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.

In the eighth 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 seventh 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 sixth 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 fifth 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 fourth 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.