Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce. They talk about her new book, "Transient and Strange: Notes on the Science of Life." Follow Nell: @nellgreenfieldboyce.

Guest Robert Sapolsky, Professor of Biology and Neurology at Stanford University, discusses the biology of human behavior, determinism's impact on free will, and the implications of a lack of free will in society. They also delve into the role of belief in free will in personal growth and rehabilitation.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by KNAU (Arizona Public Radio) science journalist Melissa L. Sevigny. They talk about her new book, winner of the 2023 National Outdoor Book Award for History/Biography, "Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon." Follow Melissa: @MelissaSevigny.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Sabine Stanley, a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the Space Exploration Sector of the Applied Physics Lab. They talk about her newest book, "What's Hidden Inside Planets?" with a special emphasis on planetary magnetism.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Ashley Shew, an Associate Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Virginia Tech, who has a special interest in technology and disability studies. They talk about her new book, "Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement."

In this podcast, they discuss misophonia and its impact on daily life. They explore the concept of testing hypotheses related to unpleasant sounds and the phenomenon of reactivity in the brain. The speakers delve into the categorization of misophonia as a neurodevelopmental condition and discuss therapeutic approaches for managing it. They also talk about the book 'Sounds Like Misophonia: How to Stop Small Noises from Causing Extreme Reactions'.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. C. Renée James, professor of physics and astronomy at Sam Houston State University. They talk about her new book, "Things That Go Bump in the Universe: How Astronomers Decode Cosmic Chaos." Follow Renée: @drcrj.

Debunking COVID pseudoscience and the impact on anti-vaccine movement. Navigating the conversation around COVID, fueling anti-vax rhetoric. Exploring natural immunity in newborns and its relationship with measles and COVID. Motives of contrarian doctors in downplaying COVID-19. Examining COVID-19 disinformation on social media and personal biases. Reflecting on the early days of vaccine release and addressing misinformation about COVID-19.

Recorded live from the QED Conference in Manchester, UK, this episode of Talk Nerdy features community engagement advocate and menopause activist Anita Powell. She tells Cara about her work in diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially for women of color experiencing menopause. Follow Anita: @IamAnitaPowell.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Oxford professor and medeival literature researcher Dr. Jenni Nuttall to talk about her new book, "Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words." They discuss the history of feminist language from the Middle Ages to the present.