Advertise on podcast: Gener8

A new wave of small nuclear energy technologies has rapidly achieved unprecedented success over the last 12 months following an Executive Order from President Trump that called for at least three new reactors to achieve criticality—the state of sustaining a nuclear fission chain reaction—by July 4, 2026. Four companies achieved that goal by the President’s deadline, with almost a dozen having now done so. For Episode 37, Jordan Bramble, CEO of Antares Industries, joined Gener8 to talk about the company’s experience as the first to reach this milestone and what the future might hold for Antares. Jordan shared his thoughts on where Antares plans to engage in the energy space in the coming years—primarily in military and space applications—and why this approach appeals to the company. On the back of announcements totaling nearly a billion dollars in federal contracts for future nuclear reactors, Jordan shared his perspective on where Antares may go beyond its current activities, as well as how the company feels poised to deliver on the unprecedented opportunity and interest currently before Antares and other developers.

Nuclear fuel manufacturing has been a quiet anchor of strength for the U.S. nuclear energy industry for decades, despite the offshoring of domestic uranium enrichment, conversion, and mining operations. Framatome has been one of three established manufacturers providing the fuel manufacturing capacity needed to support almost 20% of America’s electricity grid for over a decade. For Episode 36, Zach McDaniel, Vice President of North America Fuel, Contracts and Services, joined Gener8 to shed light on this often-overlooked segment of the U.S. nuclear industry. Framatome is the only one of America’s three established nuclear fuel manufacturers not pursuing new nuclear reactor technology in the U.S., and Zach shared how this unique position allows Framatome to think about the future of nuclear fuel manufacturing and collaborate with numerous parties across the industry. Zach also dove into how changing supply, demand, and geopolitical trends are reshaping utility contracting approaches and practices, and where those shifts create opportunities and challenges for Framatome and others.

For Episode 35 of Gener8, Seth Cohen joined for an in-depth conversation after spending over a year serving numerous federal government agencies as they considered the future of nuclear energy regulation and support in this country. At the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Seth played an important role in a whole-of-government reconsideration of the value of nuclear energy and how the government interacts with companies looking to deploy new nuclear generating capacity. Seth also played an important role in the federal government’s new program focused on managing America’s used nuclear fuel, a legacy some forty years in the making but hopelessly frozen between finger-pointing and a lack of political will until very recently. Seth shared insights on the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Center program, how it progressed from thought to concept to dozens of states signaling interest before being narrowed to five next movers, and how other government agencies and activities, including those involving the military and outer space, help support a promising future for nuclear energy technologies and developers.

Welcome back to Gener8. Thomas Eiden is the Chief Alchemical Officer and CEO at Atomic Alchemy, a nuclear technology developer focused on participating in the global supply of radioisotopes for medical, industrial, and numerous other applications that are a part of the invisible infrastructure supporting humanity on a daily basis. Thomas joined us to share why Atomic Alchemy is focused in this area versus electricity or heat, which seem to be the primary focus of most nuclear technology developers today and helped us understand the current and future radioisotope uses and markets. As a current participant in the Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program, Thomas also helped us understand why the program has been the right choice for them as well as where their current progress stands. As a subsidiary of Oklo, a publicly traded nuclear technology developer, the conversation also touched on how that relationship has been helpful for development and commercialization plans before Thomas shared his concerns for broad as well as Atomic Alchemy success in the current space and climate.   Radioisotopes help keep our industries running as well as treating cancer and other patients with no other options in addition to numerous other important activities. We're thankful to Thomas for helping us understand a little more about what exactly is going on in this space, how folks are thinking about contributing today, and what a productive and successful future might look like.

We are pleased to share the next episode of Gener8, available now to our private Veri-Lens community. The field of nuclear technology developers appears to be attracting new participants almost daily; however, identifying newcomers that have made tangible progress has proven more difficult than many would like. That is, until recently. On the back of presidential orders targeting new reactor deployment and hundreds of millions of dollars in private interest, companies like Valar Atomics are making headlines and building hardware in pursuit of first-of-a-kind technology deployment, as well as longer-term commercial aspirations. Isaiah Taylor, CEO of Valar Atomics, joined Gener8 to discuss the line between hype and real progress as Valar participates in the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program and looks ahead. Nick Morris, Veriten’s new Managing Director, also joined the conversation, which ranged from reactors in C-17s to lawsuits against the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and everything in between. Isaiah shared insights into the team that has helped Valar jump into the deep end of reactor development, what brought him personally to this journey, and how the company’s experimental and testing activities could translate into future success. As Valar rounds the final bend in a race with other pilot program participants to achieve the President’s goals ahead of July 4, 2026, Isaiah’s passion for the project was clearly evident. Veriten and the broader Gener8 audience should keep Valar and its peers on the radar in the coming months, weeks, and perhaps even days.