"It Can Be A Fascinating And Amazing Future If We Get It Right" Featuring Isabelle Boemeke, Author of "Rad Future"

Today we had the pleasure of hosting Isabelle Boemeke, author of the forthcoming book, “Rad Future: The Untold Story of Nuclear Electricity and How It Will Save the World.” The book will be published on August 12 and is available for preorder here. Isabelle is a passionate advocate for nuclear energy and is also the creator of Isodope, a social media persona she uses to engage and educate the public about the benefits of nuclear power. Isabelle was involved in pushing to save the Diablo Canyon nuclear facility and has visited nuclear sites around the world. We were thrilled to hear her fresh and insightful perspectives.
 
In our conversation, we explore nuclear energy’s rapid shift in public perception and the surge in investment and media attention from just three years ago to today. We discuss the role of advocacy in changing narratives, generational differences in attitudes toward nuclear, and the decline of the organized anti-nuclear movement. Isabelle shares her perspective on international attitudes toward nuclear, the origin of Isodope and her use of social media as an educational tool, the gender gap in nuclear support, and her personal background and journey to becoming curious about nuclear energy. We touch on the nuclear industry’s reception to Isabelle, including the strong support she’s received from women in the field. She shares her strategy for communicating complex nuclear topics to a broader audience, the key risks facing the nuclear renaissance, and the next major hurdles the industry must overcome, particularly challenges around financing and project management. We cover public awareness of SMRs compared to large-scale nuclear, community attitudes toward nuclear, and the strong local support Isabelle has seen near existing plants. Isabelle discusses her continued focus on nuclear for the next few years, where her interests may take her in the future, her 10-year outlook for energy and climate, and more.
 
Mike Bradley kicked off the show by noting that broader U.S. equity markets continue to hit new all-time highs. A major driver of broader markets so far this year has been euphoria surrounding AI/Tech equities and the significant capital spending to support data centers. “Meme stock mania” seems to be rearing its head again and could be an early signal of a frothy equity market. On the energy equity front, he highlighted that both HAL and SLB have reported Q2 results and, for the most part, are guiding towards a weaker 2H25 market (especially NAM oil service pricing). Most oil service investors were hopeful Q2 would be the last quarter for downward 2025 revisions, which could be a reason why oil service stocks aren’t reacting to negative downward 2025 EPS revisions. Electric Utilities are up ~13% this year and continue to be viewed as “growth” stocks. The PJM Capacity Auction posted results after the close, with pricing coming in at ~$330/mw versus last year’s print of ~$270/mw. A handful of PJM exposed IPPs were up modestly after the close on the news. Mike wrapped by noting that SMR equities are up on average ~175% YTD and continue to be electricity darlings. He also flagged today’s news out of Japan that Kansai Electric is reportedly exploring a plan to build the country’s first nuclear plant since the Fukushima disaster in 2011. Brett Rampal peppered in his nuclear perspective and questions to the discussion.
 
We are excited to continue following Isabelle’s activities as a positive “influencer” for nuclear and hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did. Our best to you all!