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★★★★★

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

Were we saved from nuclear annihilation by a bottle of vodka?

2026/11/03

Join Shelly Lesher and Nathan Radke as they discuss how the Black Brant, Canadian designed, multi-stage rocket almost ended us in January 1995 (The Black Brant Scare). Did Boris Yeltsin have a heroic moment or was he full of vodka? Along the way we find out where Shelly & Nathan were in the 90s and what they were and were not doing.

Happy Stanislav Petrov Day & Able Archer (1983)

2026/09/26

In this episode, Nathan Radke and Shelly are joined by Lee Kuhnle to discuss the last few months of 1983. Today you should celebrate Stanislav Petrov Day (September 26) and not participate in a nuclear simulation.

1983 - The Year of Living Dangerously

2026/09/15

It wasn't the mullets or shoulder pads but how close the world came to nuclear annihilation. Join Shelly and Nathan Radke as they discuss what happened in 1983 and why you should have been scared. Very, very scared.

Project Paperclip | Brian Crim

2026/07/28

Project Paperclip; or how the US gave citizenship to Nazi scientists so we could build rockets to get to the moon and defeat the Soviets. This episode will explore this project with Brian Crim, PhD, Professor for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College.

The JASONS | Ann Finkbeiner

2026/06/09

Who are the JASONS? What do they do and can Shelly ever fulfill her dream of becoming one? Find out on this episode with Ann Finkbeiner.

Not Dead Yet | Conspiracy Theory with Uncover Up

2026/05/14

What is going on with all the missing scientists? Should we be worried? Should Shelly be worried? Is there a Mayor McCheese secret plot? Join Nathan & Lee from the Uncover Up as they check in on Shelly to make sure she is ok.

The "best" Doomsday Devices | The Uncover Up

2026/03/31

In this joint episode with The Uncover Up Nathan Radke and Shelly Lesher try to shock each other with the different ways humans have tried or will try to destroy us all. Watch the episode on Youtube at YouTube

The bomber will always get through | Nathan Radke

2026/03/03

Nathan Radke (The Uncover Up) and Shelly Lesher discuss the B-36. You can email us or support us on Patreon Please leave a 5-star review on iTunes and subscribe to My Nuclear Life wherever you listen to podcasts.

(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

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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