In the 11th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous turn their attention to South Korea—a country that has quietly become one of the most successful nuclear builders in the world. With 25 reactors and an impressive track record of delivering projects on time, South Korea stands in stark contrast to the delays and dysfunction plaguing Western nuclear development. The conversation dives deep into how South Korea built up its nuclear sector, the influence of export-oriented industrial policy, and how a shift to democratic governance briefly derailed progress. They unpack the parallels with Germany and France, explore whether democracy inherently slows nuclear progress, and question whether centralized decision-making is a necessary evil for effective energy planning. Tune in for a nuanced and thought-provoking discussion on geopolitics, infrastructure, and what South Korea’s story means for the global nuclear renaissance.

In the 10th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous go deep into the nuclear split in Europe—how two of its most powerful economies ended up on opposite ends of the atomic spectrum. Why did France double down while Germany phased out? What role did politics, energy resources, and climate narratives play? They also unpack what it will take to get Germany back on the nuclear train. Will energy prices and blackouts finally push them over the edge? Tune in for a wide-ranging conversation on geopolitics, energy infrastructure, and how democracies make decisions that shape the planet.

In the ninth 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.