Episodes

In this episode of Naked Nuclear, host Danielle discusses the intersection of nuclear energy and indigenous ethos with guest Ryan Pickering from the Tribal Consent-Based Coalition. The conversation, recorded on Native American Heritage Day, delves into the concept of seven-generation decision-making, as endorsed by Scott Lathrop, and how it impacts energy decisions for a cleaner future. The discussion highlights the rich history of the yak titŷu titŷu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash tribe, their in...

Understanding In-Situ Leaching with Dr. KreamerIn this episode of Naked Nuclear, host Danielle Allen delves into the technical aspects of in-situ leaching (ISL), a method that accounts for 80% of uranium mining in the U.S. Following up from the previous episode with Dr. David Kreamer, this explainer breaks down the ISL process, ingredients in lixiviant, and steps taken to ensure groundwater safety. The episode emphasizes ISL's efficiency and minimal environmental impact, using simple analogies...

Solving Groundwater Contamination Mysteries with Dr. David Kreamer In this episode, we delve deep into the complex world of groundwater contamination with Dr. David Kreamer, an esteemed hydrogeologist from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Kreamer guides us through intricate contamination cases, the impact of uranium mining on water systems, and the multifaceted tools and techniques used in hydrogeology. Learn about the environmental risks associated with mining, the importance of rigorou...

A firefighting, plane flying, nuclear engineering student: Danielle Allen's Unconventional Journey (So Far...) Join Danielle Allen, host of Naked Nuclear, as she shares her weird and wild path from majoring in Near Eastern Studies at Princeton to becoming a firefighter, paramedic, commercial pilot, and nuclear engineering student. In this episode, Danielle explores her diverse career experiences, the challenges she faced, and what led her to a passion for nuclear energy. Her story is about her d...

Watts of holiday displays going on right now, huh? Join Danielle in this festive episode of Naked Nuclear as she delves into the real cost of those dazzling holiday light displays. Explore what a watt is, the energy consumption of incandescent versus LED lights, and discover three practical tips to keep your holiday season safe and cost-effective. Danielle also discusses how different states' energy prices can impact your holiday budget and discusses the importance of peak energy hours. Tune i...

Unlocking the Policy Power Behind Nuclear Energy Dive into the nuts and bolts of critical climate policies with Danielle Allen as she breaks down some key policies from Ep. 5 with Eric Meyer from Generation Atomic. From the Inflation Reduction Act’s financial incentives for clean energy projects to the Civil Nuclear Credit Program's support for existing nuclear plants, we unpack how these laws are making nuclear energy more viable. Learn about the groundbreaking technologies supported by the Nuc...

A Nuclear Opera with Eric Meyer of Generation Atomic: Merging Energy and Advocacy In this episode of Naked Nuclear, we explore the unlikely parallels between nuclear energy and opera. Host Danielle Allen chats with the founder of Generation Atomic, Eric Meyer, about his journey from an opera singer to a nuclear energy advocate. Meyer discusses his early misconceptions of nuclear power, his groundbreaking work to keep power plants open, and how he uses opera to engage communities in nuclear advoc...

The After-Pop! Demystifying Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation Welcome back to Naked Nuclear, where we simplify nuclear technology. In this episode, we dive into radiation—its origins, types, and measurements. Learn about non-ionizing and ionizing radiation, explore their sources, and understand how we measure radiation exposure. Discover the three types of ionizing radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma. We also discuss how to stay safe with guidelines on dose, time, and exposure limits. Join us in...

My yoga teacher, the tree-hugging radiation protection technician... In this episode of Naked Nuclear, host Danielle speaks with Caroline Cooley, a tree-hugging, Prius-driving, vegetarian yoga teacher who unexpectedly found her way into the nuclear industry as a Radiation Protection Technician. Caroline shares her journey from corporate America to working alongside her husband in the nuclear field, offering insights into the roles and responsibilities of decontamination workers and radiation pro...

Welcome to the Ep.1 After-pop! Nuclear Fuels Breakdown: Uranium Oxide, Uranium Silicide, Uranium Mononitride, and HALEU In this quick follow-up episode, we dive deeper into the world of nuclear fuels. Dr. Jennifer Watkins breaks down the key materials used in advanced nuclear reactors, including: Uranium Oxide (UO₂): The most common nuclear fuel, typically used in light water reactors. Uranium Silicide (U₃Si₂): A high-density fuel offering improved performance in reactors. Uranium Mononitride (U...

Thank you for dropping in! In this inspiring episode of Naked Nuclear , we share the remarkable story of Dr. Jennifer Watkins, who made an unexpected career pivot from bill collector to becoming an advanced nuclear fuels researcher at the Idaho National Laboratory. From growing up in rural Idaho to earning a PhD at Boise State, Dr. Watkins reflects on the pivotal moments that changed the course of her life. She opens up about the challenges she faced, including jumping back into math at age 36, ...