Shows
The Atomic Exchange PodcastSupply-Chain Bottlenecks, Codification Creep, and Mission-Driven IncentivesIn the 28th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous welcome their first ever guest, Scott MacKinnon, Senior Director of Logistics & Supply-Chain Network Integration at EtherLog°. Scott recounts how Goran’s McMaster talk on “why standardization can slow nuclear builds” sparked a pub-side debate that now becomes a full episode on logistics. The trio unpack codification creep, ask why 75 % of craft labour often waits idle, and probe whether just-in-time delivery really fits multi-gigawatt projects or if local buffers and “zero-trust” micro-measurement are safer bets. They model a hypothetical four-unit program, debate which chokepoint (reactor pre...2025-08-0151 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastAirport Ammo, Meta’s Energy Dilemma, and Launching The Business of NuclearIn the 27th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co‑hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous open with two case‑method deep dives. Goran debuts his new Harvard Business School case, Meta’s Energy Dilemma, where MBA teams weigh Llama’s vertical integration and whether Meta should own its own generation, trading land use, CO₂ and even “annual deaths” in a live financial model. That segues into his earlier Twitter takeover case, showing why students, armed with hard numbers, often side with Elon Musk’s mass‑layoff playbook while pundits and HR orthodoxy balk. Michael then checks in from Denver with a s...2025-07-2550 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastStreamer and Poker Grinds, Canadian Steel Tariffs, and Nuclear RealpolitikIn the 26th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co‑hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous open with a lighter detour on “always‑on” careers. Goran recalls his short‑lived stab at professional online poker, where the glamour fades into a smoky 12‑hour grind, while Michael explains why he would be the world’s worst poker player ever. The conversation then pivots to Hamilton, where Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised a 50 % tariff on non‑CUSMA steel that exceeds 2024 volumes and a fresh billion‑dollar innovation fund for domestic mills. Goran walks through the hard numbers: Canada exports roughly half its steel, 90 % of it to...2025-07-1837 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastCancun Workcations, Our 25th Episode Milestone, and a Self‑InterviewIn the 25th‑episode milestone of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co‑hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous set aside reactor talk to focus on something different: each other. Michael kicks things off fresh from a week in Cancun, weighing beachside bliss against the itch to keep emailing drafts, while Goran unpacks why an off‑season, high‑fixed‑cost resort can feel five‑star on a three‑star budget. From there the episode gets a bit personal, with Goran and Michael trading two‑truths‑and‑a‑lie, sharing music tastes, pet peeves, and the meanings behind their names. They recount how a stab‑wound hos...2025-07-161h 11The Atomic Exchange PodcastSelf-Driving Road Trips, European Travel Tangents, and a “Bad Science” TakedownIn the 24th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous open with a summer catch-up: Goran’s solo Tesla trek from Dundas to Ottawa, complete with full-self-driving lane changes and meditative highway moments, and Michael’s impending family hop to Cancún. A light detour into European favourites follows, where Vienna’s café culture, London’s imperial streetscapes, and France’s sun-drenched south square off against under-whelming Greek ruins and the question of whether ancient monuments should be fully rebuilt or left as evocative rubble. The episode then pivots to another segment of Good Science...2025-07-041h 01The Atomic Exchange PodcastComment Backlash, Ontario’s Heat-Wave Strain, and the AI Gigawatt ChallengeIn the 23rd installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous begin by wading into the unexpected torrent of criticism on their recent Conversation article, examining everything from disclosure-doubts to misread safety statistics, and reflecting on when and how to engage with online pushback. They then turn to Ontario’s summer heat wave, where demand has surged to within two gigawatts of the province’s all-time peak, wind is running below 20 percent of capacity and solar covers barely one percent, forcing gas plants into four-times-their-forecast output. What would it really take to replace those peak...2025-06-3039 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastRadon Reality Checks, Deep-Geological Doubts, and the Case for Keeping Waste On-SiteIn the 22nd installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous open with a surprising PSA: radon gas is the deadliest radiation risk most people face, linked to roughly 21 000 lung-cancer deaths a year in North America, yet few homeowners even test for it. From cheap basement monitors to Canada’s uranium-rich soils, they lay out what listeners can do today. The conversation then shifts underground (literally) to deep-geological repositories. Finland’s Onkalo vault may soon become the world’s first “forever” dump, but Goran argues its tidy economics hinge on having just two nearby plants, no...2025-06-3040 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastSystem Costs, SMR Showdowns, and a Dispatch from D.C.In the 21st installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous debrief day one of MIT & CATF’s “Nuclear Energy: Key Facts & Figures” summit. They break down why levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) misses the true system price tag, compare the wildly different financing models behind Olkiluoto-3, Hinkley Point C, Barakah, and Turkey’s Akkuyu plant, and marvel at uranium’s 50-million-to-1 energy-density edge over coal. The conversation then turns to small-modular reactors: how venture capital might finally enter the game, whether water-cooled LEU designs will crowd out exotic sodium- or lead-cooled concepts, and why a handful...2025-06-1353 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastEurope’s Nuclear Pivot, Free‑Market Frictions, and the SMR Supply‑Chain PuzzleIn the 20th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co‑hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous mark their double‑digit milestone by tackling Europe’s sudden rethink on atomic energy. From Italy’s plan to end its 40‑year ban, to Germany’s flirtation with SMRs after a decade of phase‑outs, to Spain’s soul‑searching after the Iberian blackout, they ask what’s really driving the policy U‑turn: AI‑supercharged demand, the shock of Russian gas, or a belated recognition of grid physics? Along the way they spar over free‑market theory versus regulatory reality, debate whether large PWRs or factory‑built 300‑MW mod...2025-06-0551 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastTrump’s 18‑Month Clock, Pentagon Power Plays, and America’s New Nuclear RaceIn the 19th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co‑hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous dissect President Trump’s four May 23rd executive orders—the most sweeping U.S. nuclear directives since Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace.” They break down the headline mandates: an 18‑month cap on every NRC license, Department of Defense and Energy fast‑tracking micro‑reactors for AI data centers and bases, a whole‑of‑government push to mine, convert, enrich and even recycle domestic fuel, and DOE loans to restart shut‑down plants while breaking ground on ten new gigawatt‑scale reactors by 2030. Along the way they ask whether the NRC can really s...2025-05-3048 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastChina’s 150‑Reactor Sprint, AI‑Era Power Needs, and the Race to Secure UraniumIn the 18th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co‑hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous dissect China's headline plan to roll out 150 new reactors—at roughly US $2.5–3 billion per gigawatt—before 2035. They probe how dirt‑cheap state loans, a 700 000‑person nuclear workforce, and factory‑style repetition let China pour concrete in five‑year cycles, and why the same formula could prove harder for India the U.S. to replicate. Along the way they tackle looming uranium bottlenecks, Generation IV fast‑breeder ambitions, and the jaw‑dropping electricity appetite of AI data centers that’s pushing policymakers back to baseload realities. Tune in for a fast‑moving...2025-05-2149 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastAir Quality Trade‑Offs, Birth‑Weight Impacts, and Regulatory RipplesIn the 17th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co‑hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous unpack a 2017 Nature Energy study by Edson Severnini that tracks what happened when two TVA nuclear reactors went offline in the 1980s. They walk through how each megawatt‑hour lost to nuclear was replaced one‑for‑one by coal, sending particulate pollution soaring by roughly 10 µg/m³—enough to erase two years of Clean Air Act gains—and why the most exposed counties saw newborns lose an average of ~137 g at birth. Along the way they debate the wisdom of ultra‑strict NRC oversight, the hard...2025-05-1532 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastApple’s AI Overpromise, Spain’s Blackout, and the Perils of Over‑RenewabilizationIn the 16th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co‑hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous unpack two seismic energy stories that reveal critical blind spots in today’s transition debates. First, they dissect Apple’s high‑profile “Apple Intelligence” Siri demo—how a colorful animation hid genuine AI features that insiders say never worked, sparking leadership shakeups, lawsuits for false advertising, and a belated pivot to open‑source large‑language models. Then, they turn to Europe, analyzing Spain’s nationwide blackout on April 28th—a historic grid failure driven by the sudden collapse of solar generation and inadequate inertial ba...2025-05-0853 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastSovereign Wealth, Nuclear Transitions, and the Politics of Canadian EnergyIn the 15th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous reflect on a recent talk by Equinor’s Chief Economist, Eirik Wærness, delivered at the Ivey Business School. The keynote challenged prevailing energy narratives—arguing that we are not transitioning away from fossil fuels, but rather layering renewables on top. Goran and Michael dive deep into the implications for nuclear, carbon budgets, and why keeping global warming below 1.5°C may already be out of reach without unprecedented infrastructure buildout. But the episode doesn’t stop at energy. The conversation shifts into a candid di...2025-05-0144 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastWind vs. Nuclear in Sweden and Why Your Politics Might Predict Your Energy PreferencesIn the 14th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous dive into a newly published paper in Energy Policy titled “The Polarization of Energy Preferences: A Study on Social Acceptance of Wind and Nuclear Power in Sweden.” The study explores how public support for wind and nuclear energy is increasingly shaped not by safety or economics—but by political ideology and worldview. Goran and Michael unpack the findings, examine why nuclear tends to attract right-leaning supporters while wind appeals more to the political left, and discuss how gender and cultural values also factor into e...2025-04-2451 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastAtomic Rivers, Misleading Intermittency Claims, and Another Case of Bad ScienceIn the 13th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous dissect a newly published paper in Energy Policy titled “Atomic rivers. The (Un)sustainability of nuclear power in an age of climate change.” The authors argue that nuclear plants relying on once-through cooling are environmentally unsustainable, legally problematic, and increasingly intermittent. But do the claims hold up? Goran and Michael break down why this study falls short—from its lack of quantitative analysis and misleading language to its sweeping conclusions based on narrow case studies. They explore the broader issue of bad science in energy p...2025-04-1642 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastNegative Learning Curves, Codification Creep, and Colorado’s Rebrand of Nuclear as GreenIn the 12th installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous dive into the surprising results of Goran’s recent research talk at McMaster University—where he revealed that building the same nuclear reactor design over and over doesn’t make things faster. In fact, it may slow things down. They explore the concept of “codification creep,” a form of managerial over-optimization that can backfire in large infrastructure projects. Could the way we document and standardize knowledge actually be holding nuclear back? And what does this tell us about why megaprojects across the U.S. have sl...2025-04-1034 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastSouth Korea’s Nuclear Success, Democratic Setbacks, and Centralized Energy PlanningIn 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 Ge...2025-04-0339 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastGermany’s Nuclear Phaseout, France’s Bet on Nuclear, and the Future of European EnergyIn 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 de...2025-03-2757 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastTrade Wars Continue, China's Thorium Discovery, and the Management Challenge in Nuclear EnergyIn the 9th 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 uran...2025-03-2057 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastJordan Peterson Talks and Why Canada Needs Deeper U.S. Integration, Not Tariff RetaliationIn the 8th 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 nu...2025-03-1148 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastBad Science, Misleading Studies, and the Truth About Nuclear vs. RenewablesIn the 7th 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...2025-03-0441 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastMichael’s Path to Nuclear, Safety Misconceptions, and the Critical Thinking ProblemIn the 6th 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...2025-02-2657 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastThe Globe and Mail Nuclear Conference, SMR Skepticism, and the Case for Faster Nuclear ConstructionIn the 5th 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 t...2025-02-2049 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastGovernor Greg Abbott’s Bill, Texas’ Nuclear Ambitions, and Elon Musk’s OpenAI BidIn the 4th 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 nu...2025-02-1343 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastEnergy 101, Iqaluit’s Diesel Dilemma, and the Effort ProblemIn the 3rd installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous shift focus from AI back to the core of this podcast—energy. The conversation starts with an exploration of what energy truly is and why it’s crucial for modern life, from everyday conveniences to lifesaving technologies. Drawing on the remote Canadian community of Iqaluit, they discuss how extreme environments expose the challenges of traditional energy sources and the complexities of deploying renewables. Throughout the episode, they examine the “effort problem,” the hidden costs of handwashing clothes vs. automated solutions, and why abundant, reliable...2025-02-0524 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastDeepSeek’s Disruption in AI, AI's Energy Demands, and the Implications for NuclearIn the 2nd installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous dive into the groundbreaking advancements of DeepSeek, the Chinese AI company that's making waves in the tech industry. We explore the implications of DeepSeek's cost-efficient R1 model on AI innovation, the competitive landscape of U.S.-China tech relations, and the ripple effects on the stock market, including a historic sell-off in major tech stocks like Nvidia. This episode ties it all back to the energy demands of AI, raising the question: Is DeepSeek’s efficiency a threat to nuclear energy, or does the...2025-01-2939 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastThe Stargate Project, Generative AI, and the Future of Nuclear EnergyIn the 1st installment of The Atomic Exchange Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous discuss the groundbreaking announcement of the Stargate Project, an ambitious $500 billion initiative launched by President Donald Trump and tech leaders, aimed at advancing artificial intelligence across the U.S. The episode explores the project’s massive energy demands, its implications for AI development, and the potential role of nuclear energy as a sustainable power source for data centers. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the intersection of AI and energy, the hurdles to building nuclear power plants, and why this moment marks a t...2025-01-2739 minThe Atomic Exchange PodcastWelcome to the Atomic Exchange PodcastIn this introductory episode, co-hosts Dr. Goran Calic and Michael Tadrous welcome listeners to The Atomic Exchange Podcast. They dive into their motivations for creating the podcast, share personal stories about how they became passionate about nuclear energy, and discuss the podcast's mission to spark engaging conversations about nuclear energy, energy policy, and global innovation.This episode sets the stage for what’s to come: authentic perspectives, thought-provoking discussions, and an honest exploration of the pros and cons of nuclear energy. Whether you're curious about energy solutions or passionate about sustainability, Atomic Exchange promises a refreshing and infor...2025-01-2720 min
Bill Kelly ShowDetails on Paid Sick Leave program, Ontario's LTC wasn't prepared for pandemic: AG Report & Antidepressant use among youth is skyrocketingThe Bill Kelly Show Podcast:
After Ontario Premier Doug Ford promised “one of the best” paid sick day programs in North America, the provincial government is announcing workers who have been impacted by COVID-19 will be able to access three paid sick days.
Called the Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Program, the provincial government billed the initiative as the “most generous pandemic paid leave in the country.”
The program will be administered by the WSIB and the provincial government will reimburse employers 100 per cent of the employee’s wage for up to $200 a day. The p...2021-04-2952 min