My Nuclear Life

Hosted by Shelly Lesher

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Episodes

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

On July 16, 1945, in a New Mexico desert, the Trinity Test ushered in the Nuclear Age. No other piece of technology has penetrated the American consciousness like the nuclear bomb and found a place in everything from culture to medicine. This podcast explores how nuclear science has impacted and changed our world in both beneficial and destructive ways. We explore the intersection of nuclear science and society using interviews with historians, policymakers, experts in their fields, and first-hand accounts to weave a picture of your nuclear life.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 7959 min

The JASONS | Ann Finkbeiner

Who are the JASONS? What do they do and can Shelly ever fulfill her dream of becoming one? Find out on this episode with Ann Finkbeiner.

May 14, 2026Episode 7849 min

Not Dead Yet | Conspiracy Theory with Uncover Up

What is going on with all the missing scientists? Should we be worried? Should Shelly be worried? Is there a Mayor McCheese secret plot? Join Nathan & Lee from the Uncover Up as they check in on Shelly to make sure she is ok.

March 31, 2026Episode 7738 min

The "best" Doomsday Devices | The Uncover Up

In this joint episode with The Uncover Up Nathan Radke and Shelly Lesher try to shock each other with the different ways humans have tried or will try to destroy us all. Watch the episode on Youtube at YouTube

March 3, 2026Episode 7250 min

The bomber will always get through | Nathan Radke

Nathan Radke (The Uncover Up) and Shelly Lesher discuss the B-36. You can email us or support us on Patreon Please leave a 5-star review on iTunes and subscribe to My Nuclear Life wherever you listen to podcasts.

January 28, 2026Episode 7544 min

(New Intro) Challenger Explosion | Adam Higginbotham

On the 40th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, we rerelease this episode with a new introduction to include Ron McNair articles from his home, N.C. A&T Physics.

December 30, 2025Episode 74

Black holes, string theory, and public policy | Jim Gates (Sylvester James Gates)

See what happens when Shelly talks to smarty-pants Jim Gates, says she is not going to talk about String Theory and immediately asks questions about String Theory. Hear about String Theory’s Doppelganger, the history of black holes, fulfilling a dream of riding the Trans-Siberian Railroad, and how it all comes back to nuclear physics.

December 2, 2025

How much time does the US need to restart nuclear testing? | Hans Kristensen

How likely is it that the US will restart nuclear testing? How much time would it take? You might be surprised by the answers. Join Shelly as she discusses this and other topics with Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists. And we find out - things can get much worse.

November 18, 202556 min

House of Dynamite | Lee and Nathan

Lee Kuhln and Nathan Radke join Shelly to talk about the No. 1 Netflix movie - House of Dynamite and answer the question, "Is the movie Dyn-o-mite"?

October 16, 2025

HItler and the Bomb | Mark Walker

How close were the Germans to building an atomic bomb? What went wrong? Listen to the conversation with historian Mark Walker to find out more.

September 2, 2025Episode 70

Hidden in plain sight. The Greenbrier Bunker | Deanna Hylton

Not actually a bunker but a fallout shelter under the Greenbrier Hotel in the hills of West Virginia. Shelly visits the bunker and then speaks with the manager of bunker tours and historian Deanna Hylton.