I first heard Cara on the SGU podcast and thought she was great. I was so happy to find out that she has her own podcast as well. Very interesting guests and I love her style. Keep up the great work!!
  • Musashi1961
    Great Podcast!
    Cara’s “Talk Nerdy” Podcast is as entertaining as it is educational. I enjoy her perspectives regarding the value of science and critical thinking. I am most amazed and inspired by her ability to work on at least two major podcasts (“Talk Nerdy” and “The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe”), travel for a television series all while working on a PHD! At any rate “Talk Nerdy” is a super Podcast by a super person. Cheers! (Can hardly wait for the next episode open Cara’s return from Africa - good thing she has lots of archived material!)
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