Fire2Fission Podcast

What will it take to secure America’s nuclear fuel supply?Canon Bryan, CEO of Supercritical Materials, joins Mark Hinaman to discuss his career building businesses, his focus on uranium and critical metals, and SuperCritical’s effort to commercialize uranium extraction from seawater. They explore the engineering and economics behind the technology, the challenge of scaling from laboratory proof to industrial production, and why expanding domestic nuclear fuel supply could be critical to the next phase of nuclear energy growth.From patient capital and the nuclear resurgence to a potential new source of uranium, this is a conversation about turning promising science into industrial reality—and building the foundations for energy abundance.

What does it actually take to build the next generation of nuclear?Grace Vanderhei is a nuclear fuels engineer and clean energy advocate at Constellation, where she is working on the restart of Three Mile Island Unit 1, now the Christopher Crane Clean Energy Center. She joins Mark Hinaman for a conversation that moves from the technical realities of restarting a nuclear plant to the people, processes, and public trust needed to build the industry back up.Grace explains what nuclear fuel engineering actually looks like day to day, from core design and reloads to the unusual challenges of putting an all-fresh-fuel core into a reactor that has been shut down for years. She shares lessons from the Crane restart, including how the industry is drawing on experience from Vogtle 3 & 4, and why good documentation becomes incredibly important when decades of plant-specific knowledge can disappear.The conversation also explores the less technical side of nuclear: communicating with the public, working with regulators, recruiting the next generation, and making space for people who don't fit the traditional image of a nuclear engineer. Grace shares her own experience being told she shouldn't become an engineer, why resilience matters more than having a perfect résumé, and why she believes the best way to bring young people into STEM is to start with their mission and help them find the passion that supports it.Finally, Grace looks ahead at what she hopes the nuclear industry accomplishes over the next 10–30 years—from extending and improving the existing fleet to deploying advanced reactors and ultimately doubling US nuclear generation. Her message is straightforward: the industry can build nuclear successfully, but it needs to demonstrate a pattern of projects delivered on time and on budget and rebuild public trust along the way.

The best energy opportunities are often hiding in plain sight.David Ramsden Wood—engineer, operator, investor, writer, and longtime energy thinker—joins Mark Hinaman for a wide-ranging conversation about how to recognize overlooked opportunities, allocate capital, and understand where the energy industry is heading next.From the early days of the shale revolution to overlooked acreage in the Bakken and New Mexico, DRW shares how he learned to look past conventional wisdom and find assets that others had dismissed. The conversation gets into the importance of timing, understanding the underlying rock, and why simply spending more money is not the same thing as creating value.They also discuss the lessons oil and gas may offer the rapidly expanding nuclear and data center industries. DRW argues that the current AI infrastructure boom deserves the same scrutiny as any other capital-intensive energy buildout: Are the economics real? Who is generating free cash flow? And are investors funding genuine demand or simply rewarding growth?The conversation ranges from nuclear and natural gas to EVs, autonomous vehicles, commodity markets, private equity, and the changing economics of energy. Along the way, DRW shares hard-earned lessons about raising capital, incentives, groupthink, and why some of the best opportunities can look completely wrong—until suddenly they don't.

The nuclear bottleneck most people ignore is already here - and it could decide which reactors actually get built. Nick Smith, co-founder and CEO of RavenFlint Nuclear, explains why the real shortage is not just reactors, but the upstream chemistry that turns uranium into usable fuel.Mark Hinaman presses Nick on the overlooked step between the mine and enrichment, and Nick lays out the case for why uranium conversion has become one of the most urgent supply chain problems in advanced nuclear. If you care about reactor deployment, fuel availability, domestic energy security, or the economics of nuclear scale-up, this conversation shows exactly where the industry is getting stuck.You’ll discover:Why uranium conversion is the “boring” chemical process that quietly powers the entire fuel cycleHow Nick went from electrical engineering and utility power quality to advanced nuclear R&D, INL, and finally launching RavenFlintWhy RavenFlint is betting on a modern conversion process built to replace a plant that dates back to 1958How the company is thinking about trade secrets, patents, and the brutal realities of working with HF and fluorine chemistryWhat “Match, Torch, Forge” means for the path from lab scale to pilot plant to commercial productionNick also breaks down why today’s conversion market is tight, why secondary supplies have been exhausted, and why advanced reactor developers cannot afford to ignore this bottleneck if they want fuel on a realistic timeline. Along the way, he shares the origin of the RavenFlint name, the team’s garage-chemistry beginnings, and what it takes to build a serious radiological chemistry operation from the ground up.This episode is especially relevant if you’re following advanced nuclear, fuel cycle infrastructure, clean energy investing, or the gritty reality of how nuclear supply chains actually work. It is a rare look at the part of the industry that is usually left behind the curtain - but may end up being one of the most important businesses in the whole sector.Perfect for nuclear wonks, energy investors, advanced reactor followers, and anyone who wants to understand where the next real bottleneck - and opportunity - lives.

Heating accounts for roughly 40% of global energy demand, far more than most people realize. Yet while the conversation around nuclear energy often focuses on electricity, Tommi Nyman, CEO and co-founder of Steady Energy, believes one of nuclear's biggest opportunities lies somewhere much simpler: producing clean, reliable heat.In this episode, Mark Hinaman sits down with Tommi to discuss how his team is developing a new generation of small nuclear reactors designed specifically for district heating. Drawing on experience from CERN, Finland's Olkiluoto 3 project, and leading nuclear research at VTT, Tommi explains why removing the turbine and focusing solely on heat makes reactors simpler, more efficient, and potentially much cheaper to deploy. The conversation explores reactor design, passive safety, underground construction, natural circulation cooling, and how proven light-water technology can be adapted for an entirely new market.The discussion also looks beyond the technology to the business of bringing nuclear innovation to market. Tommi shares Steady Energy's journey from research project to venture-backed startup, the realities of fundraising in the nuclear sector, and why Finland has become an ideal place to commercialize advanced reactors. Together, they examine the future of district heating across Europe, the role nuclear could play in replacing fossil fuel boilers, and why energy security and affordability are becoming just as important as decarbonization.Whether you're interested in advanced reactors, clean energy, engineering, or the commercial side of nuclear innovation, this episode offers a thoughtful look at an often-overlooked application of nuclear technology, and why heating may become one of the industry's most important growth markets.

The connection between military skills and the explosive growth of the data center industry might surprise you. While everyone talks about AI and mega-projects, few highlight the power of veterans as the backbone of this critical infrastructure revolution. If you're a veteran, an industry leader, or just curious about how the DoD has powered one of the most transformative sectors of our time, this episode is your front-row seat to the untapped potential fueling the future. Chris Dove Jr., a Navy nuclear veteran turned data center powerhouse, reveals how military training seamlessly translates into key roles from power systems to construction management. Discover why veterans are so well suited to tackle the industry's biggest challenges. You'll hear firsthand stories of how Navy nukes are now leading in critical infrastructure, why the skills learned in nuclear propulsion are so applicable, and how a disciplined approach to education and training can fill the void left by a declining skilled trades workforce. We break down the overlooked strength of veterans—exceptional work ethic, adaptability, and a mission-driven mentality—and how these qualities accelerate career progression in the rapidly expanding data center realm. Chris shares insights into how military transition programs, like DOD SkillBridge, are revolutionizing veteran onboarding, helping thousands find purpose and stability in civilian jobs that matter.

Bobby Gallagher, CEO and CTO of Deployable Energy, shares how his team is pioneering nuclear microreactors built for our modern, mobile world, starting with a reactor so compact it fits in a shipping container. These innovations aren’t just about safety—they're about transforming energy accessibility for remote islands, heavy industry, and and anywhere you can find a diesel generator.In this episode, Bobby takes us deep into the design philosophy behind the "Unity nuclear battery"—a microreactor powered by existing LEU supply chains, cooled with helium, and moderated with unpressurized water. You'll discover how last century's Canadian reactor technology inspires today's scalable, mass-manufacturable solutions that could revolutionize how we think about energy production. Bobby unpacks the engineering challenges of building ultra-compact, inherently safe reactors that can be produced on an assembly line, much like the F-150 of the nuclear world.We also dive into the strategic decisions that led Deployable Energy from a stealth startup to an industry trailblazer: Why they chose to focus on low-cost, high-density cores, the importance of sourcing experienced talent with a startup mindset, and how their nuclear reactors aim to replace decades-old offshore oil modules with a fetch-and-flee approach—delivering power quickly, affordably, and reliably.Why does this matter? Because the opportunity to deploy dozens of these reactors globally could slash energy costs for remote communities, eliminate dependence on our fragile fossil fuel supply chains, and accelerate clean energy adoption worldwide. The stakes are high: if we ignore these advancements, we keep locking ourselves into inefficient, expensive energy models that perpetuate inequality—then miss the chance to unleash a safe, scalable nuclear renaissance.Perfect for entrepreneurs, energy professionals, and anyone eager to understand how innovative nuclear tech can reinvent our future, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the blend of engineering mastery, strategic foresight, and relentless optimism driving the clean energy revolution. Discover how safety, economics, and manufacturing converge to create scalable solutions that could power a billion lives—and reshape our planet’s energy landscape.

Unlock the future of energy — where nuclear renaissance, innovative technologies, and workforce transformation collide. If you’re curious about how the industry is addressing shortages, reshaping infrastructure, and pioneering clean energy solutions, this episode is your front-row seat to the biggest shifts happening now.Bruce Nicholson and Imran Safiulla from Rev1 Energy, reveal the groundbreaking strategies powering the next era of nuclear and renewable energy. You’ll discover how innovative rebranding, strategic partnerships, and outreach campaigns are driving industry-wide revival. Learn why nuclear is poised for a comeback, what role behind-the-meter projects are playing in decentralizing power, and how workforce development could bridge a 90,000-engineer gap—transforming career paths for the next generation.We break down:The resurgence of nuclear energy and the growth of small modular reactorsOpportunities in gas turbines amid supply chain delays and inflationHow behind-the-meter initiatives are changing energy distribution for hyperscalers and data centersThe strategic importance of workforce programs like SkillBridge and academia collaborationsThe intersection of energy security, geopolitical shifts, and technological innovationFailure to adapt means missing a trillion-dollar opportunity in decarbonizing, electrification, and grid stability. This episode empowers industry leaders, policymakers, and energy entrepreneurs with actionable insights into navigating volatility, fueling growth, and driving sustainability.Whether you're an energy veteran, a startup founder, or just passionate about our planet’s future, this conversation delivers a clear lens on the opportunities—and urgent challenges—shaping tomorrow's energy landscape. Tune in and be part of the energy revolution transforming industry, environment, and society.

Most people overlook how nuclear energy could be the key to solving climate change, energy security, and economic stability—until now. Dr. Tim Gregory, a nuclear chemist and author of "Going Nuclear," reveals how this powerful technology is finally breaking free from old fears and political baggage. Discover the surprising history of nuclear success stories like France’s 50-year-old infrastructure, and why Germany’s energy policy failures serve as a cautionary tale for the world. In this episode, we break down how the overlap between cosmochemistry and nuclear science can revolutionize our approach to energy, and why the old narratives about nuclear safety and weapons are holding us back. Tim shares gripping tales from his journey—from meteorite research to building the next generation of reactors—highlighting the immense potential of nuclear power to deliver cheap, clean, and reliable energy at scale. You’ll learn how countries like France and South Korea are leading the way, and what it will take for other nations to follow suit in a new era of energy independence. This isn’t just another energy debate. It’s a call to action for policymakers, environmentalists, and energy enthusiasts to rewrite the story—before the window closes. If you care about decarbonization, energy security, or the future of technology, this episode will shift your perspective. Perfect for anyone who wants to understand how nuclear can be part of the solution—and why silence and inaction are the biggest risks we face right now. Dr. Tim Gregory is a nuclear chemist at the UK National Nuclear Laboratory, renowned for his work on nuclear materials and public education. His books, "Meteorite" and "Going Nuclear," make complex science accessible and compelling, encouraging a pragmatic view of nuclear’s role in a sustainable future. If you're ready to challenge your assumptions and see nuclear energy in a new light, this episode is essential listening. The future of clean energy is nuclear—and the time to act is now.

In this episode, writer and nuclear advocate Mike Connolly joins us to unpack the science, history, and myths surrounding nuclear energy and radiation. Framing the Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model as a true crime story, Mike explains how decades-old bad science helped fuel public fear, distort regulation, and slow the adoption of one of the safest and most energy-dense power sources.Mike challenges listeners to ask a simple but powerful question: Where is the evidence? He makes complex nuclear science accessible, argues for education over fear, and explains why the burden of proof around radiation harm may be fundamentally backwards.If you care about environmental science, energy policy, or how narratives shape technology adoption, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.