Natalia Reagan | SpeakerHub

Personal Details

Bio

Natalia Reagan is an anthropologist, primatologist, comedian, host, producer, podcaster, professor, writer, and monkey chasing weirdo. Her training was in a four-field approach to anthropology and she often examines topics through a bio-cultural lens. Natalia was a comedy writer and correspondent on Neil deGrasse Tyson’s StarTalk, regular host of the StarTalk All-Stars podcast, a science correspondent on Thrillist’s Daily Hit, a science expert on History’s UnXplained, skeptic on Travel Channel’s Paranormal Caught on Camera, and she was the co-host on Spike TV’s 10 Million Dollar Bigfoot Bounty. Natalia was also a writer and host for Discovery’s DNews, Seeker, and TestTube as well as an animal expert on Nat Geo Wild’s Everything You Didn’t Know about Animals. For her master’s fieldwork, she conducted a survey of the Azuero spider monkey in rural Panama. She has also published chapters in the Wiley Encyclopedia of Primatology (including “The CopulatoryPostures of Nonhuman Primates”), ACS’s Hollywood Chemistry, and Congreso de Antropología Panameña. After grad school, Natalia began producing science comedy videos covering such titillating topics as the evolution of boobs, butts, balls, and Bigfoot. Her passion includes combining science and comedy to spread science literacy while inducing spit takes. She currently lives in LA and produces science comedy content & teaches biological anthropology at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Current position (1)

Science Communicator

Nat Geo Wild, Discovery, History Channel, SiriusXM

Degrees (2)

Anthropology, BA

California State University Northridge

2006 to 2008

Anthropology, MA

California State University Northridge

2009 to 2011

Presentations

Presentations (9)

Going Ape: What Can Primates Teach Us About Being Our Best Self?

Humans are primates, first and foremost, but what are the key differences between us and our nonhuman primates brethren? Primatologist and comedian Natalia Reagan breaks down some of the most fascinating aspects of primate behavior and conservation. From diet, to family structure, to how they communicate- what can we learn from our older cousins?

Survival of the Friendliest

Sure being competitive can be beneficial in business, but when it comes to survival, cooperation is KING! This team building session will include examples from history and evolutionary biology about the importance of cooperation to adapt and survive in a constantly changing environment– especially business environment. Takeaway: This session will foster a more cooperative environment so- at the end of the day- everyone wins!

Wake-Up Call: How Getting Hit By a Truck Led Me to Become a Scientist

In 2005 I was going through a terrible quarter life crisis. I had dreamt of becoming a zoologist as a child, but found myself working as an extra and stand-in in TV and film. But all that changed when I got hit by my own '94 Ford Ranger on the shoulder of the 101 freeway. This accident catapulted me out of my mundane existence and into ICU and then months of rehab. Once I learned how to walk again, I returned to work as a stand-in. But while on set I had an epiphany- I had been given a second chance and I needed to make it count. So I went back to school to become a monkey-chasing scientist!

Myths About Race

Skin color is often used as a proxy to group people into 'racial' categories, BUT is there a biological basis to racial classification? No, no there's not! This is a common myth and in this talk anthropologist and comedian Natalia Reagan will deconstruct this myth and explains the environmental reasons why people look different- from skin color, to nose shape, to body type.

Big Feat, Small Steps: Sasquatch, Science, and the Search for the Golden Turd

Based on the amount of television, websites, and consumer goods dedicated to the ‘Big Guy’, there appears to be an unquenchable thirst to prove the existence of Sasquatch. However, what science is being utilized to discover the ultimate hide-and-go-seek champion? What empirical evidence is being collected? Bigfoot is thought to be a large-bodied, bipedal primate, thus, if those within the Bigfoot community are serious about their search, it is crucial that they become amateur or professional primatologists and follow the same protocol for discovering a new species of primate. This includes extensive research about the life history of primates (including primate diet, behavior, reproductive strategies, locomotion), data collection that adheres to strict protocols (to avoid contamination), and laboratory testing performed by scientists.

Pansexual Primates: 5 Species That Are Also Celebrating Pride

Happy pride to everyone who’s celebrating! However, it’s not just humans that are partying in the streets– there are over 1500 other species celebrating in the jungle, seas, tundra, and deserts. Yep that’s how many species scientists have documented engaging in homosexual behavior. Anthropologist and comedian Natalia Reagan is going to breakdown the 5 queerest primates- from macaques, to gorillas, to spider monkeys. So grab a banana and get ready for this appealing show!

Your Inner Animal: A Wild Team Building Experience!

Ready for a wild team building experience?! Each team member will submit their favorite animal before the show & I will then create a hilarious presentation for your team with facts about each animal and what it means to call "a ferret" (for example) your fave animal. At the end of the presentations the team members will have to guess who loves which animal. I’ll round out the session with team building exercises and your team will walk away with a better understanding of Steve in Accounting and Stephanie in HR, all based on their favorite animal. (BTW, if a team member isn't into animals, that's ok! It can be substituted by plant, car, sports team, anything goes!)

Survival of the Filthiest: Sexy, Strange, & Filthy Biology

How Did I Get Here? A Hilarious-and Abridged- History of the World