The Future of Nuclear Energy, hosted by Phil Zeringue

Phil Zeringue

Welcome to The Future of Nuclear Energy series with Phil Zeringue! In this series, I invite you to join me on an engaging journey through the complexities of nuclear energy as we explore new ideas and cutting-edge solutions with some of today’s most innovative thinkers. Together, we’ll unpack the latest advancements, confront industry challenges, and dive into the transformative role nuclear energy can play in our world’s future.

  1. 1d ago

    Turning Nuclear Waste into Opportunity: Ed McGinnis on Closing the Fuel Cycle

    What if the thing we've been paying to bury for decades is actually the next fuel supply? In this episode of The Future of Nuclear Energy, Phil Zeringue sits down with Ed McGinnis, CEO of Curio, to talk about why used nuclear fuel still holds most of its energy and how recycling it could close the fuel cycle. Ed spent 30 years in the federal government, including as Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy and Executive Director of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), before making the leap to a startup. In this conversation, they cover: Why reactor fuel has only used about 4% of its energy value when it comes out, and what that means for the roughly 95,000 metric tons of used fuel in the U.S.How Curio's NuCycle process skips nitric acid, uses a dry electrolysis approach, and aims to cut what must be disposed of to 3 to 4% with a sequestration time of about 300 years instead of a millionThe valuable products inside used fuel, from isotopes for cancer treatment and space power to precious metals like rhodiumA planned recycling facility that Ed says could create up to 3,000 full-time jobs, many open to people with a high school diploma or two-year degreeWhy the hardest part isn't the chemistry or the capital raise, but breaking through old stereotypes and earning community trustWhat it means to leave it all on the field, first in and last out, and why Ed thinks the nuclear waste problem is imminently solvableWhether you work in nuclear, follow energy policy, or just want to understand what happens to fuel after it leaves the reactor, this conversation will change how you think about the word "waste." If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. 🌍 Stay connected with us for more insights on Nuclear, innovation, CleanTech, and the future of sustainable.

    Turning Nuclear Waste into Opportunity: Ed McGinnis on Closing the Fuel Cycle

  2. May 1

    The New Nuclear Workforce: Humans, Robots, and AI Together

    AI, robotics, and advanced monitoring systems are no longer future concepts in nuclear. They are here. In this conversation, Phil Zeringue sits down with Josh Bell to explore what happens when you connect the technologies that already exist inside a nuclear plant. From digital twins and autonomous diagnostics to drones in containment and the rise of humanoid robots, this discussion moves beyond theory and into real-world application. They cover: How robotics is already changing inspection and responseWhy AI should augment, not replace, the workforceWhat it means to capture and scale decades of nuclear expertiseHow risk, safety, and decision-making are starting to shiftAnd what the nuclear plant of the future could actually look likeThe takeaway is simple. This is not about what might be possible someday. It is about what is possible now. The question is whether the industry is ready to embrace it. If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. 🌍 Stay connected with us for more insights on Nuclear, innovation, CleanTech, and the future of sustainable.

    The New Nuclear Workforce: Humans, Robots, and AI Together

  3. Mar 27

    Changing the Narrative: Zion Lights on Energy, Empathy, and What’s Possible

    This conversation with Zion Lights is one that stays with you. From her early days in activism to becoming a leading voice for nuclear energy, Zion brings a perspective rooted in empathy, curiosity, and a deep drive to make things better. Phil Zeringue and Zion explore what it really means to move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance, why energy is foundational to human progress, and how we can better tell the stories that shape the future of nuclear. It’s not just about technology. It’s about people, possibility, and the responsibility we all share to communicate what’s possible. If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. 🌍 Stay connected with us for more insights on Nuclear, innovation, CleanTech, and the future of sustainable.

    Changing the Narrative: Zion Lights on Energy, Empathy, and What’s Possible

  4. Mar 17

    The Future of Nuclear Energy: Innovation, Policy, and the Next Generation of Leaders

    In this episode of The Future of Nuclear Energy, Phil Zeringue sits down with Ryan Pickering to explore the forces shaping the next era of nuclear power. Their conversation ranges from policy and legislative momentum to the growing role of advanced technologies and new reactor development. They also discuss the importance of engaging communities, developing the next generation of nuclear professionals, and ensuring nuclear energy continues to play a central role in reliable, carbon-free power. It is a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion about where the industry is headed and what it will take to build the nuclear future. If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. 🌍 Stay connected with us for more insights on Nuclear, innovation, CleanTech, and the future of sustainable.

    The Future of Nuclear Energy: Innovation, Policy, and the Next Generation of Leaders

  5. 11/17/2025

    When Worlds Collide: The Future of Nuclear Energy × Naked Nuclear Mashup

    It’s a first-of-its-kind crossover between The Future of Nuclear Energy Podcast and Naked Nuclear. Hosts Phil Zeringue and Danielle Allen sit down for a fast-moving, candid mashup that blends humor, history, and hard truths about life in nuclear. From firehouse pranks to refueling outages, they explore what makes the people behind the plants tick — and why the next generation needs to see the human side of this industry. If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. 🌍 Stay connected with us for more insights on Nuclear, innovation, CleanTech, and the future of sustainable.

    When Worlds Collide: The Future of Nuclear Energy × Naked Nuclear Mashup

  6. 11/01/2025

    The Future of Nuclear: Native Perspectives and Generational Power with Scott Lathrop

    In this episode of The Future of Nuclear, host Phil Zeringue sits down with Scott Lathrop, CEO of Native Nuclear, to explore how Indigenous philosophy and modern energy innovation can shape a more sustainable future. From his early experiences at Diablo Canyon to his leadership in education and tribal engagement, Scott shares a powerful message: nuclear energy aligns deeply with Native stewardship—take little, maximize use, return little. Through stories of rebuilding trust after uranium mining, redefining “waste” as “used fuel,” and advancing energy sovereignty, Scott offers a visionary framework for the next seven generations. This conversation bridges cultural wisdom and nuclear innovation, reminding listeners that true sustainability isn’t just about technology—it’s about responsibility, relationships, and legacy. 🎧 Key themes: Native perspectives on stewardship and sustainabilityThe real meaning of “used fuel” and generational energyTribal energy sovereignty and opportunityBalancing history, innovation, and long-term thinkingIf you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. 🌍 Stay connected with us for more insights on Nuclear, innovation, CleanTech, and the future of sustainable.

    The Future of Nuclear: Native Perspectives and Generational Power with Scott Lathrop

  7. 10/15/2025

    Future of Nuclear: From Advocacy to Application: A Conversation with Gabe Ivory

    In this episode of Future of Nuclear, host Phil Zeringue, Chief Revenue Officer of Nuclearn, sits down with Gabe Ivory, of the Nuclear Advocacy and Representation Organization (NARO) and Nuclear Engineer, to explore what the next generation of nuclear professionals are learning, building, and championing. From AI-assisted engineering to advocacy in action, Gabe shares how he’s navigating the transition from Texas A&M University’s nuclear engineering classrooms to federally regulated control rooms, and how young engineers are reshaping the culture, communication, and technology behind modern nuclear operations. Phil and Gabe dig deep into: The shift from theory to practice inside the plant environmentGenerational change and knowledge transfer across the nuclear workforceWhy AI and digital tools are critical to modernization, efficiency, and safetyThe origins of NARO and its mission to promote “nuclear engineers for nuclear”The importance of communication, storytelling, and community trust in nuclear energyHow to attract, train, and retain the future workforce for clean, reliable energyWhether you’re a utility executive, engineer, or student entering the nuclear industry, this episode offers a grounded, first-hand look at the intersection of nuclear energy, workforce innovation, and AI technology, told through the eyes of one of the field’s rising leaders. If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. 🌍 Stay connected with us for more insights on Nuclear, innovation, CleanTech, and the future of sustainable.

    Future of Nuclear: From Advocacy to Application: A Conversation with Gabe Ivory

  8. 08/07/2025

    Texas-Sized Vision: Reed Clay on Building the Future of Nuclear

    In this episode, host Phil Zeringue sits down with Reed Clay, Jr., Founder and President of the Texas Nuclear Alliance, to talk about the bold moves Texas is making to lead the nuclear renaissance. Reed shares how a post-Winter Storm Uri awakening led to the formation of the Alliance, the passage of landmark House Bill 14, and a bipartisan push for half a billion dollars in nuclear development funding. From connecting buyers and sellers to addressing ERCOT's challenges, Reed unpacks why Texas is poised to become the global hub for clean, reliable nuclear energy. Whether you’re in policy, engineering, or energy innovation—this conversation is a blueprint for what’s possible when urgency meets action. If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network. 🌍 Stay connected with us for more insights on Nuclear, innovation, CleanTech, and the future of sustainable.

    Texas-Sized Vision: Reed Clay on Building the Future of Nuclear
See All (16)

About

Welcome to The Future of Nuclear Energy series with Phil Zeringue! In this series, I invite you to join me on an engaging journey through the complexities of nuclear energy as we explore new ideas and cutting-edge solutions with some of today’s most innovative thinkers. Together, we’ll unpack the latest advancements, confront industry challenges, and dive into the transformative role nuclear energy can play in our world’s future.

Information

You Might Also Like