At Deep Isolation, we believe that listening is one of the most important elements of a successful nuclear waste disposal program. A core value of the company is to seek and listen to different perspectives on the matter of nuclear waste, nuclear energy, and disposal solutions.
We have created this series to interview experts and stakeholders that represent different aspects of these issues. Our hope is to bring you a clearer picture of Nuclear Waste: The Whole Story.
Episode 21
Tay Stevenson
CEO of Envoy Public Labs
Beyond Fear: How to Talk About Nuclear Waste
In this episode, Tay Stevenson shares his experience in talking to communities about nuclear and nuclear waste and why it’s so important to take fear out of the decision-making process when it comes to energy.
Episode 20
Princess Mthombeni
Stakeholder Liaison Officer at The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation
Africa Deserves a Say in Its Clean Energy Future
In this episode, Princess Mthombeni explains how she entered the South African nuclear industry as an outsider and has been working to educate the African public on how the issues of climate change, nuclear energy, and quality of life intersect.
Episode 19
Suzie Jaworowski
Former Chief of Staff in US Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy under the Trump Administration
Millennials Could Hold Key to Success of Nuclear
In this episode, Suzie Jaworowski reflects on her experiences as the Chief of Staff in the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy under the Trump Administration and gives insight into her vision of the future of nuclear technologies.
Episode 18
Zion Lights
Science Communicator and Author of The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting and Only a Moment
In Perspective: Energy Poverty, Climate Change, and The Nuclear Challenge
In this episode, Zion Lights walks us through her journey into environmental and pro-nuclear activism and sheds light on the intersection of science advocacy and social justice in relation to climate change.
Episode 17
Stuart Haszeldine
Geologist & Environmental Scientist at the University of Edinburgh
Designing Safe and Secure Nuclear Waste Solutions in Deep Geology
In this episode, Stuart Haszeldine unravels the complexity of designing underground tunnels for the purpose of nuclear waste disposal and relates it to the processes used for carbon capture.
Episode 16
Roy Payne
Executive Director of GDFWatch
The Existential Nature of Nuclear Waste
In this episode, Roy Payne explains why he started the non-profit GDFWatch, an organization whose mission is to assist the public in having informed discussions before decisions are made for nuclear waste disposal.
Episode 15
Tom Isaacs
Co-Principal Investigator at the Nuclear Threat Initiative
How to Build a Successful Nuclear Waste Disposal Program
In this episode, Tom Isaacs gives historical insight into nuclear waste disposal barriers internationally and explains how those barriers can be overcome by using both social science and hard science.
Episode 14
Talia Martin
Tribal/DOE Program Director of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Tribal Department of Energy
How Shoshone-Bannock Tribe in Idaho Navigates Nuclear Waste Issues
In this episode, Talia Martin explains the role she holds as a Tribal/DOE Program Director and the past and current relationship between the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe and the U.S Department of Energy from a nuclear waste lens.
Episode 13
Kent Cole
CEO of NAC International
NAC’s Role in Nuclear Waste Disposal
In this episode, Kent Cole reflects on his career in nuclear, how NAC came to be a leader in nuclear waste storage, and how vital nuclear waste disposal is to the industry's success.
Episode 12
Melanie Snyder
Nuclear Waste Program Manager of the Western Interstate Energy Board
Keeping Nuclear Waste Transportation Safe
In this episode, Melanie Snyder breaks down the complexities of nuclear waste transportation in the United States and offers some insights on improving stakeholders trust regarding transportation.
Episode 11
Kalev Kallemets
CEO of Fermi Energia
Power to the People of Estonia
In this episode, Kalev Kallemets explains his motivation in bringing advanced nuclear technology to Estonia and his hope to bring Estonia closer to reaching its climate change goals.
Episode 10
Andrew Sowder
Scientist and Senior Technical Executive for the Electric Power Research Institute
The Advent of the Advanced Nuclear Renaissance
In this episode, Andrew Sowder dives into the global need for carbon-free electricity, his experience engaging with indigenous communities, and EPRI's role in the nuclear industry.
Episode 9
Jessica Lovering
Co-Founder of the Good Energy Collective
Combating the Climate Crisis: Advanced Nuclear Energy Policy
In this episode, Jessica Lovering explains why she co-founded the Good Energy Collective and how she hopes it will impact advanced nuclear policy in the United States.
Episode 8
John Lindberg
Public Affairs Manager, World Nuclear Association
How Public Perception Can Impact Nuclear Energy
In this episode, John Lindberg, Public Affairs Manager at the World Nuclear Association, speaks about the impacts of radiophobia and the public's perception of nuclear on the nuclear industry.
Episode 7
Judy Treichel
Executive Director of the nonprofit Nevada Nuclear Waste Task Force, a citizens’ advocacy group
Steve Frishman
Geologist and nuclear technical and policy consultant to the state of Nevada
Beyond Yucca Mountain: The Future of Nuclear Waste
In this episode, Judy Treichel and Steve Frishman reflect on their experience with the state of Nevada and with citizen groups nationwide to get the message across that they do not believe Yucca Mountain is suitable for permanent nuclear waste disposal.
Episode 6
Kara Colton
Director of Nuclear Energy Policy at Energy Communities Alliance
A Look at Communities Affected by Federal Nuclear Waste
In this episode, Kara Colton, Director of Nuclear Energy Policy at Energy Communities Alliance, discusses the problem of how to dispose of federal nuclear waste at 16 locations nationwide.
Episode 5
David Victor
Chair of the Community Engagement Panel for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station
San Onofre: A Lesson in Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning
In this episode, David Victor offers insight into how stakeholders and the utility work together on the decommissioning process.
Episode 4
James Taylor
General Manager of the environmental division of Bechtel's Nuclear, Security, & Environmental global business unit
Temporary Waste Storage Costs Keep Rising
In this episode, James Taylor speaks about the long term costs of temporarily storing nuclear waste above ground.
Episode 3
Thomas Webler
Research Fellow, Social and Environmental Research Institute and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Keene State College
Community Consent is Key to Waste Disposal
In this interview, Tom Webler, an expert in community consent and how it relates to nuclear waste disposal, shares how stakeholders play a critical role choosing a site for nuclear waste disposal.
Episode 2
Rod McCullum
Senior Director, Used Fuel and Decommissioning Nuclear Energy Institute
Disposal Impasse Impacts the Future of Next Generation Reactors
In this interview, Rod McCullum offers an insider’s perspective on commercial nuclear waste disposal and explains why any failure to solve this problem could threaten the development of the next generation of nuclear energy reactors.
Episode 1
Arjun Makhijani
President of Science Matters, LLC
Nuclear Waste Disposal Difficulties Plague the Industry
In this episode, Arjun Makhijani, an electrical and nuclear engineer, speaks candidly about the weaknesses of various nuclear waste disposal methods.
The opinions expressed in these podcasts are those of the participants and do not represent Deep Isolation’s position.
Have a suggestion for someone we should interview? Email us at podcast@deepisolation.com.
Our Hosts
Kari Hulac
Communications Manager for Deep Isolation and former daily news journalist.
Elizabeth Muller
Chief Executive Officer
Jessica Chow
Technical Marketing Analyst
David Hoffman
Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and Advisor to Deep Isolation
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