The Atomic Exchange Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In the 19th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co‑hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous dissect President Trump’s four May 23rd executive orders—the most sweeping U.S. nuclear directives since Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace.” They break down the headline mandates: an 18‑month cap on every NRC license, Department of Defense and Energy fast‑tracking micro‑reactors for AI data centers and bases, a whole‑of‑government push to mine, convert, enrich and even recycle domestic fuel, and DOE loans to restart shut‑down plants while breaking ground on ten new gigawatt‑scale reactors by 2030. Along the way they ask whether the NRC can really shrink multi‑year reviews to a year‑and‑a‑half without eroding its “gold‑standard” independence, debate the safety optics of letting the Pentagon self‑license reactors, and run the numbers on fuel‑cycle bottlenecks—HALEU, workforce, and state mining bans. Goran argues the orders finally level the regulatory playing field; Michael probes the risks of weaker transparency and public trust. They zoom out to the geopolitical stakes, weighing how Washington’s 400‑GW-by‑2050 ambition squares with China’s 150‑reactor sprint and what it means for AI‑driven electricity demand that’s already doubling data‑center loads every few years. Tune in for a spirited, data‑rich tour of America’s nascent nuclear renaissance—where policy meets engineering, markets meet megawatts, and the clock on U.S. energy dominance has officially started ticking.

In the 18th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co‑hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous dissect China's headline plan to roll out 150 new reactors—at roughly US $2.5–3 billion per gigawatt—before 2035. They probe how dirt‑cheap state loans, a 700 000‑person nuclear workforce, and factory‑style repetition let China pour concrete in five‑year cycles, and why the same formula could prove harder for India the U.S. to replicate. Along the way they tackle looming uranium bottlenecks, Generation IV fast‑breeder ambitions, and the jaw‑dropping electricity appetite of AI data centers that’s pushing policymakers back to baseload realities. Tune in for a fast‑moving discussion that blends engineering detail with geopolitical stakes, asking whether the West can—or even should—match China’s nuclear sprint.

In the 9th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous break down three of the biggest stories shaping nuclear strategy and energy policy. They start with Canada’s latest response to U.S. tariffs—Premier Doug Ford slaps a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, while Pierre Poilievre proposes an even steeper 50% tax on U.S. steel imports. Next, they dive into China’s bold claim that its new thorium breakthrough could power the country for 60,000 years and discuss whether thorium is the future or just an overhyped alternative to uranium. Finally, they tackle one of the nuclear industry’s biggest hurdles: leadership and management. With nuclear projects plagued by cost overruns and decade-long delays, what kind of leadership is needed to achieve rapid reactor construction? Can the industry learn from the efficiency of companies like SpaceX and Tesla? They explore how better incentives, accountability, and a culture shift could finally make the 2.5-year reactor build a reality. Tune in for a high-energy discussion on tariffs, thorium, and the leadership crisis holding nuclear back.

In the 8th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous unpack the latest tensions between Canada and the United States—and why knee-jerk nationalism could be Canada’s biggest mistake. The conversation kicks off with reflections on Jordan Peterson’s recent Toronto talk, his shifting audience, and whether his philosophy leans too much into self-help. From there, the discussion pivots to the growing push in Canada to decouple from the U.S.—a movement that nuclear energy history suggests is neither practical nor strategic. They examine why Canada has never truly operated independently in the nuclear sector, how past geopolitical deals show the U.S. holds the cards, and why doubling down on deeper integration—not economic retaliation—may be the smartest move here. Could aligning closer with the U.S. actually be in Canada’s best interest? Tune in for a controversial yet pragmatic take on trade wars, nuclear power, and the future of U.S.-Canada relations.

In the 7th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous take a critical look at a Nature Energy study titled Differences in Carbon Emissions Reduction Between Countries Pursuing Renewable Electricity versus Nuclear Power. The study claims that renewables reduce emissions more effectively than nuclear and suggests that the two energy sources compete rather than complement each other. But is the data telling the full story? Goran and Michael break down why this study is an example of bad science—packed with normative claims, flawed methodology, and misleading conclusions that could shape policy in the wrong direction. They discuss the broader issue of bias in scientific research, the challenges of separating fact from ideology, and why studies like this do a disservice to meaningful discussions on energy and climate solutions. Tune in for a deep dive into the dangers of misleading data and the importance of critical thinking in energy policy.

In the 6th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous explore Michael’s journey into nuclear energy—from early exposure to politics and misconceptions about nuclear power being inherently dangerous to the pivotal moments that reshaped his views. They discuss why many people still associate nuclear energy with weapons, why myths about catastrophic meltdowns persist despite decades of safety advancements, and how misconceptions about renewables being a perfect replacement for baseload power continue to dominate public discourse. The conversation also delves into a deeper issue: how people are often taught what to think rather than how to think critically about energy. Tune in for a compelling discussion on misinformation, public perception, and why challenging mainstream narratives is key to understanding nuclear’s role in a sustainable future.

In the 5th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous unpack key insights from the recent Globe and Mail event on nuclear energy in Canada. The discussion explores the industry's growing momentum, the challenges of high costs and long construction timelines, and whether SMRs truly offer a faster, more affordable path forward. They also examine what it would take to dramatically speed up nuclear reactor construction and whether a full-scale plant could realistically be built in just 2.5 years. Tune in for a candid and thought-provoking conversation on the future of nuclear energy and the obstacles that still need to be overcome.

In the 4th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous examine Governor Greg Abbott’s new legislation aimed at streamlining nuclear energy development in Texas. They explore its key provisions—from the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Authority to a 2035 target for advanced reactor deployment—and question whether it’s ambitious enough to keep pace with AI-driven energy demands. The conversation then shifts to Elon Musk’s $97.4B bid for OpenAI, highlighting the growing intersection of cutting-edge tech and reliable power infrastructure. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of AI, the role of nuclear power, and how states like Texas might shape the next chapter in energy innovation.

In the 3rd installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous shift focus from AI back to the core of this podcast—energy. The conversation starts with an exploration of what energy truly is and why it’s crucial for modern life, from everyday conveniences to lifesaving technologies. Drawing on the remote Canadian community of Iqaluit, they discuss how extreme environments expose the challenges of traditional energy sources and the complexities of deploying renewables. Throughout the episode, they examine the “effort problem,” the hidden costs of handwashing clothes vs. automated solutions, and why abundant, reliable power is the bedrock of development. Tune in for an engaging overview of how energy impacts our world and the ways nuclear might help solve some of our most pressing energy challenges.

In the 2nd installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous dive into the groundbreaking advancements of DeepSeek, the Chinese AI company that's making waves in the tech industry. We explore the implications of DeepSeek's cost-efficient R1 model on AI innovation, the competitive landscape of U.S.-China tech relations, and the ripple effects on the stock market, including a historic sell-off in major tech stocks like Nvidia. This episode ties it all back to the energy demands of AI, raising the question: Is DeepSeek’s efficiency a threat to nuclear energy, or does the rise of AI present an unparalleled opportunity for the nuclear sector? Tune in for a fascinating conversation packed with data, insights, and analogies that make complex topics refreshingly accessible.