Virtual Reality Meets Nuclear Energy With Derek Kultgen

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.

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.

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.Music 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

What if saving the world looked more like a rave than a lecture? In this episode, we catch up with Ryan Pickering—former anti-nuclear activist turned DOE policy advisor, co-founder of NICE (Nuclear is Clean Energy) and all-around nuclear hype man. From organizing a rave to support California legislation to collaborating with Indigenous leaders and traveling globally to advocate for nuclear inclusion, Ryan is doing the most in the best way. We get into how culture, community, and energy realism are reshaping the nuclear conversation and why the future might just be on-grid and wildly optimistic.Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.NICE: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nice-columbia/Native Nuclear: https://www.nativenuclear.org/Check out Ryan: https://www.instagram.com/ryan_pickering_/?hl=enMusic used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

Imagine building something today that has to stay safe for tens of thousands of years! That’s the mind-bending challenge behind long-term nuclear waste storage, and in this episode, we’re diving deep into how Canada is pulling it off.Jordan and Mary sit down with Lisa Frizzell from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) to unpack how one of the most complex infrastructure projects in the world is being designed to protect people and the planet for basically forever. From solid ceramic fuel pellets and copper-coated steel canisters buried beneath 500 meters of rock, to the Indigenous-led, community-driven process that chose the final site, Lisa walks us through every layer of science, safety, and social trust built into the plan. Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Music used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

We've sent humans to space and robots to Mars. The next leap? Sending nuclear reactors that can power the future, space life, and beyond.Joining us today is Dr. David Poston, the reactor designer behind NASA’s Kilopower project and one of the leading minds in the push to bring compact, resilient nuclear systems to space. From Krusty and DUFF (yes, those are Simpsons references) to his disruptive new company, SpaceNukes, David walks us through how we power life far from Earth and why nuclear is the right fuel source for the job. Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Music used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

What do ChatGPT, cloud servers, and nuclear reactors have in common? More than you think. As AI expands and tech giants scramble for energy that’s clean, constant, and scalable, nuclear power is stepping into the spotlight. In this episode, Mary and Jordan sit down with Faraz Ahmad, the former head of Amazon’s global clean energy team, to explore why Big Tech is betting on nuclear. With a résumé spanning GE, NextEra, and British Nuclear Fuels, Faraz offers a rare insider’s look at why nuclear is becoming essential infrastructure for the digital age.Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Learn more about nei.org/soti2025Music used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik

We’re SO back! In the Season 4 premiere, Mary and Jordan catch up on just how fast things are moving in the world of nuclear. From billion-dollar investments and new reactor projects breaking ground to nuclear’s role in powering AI and deep space missions, the pace of change has been wild—and it’s only speeding up.We break down what’s behind the hype, who’s driving it, and why nuclear is suddenly the main character in conversations around clean energy, tech infrastructure, and climate solutions.Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary.Learn more about nei.org/soti2025Music used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik