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Rating

★★★★★

4.9

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43 reviews

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On July 16, 1945, in a New Mexico desert, the Trinity Test ushered in the Nuclear Age. No other piece of technology has penetrated the American consciousness like the nuclear bomb and found a place in everything from culture to medicine. This podcast explores how nuclear science has impacted and changed our world in both beneficial and destructive ways. We explore the intersection of nuclear science and society using interviews with historians, policymakers, experts in their fields, and first-hand accounts to weave a picture of your nuclear life.

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Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from My Nuclear Life podcast

(New Intro) Challenger Explosion | Adam Higginbotham

2026/01/28

On the 40th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, we rerelease this episode with a new introduction to include Ron McNair articles from his home, N.C. A&T Physics.

Black holes, string theory, and public policy | Jim Gates (Sylvester James Gates)

2025/12/30

See what happens when Shelly talks to smarty-pants Jim Gates, says she is not going to talk about String Theory and immediately asks questions about String Theory. Hear about String Theory’s Doppelganger, the history of black holes, fulfilling a dream of riding the Trans-Siberian Railroad, and how it all comes back to nuclear physics.

How much time does the US need to restart nuclear testing? | Hans Kristensen

2025/12/02

How likely is it that the US will restart nuclear testing? How much time would it take? You might be surprised by the answers. Join Shelly as she discusses this and other topics with Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists. And we find out - things can get much worse.

House of Dynamite | Lee and Nathan

2025/11/18

Lee Kuhln and Nathan Radke join Shelly to talk about the No. 1 Netflix movie - House of Dynamite and answer the question, "Is the movie Dyn-o-mite"?

HItler and the Bomb | Mark Walker

2025/10/16

How close were the Germans to building an atomic bomb? What went wrong? Listen to the conversation with historian Mark Walker to find out more.

Hidden in plain sight. The Greenbrier Bunker | Deanna Hylton

2025/09/02

Not actually a bunker but a fallout shelter under the Greenbrier Hotel in the hills of West Virginia. Shelly visits the bunker and then speaks with the manager of bunker tours and historian Deanna Hylton.

The Atomic Pilgrim | James Patrick Thomas

2025/08/05

James Patrick Thomas speaks to Shelly about his walk for nuclear disarmament in 1981 which lasted 20 months. Along with 18-19 other pilgrims, James left Washington and journeyed to Bethlehem, walking over 6,700 miles. We hear about his decision to undertake such a monumental task, how the group made a major decision, and if Shelly would do the same thing. >> The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the sponsoring agencies

The ethics of human radiation experiments | The Uncover Up

2025/06/24

Shelly meets up with Lee Kuhnle and Nathan Radke in Toronto to discuss the ethics behind human radiation experiments. We redefine what "fun" means, Nathan shows off his "ethics" knowledge, and Lee makes the Vatican proud.

Day in the Life of a Nuclear Physicist | Kelly Chipps

2025/05/13

What do you think a nuclear physicist does every day? Lone genius or social butterfly? Listen to find out how Dr Kelly Chipps of Oak Ridge National Laboratory fills her time.

Cold War Human Radiation Experiments | Eileen Welsome

2025/04/08

“As all these stories do, it started with a radioactive animal dump in Albuquerque,” is the best first line of a story I have ever heard. Listen as Eileen Welsome and Shelly Lesher discuss some of the medical experiments the US government funded on its own citizens involving radiation without their consent over the decades.

Cold War Kids | Ann Kordas

2025/02/25

Ann Kordas joins Shelly to discuss the gendered roles of boys and girls during the Cold War and how children were taught to protect themselves from nuclear annihilation through toys, sitcoms, and government messaging.

Nuclear Christmas List with Kelly Chipps

2025/01/07

Ever wonder what to buy with your Christmas money? Need a nuclear themed gift for that nerd in your family? Look no further, Shelly and her friend and fellow nuke, Kelly Chipps found lots of items for you to purchase from eBay to Amazon.

(rerelease) Jimmy Carter - with Jonathan Alter

2025/01/01

On December 29, 2024 humanitarian, nuclear engineer, and the 39th president of the US passed away at 100 years old. Please enjoy this rerelease of Episode 35.

Was the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion inevitable? with Adam Higginbotham

2024/11/26

If you were alive at the time, you remember an o-ring caused the January 28, 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion 73 seconds after take off. But was it that simple? Adam Higginbotham discusses his new book, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space and see how much you really know about that day.

Ray Cats Nuke the Moon

2024/11/06

This episode was recorded in Toronto with Nathan Radke and Lee Kuhnle from the UnCover Up Podcast and special guest Nina Weston (a young person). We brainstorm some additional ideas on how to "hide" our nuclear waste far into the future.

Podcast reviews

Read My Nuclear Life podcast reviews

4.9 out of 5

43 reviews

★★★★★

Dubscura 2023/09/02

Amazing

Thanks for putting this podcast together.

★★★★★

Jason Danio 2023/08/21

Very interesting podcast

Started listening after seeing the Oppenheimer movie and now can’t stop. Especially enjoying the Cold War episodes but the physics, the films, the loo...

★★★★★

Deirdre Tshien 2023/07/12

Great podcast!

Shelly makes nuclear science so fun and interesting! The stories and insights she sharing makes this a really engaging and educational listen. From De...

★★★★★

yehrbrisbakebf 2023/02/04

Very good podcast

This podcast is interesting and informative. The pace and interviewing style make it a very enjoyable listen.

★★★★★

mweissko 2022/10/22

Great material!

I love the weaving of history and science. Gives teh context that makes learning about the science fun!

★★★★★

mymurderpants 2022/03/26

Really good

I like it a lot.

★★★★★

Landy?! 2021/07/19

Exceptional

Intriguing insight that synthesizes nuclear science and the human condition without becoming overly technical. Expertly and charismatically delivered ...

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