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My Nuclear Life

Shelly Lesher
Black Sea Experiment
Nuclear Testing
Us-Soviet Relations
Georgia
Nuclear Risk Reduction
Soviet Union
Nuclear Arms Control
Laser Technology
Edward Teller
Nuclear Engineering
Science and Global Security
Princeton University
Natural Resources Defense Council
START Treaty
Nuclear Waste
Nuclear Waste Storage
Threads
Ballistic Missile Defense
Nuclear Waste Disposal
Nuclear Weapons

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 scien... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes81Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for My Nuclear Life

Latest Episodes

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.

YouTube

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.

YouTube

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 drea... more

YouTube

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... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Adam Higginbotham
Author known for his investigative work on nuclear disasters and space exploration.
Episode: (New Intro) Challenger Explosion | Adam Higginbotham
Lee Kuhln
Episode: House of Dynamite | Lee and Nathan
Deanna Hylton
Manager of the Bunker and History Tours at the Greenbrier
Greenbrier Hotel
Episode: Hidden in plain sight. The Greenbrier Bunker | Deanna Hylton
Eileen Welsome
Author of "Plutonium Files" and journalist known for her investigative work on human radiation experiments
Episode: Cold War Human Radiation Experiments | Eileen Welsome
Kelly Chipps
Nuclear physicist at Oak Ridge National Lab and a friend of the host
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Episode: Nuclear Christmas List with Kelly Chipps
Jonathan Alter
Author, political analyst, documentary filmmaker
Episode: (rerelease) Jimmy Carter - with Jonathan Alter
Nina Weston
Medical Student and guest contributing ideas on nuclear waste communication
Cambridge University
Episode: Ray Cats Nuke the Moon
Lee Kuhnle
An experienced voice in the nuclear discourse
Episode: Ray Cats Nuke the Moon
Nathan Radke
A participant with practical experience related to nuclear issues
Episode: Ray Cats Nuke the Moon

Host

Shelly Lesher
Host of My Nuclear Life

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 63 ratings
  • So many topics!

    Wow! This show is incredible! Shelly is brilliant at making all the discussions accessible and has some wonderful guests.

    Even if you're not interested in physics or nuclear energy or history or warfare, try a couple of episodes and you'll be engrossed!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hexagor
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Amazing

    Thanks for putting this podcast together.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dubscura
    United States3 years ago
  • 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 looking ahead to the future are all fascinating.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jason Danio
    United States3 years ago
  • 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 Deirdre

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Deirdre Tshien
    United States3 years ago
  • Very good podcast

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yehrbrisbakebf
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and storytelling are standout strengths of the show.
The host's interview style is engaging and approachable for armchair scientists.
The mix of history, science, and culture keeps episodes compelling and educational.
The host makes complex topics accessible and engaging with strong guest lineups.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#66
United States/Science/Physics
Apple Podcasts
#19
United Kingdom/Science/Physics
Apple Podcasts
#55
Canada/Science/Physics
Apple Podcasts
#57
Germany/Science/Physics
Apple Podcasts
#76
Australia/Science/Physics
Apple Podcasts
#23
Finland/Science/Physics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

(New Intro) Challenger Explosion | Adam Higginbotham
Q: Why did you choose to write a book about the Challenger?
Adam Higginbotham was interested in exploring the parallels between the Challenger disaster and the Chernobyl accident, emphasizing themes of human error and the high stakes involved.
Black holes, string theory, and public policy | Jim Gates (Sylvester James Gates)
Q: What surprised you the most about that position?
I never imagined being a professor in the School of Public Policy.
How much time does the US need to restart nuclear testing? | Hans Kristensen
Q: What can you tell me about the youth involvement in nuclear policy and education?
We try to raise the next generation by providing institutional backgrounds and personal experiences related to nuclear weapons and fostering connections to help develop informed policy perspectives.
How much time does the US need to restart nuclear testing? | Hans Kristensen
Q: Are we currently building nuclear weapons?
Yes, we are building nuclear weapons, but the term 'new' is tricky because we typically modify existing designs rather than create entirely new ones.
How much time does the US need to restart nuclear testing? | Hans Kristensen
Q: How long would it take to get the site ready for a nuclear test to yield?
It would take about six plus months to prepare for a basic nuclear test, which involves significant logistical and safety preparations.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About My Nuclear Life

What is My Nuclear Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A probing, history-forward science program that blends nuclear physics, policy, and cultural storytelling. Episodes routinely explore disasters, Cold War era tensions, ethical questions around human experimentation, and the societal implications of nuclear tech, often weaving in firsthand accounts and expert insights. Notable strengths include clear, engaging explanations of complex science, thoughtful comparisons between historical events, and a storyteller's eye for context and nuance, making it a strong fit for listeners who want accessible depth on nuclear history and its modern consequences.

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Which podcasts are similar to My Nuclear Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with My Nuclear Life:

1. SpyCast
2. Cold War Conversations Podcast
3. Odd Lots
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Short Wave

How many episodes of My Nuclear Life are there?

My Nuclear Life launched 5 years ago and published 81 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on My Nuclear Life?

Recent guests on My Nuclear Life include:

1. Adam Higginbotham
2. Lee Kuhln
3. Deanna Hylton
4. Eileen Welsome
5. Kelly Chipps
6. Jonathan Alter
7. Nina Weston
8. Lee Kuhnle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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