Driving Curiosity With Fissionary

When a new technology changes the world overnight, culture feels it first.In this episode of Fissionary, Mary and Jordan sit down with historian Alan Carr and archivist Patty Templeton from Los Alamos National Laboratory to explore how the Atomic Age reshaped not just science, but culture. From the birth of the phrase “Atomic Age” to Godzilla, Googie architecture, Star Trek, and the nuclear rocket engines that almost took us to Mars, this conversation traces how fear, optimism, and imagination collided in the mid-20th century.Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Fissionary Wants To Hear From You! Fill out our short listener surveyMusic used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

What if turning on the lights wasn’t a given, but a daily question mark? In this episode of Fissionary, Mary and Jordan sit down with Gwen Holdmann, an engineer, energy researcher, and longtime off-grid Alaskan, about what energy access really means in some of the most remote places in the United States. Gwen shares what it was like to live for decades without reliable electricity, how fragile Alaska’s power systems really are, and why energy is about far more than convenience when heat can be a matter of survival. Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Gwen’s Podcast: Closing The GapFissionary Wants To Hear From You! Fill out our short listener surveyMusic used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

Mosquitoes might be small, but the science used to stop them is anything but. In this episode of Fissionary, Mary and Jordan talk with Dr. Zach Adelman, a geneticist and professor of entomology at Texas A&M, about how nuclear science is being used to fight some of the deadliest and most destructive insects on the planet. From malaria-spreading mosquitoes to flies that threaten the global food supply, Zach explains how sterile insect techniques work, why radiation is essential to the process, and how these tools have quietly protected human health and agriculture for decades. Along the way, we learn just how sophisticated insects really are, and why controlling them requires a mix of genetics and nuclear science on a serious scale. Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Fissionary Wants To Hear From You! Fill out our short listener surveyMusic used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

What if a museum could change the way an entire generation thinks about nuclear? In this episode, Mary and Jordan sit down with Jennifer Hayden, President and CEO of the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, to explore how museums spark curiosity, reshape narratives, and make even the most complex topics feel accessible. Jennifer shares how her team brings nuclear to life through storytelling, hands-on learning, community events, and a bold new vision for the museum’s upcoming nuclear energy exhibit.Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.National Museum of Nuclear Science and History: https://www.nuclearmuseum.org/Fissionary Wants To Hear From You! Fill out our short listener surveyMusic used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

What if Walt Disney had actually built the city of the future—powered by nuclear energy?In the Season 5 premiere of Fissionary, hosts Mary Carpenter and Jordan Houghton sit down with urban planner and author Sam Gennawey to uncover how Walt’s imagination extended far beyond theme parks. From Disneyland to his unrealized vision for Epcot, Walt dreamed of communities built around innovation, clean power, and human connection. Sam shares how those plans included a nuclear-powered city under a climate-controlled dome, what it reveals about Disney’s faith in technology, and why his “yes, if” philosophy still matters today.Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Sam’s Book: Sacred Landscapes Fissionary Wants To Hear From You! Fill out our short listener surveyMusic used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

Every era has its spark- a force that drives imagination, innovation, and the will to build something extraordinary. Fissionary returns with Season 5: What Powers Wonder, an exploration of how energy fuels creativity, culture, and progress. From life-saving breakthroughs to designs and the boundless imagination of Walt Disney himself, hosts Mary Carpenter and Jordan Houghton uncover the surprising ways nuclear shapes our world.Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Fissionary Wants To Hear From You! Fill out our short listener survey

The world runs on energy, but the real power comes from curiosity. Fissionary is the podcast that uncovers how nuclear energy shapes our lives in ways you might never expect, from medicine and design to space exploration and climate solutions. Hosted by Mary Carpenter and Jordan Houghton, Fissionary brings together scientists, artists, policymakers, and creators to explore how innovation and imagination collide.Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Fissionary Wants To Hear From You! Fill out our short listener survey

Gabriel Ivory, one of the creative forces behind the "I Heart Nuclear" sign at College GameDay, joins us for the season finale of Fissionary to talk about how a bold move turned into a nationwide campaign. Gabriel shares the story behind the sign, the strategy that helped it go viral, and how he’s using his platform to change the conversation around nuclear energy. It’s not just about advocacy; it’s also about making nuclear relatable, creative, and fun for a new generation of activists. Tune in to hear how one sign sparked a movement and how the next wave of nuclear advocates are pushing boundaries and taking risks to build a cleaner, more sustainable future.Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Fissionary Wants To Hear From You! Fill out our short listener surveyMusic used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

When it comes to moving the needle on nuclear energy, support is needed at every level, and Illinois is at a turning point. In this episode of Fissionary, Mary and Jordan sit down with Illinois State Senator Sue Rezin—a longtime advocate for nuclear energy—to talk about lifting the state’s partial moratorium and Illinois’ unique position to support nuclear energy production. With Illinois home to the largest nuclear fleet in the country and transmission infrastructure already in place, Sue makes the case for why the state is perfectly positioned to meet rising energy demands fueled by AI, data centers, and industrial growth. She shares how Illinois is developing its nuclear workforce earlier than most, why local buy-in is critical, and what she’s seen change the minds of nuclear skeptics. Beyond energy policy, Sue paints a picture of how leading in nuclear can fuel long-term economic growth and global competitiveness.Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Music used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

What happens when a generation raised online realizes that data centers, social media, and streaming all depend on a strained power grid? As climate pressure mounts and digital consumption surges, Gen Z is stepping into the energy conversation—with nuclear power on their radar.In this episode of Fissionary, hosts Mary and Jordan sit down with José Gaona, founder and CEO of ZETA, a fast-growing Gen Z-led organization focused on emerging tech and energy policy. From his first role as a voting school board trustee at age 16 to organizing advocacy campaigns that reached all 535 congressional offices, José offers insight into how nuclear energy is gaining traction with the newest generation of advocates.Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.ZETA: https://connectzeta.org/Music used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik