Best Shelly Lesher Podcasts (2025)

1
Nuclear Christmas List with Kelly Chipps 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

Ever wonder what to buy with your Christmas money? Need a nuclear themed gift for that nerd in your family? Look no further, Shelly and her friend and fellow nuke, Kelly Chipps found lots of items for you to purchase from eBay to Amazon.

1
(rerelease) Jimmy Carter - with Jonathan Alter 40:22

2M ago40:22

40:22

On December 29, 2024 humanitarian, nuclear engineer, and the 39th president of the US passed away at 100 years old. Please enjoy this rerelease of Episode 35.

1
Was the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion inevitable? with Adam Higginbotham 30:41

3M ago30:41

30:41

If you were alive at the time, you remember an o-ring caused the January 28, 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion 73 seconds after take off. But was it that simple? Adam Higginbotham discusses his new book, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space and see how much you really know about that day.…

1
Ray Cats Nuke the Moon 41:01

4M ago41:01

41:01

This episode was recorded in Toronto with Nathan Radke and Lee Kuhnle from the UnCover Up Podcast and special guest Nina Weston (a young person). We brainstorm some additional ideas on how to "hide" our nuclear waste far into the future.

1
The return of Matt Caplan - Twelve Thousand Bombs 0:52

4M ago0:52

0:52

Find Matt Caplan's podcast where every you find us.

1
61. Threads turns 40 with Bob Mielke 39:26

5M ago39:26

39:26

Learn about the nuclear horror movie Threads with author Bob Mielke and his new book from Die Die books https://diediebooks.com/products/threads1984

1
Announcement - Contest & Free Documentary Premiere 2:52

6M ago2:52

2:52

Enter our contest to out crazy the crazy email: [email protected] and join My Nuclear Life and The UnCoverUp at our Documentary Premiere. For free tickets email: [email protected]

1
The Uranium Show with Lucy Santos 50:18

6M ago50:18

50:18

What role has Uranium played in our society? Who was "hotter than radioactive yams"? What do fashionable Uranium prospectors wear? Lucy Santos answers these questions and more when she joins Shelly on this episode.

1
What should we do with all the ray cats? with Matt Caplan 52:18

7M ago52:18

52:18

What if you discovered warning signs of something very dangerous buried deep underground from an ancient civilization? Would you believe the item was dangerous or would you think it was valuable treasure? Would you continue exploring? Find out what could be buried and what Drs. Caplan and Lesher would do with the knowledge. Send an email us to My N…

1
The journey of a citizen scientist with Frank von Hippel 51:23

9M ago51:23

51:23

Physicist and activist, Frank von Hippel discusses his career in arms control and what the future may hold for the world. Two corrections – 1) The Nuclear Weapons Freeze march was from the UN to Central park and 2) The banner in the Freeze march said 177 out of 195 towns voted for the Freeze in Vermont, not 193 out of 197.…

1
The Black Sea Experiment: Data taking and legacy 42:21

10M ago42:21

42:21

Our team returns to the Soviet Union to take data on the Slava. We hear about the spectroscopy of a nuclear weapon and the legacy of the Black Sea Experiment. Guests include: Steve Fetter, Frank von Hippel, and Tom Cochran

1
Prelude to the Black Sea Experiment: Soviet Scientists Reach Out 38:08

10M ago38:08

38:08

This episode sets the stage for the Black Sea Experiment. We are introduced to Tom Cochran and Frank von Hippel, two people who had a hand in changing the way the US viewed arms control verification. This episode introduces seismic verification, used to verify nuclear tests for decades.

1
Adventures in Nuclear Risk Reduction - Georgia Pt 2 52:44

11M ago52:44

52:44

Shelly continues her stay in Tbilisi, Georgia and speaks to two Physicists, Giorgia Japaridz (Illia State Univ.) and Revaz Shanidze (Tbilisi State Univ). They discuss what life as a physicist was like under Soviet rule and after Georgian independence. Along the way we learn about scientists who protected nuclear material when security fled, why the…

1
Adventures in Nuclear Risk Reduction - Georgia Pt 1 58:03

12M ago58:03

58:03

Spend time with Shelly and two guest as she travels to Tbilsi, Georgia. First she discusses storytelling and Georgian’s atomic Odyssey with Shorena Lortkipanidze from the Civil Council on Defense and Security (Tbilsi, Georgia). Next, Mariam Chabashvidi explains her love for computer programming after Georgian independence and how she became an inva…

1
The new face of the nuclear nerd - Miss America (2023) Grace Stanke 40:16

1y ago40:16

40:16

Start the New Year off with a bang. Join Shelly & Miss America 2023, nuclear engineer, and fellow Badger Grace Stanke to discuss a range of topics.

1
Understanding Edward Teller with Istvan Hargittai 58:33

1y ago58:33

58:33

What makes Edward Teller tick? Find out with physical chemist and author Istvan Hargittai on this episode.

1
For the love of lasers with Donna Strickland 42:00

1+ y ago42:00

42:00

Physics Nobel Laureate Donna Strickland talks about all things lasers, how lasers relate to nuclear physics, and explains why she had to pay the long-distance bill to Sweden.

1
Are radiation limits based on a lie? with Ed Calabrese 50:15

1+ y ago50:15

50:15

Meet Dr. Ed Calabrese, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, School of Public Health & Health Sciences. Ed has spent years diving into the history of dose response and the Nobel Prize awarded to Hermann Muller for this work.

1
How to identify Manhattan Project Plutonium with Cody Folden 48:48

1+ y ago48:48

48:48

How can you find the age of Plutonium? Why is it important? What are the applications? Find out the answer to these questions and more on this episode of My Nuclear Life when Cody Folden joins Shelly Lesher to discuss his paper in the Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry.

1
Trying to stay alive at the Diefenbunker with Nathan Radke & Lee Kuhnle 1:04:01

1+ y ago1:04:01

1:04:01

My Nuclear Life and The Uncover Up visit the Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum. Join Shelly, Nathan, and Lee as they journey 75 feet underground to compare how the Canadian Government planned to prepare for their survival versus the Civil Defense measured intended for their citizens.

1
J. Robert Oppenheimer with Kai Bird 1:03:02

1+ y ago1:03:02

1:03:02

Get ready for the summer movie by joining Oppenheimer biographer Kai Bird (author of American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer) as he discusses Oppie's life and science.

1
The 3rd Nuclear Age with Ankit Panda 50:33

1+ y ago50:33

50:33

What is the 3rd Nuclear Age? Wait, what about the 1st and 2nd? Join Shelly as she speaks to Stanton Senior Fellow Ankit Panda about how the world is grabbling with nuclear proliferation and what challenges we face.

1
The Origin of the Elements with Artemis Spyrou 40:30

2y ago40:30

40:30

Chemical elements make up the matter we observe in the universe but how did they form? How did scientists figure this out and what is left to learn? Artemis Spyrou joins Shelly to discuss the evolution of the elements and the nuclear processes that govern stellar nucleosynthesis. Find the B2FH paper, Visit us at: mynuclearlife.com Patreon: www.patr…

1
NIF fusion was a breakthrough, but what kind? with Bob Rosner 43:38

2y ago43:38

43:38

In December 2022, Lawrence Livermore's National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved ignition. Join Shelly as she speaks with Bob Rosner about what this milestone means to Stockpile Stewardship and to physics. Also - learn how cool it is to focus 192 lasers onto a tiny little capsule. Patreon: www.patreon.com/mynuclearlife email us Article: Bulletin Ar…

1
Witnessing the Starfish Prime nuclear test with Jim Burkhart 39:20

2y ago39:20

39:20

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to witness an above-ground nuclear weapons test? Shelly is joined by Jim Burkhart who was stationed on the Johnston Atoll in 1962 when the largest nuclear test in outer space was conducted. He will discuss this and other shots during his year "on island" as part of Operation Dominic. email us or visit ou…

1
Solving the solar neutrino problem with Nobel Laureate Art McDonald 51:30

2y ago51:30

51:30

From his beginnings as a nuclear physicist to his Nobel Prize-winning work on neutrinos, Arthur McDonald sits down with Shelly Lesher in the studio. Visit us at: mynuclearlife.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/mynuclearlife email us

1
Is this the year NORAD shoots down Santa? With Martin Pfeiffer 32:05

2y ago32:05

32:05

Martin Pfeiffer aka @nuclearanthro joins Shelly to discuss the origin story of NORAD Tracks Santa and why it matters. Not suitable for children and may contain foul language. Visit us at: mynuclearlife.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/mynuclearlife email us

1
Mom, I'm scared, come pick me up! Students speak out. 50:38

2y ago50:38

50:38

Young scientists from the Division of Nuclear Physics (DNP) Conference react to the nuclear weapon talks which opened the conference. Hear their thoughts about the role nuclear scientists play in the future of nuclear policy and disarmament. Visit us at: mynuclearlife.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/mynuclearlife email us…

1
US Nuclear Weapons and the Nuclear Posture Review with Steve Fetter 38:18

2y ago38:18

38:18

With all the talk of nuclear weapons in Europe, learn about the US nuclear weapon triad with Dr. Steve Fetter. Recorded live during a nuclear physics conference, Drs. Fetter and Lesher discuss the US Nuclear Posture Review, the US Nuclear Triad, Nuclear Modernization, and the history of ICBMS.

1
Inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone with Dominik & Lara from ChernobylX 48:40

2+ y ago48:40

48:40

In this episode, we take you inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone with Dominik Orfanus founder of ChernobylX and lead tour guide, Lara Graldina. What is it like inside the "Zone"? Who lives there? What can you do to help? This and more on Episode 38. Note: This episode does not discuss the disaster itself. To hear about that event, listen to Episode…

1
The Baby Tooth Study 2.0 with Marc Weisskopf 58:37

2+ y ago58:37

58:37

The St. Louis Baby Tooth Study has been reimagined. Using the original teeth collected from the children of the 1950s and 1960s Marc Weisskopf and his colleagues at Harvard are seeking to find new answers from old teeth. Shout out to Taz & Mookie Weisskopf who make their presence known on the recording. Note: For background on the Baby Tooth Study …

1
St. Louis Baby Tooth Survey with Nina Gilden Seavey 34:17

2+ y ago34:17

34:17

Nina Gilden Seavey discusses how the St. Louis Baby Tooth Survey helped persuade U.S. President Kennedy to sign the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty which ended above-ground nuclear weapons testing in the US, UK, and the Soviet Union. In the process, citizen science was born and children sported cool buttons on their lapels.…

1
What if a nuclear engineer was elected US President? with Jonathan Alter 40:22

2+ y ago40:22

40:22

He was and served as the 39th President of the USA. But before his career in politics, Jimmy Carter was a Navy Nuke under Gen. Rickover. What did he do in the Navy? How did this time in the Nuclear Navy shape his policies? What would happen if someone who thought like a scientist gained access to the highest seat in the land? Find out in this episo…

1
How did the U.S. Government plan for nuclear war without you? with Garrett Graff 42:58

2+ y ago42:58

42:58

Underground nuclear bunkers, the birth of FEMA, secret government plans for the end of the world, and more in this episode. Garrett Graff discusses his book Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government’s Secret Plan to Save Itself -- While the Rest of Us Die. Visit us at: mynuclearlife.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/mynuclearlife email us…

1
Exploring the end of the world with nuclear literature and Daniel Cordle 53:13

2+ y ago53:13

53:13

This episode explores how we, as humans, grapple with the end of the world through nuclear literature including fiction, nonfiction, poems, etc. How do we grapple with the "end" if it is caused by humans and how do we explain nuclear events to children? Visit our webpage for a list of books discussed in this episode. Visit us at: mynuclearlife.com …

1
Shipbuilding with the precision of a watchmaker - ITER with Michael Loughlin 41:39

3y ago41:39

41:39

The history of fusion as a source of energy is discussed along with past and current projects. Is a fusion power plant still decades away? Visit us at: mynuclearlife.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/mynuclearlife email us

1
Can Wargaming teach ethics? With John Emery 1:08:26

3y ago1:08:26

1:08:26

What is a war game? How did they shape our understanding of the Cold War? Did the mathematicians or social scientists win the war of the COW game? Learn about issues surrounding wargaming at RAND and elsewhere as Shelly & John dive deep into the question, "Can wargaming teach ethics?" Find John Emery's paper here: Moral Choices without Moral Langua…

1
Nuclear Threat Reduction & Current Events with Matthias Grosse Perdekamp 59:22

3y ago59:22

59:22

Special episode on reducing nuclear threat with Prof. Matthias Grosse Perdekamp. Recorded when Russia was invading Ukraine.

1
Radium & Marie Curie go Goth Rock with Charming Disaster 41:11

3y ago41:11

41:11

Today's episode features the musical duo Charming Disaster. They discuss the process of writing their new album based on the life of Marie Curie and the element she discovered, stories that did not make it into their songs, and ways that this album should sound familiar to fans but is also a departure from their usual writing style. Also, Elia & Je…

1
Using nuclear science to understand cultural heritage with Michael Wiescher 53:32

3y ago53:32

53:32

What role does nuclear science play in understanding art and culture? Michael Wiescher from The University of Notre Dame explains. Visit us at: mynuclearlife.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/mynuclearlife email us

1
Should Khrushchev receive story credit for Dr. Strangelove? With Nathan and Lee from The UnCover Up 39:18

3y ago39:18

39:18

Nathan Radke and Lee Kuhnle from The UnCover Up podcast discuss Dr. Strangelove with Shelly and introduce an interesting conspiracy theory. Lee poses a question on if Nikita Khrushchev should receive story credit for the plot of the movie and backs it up with some interesting history of who could launch a nuclear attack. Wait - did Stanley Kubrick …

1
The movie with the finest ending: Failsafe (1964) with Nathan & Lee from The UnCover Up 46:55

3y ago46:55

46:55

Nathan Radke and Lee Kuhnle from The UnCover Up podcast discuss Failsafe (1964) with Shelly and compare it to Dr. Strangelove. Find out what character made Lee want to quit watching Failsafe, who the gang thinks would have a better chance at surviving a nuclear exchange: file clerks or prisoners, and what Shelly wants etched on her tombstone. Visit…

1
What's with all the Nuclear Movies? With Nathan & Lee from The UnCover Up 1:00:12

3y ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Nathan and Lee from the UnCover Up podcast join today’s conversation in discussing their favorite nuclear movies spanning over the decades, involving wars, nuclear disasters, and so much more! Amongst the 100’s of movies, they’ll be touching on just a sampling—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss! Movie links can be found on our website. V…

1
Using radiation as a poison. The murder of Alexander Litvinenko with Pete Burgess 53:31

3y ago53:31

53:31

In this episode Pete Burgess discusses the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, a Russian spy who defected to the UK. Why is polonium-210 a good poison? How do you make it? Why wasn’t the public scared it could happen to them? All of those questions and more are answered in this exciting episode. Visit us at: mynuclearlife.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/m…

1
How the Norwegians & British ended the Nazi atomic bomb program with Neal Bascomb 57:06

3+ y ago57:06

57:06

In this episode, host Shelly Lesher is joined by Neal Bascomb, author of The Winter Fortress, which tells the story of the plan to sabotage Hitler’s atomic bomb. Listen as Neal tells about the several different missions set out to destroy the Nazi atomic bomb program and how they affected the course of the World War II. Visit us at: mynuclearlife.c…

1
Finger on the Button: Life as a Cold War Missileer with Col. (Ret.) Charles G. Simpson 59:39

3+ y ago59:39

59:39

Go inside a US missile silo with Col. (Ret.) Charles G. Simpson as he discusses his time as a US Air Force Missileer which started weeks before the Cuban Missile Crisis and ends shortly before the end of the Cold War. Visit us at: mynuclearlife.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/mynuclearlife email us

1
Scientists as activists, human rights, and ethics with Don Howard 1:21:58

3+ y ago1:21:58

1:21:58

This episode features Don Howard, a Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame with an interest in the ethics of emerging technologies. Shelly & Don explore the ethical considerations behind the Manhattan Project and building the H-bomb, and discuss question such as: Should scientists use their expertise to be involve…

1
History of early computing with Thomas Haigh 1:24:30

3+ y ago1:24:30

1:24:30

In this episode Shelly speaks with Thomas Haigh, a historian of computing, about the ENIAC and its influence on nuclear physics. Learn how the ENIAC was more of an experimental apparatus than a computer, the role of women in early computing, why we know so much about the secret h-bomb calculations, what Wikipedia gets wrong, and the confusion surro…

1
The connection between nuclear disarmament, peace, and black freedom with Vincent Intondi 58:20

3+ y ago58:20

58:20

In this episode Shelly is joined by Dr. Vincent Intondi, history professor at Montgomery College in Maryland. He is invited on the podcast today to discuss his recent authorship of his eye opening book entitled African Americans Against the Bomb: Nuclear Weapons, Colonialism, and the Black Freedom Movement. Shelly shares that while reading this boo…

1
Nuking the Moon and other Shenanigans with The Uncover Up 1:06:58

3+ y ago1:06:58

1:06:58

In this episode, Shelly is joined by 2/3rds of The Uncover Up Conspiracy Podcast, Nathan Radke and Lee Kuhlne. They discuss the Pentagon UFO report, their joint Cold War obsession, what we can learn from conspiracy theory, and various nuclear conspiracy theories. Visit us at: mynuclearlife.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/mynuclearlife email us…

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