Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power

25:24

43 - Jeff Merrifield - The Nuclear Rules Are Changing...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/10/05

Former NRC Commissioner Jeffrey S. Merrifield joins Advanced Nuclear for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of nuclear energy in America.Merrifield discusses the changing culture of nuclear regulation, advanced reactor licensing, fusion regulation, microreactors, nuclear power and propulsion in space, used nuclear fuel and recycling, and the opportunity to rebuild the U.S. nuclear fuel cycle.Drawing on decades of experience across government, regulation, law, and industry, Merrifield also

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47:33

42 - Brad Williams - The Bottleneck in America's...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/09/21

Brad Williams, the former DOE, Senate, and national lab policy leader who helped write the law ending Russian uranium imports, explains exactly where the fuel cycle is fragile and what has to happen next. Dominique Cooper talks with Brad about the hidden weak link in nuclear fuel security, why conversion—not just mining or enrichment—may be the most overlooked choke point, and how a single missing step can stall the entire system. Brad breaks down the nuclear fuel cycle in plain English, from

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37:58

41 - Dr. Justin Coleman: The reactor program changing...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/09/07

NASA, DOE, and the Department of War are all pulling in the same direction - and the result could reshape how America powers the moon, Mars, and beyond. Dr. Justin Coleman sits inside the programs making it happen, and he breaks down how we get from today’s reactor work to a real nuclear future in space.From the fuel line at Idaho National Lab to the launch path for SR1 Freedom and Skyfall, this conversation goes deep on the engineering, regulation, and mission design behind the next era of nuclear

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37:41

40 - Nick Smith: The Fuel Behind the Future at...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/08/24

This episode tackles one of the least understood but most critical links in the nuclear fuel cycle: uranium conversion. As demand for nuclear energy grows, the United States faces significant challenges in securing a reliable domestic fuel supply. Dominique sits down with Nick Smith, founder of Raven-Flint Nuclear, to discuss how his company is working to strengthen America's nuclear fuel infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign sources. Nick explains the uranium conversion process, why it

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44:17

39 - Carl Perez - How Exodys Energy Turns Cold War...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/08/10

In this episode, we sit down with Carl Perez, co-founder of Exodys Energy, to explore how his team is working to recycle surplus plutonium into advanced nuclear fuel. Drawing on his experience leading cutting-edge nuclear technology companies and advising industry and government initiatives, Carl explains why nuclear fuel recycling could play a critical role in strengthening America's energy security, reducing stockpiles of excess plutonium, and advancing the next generation of clean

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50:59

38 - Amy Roma: The Regulatory Roadmap for Advanced...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/07/27

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, Dominique sits down with Amy Roma, one of the nation's leading nuclear regulatory attorneys, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of nuclear energy. Amy shares her path into the nuclear industry and offers expert insight into the evolving regulatory frameworks that will shape the deployment of advanced reactors in the United States and abroad. The discussion explores the complexities of nuclear licensing, including the strengths and challenges of

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38:52

37 - Pat O'Brien: Restarting Palisades, A New Chapter...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/07/13

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, host Dominique Cooper sits down with Pat O'Brien of Holtec International to discuss the groundbreaking restart of the Palisades Nuclear Plant and what it means for the future of clean, reliable energy in the United States. Pat shares insights into the technical and regulatory challenges of restarting a nuclear facility, the importance of transparent communication with local communities, and the critical role trust plays in the success of nuclear energy projects

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35:27

36 - Ed McGinnis - Unlocking America’s Nuclear...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/06/29

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, the official podcast of UCAN Power, host Dominique Cooper sits down with Ed McGinnis, CEO of Curio, to explore how used nuclear fuel—often considered waste—can become a powerful resource for America’s energy future. With more than 30 years of leadership across the U.S. government and nuclear industry, McGinnis shares insights on how fuel recycling technologies can reduce nuclear waste, strengthen energy security, and support climate goals. He also addresses one

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36:52

35 - Brett Rampal: The Future of Nuclear, 2026...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/06/15

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, host Dominique sits down with nuclear engineer Brett Rampal to examine the momentum behind today’s nuclear resurgence and what lies ahead. From recent reactor design approvals and pilot programs accelerating deployment to the policy challenges of nuclear waste management, Brett offers a clear look at the industry’s most pressing issues. The conversation also highlights workforce development and the wide range of career opportunities shaping the nuclear industry’s

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30:06

34 - Staff Sheehan: Revolutionizing Nuclear Waste,...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/06/01

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, we sit down with Staff Sheehan of Project Omega to explore how cutting-edge innovation is transforming the future of nuclear energy. From breakthrough approaches to recycling spent nuclear fuel to the development of long-lasting power sources like Strontium-90 batteries, Sheehan explains how advanced fuel cycle technologies can turn nuclear waste into a strategic asset. We dive into the science behind molten salt electrochemistry, the “picks and shovels”

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27:02

33 - Rod Baltzer: Deep Isolation and the Future of...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/05/18

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear Podcast, UCAN Power welcomes Rod Baltzer, CEO of Deep Isolation, for an in‑depth discussion on how deep borehole technology could transform nuclear waste disposal in the United States.Baltzer explains why traditional mined repositories have struggled to deliver timely solutions and how Deep Isolation’s approach—placing nuclear waste deep underground in stable geologic formations—offers a faster, more flexible, and potentially more publicly acceptable

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67:03

32 - Yasir Arafat: Aalo Powering the AI Era

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/04/27

Artificial intelligence is transforming the world—but powering it is becoming one of the greatest energy challenges of our time. From training massive AI models to running data centers that demand reliable, 24/7 electricity, the future of computing is colliding head‑on with the limits of today’s energy systems. In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, host Dominique Cooper sits down with Yasir Arafat, Co‑Founder, CTO, and President of Aalo Atomics, to explore how factory‑built, advanced nuclear

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50:13

31 - Lucian Niemeyer: Restoring American Nuclear...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/04/06

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, the official podcast of UCAN Power, host Dominique Cooper is joined by Lucian Niemeyer for an in‑depth discussion on the role advanced nuclear technologies play in strengthening U.S. national security and energy resilience. The conversation centers on UCAN Power’s recent white paper, Restoring American Nuclear Industry Dominance, which outlines how the Department of Defense can lead the development, demonstration, and deployment of advanced nuclear systems to

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33:40

30 - Felice Presti: Building America’s Nuclear Comeback

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/03/23

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, host Dominique Cooper sits down with Felice Presti, Senior Vice President and Operations Manager for Nuclear Power at Bechtel, to explore what it really takes to rebuild American nuclear leadership. With 87% of reactors built globally since 2017 based on Russian and Chinese designs, the stakes for the U.S. nuclear industry could not be higher. Presti—who oversees Bechtel’s entire nuclear project portfolio—offers a clear‑eyed, practitioner’s view of what’s broken,

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41:48

29 - Chris Ploch: From Executive Orders to Reactors:...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/03/09

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, the official podcast of UCAN Power, host Chris Ploch shares his unconventional journey from law school to becoming a key voice in U.S. nuclear policy. Drawing on experience across government and the energy sector, Chris breaks down how recent executive orders, licensing reforms, and workforce initiatives are reshaping the future of nuclear energy in America.The conversation explores how federal nuclear executive orders are influencing industry momentum, why

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30:14

28 - Amir Vexler: Securing America’s Nuclear Future:...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/02/23

In this episode, host Dominique sits down with Amir Vexler, CEO of Centrus Energy, for an in‑depth look at the revival of American uranium enrichment and what it means for the future of U.S. energy independence. As the only American‑owned company enriching uranium on U.S. soil, Centrus occupies a uniquely strategic position at the intersection of national security, advanced nuclear technologies, and global energy competition. Vexler shares his journey through the nuclear industry, the challenges of

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41:03

27 - Dr. Jess Gehin: From Executive Orders to...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/01/19

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, Dr. Jess Gehin from Idaho National Laboratory explores the transformative moment nuclear energy is experiencing today. From recent executive orders accelerating nuclear initiatives to groundbreaking projects like mobile microreactors, Dr. Gehin explains why advanced reactors are critical for America’s energy future and national security. Discover the historical roots of nuclear innovation, the current surge in deployment efforts, and how these advancements are

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39:05

26 - Dr. Todd Allen: The Innovation Pipeline and...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2026/01/05

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear podcast, host Dominique Cooper engages with Dr. Todd Allen, a nuclear engineering professor at the University of Michigan, to discuss the current state and future of nuclear energy. They explore the complexities of nuclear deployment, including the need for community trust, regulatory frameworks, and innovative approaches to waste management. Dr. Allen emphasizes the importance of integrating societal considerations into nuclear technology development and

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44:06

25 - Dr. Youssif Ballout: Nuclear Energy Unplugged:...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2025/12/22

Dr. Youssef Ballout joins Dominique to discuss the current state and future of nuclear energy, emphasizing the need for innovation and addressing public fears surrounding nuclear technology. Dr. Ballout highlights the growing demand for energy, particularly with the rise of AI and data centers, and the military's interest in nuclear power for stability and efficiency. The discussion also touches on the competitive landscape with China and the importance of reviving American manufacturing

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61:29

24 - Kevin Kong: Transforming Nuclear Energy with AI...

Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power ·

2025/12/01

Kevin Kong, founder and CEO of Everstar, discusses the transformative potential of AI in the nuclear industry. He explores how digital twins and advanced simulations can accelerate regulatory processes, making nuclear energy more accessible and efficient. Kevin shares his vision for a future where AI and nuclear power drive innovation, addressing current bottlenecks and paving the way for sustainable energy solutions. Join us as we delve into the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of

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