Naked Nuclear

Danielle Allen

Ever wondered how nuclear energy works or what advanced nuclear technology really means? Naked Nuclear breaks down complex topics like nuclear reactors, fuel types, and emerging technologies into simple, accessible conversations. Whether you're a curious beginner or an energy enthusiast, we make the science behind nuclear power easy to understand so you can launch your career in the clean energy future. Tune in to strip down the fascinating world of nuclear energy—one atom at a time.

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20 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes20

Newest first

Friday · 1 hr 11 min
Follow The Friday: Nuclear Down Under with Mark Schneider
Mark Schneider accidentally became a nuclear professional at 17 when a sarcastic answer to a Navy recruiter — "only if you have nuclear power" — launched a 20-year career. He went on to serve as a nuclear electronics technician, make chief petty officer, earn his commission as a nuclear-powered limited-duty officer, and operate reactors on three submarines and an aircraft carrier. Now he's the Chief Nuclear Officer at UBH Group, and his current mission is one of the most unusual in the industry: building Australia's nuclear workforce from the ground up. Because of AUKUS, Australia is getting nuclear-powered submarines for the first time and they need people who understand what that actually means. What this conversation - How a sarcastic teenager accidentally built a 20-year nuclear career in the U.S. Navy - What it's like to operate reactors on nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers - Why "a nuclear reactor that happens to submerge" is the same as any other reactor - How AUKUS is creating one of the most unusual nuclear workforce challenges in the world - What ISO 19443, NQA1, and 10 CFR 50 supply chain standards actually mean in practice - Why the O-ring on a cooling pump matters as much as any major system - AUKUS Submarine Partnership: https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3326875/ - ISO 19443 (nuclear supply chain quality management) - NQA-1 (American Society of Mechanical Engineers nuclear quality assurance) - 10 CFR 50 (NRC domestic licensing requirements for nuclear facilities) Are you a skilled trades worker or veteran interested in a nuclear career? Nuclear Talent Scout matches candidates with nuclear employers — and the industry is hiring. Apply here: https://forms.clickup.com/20124732/f/k651w-5551/4VA92A2B0QA0RJEHJB
July 13 · 40 min
Season 4 Sneak Peak! How to Scale Nuclear Energy with Ross-Matzkin-Bridger
SNEAK PEAK! Season 4 of Naked Nuclear is about the infrastructure underneath nuclear energy, the laws, regulations, economics, and institutions most people never think about. Ross Matzkin-Bridger is exactly the right person to open that conversation. As Senior Director at the Nuclear Threat Initiative and a senior advisor at the Nuclear Scaling Initiative, Ross has spent 11 years in U.S. government bouncing between nuclear nonproliferation and energy policy. He grew up near reactors in Michigan and New Hampshire, lived in Japan, and has built his career on one question: how do we get all the benefits of nuclear energy without any of the weapons risks? In this episode: the domestic and international guardrails keeping nuclear energy separate from nuclear weapons, the economics of building at scale, who the real decision-makers are, and a clear framework for evaluating the dozens of reactor designs competing for attention. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN - How the NRC, IAEA, and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) work together to keep nuclear energy peaceful - Why the fuel in U.S. reactors (low-enriched uranium) is fundamentally different from weapons-usable material — and why that distinction matters - Who decides which reactor technologies get built: government, industry, and communities - Why the U.S. goal of quadrupling nuclear by 2050 requires more than just technology - The "onesies and twosies" problem: why building at scale changes the economics entirely - Ross's four-bin framework for evaluating reactor designs (and why spent fuel reprocessing lands in "Bin 4") - When we can realistically expect new nuclear plants to come online THE FOUR BINS FRAMEWORK 1. TRIED AND TRUE: Already deployed, licensed, producing electricity. First candidates for scaling. 2. ON THE CUSP: Based on proven technology with smart modifications. SMRs live here. 3. INTERESTING BUT SPECULATIVE: Real science, not yet ready for scaling. Sodium-cooled fast reactors, molten salt. 4. SCALING INHIBITORS: Technologies that introduce weapons-usable materials (plutonium) into the fuel cycle. Spent fuel reprocessing lands here. CONNECT WITH ROSS & NSI Nuclear Threat Initiative: https://www.nti.org/ Nuclear Scaling Initiative: https://www.nuclearscaling.org/ NTI on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuclear-threat-initiative/ NTI on Instagram: @nuclearthreatinitiative NSI Reactor Selection Tool: Available at nuclearscaling.org, helps stakeholders compare reactor designs across security, economics, and deployment readiness criteria. RESOURCES MENTIONED - Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/npt/ - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): https://www.iaea.org/ - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): https://www.nrc.gov/ - NTI Nuclear Security Index: https://www.ntiindex.org/ - Clean Air Task Force: https://www.catf.us/ - Energy Futures Initiative Foundation: https://www.energyfuturesinitiative.org/ JOIN THE NUCLEAR WORKFORCE A quadrupled nuclear sector means a much bigger workforce. Whether you're an engineer, a trades worker, or someone curious about nuclear careers — the industry is hiring. Nuclear Talent Scout connects candidates with nuclear employers. Apply here: https://forms.clickup.com/20124732/f/k651w-5551/4VA92A2B0QA0RJEHJB
June 22 · 14 min
After-Pop! Wait... Should We Recycle Used Nuclear Fuel? The History, Economics, and Proliferation concerns
Ed McGinnis said something in our last episode that's hard to shake: 96% of the energy in spent nuclear fuel has never been touched. The physics checks out. But what happens when countries actually try to get that energy back? This After Pop digs into the history of nuclear fuel recycling, not the theory, but the track record. France, the UK, Japan. Staggering sums of money. Complicated results. And a 1977 executive order that changed everything. We break down what PUREX actually does, why Jimmy Carter banned commercial reprocessing, and what any next-generation recycling technology (including Curio's NuCycle) would actually have to solve to change the equation. France's La Hague plant: running since 1976, processing 1,000+ tons of spent fuel per year, and saving roughly 18,000 metric tons of natural uranium. Also: a Court of Auditors estimate ranging from €16 billion to €58 billion in total program costs. The UK's Sellafield THORP: built for £1.8 billion, promised £500 million in profit, delivered £1 billion in losses, closed in 2018. Decommissioning costs are estimated at up to £250 billion and won't be finished until 2125. Japan's Rokkasho: supposed to open in 1997. It's 2026. Construction costs have hit ¥3.7 trillion (~$25 billion), with lifecycle costs projected above $100 billion. It has never processed a full ton of commercial fuel at capacity. PUREX: what it actually does, why it was designed the way it was (Manhattan Project-era, weapons-grade plutonium), and why producing a pure stream of separated plutonium is the source of the proliferation problem. India's 1974 Smiling Buddha test: where Carter's concern came from, and why it wasn't theoretical. The five things next-gen recycling has to solve: cost, proliferation resistance, regulation, waste, and public trust. The numbers that matter: ~$85/lb: current uranium spot price ~$140/lb (~$360/kg): the price at which reprocessing starts to break even, per Harvard's Belfer Center 99 metric tons: France's current separated civilian plutonium stockpile 44.4 metric tons: Japan's separated plutonium (most of it sitting in France and the UK) 300 years vs. 100,000+ years: radiotoxicity timeline for recycled waste vs. direct disposal Resources: Harvard Belfer Center, The Economics of Reprocessing vs. Direct Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel: https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/economics-reprocessing-vs-direct-disposal-spent-nuclear-fuel France's Court of Auditors report on nuclear costs (English summary via World Nuclear Association): https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/fuel-recycling/processing-of-used-nuclear-fuel UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/nuclear-decommissioning-authority Japan Atomic Energy Commission, Rokkasho lifecycle cost estimate: https://www.jaec.go.jp/en/ Jimmy Carter's Executive Order on Reprocessing (1977): https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ml1209/ML120960615.pdf IAEA, Proliferation resistance of nuclear fuel cycles: https://www.iaea.org/topics/nuclear-fuel-cycle
June 15 · 41 min
It's Not Actually Waste: How CURIO is Tackling the Nuclear Waste Problem with Ed McGinnis
Imagine filling up your car at a gas station in Washington, DC, and heading toward Richmond. Twenty miles down the road, you pull over, call a tow truck, and scrap the car, with 96% of the fuel still in the tank. That's what we do with nuclear fuel in the United States right now. Ed McGinnis is the CEO of Curio and a former senior official at the U.S. Department of Energy. He's spent decades in nuclear policy and energy security, and he's now building something that could change how we think about nuclear waste entirely. Spoiler: he doesn't even call it waste. He calls it "slightly used fuel." In this episode, Ed breaks down why the U.S. stopped recycling nuclear fuel in the 1970s, what went wrong with the Cold War-era Purex process, and how Curio's NuCycle technology does it differently ... without ever separating pure plutonium. We get into the $50 billion Nuclear Waste Fund that was collected from ratepayers and spent on other things, why the DOE is now paying over a billion dollars a year in court-ordered damages, and how 90,000+ metric tons of used fuel sitting at reactor sites across the country is actually the largest above-ground energy reserve in the world. Plus: Curio's planned recycling facility, bigger than a football stadium, processing more fuel than every other recycling facility on the planet combined, and the 3,000+ trades-based jobs it would create at around $125K a year for 60+ years. Topics covered: Why only 3-4% of nuclear fuel is actually used — and 96% is still usable energy The difference between the Cold War Purex process and Curio's NuCycle technology President Carter's ban on fuel recycling and the $13+ billion in lost investments How recycling reduces radiotoxicity from 100,000+ years to about 300 years Curio's partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory since 2019 The Nuclear Waste Policy Act, the $50 billion fund, and the billion-dollar-a-year lawsuit payouts Russia still providing 20%+ of U.S. nuclear fuel — and what that means for energy security Curio's planned facility: 4,000 metric tons per year, 3,000+ jobs, mostly trades Curio's own SMR and micro-reactor designs (TrueFuel) Resources: Learn more about CURIO: curio.energy Jimmy Carter's Ruling on Reprocessing Spent Nuclear Fuel: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ml1209/ML120960615.pdf
June 8 · 11 min
After-Pop! Megawatts Thermal vs Electric?
Dr. John Zino stood in front of a room of engineers, technicians, and career-changers and told them a nuclear reactor is "just boiling water." Jaws dropped. Really? That's it? Well, yes. And also, that little word "just" is hiding one of the most elegant chains in all of engineering. In this After Pop explainer, we follow a single uranium atom from the moment it splits to the moment your phone starts charging. Fission to heat. Heat to steam. Steam to a spinning shaft. Spinning shaft to electricity. Four conversions, one pinky-tip-sized fuel pellet, and a reactor design that gets safer by removing the parts that can break. We'll also answer the question everyone asks once they see the numbers: if the BWRX-300 makes 870 megawatts of heat, where do the other 570 go? Bring your curiosity. No PhD required. The fuel chain, demystified. Pellet → fuel rod → assembly → core, and why the reactor core is really a very expensive water heater. BWR vs. PWR in plain English. Why a boiling water reactor uses one water loop while a pressurized water reactor uses two, and what the BWRX-300 gets to skip. The two numbers in the name. 870 MW thermal, 300 MW electrical, and why that gap is physics, not a flaw. How a turbine actually works. The garden-hose analogy, high- and low-pressure stages, and why the shaft has to spin at exactly 1,800 RPM on a 60 Hz grid. Faraday's 1831 trick. A magnet, some copper, and the moment motion becomes electricity. The Carnot limit. Why every thermal plant on Earth, coal and gas included, has to dump roughly two-thirds of its heat, and why that's why plants sit next to water. The BWRX-300's quiet superpower. Natural circulation and the passive isolation condenser. You can't break the pumps when the pumps aren't there. ~870 MWt / 300 MWe — total heat output vs. electricity delivered for the BWRX-300 ~33–35% — typical thermal efficiency of a nuclear plant (roughly a third of the heat becomes power) ~7 grams ≈ 1 ton of coal — the energy in one uranium fuel pellet, about the size of your pinky tip 1,800 RPM at 60 Hz (US/Americas) / 1,500 RPM at 50 Hz (Europe, most of Asia) — turbine speed locked to grid frequency 1824 & 1831 — Carnot's limit on heat-to-work, and Faraday's law of induction. Still the foundation. On the BWRX-300 GE Vernova Hitachi — BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor (design overview, natural circulation, isolation condenser): https://www.gevernova.com/nuclear/carbon-free-power/bwrx-300-small-modular-reactor U.S. NRC — BWRX-300 pre-application activities and topical reports: https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/advanced/who-were-working-with/pre-application-activities/bwrx-300 World Nuclear Association — SMR Design Database, BWRX-300 detail: https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-power-reactors/small-modular-reactors/small-modular-reactor-smr-design-database?detail=BWRX-300 On thermal efficiency, the Carnot limit & waste heat World Nuclear Association — Nuclear Power Reactors (thermal efficiency, MWt vs. MWe): https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-power-reactors/nuclear-power-reactors World Nuclear Association — Cooling Power Plants (why plants reject heat and sit near water): https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/cooling-power-plants On SMRs and the policy landscape DOE Office of Nuclear Energy — Advanced Small Modular Reactors: https://www.energy.gov/ne/advanced-small-modular-reactors-smrs DOE Office of Nuclear Energy — Generation III+ SMR Program (incl. TVA / Clinch River BWRX-300): https://www.energy.gov/ne/generation-iii-small-modular-reactor-program
June 1 · 37 min
Inside the BWRX-300 with Dr. John Zino | "We're just boiling water!"
What does it actually look like to spend nearly 40 years inside the nuclear industry, from submarine shielding to the Department of Energy to the cutting edge of small modular reactor design?Dr. John Zino is a Chief Consulting Engineer at GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and an Associate Teaching Professor at NC State University. In this episode, he breaks down the BWRX-300 — a 10th-generation boiling water reactor that strips nuclear power down to its simplest form. No massive recirculation pumps. Natural circulation cooling. And the same proven fuel the industry has relied on for decades.We talk about why tech companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Google are suddenly interested in nuclear, how old coal sites are being converted for new reactors, and why the nuclear workforce could grow from 70,000 to half a million people in the next two decades. Plus why you don't need a PhD to build a career in nuclear.If you're a nuclear professional looking for a new opportunity, fill out our TALENT FORM here!Additional Resources: GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy: https://nuclear.gevernova.com BWRX-300 Overview: https://nuclear.gevernova.com/small-modular-reactor NC State Nuclear Engineering: https://www.ne.ncsu.edu Ontario Power Generation — Darlington New Nuclear: https://www.opg.com/powering-ontario/nuclear-power/darlington-new-nuclear Cape Fear Community College Nuclear Technology Program: https://cfcc.edu/directory/f77572817d963013b7cb18c1f2d2c994160a53d1/
April 24 · 54 min
How to Build the Internet’s Best Nuclear Guide with Nick Touran
What does it take to explain one of the most misunderstood technologies on Earth? This Final Friday on Naked Nuclear, Danielle sits down with Nick Touran for a new Follow Them Friday episode. Nick is the founder of What Is Nuclear, one of the internet’s most respected resources for understanding nuclear energy, reactor technology, fuel cycles, history, and policy in plain English. In a world drowning in hot takes and cold IQs, he built something useful. We discuss Nick’s journey into nuclear engineering, how he built What Is Nuclear, why communication matters, and how advanced reactors differ through choices like coolants and moderators. We also get into regulation, licensing, innovation bottlenecks, and what may be next for nuclear in maritime applications. If you’ve ever wanted nuclear explained clearly, or wondered where the industry is headed next, this is the episode. How Nick Touran got into nuclear engineering Why he created WhatIsNuclear.com Explaining reactors simply: coolants, moderators, and design choices Fast reactors vs thermal reactors Why licensing and regulation shape innovation Nuclear power for maritime shipping and industrial use The future of advanced reactors Why good science communication matters more than ever Nick is helping lead a new maritime nuclear venture focused on the future of clean shipping and advanced nuclear deployment. They’re seeking exceptional talent, including: Licensing Engineers Reactor Engineers Nuclear Scientists Regulatory Experts Advanced Reactor Talent To be considered, complete the qualified candidate form here: Check out Nick's Youtube Page here: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisnuclear
April 6 · 8 min
The 41-Hour Pour: When a Nuclear Plant Begins to Exist
At 2:13 AM in Waynesboro, Georgia, crews were already deep into a process they couldn’t stop. For 41 continuous hours, concrete flowed into the basemat of Vogtle Unit 4, the foundation that would anchor one of the newest nuclear reactors in the United States. This episode breaks down: What a nuclear basemat actually is Why concrete is part of the safety system The physics of heat, cracking, and radiation shielding The choreography required to keep a 41-hour pour alive And why this moment marks the point where a power plant becomes real Watch: Vogtle Unit 4 Basemat Pour (Timelapse) If you only watch one thing, make it this. It’s the closest you’ll get to seeing thousands of people collectively refuse to mess up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UhwCOzqY5w&t=102s The basemat is a massive reinforced concrete foundation that supports: Reactor vessel Containment structure Primary systems Once poured, there’s no going back. This is the “point of no return” in construction. Radiation shielding: absorbs gamma rays and slows neutrons Structural stability: supports extreme loads and seismic forces Containment support: part of the safety barrier system Concrete generates heat as it cures. Too hot, it weakens Too cold too fast, it cracks Mass pours require careful thermal control to avoid internal stress failures. Stopping mid-pour can create weak joints in the structure. Further Reading World Nuclear News – Vogtle AP1000 construction https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Construction-underway-of-second-Vogtle-AP1000 Local coverage of the 41-hour pour https://www.thetruecitizen.com/articles/progress-marked-by-41-hour-concrete-pour/ NRC Design Certification (AP1000 structural details) https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1209/ML12094A053.pdf NRC Structural/Engineering Safety Review https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1419/ML14198A460.pdf U.S. Department of Energy (OSTI) – Concrete shielding & materials https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/4640326 Mass concrete & thermal behavior (preprint) https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/f170f30200edb1f874eadb833a6ab966/download_pub IAEA – Radiation shielding principles https://www.iaea.org/publications American Concrete Institute (ACI) – Mass concrete & thermal control https://www.concrete.org NRC Standard Review Plan (structural & seismic design) https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr0800/
March 30 · 13 min
Why Build Nuclear When We Have Solar?
I Asked If Solar Could Power California… and It Got Complicated What started as a simple question turned into a full-blown debate: If solar panels and batteries are getting so good… why does California still need nuclear energy? In this episode, we break down what actually keeps the lights on — beyond headlines, hot takes, and LinkedIn comment wars. What You’ll Learn Why “more solar” doesn’t automatically solve the problem Solar energy is powerful — but it only works when the sun is shining. Electricity systems need to work all the time, not just during ideal conditions. The difference between dispatchable and weather-dependent power Not all energy sources behave the same way. Dispatchable power = can be turned on whenever needed Solar & wind = depend on weather and time of day This distinction is at the heart of how power grids are designed. Why batteries help… but don’t solve everything Batteries can store energy for hours — not days or weeks. Scaling them to support an entire grid would require: massive infrastructure large amounts of materials and systems we haven’t fully built yet The “last 10% problem” Getting to ~80–90% clean energy is achievable. But the final stretch to 100%? That’s where: costs rise sharply reliability becomes harder and system complexity increases Capacity factor (explained simply) Not all energy sources produce power at the same rate over time. Nuclear: ~90% uptime Solar: ~20–25% depending on location This affects how much infrastructure you need to meet demand. What is grid inertia? Power grids rely on physical stability — not just energy supply. Traditional plants (like nuclear and hydro): use large spinning turbines help stabilize frequency and flow Solar and batteries don’t naturally provide this, which means engineers must recreate it in other ways. Nuclear’s role in a clean energy system Nuclear isn’t replacing renewables. It provides: consistent, 24/7 power high energy output from a small footprint stability for the grid when other sources fluctuate Special Thanks Thank you to everyone who contributed to the original discussion! Find the post here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/danielleallen-nuclear_in-the-most-civil-manner-possible-could-activity-7438758963921248256-o8EE 🎙️ About Naked Nuclear Naked Nuclear breaks down complex nuclear energy topics into clear, honest conversations — helping listeners understand not just the technology, but the systems and decisions shaping our energy future. Further Reading (Direct Links) Grid Inertia (the thing nobody explains well) IEEE Smart Grid (your reference): https://smartgrid.ieee.org/bulletins/november-2020/brief-understanding-of-inertia-in-the-smart-grid-its-challenges-and-solutions Grid Reliability & Clean Energy Systems International Energy Agency – Net Zero by 2050 https://www.iea.org/reports/net-zero-by-2050 International Energy Agency – Electricity Market Reporthttps://www.iea.org/reports/electricity-market-report Capacity Factors & Real-World Grid Data U.S. Energy Information Administration – Capacity Factors Explained https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=10191 U.S. Energy Information Administration – Electricity Data Browser https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/browser/ System Costs & “Last 10% Problem” OECD Nuclear Energy Agency – The Full Costs of Electricity Provisionhttps://www.oecd-nea.org/jcms/pl_51110/the-full-costs-of-electricity-provision OECD Nuclear Energy Agency – System Costs in Decarbonised Power Systemshttps://www.oecd-nea.org/jcms/pl_15000/system-costs-of-electricity Batteries & Energy Storage International Energy Agency – Energy Storage Tracking https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-storage Nuclear Performance World Nuclear Association – Nuclear Power Performancehttps://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/nuclear-power-in-the-world-today.aspx
March 27 · 59 min
Change Your Mind on Climate Change: Why Energy is Life with Zion Lights
What happens when an environmentalist changes their mind about nuclear energy? In this episode of Naked Nuclear, Danielle sits down with Zion Lights, environmental advocate, award-winning science communicator, and author of Energy Is Life to unpack one of the most important (and uncomfortable) shifts happening in climate conversations today. Zion shares her journey from anti-nuclear activism to becoming one of the most prominent voices advocating for nuclear as a critical solution to climate change. This isn’t just a story about energy — it’s about intellectual honesty, changing your mind in public, and what it really means to support life on this planet. Together, we explore: Why energy abundance is essential for human and environmental well-being Where parts of the environmental movement have gone wrong on nuclear The role of fear, narratives, and misinformation in shaping public opinion Why nuclear energy is uniquely positioned to support deep decarbonization How to communicate complex, controversial ideas without losing people This episode challenges assumptions, reframes the climate conversation, and asks a bigger question: What if being pro-environment also means being pro-nuclear? Get the Book Zion’s new book, Energy Is Life, is available now on Amazon. If you want to go deeper into the ideas discussed in this episode, this is the place to start. Follow Zion Lights Stay up to date with Zion’s work and insights across platforms: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zion.lights/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zionlights/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zilovesscience X: ziontree If you’re a qualified nuclear professional looking to get personalized job alerts in the industry, sign up with Nuclear Talent Scout.
March 9 · 39 min
Raised by the Reactor: How a 19 year-old Laborer Became a Nuclear Welder
When people talk about building nuclear power plants, the conversation usually centers on policy, engineering, and billion-dollar infrastructure. But reactors aren’t built in conference rooms. They’re built by craft workers. In this episode of Naked Nuclear, Danielle sits down with nuclear welder Tyree McCall, who started his career at Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4 at just nineteen years old. What began as a labor job quickly turned into a mentorship-driven apprenticeship where experienced workers pushed him to level up his skills and pursue welding. Working ten-hour days and attending welding school at night, Tyree eventually transitioned into nuclear welding—one of the most technically demanding and responsibility-heavy crafts in the industry. Together, they explore what it really takes to build nuclear infrastructure: discipline, safety culture, accountability, and the personal growth required to succeed in a high-stakes environment. This episode pulls back the curtain on the boots-on-the-ground workforce that makes nuclear energy possible. How Tyree landed his first job at Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4 What it feels like to walk onto a nuclear construction site at 19 Why the mentors on site “raised him” in the craft The reality of working full-time while attending welding school at night The difference between nuclear welding and other welding careers What nuclear safety culture actually looks like on a job site The intense pressure of passing nuclear welding certification tests How failures and feedback shape skilled trades professionals The lifestyle changes that come with holding a nuclear badge and clearance Advice for students considering trades careers in the nuclear industry Tyree credits much of his early success to experienced workers on the Vogtle site who encouraged him to pursue higher-skilled trades and pushed him to think long-term about his career.
March 2 · 9 min
After-Pop! What is an EPC & Why You Should Care?
What an EPC Actually Does: Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Explained What does it actually take to build a nuclear power plant? In this After-Pop! episode of Naked Nuclear, Danielle breaks down one of the most important, and least explained, parts of major infrastructure projects: the EPC contractor. EPC stands for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction, and companies operating in this space are responsible for turning complex reactor designs into real, operating power plants. Drawing from the conversation with Ahmet Tokpinar of Bechtel, this episode explores how EPC companies coordinate engineering teams, global supply chains, and massive construction efforts to deliver some of the most sophisticated energy projects in the world. You’ll learn how nuclear plants move from concept and design to concrete and steel, and why EPC capability will play a critical role as countries work to expand nuclear energy over the next two decades. • What EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) actually means • Why nuclear plants require some of the most complex engineering integration in the world • How procurement teams coordinate massive global supply chains • What makes nuclear construction different from other infrastructure projects • Why project sequencing and quality assurance are critical in nuclear builds • The workforce required to deliver the next generation of reactors • How modular construction and digital engineering may speed up future projects • Why EPC capability may determine the pace of global nuclear expansion As the world works to expand reliable, low-carbon energy, nuclear power is returning to the global conversation. But reactors don't build themselves. Delivering new plants will require the coordination of engineers, craft workers, manufacturers, regulators, and project managers, all working together across years of development and construction. Understanding the EPC model helps explain how large-scale nuclear projects move from design to deployment. To hear the full discussion with Ahmet Tokpinar from Bechtel about nuclear project delivery and the future of large infrastructure builds, check out the full episode on Naked Nuclear. Are you a Nuclear professional looking for your next career? Sign up for customized job alerts based on your salary, location, and type of work preferences here: https://forms.clickup.com/20124732/f/k651w-5551/4VA92A2B0QA0RJEHJB
February 23 · 49 min
Built By Bechtel: How to Build Advanced Nuclear with Ahmet Tokpinar
Nuclear power is often described as essential for climate goals, grid reliability, and energy security. But here’s the real question: Can we actually build it safely, on time, and on budget? In this episode of Naked Nuclear, Danielle Allen sits down with Ahmet Tokpinar, Principal Vice President and General Manager of Nuclear Power at Bechtel, to unpack the boots-on-the-ground reality of building nuclear power plants in today’s world. From geotechnical investigations and contractor qualification to long-lead supply chains and workforce development, this conversation moves beyond theory and into execution, exploring what it actually takes to deliver nuclear infrastructure at scale. What We Cover What really happens before construction begins on a nuclear plant Why nuclear construction is fundamentally different from other mega-projects How contractors and subcontractors become “nuclear-qualified” The role of supply chains and long-lead equipment in schedule success Lessons learned from Vogtle Units 3 & 4 What it means to build a first-of-a-kind plant in Poland How advanced reactors like Natrium change construction (and what stays the same) About our Guest Ahmet Tokpinar is Principal Vice President and General Manager of Nuclear Power at Bechtel. He leads Bechtel’s global nuclear portfolio, spanning large reactors, advanced reactors, operating plant modifications, and fuel cycle work. With more than 30 years of experience in nuclear project execution and business strategy, Ahmet has played a leadership role in major projects including Vogtle 3 & 4, Poland’s nuclear deployment, and the Natrium advanced reactor. About the Season This episode is part of Season 3: How to Build a Nuclear Power Plant, a deep dive into the companies, people, and systems required to move nuclear from blueprint to grid. Further Reading: https://www.bechtel.com/markets/nuclear-power/ https://www.bechtel.com/projects/vogtle-units-3-and-4/ https://www.bechtel.com/projects/poland-ap1000-nuclear-power-plant/ https://www.bechtel.com/projects/natrium-demonstration-project/
Dec 15, 2025 · 36 min
Island Energy Super Heroes: How one Jamaican PhD Student is Transforming Energy Literacy
What happens when a nuclear engineering PhD student realizes that the book she needed as a child… doesn’t exist? She writes it. In this episode of Naked Nuclear, Danielle sits down with Zola Hind, Jamaican-born computer scientist turned nuclear engineering researcher at Bangor University — and author of Island Energy Superhero: A Kids’ Guide to Energies in the Caribbean. From visualizing nuclear fuel behavior using astronomy-inspired methods… to printing her book in braille for visually impaired students… Zola is building an energy-literate Caribbean one classroom at a time. This conversation explores: Why representation matters in energy education How nuclear engineering “chose” her What it means to fail forward in a PhD program The role of clean energy in Caribbean climate resilience Whether you’re a student, parent, educator, policymaker, or just energy-curious , this episode will leave you thinking differently about who gets to be part of the energy transition. Get the Book Island Energy Superhero: A Kids’ Guide to Energies in the Caribbean Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Island-Energy-Superhero-Energies-Caribbean/dp/1998245098 Official Website: https://islandenergybook.my.canva.site/#home The book is also available in select Jamaican bookstores and at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. About Zola Hind Zola Hind is a PhD researcher in nuclear engineering at Bangor University with a background in computer science and data visualization. Her research focuses on novel methods for modeling and visualizing nuclear fuel behavior. She is passionate about: Energy literacy Climate resilience in the Caribbean Accessibility and inclusion in STEM Making complex science understandable for everyone
Dec 1, 2025 · 41 min
Nuclear Physics for 3rd Graders? How ANS is Re-shaping K-12 Education with Uchenna Ezibe
In this episode, Danielle talks with Uchenna Ezibe about how the American Nuclear Society is shaping the future of nuclear education—starting as early as kindergarten. They dive into ANS’s hands-on programs like cloud chambers, educator training, and the new Accelerators initiative for high schoolers. Learn how early exposure to nuclear concepts can spark student curiosity, close the literacy gap, and help build the next generation of clean energy professionals. Highlights: Why nuclear literacy shouldn’t wait until college What it’s like to “see” radiation with a cloud chamber How ANS is training both teachers and student leaders Behind the scenes of the Accelerators program What a near-peer mentorship network looks like in action Mentioned Resources: ANS K-12 hub: https://www.ans.org/nuclear Navigating Nuclear curriculum: https://www.ans.org/nuclear/navigatingnuclear Cloud Chamber program: https://www.ans.org/nuclear/cloudchamber Accelerators (high school): https://www.ans.org/nuclear/accelerators Educator resources: https://www.ans.org/nuclear/educatorresources Volunteer as a nuclear ambassador: https://www.ans.org/nuclear/ambassadors Contact Uchenna: uezibe@ans.org Connect with Us: Website: https://www.nakednuclear.com Email: danielle@nakednuclear.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-allen
Nov 17, 2025 · 1 hr 29 min
BONUS Crossover Episode: The Future of Nuclearn & Naked Nuclear
In this crossover episode between Naked Nuclear and Nuclearn’s The Future of Nuclear, we bring together two teams with different backgrounds but a shared philosophy: curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to try. Danielle comes from the world of storytelling and education; Phil comes from the world of digital nuclear operations and AI. One explores the industry through conversations and community, the other builds tools to help the industry work smarter. Together, they compare notes on culture, creativity, learning curves, and the very real value of taking the first step even when you don’t have all the answers. This episode is about nuclear — yes. But it’s also about the people building it, the mindset behind innovation, and why trying (and sometimes failing) is one of the most underrated skills in our field. Learn more about Nuclearn: Nuclearn.ai Listen to 'The Future of Nuclear' Podcast here: https://nuclearn.ai/1569-2/
Nov 6, 2025 · 41 min
Intro to Fusion Energy with Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
What exactly is plasma, and why are some of the world’s brightest minds betting on fusion energy to power our future? In this episode of Naked Nuclear, host Danielle sits down with Dr. Arturo Dominguez — Head of Science Education at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) — to break it all down in plain language. From his own journey into plasma physics to PPPL’s groundbreaking research, Dr. Dominguez shares how fusion works, why it matters, and how students everywhere can get involved. We dive into PPPL’s free Introduction to Fusion and Plasma Physics course — a beginner-friendly, online class designed to make complex science accessible for anyone curious about the future of energy. Whether you're a college student, a career switcher, or just fusion-curious, this episode will give you a clear view into the fascinating world of plasma, research at Princeton, and how fusion could become a key player in the clean energy race. Check out more Resources: Intro to Fusion & Plasma Physics Course: https://www.pppl.gov/events/2023/introduction-fusion-energy-and-plasma-physics-course Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI): https://www.pppl.gov/science-undergraduate-laboratory-internships-suli Princeton Plasma Physics Lab (PPPL): https://www.pppl.gov More about Dr. Arturo Dominguez: https://www.pppl.gov/people/arturo-dominguez
Oct 6, 2025 · 10 min
After-Pop! Inside the Z Machine: The Most Powerful Pulse on Earth
What happens when you unleash more power than every power plant on Earth — for just a few billionths of a second? Welcome to After-Pop! — today, we’re diving into the Z Machine, the crown jewel of Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It’s the most powerful pulsed-power facility on the planet, capable of creating the same temperatures and pressures found inside stars, nuclear detonations, and planetary cores. In this episode, we’ll break down: Why the Z Machine was built — and how it keeps our nuclear stockpile safe without detonations. How the Z-pinch and “pulsed power” concept work — explained in plain English with real-world analogies. How researchers are using it to advance fusion energy, the same reaction that powers the Sun. Just how powerful 80 terawatts really is — and why shockwaves from each test can be felt miles away. What these micro-bursts of power teach us about the future of clean energy, defense, and physics at the edge of what’s possible. For a few nanoseconds, the Z Machine outshines the entire human race’s power output — a lightning strike made by human hands. Wanna READ MORE? Sandia’s official Z machine page (overview, how it works, research) https://www.sandia.gov/z-machine/ Sandia’s fusion research page https://www.sandia.gov/z-machine/fusion/ Sandia’s energy research page https://www.sandia.gov/z-machine/research/energy/ The video you mentioned (Inside the Most Powerful X-Ray Source in the World) https://www.asminternational.org/news/videos/-/journal_content/56/10192/43932389/VIDEO/ World Nuclear News article on First Light test on Z https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/first-light-fusion-hails-success-of-initial-test-i Atlas Obscura page for general background & visual color https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-z-machine-albuquerque-new-mexico
Sep 22, 2025 · 34 min
Swimming through Fusion Research: Student Spotlight with Ryan Zerpa
In this Student Spotlight, we trace how childhood curiosity—sparked by Nikola Tesla and MythBusters—led Ryan Zerpa from building a Tesla coil in grade school to pursuing fusion research. Ryan shares how he reframed a mostly-fission undergrad at Purdue Nuclear Engineering into a launchpad for fusion, what he learned working around pulsed-power experiments like Sandia’s Z Machine, and how Division I swimming forged the time-management and grit research demands. We unpack his plain-language way of explaining fusion (from “why energy transition” to “how plasmas are tamed with lasers and magnets”), then close with his next step: a PhD in high-energy-density physics at the University of Rochester (LLE)—and his advice for students to ask relentlessly and feed their curiosity. What you’ll learn Why Tesla, fields, and hands-on tinkering pulled Ryan toward electromagnetism and fusion How to turn a fission-heavy curriculum into fusion-useful skills (transport theory, fluids → plasmas) What pulsed-power/HEDP experiments aim to do and why nanosecond timing matters The student-athlete toolkit for research: discipline, recovery, and focused practice A simple, audience-friendly way to explain fusion—and why storytelling in science matters Practical advice for aspiring students: persistence beats perfection Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) — overview of the national lab and mission: https://www.sandia.gov/ Sandia National Laboratories Z Pulsed Power Facility (“Z Machine”) — Sandia’s pulsed-power/HEDP platform: https://www.sandia.gov/z-machine/ | About Z: https://www.sandia.gov/z-machine/about-z/ Sandia National Laboratories+1 Purdue University — Nuclear Engineering — program home: https://engineering.purdue.edu/NE Purdue Engineering Ryan’s PhD site — University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) https://www.lle.rochester.edu/homepage/
Sep 8, 2025 · 34 min
Becoming the No. 1 University for Nuclear Engineering: University of Michigan Deep Dive with Department Chair, Dr. Todd Allen
What does it mean to be the #1 nuclear engineering program in the country? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Todd Allen, department chair of the University of Michigan’s Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences (NERS) program, to explore the history, mission, and future of a department that blends technical excellence with human-centered education. From submarines to art tunnels, this conversation offers a 360° look at what makes Michigan a true nuclear powerhouse. We cover: How a student-led movement after WWII became the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project How Michigan is preparing students for advanced nuclear innovation The creation of a living memorial through art and engineering Undergraduate and graduate experiences in one of the world’s most well-funded and research-rich departments The Harper All Stars and how mentorship and scholarships are shaping the next generation The OECD Global Forum on Nuclear Energy Science, Technology & Policy, hosted at Michigan this fall 🔬 Michigan NERS Main Page https://ners.engin.umich.edu 🕊️ History of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project https://ners.engin.umich.edu/academics/harperacademy/ https://www.charlesharpercharities.org/harper-academy-4-future-nuclear-engineers 🎨 Phoenix-Themed Tunnel Art Installation https://news.engin.umich.edu/2023/08/a-nuclear-engineering-education-inspired-by-art 🧑‍🎓 Harper Academy All Stars (Charles Harper Charities) https://ners.engin.umich.edu/2024/09/16/harper-academy-all-stars-support-ners-research https://www.charlesharpercharities.org/harper-academy-4-future-nuclear-engineers 🌍 OECD Global Forum on Nuclear Energy Science, Technology & Policy – Hosted at U-M https://ners.engin.umich.edu/2024/07/01/u-m-to-host-oecd-nea-global-forum-on-nuclear-energy Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help us amplify the future of nuclear energy. Follow Naked Nuclear for more episodes that strip away the jargon and dive deep into the people, programs, and power behind nuclear science.