Let's Talk About Forever Chemicals

You might not know it, but “forever chemicals” are all around us. They can be in products you use or encounter every day, in the soil beneath you, or in the water you drink. While they are helpful, they can also be harmful. In this episode, Frazer-Nash Consultancy expert Lauren Josey walks us through what forever chemicals (PFAS) are, how some of them can affect us, the current regulatory push to avoid harmful PFAS, and how Frazer-Nash and KBR are helping customers navigate new usage rules and embrace environmentally and human-friendly innovation.

Astronauts train for years to prepare for spaceflight. One of the things they learn: how to capture the perfect image. KBR’s Paul Reichert is one of the experts behind that training. In his role as Flight Operations Imagery Instructor on KBR’s Intravehicular Activities Operations contract with NASA, Paul teaches astronauts how to use a variety of imaging equipment for unique situations, including spacecraft diagnostics, in-space interviews, specimen collection, or potentially snapping the next iconic moon pic. Listen as Paul discusses his passion for photography and how a childhood hobby is now helping prepare astronauts for action.

KBR is committed to building strong connections to our communities. One important outlet we have for that is KBR One Ocean, a special initiative that teaches children about the importance of sustainability, protecting natural habitats, and using science and technology to solve ecological problems. Listen as One Ocean U.K. co-leads Lauren Smith and Aimen Mirza discuss One Ocean curriculum, how One Ocean positively impacts both participants and volunteers, plans for the program’s future, and much more. 

An all-new season of “In Orbit: A KBR Podcast” starts now! In our season premiere episode, we’re excited to feature Dr. Graham Hawkes (epic name!), associate director of Delivery – Energy and Infrastructure at Frazer-Nash Consultancy, a KBR company. Listen along as we do a deep dive on wind energy, its evolution, and the opportunities and challenges for wind energy production in the near and long term. NOTE: In the episode intro, the host says that wind energy only dates back 1,300 years. He was referring specifically to windmills (technology similar to modern wind turbines) and is aware that wind has been harnessed by humans for other uses going back several millennia.

If you want to work with the U.S. government, you have to meet certain requirements, especially when it comes to cybersecurity. To ensure KBR meets those requirements, and to help customers do the same, we work with outside experts to assess the cyber landscape and shore up digital defenses. In this episode, Warren Holt from KBR’s Defense and Technology Solutions business unit and Brandon Mercer from Biorn Group Cyber discuss KBR’s commercial cybersecurity program and how partnership with Biorn Group is keeping KBR at the forefront of cyber readiness.

Did you miss us? Don’t worry, we’re back with all-new episodes to close out the year. First up is Tara Shifflett, chief of technology for the MAGS (Missiles, Aviation and Ground Systems) division of KBR’s Defense and Technology Solutions business unit. Listen as Tara discusses the ins and outs of systems engineering, how KBR experts are using it to accelerate critical projects and democratize data and decision-making, and what’s on the horizon in this exciting and game-changing field.

Creating and maintaining a consistent culture, identity and values can be tricky for a big company, especially when you have nearly 40,000 employees and operate in close to 30 countries worldwide. The onus is on the company to build community while operating in many different, often complex regulatory environments. In this episode, KBR Chief People Officer Jenni Myles speaks about the challenges of building and strengthening corporate culture in never-ending unprecedented times, about how recent U.S. policy changes provided the catalyst to accelerate KBR’s people strategy, and about the importance of creating spaces for employees to belong, connect and grow.

To maintain the strategic advantage, the U.S. Department of Defense needs solutions and technologies that are innovative, creative and on the cutting edge. And they need them fast. It's no wonder they turn to KBR's digital engineering experts and the capabilities delivered at the KBR Digital Engineering Lab. In this episode, Gus Jordt, Air Force acquisitions digital engineering lead with KBR Mission Technology Solutions, discusses KBR digital engineering solutions, current trends, and his thoughts on what’s next in the field.NOTE: At time of recording, the KBR facility was referred to as the "DREAMM Lab." The facility mentioned is actually the KBR Digital Engineering Lab, part of the KBR Digital Engineering Environment.

Mobile phones, electric cars, laptops, not to mention ceramics, glass, lubricants, refrigeration, nuclear and more. The world runs on lithium. And a more sustainable supply is needed to catch up to skyrocketing demand. Listen as Claudia Pudack, Director of Technology for KBR Critical Minerals, discusses critical vs. rare earth minerals, how KBR technologies can help overcome lithium supply-and-demand challenges, and what we can expect going forward for the mineral many are calling “the new oil.”

Policy and tech are upending global norms and affecting pretty much everything. The outlook for the energy industry could be especially chaotic. In this episode, Tomi Dania, regional director – Americas for KBR Advisory Consulting, shares his thoughts on the big challenges and disruptions — like tariffs, executive orders, artificial intelligence and more — that are driving the U.S. energy outlook and how they could affect the global energy transition.