TALK NERDY

Cara speaks with journalist and author Adam Piore about his new book, “The Body Builders: Inside the Science of the Engineered Human.” Adam shares some his favorite stories from the book, including a “bionic man” and a blind woman who can “see” with her ears. Follow Adam: @adampiore.

Cara is joined in studio by the dynamic duo Olivia Koski and Dr. Jana Grcevich. They work together at the Intergalactic Travel Bureau, where they help you plan your dream space vacation! They also co-wrote a beautiful new book, "Vacation Guide to the Solar System," so you can travel to distant planets from the safety of your home. Follow Oliva: @oliviakoski and Jana: @janagrc.

This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. For THREE free meals plus FREE shipping, visit blueapron.com/NERDY!

Cara has a candid conversation with Ron Miscavige, author of “Ruthless: Scientology, My Son David Miscavige, and Me,” about his life as a Scientologist and the difficulty he faced (and continues to face) after escaping the cult. They also talk about the messages and motivations of L Ron Hubbard and the ascendancy of his son, David, the leader of Scientology. Follow Ron: @MiscavigeRon.

Cara chats with skeptic, author, and science activist Kavin Senapathy about all of the things! They discuss health and food (with a special focus on GMOs), parenting, vaccines, and many other “contentious” topics every good skeptic should know. Follow Kavin: @ksenapathy.

Cara is joined by the host of “Xploration Outer Space,” Emily Calandrelli (she also happens to be a correspondent on the new Netflix show, “Bill Nye Saves the World”)! They talk about science television as well as Emily’s newest project, the “Ada Lace” book series. Follow Emily: @TheSpaceGal.

Cara is honored to be joined this week by former NASA astronaut and current Chief Pilot for World View Enterprises, Ron Garan. They talk about the wonder and awe of seeing Earth from space, and how that translates to what Ron calls the "Orbital Perspective" -- something we can all maintain in our relationship with humanity and our home planet. Follow Ron: @Astro_Ron.

This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron. For THREE free meals and FREE shipping, visit blueapron.com/nerdy.

This week, Cara chats with the host of "This Week in Science," Dr. Kiki Sanford. They talk about her pioneering work in science communication, and she reveals the methods and insights she uses to deliver fascinating science news week after week. Follow Kiki: @drkiki.

Cara is joined in studio by Dr. Richard Prum, Yale ornithologist and author of the new book, "The Evolution of Beauty." They discuss the idea that sexual selection, as well as natural selection, drives evolution, and how this feminist choice gives autonomy back to the female of the species. 

This week, Cara is joined by paleontologist and science communicator Dr. Shaena Montanari. They discuss what geochemistry is and how it's used by paleontologists, as well as why dinosaur eggs are so damn interesting! Shaena's journey from geology to paleontology to science communication to science policy is also explored. Follow Shaena: @DrShaena.

Cara is joined by science writer Shannon Stirone (Motherboard, Popular Science, Discover Magazine, etc.) to talk about the highs and lows of the freelance life. They also discuss her incredible work reporting on astronomy, including a recent piece about what happens to your body when you die in space. Follow Shannon: @shannonmstirone.

This episode is brought to you, in part, by the Inquiring Minds podcast on Mother Jones. Subscribe today!