Titans Of Nuclear | Interviewing World Experts on Nuclear Energy

In this episode we discuss... Joyce's unique journey from study of poetry to international relations to the nuclear field Joyce's international experiences in the Peace Corps in Turkmenistan and later experiences in Kazakhstan in post Cold War era The history of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency The shutdown of the BN-350 fast breeder reactor in Kazakhstan Joyce's involvement in the 123 Agreements under the Bush administration Joyce's work as a detailee to the National Security Advisor A deep dive into the IAEA's Additional Protocol Agreement The international impact of Fukushima Joyce's experience serving as the first Director of Nuclear Energy Policy within the Office of International Economics Joyce's appointment as Chairman on the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board A look at the future of nuclear and the importance of improving public awareness

In this episode we discuss... Umair's background in journalism and biochemistry and his personal journey in the nuclear space How Umair came to work for Vox and the reporting he does there on topics including climate and energy A deep dive into Vox and its mission to provide explanatory journalism The politics of nuclear energy Nuclear experts Umair interviews and how he navigates their bias and vested interests Improving climate change's presence in the media and thus public perception Umair's mission to broaden the general public's knowledge on nuclear and its opportunities

In this episode we discuss... Paul's background in human rights and environmental activism and his personal journey in the nuclear industry The Peaceful Atoms and how it sparked Paul's concerns surrounding nuclear technology The advent of renewables including wind and solar and how the sector has evolved Paul's worries regarding the connection between uranium enrichment and weapons The practicality of molten salt reactors Flaws Paul sees in nuclear's waste management cycle The dangers of spent fuel on human health including the carcinogenic effects of radiation Three Mile Island and the conflicting studies surrounding its consequences on human health Bret and Paul discuss whether or not nuclear poses the fewest risks to the environment and human health compared to other energy sources

In this episode we discuss... Bob's background in mechanical engineering and his personal journey in the nuclear industry The history of MPR and Bob's role as Principal Officer MPR's work with power plants across the US and its critical role in US nuclear Solutions for intergranular stress corrosion cracking in boiling water reactors How Bob copes with the stress that comes with working in nuclear The American Nuclear Society and Bob's mission to increase its ranks as well as interest in younger generations Why Bob believes nuclear is the most sustainable energy source and what it's going to take to make it cost efficient and deployable across the world

In this episode we discuss... Jeff's background in environmental law and his personal journey in the nuclear industry Challenges Jeff worked to overcome at the NRC including the issue of nuclear safety culture Jeff's work in business development for the Shaw Group Advanced reactor technology including the molten salt reactor Jeff's work as an outside advisor to several groups including X-Energy which developed the Pebble-Bed High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor The benefits of competition within the global nuclear industry Why it's crucial that the nuclear industry improve its communications strategies and thus public perception of the industry

In this episode we discuss... Margaret's background in nuclear engineering and her personal journey in the nuclear industry Margaret's work with boiling water reactors at GE The processes within phase changes in nuclear reactors The physics of bubbles in boiling water reactors and how it allows greater fuel production, lower enrichment, and reduced cost Tritium and the fears associated with it International considerations surrounding fuel and a history of the global nuclear sector How nuclear designs vary across the world - especially in the US, Europe, and Korea The benefits of government involvement in nuclear US regulations including the IAEA's three phases necessary to build a nuclear power plant The pitfalls of natural gas and other renewables and how they impede the nuclear industry Nuclear's environmental benefits surrounding climate change and why it's important that the US work to set a precedent for the entire world

In this episode we discuss... Andrew's personal journey in the nuclear industry Andrew's book After Fukushima How nuclear's adaptation or lack thereof has shaped our physical, social, and environmental history How Chernobyl and Fukushima shifted nuclear public relations How different countries view purchasing reactors versus homebuilt reactors Why nuclear is ultimately safer than every other energy source particularly coal The economics of nuclear waste and repositories including Yucca Mountain The Linear No-Threshold Theory of Radiation Why Andrew supports 1990s reactor designs over new designs

In this episode we discuss... Milton's background in nuclear engineering and his personal journey in the industry Improving nuclear's ability to stay on time and on budget Milton's work understanding and minimizing operation risks The history of Canada's nuclear industry Milton's work as an independent consultant assisting with refurbishment projects in Canada including the Bruce Power refurbishment implementation agreement Challenges with refurbishment processes and how Milton helped to overcome them The World Nuclear University Milton's role in the Canadian small modular reactor sector Natural Resources Canada's initiative to create an SMR roadmap

In this episode we discuss... Anurag's background in mechanical engineering and his personal journey in the nuclear industry The many changing processes that go into building a nuclear plant The financial risk profile of a nuclear plant versus that of other energy sources The government's role in funding nuclear How nuclear plants benefit Canada and its employment rate KPMG's work improving nuclear's ability to stay on time and on budget and how that benefits public perception of the nuclear industry How small modular reactors can streamline production, decrease cost, and increase nuclear scalability

In this episode we discuss... Amy's background in journalism and her personal journey in the nuclear industry reporting on energy from the Wall Street Journal to Axios How energy plays a role in economics and politics including the natural gas boom during the Obama era The evolution of energy in the media and its impact on public perception The pendulum swing of US energy regulations Nuclear's environmental benefits and the ways in which it can aid our carbon solution and work against climate change Amy's view of trends in electricity grids, coal, oil and natural gas, and nuclear The importance of the US's leadership role in guiding the global nuclear sector