The Optimism of the Atom With Tim Gregory
From Fissionary by NEI
April 2, 2026 · 32 min · Season 5 · Episode 7
About this episode
Dr. Tim Gregory discusses the misconceptions surrounding nuclear power and its potential to contribute to energy abundance and human progress.
Sometimes wonder doesn’t come from discovering something new, but from realizing we misunderstood something all along. In this episode of Fissionary, Mary and Jordan sit down with Dr. Tim Gregory, senior nuclear chemist at the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory and author of Going Nuclear: How the Atom Will Save the World . Tim shares how his journey from cosmochemistry to nuclear science reshaped the way he thinks about energy, progress, and human flourishing. Together, they explore why nuclear power is often misunderstood, how fear of radiation has shaped public perception, and why energy abundance is foundational to everything from healthcare to economic growth. Visit us at www.nei.org/fissionary . Read Tim’s Book: Going Nuclear: How Atomic Energy Will Save the World Fissionary Wants To Hear From You! Fill out our short listener survey Music used in this episode was created by Beat Mekanik
People in this episode
Hosts: Mary, Jordan
Guest: Tim Gregory
Topics covered
- nuclear power
- energy
- public perception
- radiation
- human flourishing
- economic growth
Keywords
- nuclear chemistry
- energy abundance
- radiation fear
- cosmochemistry
- healthcare
- economic growth
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory
Books & works: Going Nuclear: How the Atom Will Save the World
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