Episodes

In this student spotlight featuring Sarah Cole, a nuclear fuels researcher, we explore her academic journey from high school during COVID-19 to becoming a senior at Boise State University. Sarah discusses her experiences with internships, nuclear materials research, and building a strong network within the nuclear industry. She offers valuable advice on applying for scholarships, securing letters of recommendation, and making the most of your undergraduate years. Tune in to learn how Sarah succe...

Revealing the True Role of Landmen in the Energy Sector In this episode, we take a closer look at the essential role of landmen in the energy industry, debunking Hollywood stereotypes and exploring their function as intermediaries between energy companies and landowners. Veteran landman Doug Sandridge, with 49 years of experience, shares insights on how their work extends beyond oil and gas to include nuclear energy and renewables. Discussion covers the ethical aspects of land usage, fair negoti...

Naked Nuclear Explores: Land Back Movement and Nuclear Advocacy with Doug SandridgeIn this episode of Naked Nuclear, the discussion pivots to the intersections between the Land Back movement and nuclear energy advocacy. Danielle and guest Doug Sandridge, Vice President of Fulcrum Energy Captial Funds, with 49 years in the oil and gas industry and now a nuclear advocate, delve into his evolving stance toward nuclear energy and efforts to save the Diablo Canyon Power Plant. They explore how indige...

Black History Month Spotlight: Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson - Pioneering Physicist and Innovator Welcome to another special episode of Naked Nuclear for Black History Month! We spotlight the illustrious Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, a groundbreaking physicist who broke barriers from MIT to Bell Labs and even the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Learn about her early life, groundbreaking research in condensed matter physics, and contributions to telecommunications technology like touch-tone phones and f...

Black History Month Spotlight on William D. Magwood IV In this special Black History Month episode of Naked Nuclear, we spotlight William D. Magwood IV, a leader in nuclear energy whose career spans policy, regulation, and international cooperation. From his working-class roots in Pittsburgh to his role as the Director General of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, Bill's journey is explored, highlighting his contributions to U.S. nuclear policy, international technology cooperation, and workforce d...

It's an alphabet soup, but somebody's gotta break it down. Join us in this exciting episode of 'After Pop! A Breakdown of Nuclear Reactor Types,' with your host Danielle. We'll explore the fascinating world of nuclear reactors, learning how they work and discussing various types like Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs), Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs), Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Micro Reactors, and Advanced Reactors including Molten Salt Reactors. Discover the benefits, safety measures, and fu...

In this episode of Naked Nuclear, Danielle sits down with Steve Rea, the 2024 recipient of the American Nuclear Society Landis Public Communication and Education Award . Steve, a 30-year nuclear industry veteran, discusses his transition to public education and nuclear advocacy in North Carolina. From his beginnings in nuclear chemistry in high school to forming the Nuclear Advisory Council, Steve shares insights on the role of diverse energy sources and the importance of communicating nuclear t...

Germany's Nuclear Shutdown: Consequences and Future ProspectsHello everyone! Welcome to the After-Pop! In this episode, we discuss Germany's major decision to shut down its last three nuclear power plants in April 2023. We dive into the historical context, the events that led to this decision, and the aftermath, including the impact on energy prices and carbon emissions. Our conversation touches on public opinion, renewable energy challenges, and whether Germany might reconsider nuclear power ...

Navigating Nuclear Ethics: A Three-Dimensional Chess Game In this episode of Naked Nuclear, host Danielle dives into the complex world of nuclear ethics, drawing parallels with the intricate game of three-dimensional chess . The discussion is centered around the work of Dr. Simone Friederich from the University of Groningen, who, with his background in both philosophy and physics, explores the ethical obligations of investing in nuclear energy to mitigate climate change. Through the analysis of ...

Indigenous Stewardship and Nuclear Energy: A Closer Look at the YTT Northern Chumash Tribe In this episode of Naked Nuclear, we explore the rich history and long-standing land stewardship of the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash tribe, whose ancestral connections span over 10,000 years. We delve into the complex intersection of nuclear energy and indigenous land stewardship, discussing consent-based siting with Ryan Pickering. We highlight values such as sustainability and multi-gener...

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...

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, ...