x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Naked Nuclear

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.

science physics

All Episodes

00:10:17

After-Pop! Inside the Z Machine: The Most Powerful...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/10/06

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

en-us

00:34:52

Swimming through Fusion Research: Student Spotlight...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/09/22

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

en-us

00:34:36

Becoming the No. 1 University for Nuclear...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/09/08

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

en-us

00:08:16

After-Pop! What is Reactor Physics?

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/09/01

Ever wonder how tiny particles can power whole cities? In this After-Pop! we follow our previous episode with Ikhwan Khaleb and dive into the world of reactor physics — the science behind nuclear chain reactions, neutrons, and keeping everything safe and steady. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:What reactor physics actually means (and why it matters).The “life cycle” of a neutron, from birth to absorption.How scientists keep reactors balanced using criticality.What students study in reactor physics

en-us

00:28:07

UMich NER's Alumni Spotlight: Jenga Blocks, TikTok's,...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/08/25

Ikhwan Khaleb tells the story of moving from Malaysia to study in the University of Michigan’s NERS program, learning reactor physics in a second language, and turning TikTok into a platform for clear, visual nuclear education. We cover UMich coursework and labs, cultural adaptation, the grind of an international job search, and how engineering work at Holtec fuels his social media explainers.Links & ResourcesUniversity of Michigan — Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences (NERS) —

en-us

00:07:44

Now Offering: Recruiting Services with Nuclear Talent...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/08/18

Breaking into the nuclear industry can feel overwhelming, from specialized certifications and security clearances to jobs that never even make it to job boards. In this episode of Naked Nuclear, Danielle shares an exciting new partnership with Nuclear Talent Scout, the premier recruiting firm focused exclusively on nuclear energy.Together, Naked Nuclear and Nuclear Talent Scout are planting the seeds for the next generation of the nuclear workforce. From free resources at nucleartalentboost.com to

en-us

00:25:21

Build Your Next Career at BWXT: Job Talk with Bob Duffy

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/08/07

What makes someone stay at the same company for decades — or even generations?In this episode of Naked Nuclear, we sit down with Bob Duffy, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of BWX Technologies (BWXT), to explore what’s behind the company’s incredibly low attrition rate, its investment in early talent, and how it’s preparing for the next generation of nuclear professionals.Bob shares how BWXT is going beyond traditional hiring — building weld schools in high schools, ramping up

en-us

00:07:35

Funding Curiosity: How Budgeting for Curiosity Leads...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/07/28

On this episode, we dive into the power of curiosity—how simple questions can spark revolutions in science, technology, and society. Inspired by a roadside observation, we explore why cultivating curiosity is critical at every level of society, from national parks to apprenticeships, and why funding the “discovery phase” of science pays off in ways we can’t always predict.While it’s often said that monarchs avoid the Great Lakes as if skirting a long-gone mountain, this is a myth. Monarchs use ⁠sun

en-us

00:25:52

Dyscalculia to Calculus: How Veronica Annala is...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/07/21

You don’t have to be a math genius to change the world — just ask Veronica Annala. In this inspiring Student Spotlight, Danielle sits down with Veronica, a recent Texas A&M nuclear engineering graduate and founder of the Nuclear Advocacy Resource Organization (NARO). Diagnosed with dyslexia and dyscalculia, Veronica shares how she built her own study systems, cried through calculus — and still emerged as a leader in the next generation of clean energy advocacy.They unpack the birth of NARO, how

en-us

00:12:43

Lucrative Trades in Nuclear Power: Diving, Masonry,...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/07/07

Thanks for tuning in. In this episode, Danielle highlights four in-demand skilled trades in the nuclear energy industry that require months to years of training instead of a doctorate. For each trade, we cover:Commercial DivingSpecialized HAZMAT diving in irradiated environmentsHistorical roots, real-world challenges, and a “day in the life”Training pathways, costs, salary ranges, and union vs. non-union optionsConcrete MasonryBuilding and finishing ultra-low-permeability containment

en-us

00:07:29

After-Pop! What is a Hot Cell?

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/06/30

After-Pop! Episode: What the Heck is a Hot Cell?In this After-Pop! Danielle breaks down the mysterious world of nuclear hot cells—shielded enclosures that let scientists safely handle some of the most radioactive materials on Earth. From spent nuclear fuel to life-saving radiopharmaceuticals, hot cells are the unsung heroes of nuclear science and medicine.✨ What We Cover:What hot cells are and why they matterHow they look and operate (hello, robotic arms!)The different types of hot cells: standard,

en-us

00:27:20

3 Degrees, 1 Football Player: How Marcellus Boykin...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/06/23

In this episode, we continue Season 2 with our second Student Spotlight, featuring Marcellus Boykin, a PhD student in nuclear engineering at Georgia Tech. Marcellus shares his journey from math major and football player to shielding sensors in hot cells at Idaho National Lab, presenting at ANS, and navigating imposter syndrome in graduate school.Learn how he went from: math --> mechanical engineering --> nuclear engineering Links & Resources:Learn more about the GEM

en-us

00:30:14

Nuclear 101: How this Sold Out Course was Built for...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/06/16

In this episode of Naked Nuclear, Danielle sits down with Dr. Rebecca Steinman, PhD and the American Nuclear Society (ANS) to explore Nuclear 101—a hands-on, introductory course designed not just for engineers, but for anyone curious about the nuclear energy industry. Whether you're a welder, museum curator, communicator, or career changer, this episode reveals why now is the perfect time to step into nuclear. We also explore ANS's broader efforts in workforce development, including the

en-us

00:07:10

After-Pop! A Brief Break Down of Nuclear Commercial...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/06/12

In this After-Pop!, host Danielle explores the rise of commercial nuclear propulsion and how companies like CORE Power are reimagining the future of maritime shipping. Unlike military nuclear propulsion systems, these next-gen commercial systems are designed to be safe, scalable, and fully integrated with international safeguards.This episode covers:The technical differences between military nuclear propulsion and commercial nuclear electric propulsionWhy advanced reactors like molten salt designs

en-us

00:34:56

From Smokestacks to Salt Reactors: CORE Power’s...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/06/09

Nuclear-powered cargo ships might sound like science fiction—but CORE Power is making them a science reality. In this episode of Naked Nuclear, Danielle sits down with Tobi Menzies and Dr. Rory Megginson from CORE Power to explore how molten chloride fast reactors (MCFRs) and floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs) could transform global shipping.We dive into the engineering, the policy, the people—and the programs—needed to build a clean maritime future. From international emissions policy to student

en-us

00:06:50

Your Easy Guide to Scholarships, Grants, and...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/06/03

In this episode, we dive into the world of scholarships, grants, and fellowships available for students at various academic levels and fields, particularly within the nuclear sector, STEM, and the energy world. We dispel the myth that scholarships are only for top high school students, revealing opportunities for diverse groups including veterans, career changers, and students pursuing trade and two-year degrees. There's practical advice on how to successfully apply for these scholarships,

en-us

00:08:12

After-Pop! What is Boron Neutron Capture Therapy?

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/05/19

In this After-Pop, Danielle breaks down Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) — a precision cancer treatment that uses nuclear science to selectively target tumors while sparing healthy tissue.You’ll learn:– What boron is and how it works inside cancer cells– How neutron beams are made (yes, actual beams of neutrons!)– What “epithermal neutrons” are and why they matter– Who could benefit from BNCT and why it’s gaining traction again– How newer technologies are making BNCT more accessible

en-us

00:37:59

From Candlelight to Clean Energy: Finding Your Role...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/05/12

What do candlelit homework, career pivots, and global nuclear leadership have in common? Dr. Fiona Rayment.In this episode, Danielle speaks with internationally respected nuclear chemist and engineer Dr. Fiona Rayment about her early experiences with energy insecurity, her path through a diverse and powerful career, and the future of workforce development in the nuclear industry.Together they explore:– Why your first role doesn't have to be your forever one– How to tell when you've lost your

en-us

00:12:34

Would You Rather? How a Viral Tiktok Question Can...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/04/23

Relearning Science Vs. Plucking Eyebrows: Unpacking Public Perceptions of STEMIn this episode of Naked Nuclear, host Danielle explores the surprising responses to a viral TikTok 'Would You Rather' question comparing re-taking science classes with plucking eyebrows. Danielle delves into why science education can be inspiring for some and traumatic for others. Discussing research and personal anecdotes, she highlights the challenges faced by educators and the systemic issues within STEM

en-us

00:25:57

Student Spotlight: How to Win BIG Scholarships with...

Naked Nuclear ·

2025/04/14

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

en-us

45 results

Similar Podcasts

Classic Radio Science Fiction

solgoodmedia.com

Mission to Mars

Inception Point Ai

The 365 Days of Astronomy

365DaysOfAstronomy.org

Creek Devil

william Jevning

UFO Chronicles Podcast

Nik Hunter