For many of us, the last few weeks of the year are all about spending time with loved ones…and shopping for gifts like there’s no tomorrow. Here at NEI, we’re taking this time to gear up for Fissionary’s season 5 premiere!
Luckily for those of you still looking for the perfect gifts, there’s a Fissionary episode for everyone on your list. Make sure you and your friends and family are all caught up on our award-winning podcast before we come back with new episodes in the new year!
For the Nostalgic: The Tea on Nuclear with Mary and Jordan
As we reflect on our own 2025, Fissionary’s season 4 premiere helps us take a look back on nuclear’s eventful year. Our favorite cohosts, Mary and Jordan, catch up on everything that happened in the world of nuclear energy, from notable investments to new reactors breaking ground to nuclear’s growing role in powering AI. Nuclear has gone from fighting for a seat at the table to being the energy source everyone’s talking about – that’s something to celebrate!
For the Tech Bro: A Tech Insider’s Look at Nuclear with Faraz Ahmed
From the energy world to the tech world and beyond, the word (or abbreviation) of the year has been “AI”. As this industry continues growing at a rapid rate, companies are turning to nuclear to power it all. This episode’s guest, Faraz Ahmed, is a true tech insider, with a resume including Amazon, GE, NextEra, and British Nuclear Fuels. Faraz provides an expert’s look at why nuclear is an essential asset in both the digital sphere and our everyday lives.
For the Sci-Fi Fan: Ticket to Mars with Dr. David Poston
Though it sounds like the plot of a Star Trek episode, the idea of nuclear in space isn’t quite that far-fetched! Dr. David Poston of SpaceNukes, a leader in the push to use nuclear energy to power space exploration, explains why nuclear is such a great fit for the job. According to Dr. Poston, humans have the power to make big ideas like interplanetary travel happen – and nuclear is the perfect way to power that innovation.
For the Vision Boarder: Preparing Nuclear Waste for the Next Ice Age with Lisa Frizzell
Your most Type A friend might already be coordinating their 2026 calendar, but no one is planning ahead like Canada’s Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). This episode’s guest, Lisa Frizzell, explains that it is not only important to manage nuclear waste properly and safely, but also to clearly communicate how we do so. Lisa walks us through every part of NWMO’s plan, from science to safety to collaboration with local and Indigenous communities to make sure their storage infrastructure is built to last (and last and last).
For the Party Animal: Bringing the Party to Nuclear with Ryan Pickering
Return Fissionary and on-grid enthusiast Ryan Pickering is taking a whole new approach to nuclear advocacy. He wears many hats, from collaborating with Indigenous leaders to travelling around the world to spread the good word on nuclear to throwing a rave in support of nuclear legislation in California. Your friend who’s planning to stay out all night on New Year’s Eve is sure to love Ryan’s advocacy style.
For the Overachiever: Nuclear Advocacy from A to Zeta with Jose Gaona
We mean overachiever in a good way, of course! This episode’s guest, Jose Gaona, became an elected official in his hometown at just 16 and went on to found Gen Z Emerging Technology Action (ZETA) in his 20s. Jose discusses his work with ZETA, platforming Gen Z leaders in the fields of policy and technology – including nuclear energy. As this generation steps into the energy conversation, organizations like ZETA are becoming invaluable and Jose is leading the charge.
For the Political Fanatic: A State’s Recipe for Nuclear Success with Sue Rezin
While we tend to hear a lot of government news at the federal level, it is just as important to tune into what is happening in the states, and Illinois State Senator Sue Rezin helps us do just that in this Fissionary episode. Sue, a longtime nuclear advocate, makes the compelling case for Illinois as a nuclear energy leader. She has been working to overturn her state’s nuclear moratorium and unleash its full potential, with climate goals and powering AI top of mind.
For the College Sports Fan: I Heart Nuclear: Going Viral on GameDay with Gabriel Ivory
Next time the football fan in your life tunes into College GameDay, they might get a side of nuclear advocacy with their game analysis thanks to Gabriel Ivory. The Texas A&M graduate brought his “I Heart Nuclear” sign to a GameDay broadcast on his campus last year, bringing nuclear spirit to a whole new audience. In his Fissionary episode, Gabriel talks about what led him to nuclear engineering as well as advocacy and why it’s so important to bring nuclear into the conversation, even in the most unexpected places.
Grab a cup of hot cocoa and a blanket and settle in with your season 4 episode of choice this holiday season. And mark your calendar – Fissionary season 5 premieres January 8!
