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All Episodes

NucleCast — 268 episodes

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Title
1

Jonathan Cefalu - Is AI Becoming Too Smart for Its Own Good?

2

Frank Rose: Reimagining Arms Control for the 21st Century

3

Tom Summers: Artificial Intelligence at the Nuclear Threshold

4

Alyssa Agard: China’s System Destruction Strategy

5

David Albright: Iran, Inspections, and the Future of Nonproliferation

6

Manolis Priniotakis: Inside Nuclear Intelligence, From the Manhattan Project to Today

7

Andrea Stricker: Iran’s Nuclear Path and What the Latest Strikes Mean for Global Security

8

LTG (Ret) Dan Karbler: Defending the Skies, Air and Missile Defense in a High‑Threat World

9

Dakota Rudesill:  Who Decides War? Law, Power, and the Use of Force Against Iran

10

Alireza Nader: Inside Iran’s Military Conflict: Risks, Strategy, and What Comes Next

11

Stacie Pettyjohn: AI Development in Defense and Nuclear Deterrence

12

Derek Williams: Evaluating the Evolving Nuclear Landscape and Global Security

13

Christopher Stone: Redefining Defense, Homeland Priorities and Global Strategy

14

Robert Peters: Greenland, Could it Become the Next Flashpoint Between US, Russia, and China?

15

Maj. Gen. Brook Leonard, USAF (Ret): The Hidden Danger of Space Dependency We Still Underestimate

16

Ben Zweibelson, PhD: Bad War Stories, Lessons from the Battlefield

17

Dr. John Copper - Taiwan in Focus: History, Identity, and the Realities of U.S.–China Tensions

18

Hugh White: Navigating the US-China Rivalry: An Australian Perspective

19

Byron Ristvet: Inside Nuclear Testing: History, Strategy, and Readiness (Part 2)

20

Byron Ristvet: Inside Nuclear Testing, History, Readiness, and Policy Implications (Part 1)

21

Ben Souther: Accelerating What Matters: Urgency, Accountability, and Large‑Scale Delivery

22

Rob Kittinger: Human Factors in Nuclear Safety

23

Curtis McGiffin: Shaping the Age of Techno-Strategic Power

24

Brian Groft: Nuclear Ops, The A&AS Mission and DTRA’s Evolving Role

25

Brent Sadler: Reviving American Sea Power, Maritime Strategy and National Security

26

Kyle Balzer / Bob Peters: Reimagining the Sentinel ICBM: A Mobile Future

27

Brian Zieroth: Building the Future: UPF's Role in National Security

28

Michaela Dodge: Russia's War; Understanding the Threat

29

Maj. Gen. Colin Connor: Inside the Sentinel ICBM Program

30

Tony Peurrung: AI and National Security, A New Frontier

31

Gordon Chang: China's Project to Destroy America

32

Tristan Tang: Understanding Taiwan's Security Dilemma

33

Dr. Rich Tighe: Exploring Y-12, The Heart of Nuclear Security

34

General Tom Bussiere: Modernizing the Nuclear Triad

35

Gibum Kim - Navigating South Korean Politics: A New Era

36

Matthew Loh: The United States' Relationship with Singapore and China

37

Brent Sadler: Shipbuilding and China's Naval Expansion

38

Michael Casey: Understanding China's Nuclear Command and Control

39

Brig. Gen. (Ret) Paul Tibbets IV: The Legacy of Hiroshima

40

Pranay Vaddi: Inside the National Security Council, Policy and Arms Control

41

Paul Amato: The Future of Nuclear Strategy

42

Olena Kryzhanivska: Analyzing War In Ukraine

43

Dena Volovar: Powering National Security; Bechtel’s Role in Nuclear Innovation

44

James Dawkins: Inside Savannah River; Tritium, Pits, and the Future of U.S. Nuclear Readiness

45

Brian D'Andrea: TechSource; A Leader in Nuclear Expertise

46

James Ragland: Defense Nuclear Weapons School (DNWS)

47

Rick Evans USAF, Maj. Gen (Ret.): The Evolution of STRATCOM: From SAC to C2F

48

Dr. Tom Karako: Understanding the Golden Dome Initiative

49

Dr. Stephen Nagy: Navigating Japan's Strategic Landscape

50

General (Ret) Glen VanHerck: Cyber Threats and Homeland Defense Strategies

51

Tom Summers: The Balance of Safety and Mission in Nuclear Operations

52

Angela Sheffield - AI and Nuclear Command: A New Era

53

Dr. Satoru Nagao - The Quad Alliance: Japan's Counter to China

54

James Petrosky, Ph.D.: Nuclear Power, The Future of Energy Security

55

Rebecca Grant, Ph.D. - Stealth Technology: The Future of Air Power

56

James Graham Wilson: The Legacy of Paul Nitze: A Cold Warrior's Journey

57

The Honorable William Ostendorff - The Future of Warhead Modernization and Strategic Deterrence

58

Lt. Col. Garrett Glover: Navigating the Future of Air Force Strategy

59

Robert Kittinger, Ph.D. - Tritium, Reactors and Nuclear Deterrence

60

James R Howe: Nuclear Deterrence, A New Era

61

The Honorable David Trachtenberg: U.S. Missile Defense Priorities

62

Rob Soofer, Ph.D. - Defending the Homeland: The Case for Missile Defense

63

Christopher Stone: Iron Dome for America

64

Beth Rafferty - Building the Next Generation of Submarines

65

Japan's Nuclear Dilemma: A Public Perspective

66

John Swegle, Ph.D. - Putin's Message: Escalation or Deterrence?

67

Guy Taylor: The Impact of Trump and Technology on Global Security

68

Michael Elliott: The Intricacies of Nuclear Planning and Operations

69

Jill Hruby:  NNSA's Journey: Achievements and Future Challenges

70

In-Bum Chun: Understanding the Political Crisis in South Korea

71

Kris Osborn: Navigating Modern Defense

72

General Rand: The Critical Role of Personnel in U.S. Air Force's Strategic Deterrent

73

Tim Nank:  The Evolution and Implications of Tactical Nuclear Weapons

74

Gen (Ret.) Robin Rand: Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute (OADII)

75

Aaron Holland: A Personal Journey in the Nuclear Field

76

Robert Peters: Escalation; A Tool for Deterrence

77

Zak Kallenborn: AI safety Legislation and Autonomous Drones: A New Era in Combat

78

General (Ret) Robin Rand:  A Fighter Pilot's Journey to Commander of AF Global Strike Command

79

Robert Peters: Deterrence and the Israeli Response

80

Christopher Stone: Dynamic Parity, Arms Control, and Military Strategy

81

Capt. (Ret.) Brad Baker - Nuclear Propulsion, Merging Energetics, and Additive Manufacturing

82

Adam Lowther, Ph.D. - The Need for Dynamic Parity

83

Richard Fisher: China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, A Dangerous Alliance

84

Major David Phillips - Taking Bold Action for Strategic Stability in East Asia

85

Lieutenant General James Kowalski, USAF (Ret) Part 2 - Challenges and Accomplishments of Air Force Global Strike Command

86

Lieutenant General James Kowalski, USAF (Ret) Part 1 - The Creation of Air Force Global Strike Command

87

Lucian Niemeyer: Promoting Advanced Nuclear Reactor Deployment

88

Andrew Metrick and Philip Sheers - Escalation Management in a Protracted War

89

Fei-Ling Wang, Ph.D. - China Transforming the World Order

90

Bryan Clark - Rethinking the Approach to Deterrence: The Need for Force Design Planning

91

Bruce Klingner - Recent Developments in U.S.-South Korea Relations

92

Dave Jonas and Patrick Rhoads - The Challenges of Nuclear Disarmament

93

Jonathan Ventura - Unlocking Opportunities: Bringing Talent to the National Security Field

94

Jeremy Prichard - The History of 20th Air Force

95

Lindell Lucy - The Journey From Teacher to Nuclear Deterrence Advocate

96

Muhammad Faisal - Pakistan's Nuclear Program

97

Maj. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser - 20th Air Force: Capabilities and Opportunities

98

B.G. (Ret.) Gregory S. Bowen - The Importance of Hedging

99

Bruce Tarter - LLNL's Technology, the Development of Nuclear Weapons, and the Era of Stockpile Stewardship

100

Thomas Ramos - The Importance of Capturing History to Inform Current Threats

101

William Hennigan - Bringing Nuclear Issues to the Forefront for Everyday People

102

Greg Weaver - The Need for U.S. Strategy: Rebuilding and Expansion of the US Nuclear Weapons Production Infrastructure

103

Col. USAF (Ret.) Curtis McGiffin - Enhancing Decision-Making: AI-enabled NC3

104

Kyle Balzer, Ph.D. - The Importance of SLCM-N in the US Nuclear Posture

105

Amit Gupta, Ph.D. - Revamping Defense Production: Strengthening India's Capabilities

106

Peter Huessy - The Unrealistic Scenario in "Nuclear War: A Scenario"

107

Major General Retired Chris Adams - From Old to New: The B-52/B-36

108

Joseph Bosco - Major Security Threats Facing the US Today

109

Kevin Cooney, Ph.D. - The Morality of Nuclear Weapons

110

Rob Spalding, Brig Gen, USAD (Ret) - Protecting Our Most Valuable Asset, Our Data

111

Lt. Col. Anthony Santino - The Important Mission of the 576 Flight Test Squadron

112

Ken Myers - Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

113

Malcolm Davis, Ph.D. - AUKUS: An Australian Perspective

114

William Dale Conwell, Ph.D. - The FY 2025 Budget Overview

115

Polly Keim and Caleb Yip - NNSA Changing Perspectives and Opportunities for Young Professionals

116

Nick Eftimiades: Chinese Espionage and the Impact on US National Security

117

Rebeccah Heinrichs - The Aftermath of the Strategic Posture Commission's Report

118

Col (Ret) USAF Dale Hernandez - Education Efforts of Air Force Global Strike Command

119

Whitney Jones - Submarine Construction, Technology, and Skilled Workforce

120

Jim Stokes - NATO’s Nuclear Policy

121

Brig. Gen. William D. Murphy - Understanding the NC3 Enterprise

122

Marcus L. Lea - NNSA Workforce Recruitment and Retention for the Nuclear Security Mission

123

Zachary Kallenborn - How A Nuclear Weapons Ban Threatens Humanity

124

Brendan Melley - The Role of Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction

125

USAF Col. (Ret) George Farfour - The Role of Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in the Nuclear Enterprise

126

Bruce Goodwin, Ph.D. - Nuclear Weapons Technology 101

127

The Honorable Chris Stewart - Nuclear Policy in Congress

128

Jim Howe, Ph.D. - A Historical Analysis of U.S. Nuclear Space Propulsion and Power Programs

129

Joe Buff - Applying Actuarial Sciences to Nuclear Deterrence

130

Matthew Sermon - Revitalization of the Submarine Industrial Base

131

Bryan Bender - Exploring Workforce Barriers in Deterrence

132

Brad Gericke, Ph.D. - Ukraine, Will Russia Use Nukes?

133

Alexis Littlefield, Ph.D. : Defending Taiwan

134

David Rehbein - Dispelling the Arms Control Myth; Not All Nukes are the Same

135

Laura Goodroe Ph.D. and Ernest Rockwell Ph.D. - The Value of Military Professional Journals in Deterrence

136

Kim Budil, Ph.D. - Weapons Design and Modernization

137

"Best of Episode" - Rebecca Grant

138

"Best of Episode" - Thom Mason

139

"Best of" - Holiday Show Re-Release with Adam Lowther and Bob The Genie

140

James Kraska, S.J.D. - The Role of International Law Supporting Deterrence

141

Tyler Hamilton - Perspectives from a Missile Maintainer: A Career in the Missile Fields

142

Zachary Davis, Ph.D. - The Inflection Point in Global Politics

143

Alan Carr - The History of Los Alamos National Laboratory Part 2

144

Alan Carr - The History of Los Alamos National Laboratory Part 1

145

Curtis Buckles - The Navy's Role in Deterrence

146

The Honorable Frank Miller - Strategic Posture Commission Report

147

Codeac Solutions: Revolutionary Technology and Partnerships

148

Jennifer McArdle, Ph.D. Wargaming - The Realm of Possibility

149

Robert J. Peters, Ph.D. - The Dawn of the New Nuclear Age: Reactions to the Strategic Posture Commission Report

150

The Honorable David Trachtenberg - The Fallacy of Deterrence by Detection

151

Vahid Majidi, Ph.D. - Savannah River's Important Mission - Pit Production Capability and More

152

Mark Schneider, Ph.D., 2 - The Size and Characteristics of the Russian Nuclear Stockpile

153

Colonel George L. Chapman and Colonel Benjamin D. Jensen - The Mission of Minot AFB

154

Rebecca Grant, Ph.D. - Integrated Deterrence, Stealth, and AI

155

Major General Jason Armagost - The Mission of the Eighth Air Force

156

Tomás Díaz de la Rubia - Growing Partnerships: University of Oklahoma and USAF

157

Lani Kass, Ph.D. - Special Episode - The War in Israel

158

Marc Wortman, Ph.D. on Admiral Hyman Rickover: Establishment of the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Submarine Program

159

Raji Pillai Rajagopalan, Ph.D. - Where Does India Stand on Global Threats

160

Thomas Ramos Part 2 - "From Berkeley to Berlin: How the Rad Lab Helped Avert Nuclear War"

161

Thomas Ramos Part 1 - "Oppenheimer" the Film: Truths and Myths

162

Angela Sheffield - AI Technology and the NC3/Nuclear Enterprise

163

Howard Hall, Ph.D. - How One Academic Program is Building Nuclear Operators

164

James Stemm - The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

165

Frank Lowery - Rethinking Recruitment and Retaining Talent at the NNSA

166

Matthew Costlow, Ph.D. - Restraints at the Nuclear Brink: Factors in Keeping War Limited

167

Maj Gen (Ret), USAF, Garrett Harencak - Supporting the Nevada National Security Site

168

Lt Col James McCue - A Tactical Nuclear Mindset: Deterring with Conventional Apples and Nuclear Oranges

169

Thom Mason, Ph.D. - Oppenheimer and the future of Los Alamos National Laboratory

170

Chris Stone - Who Will Defend Critical Space Infrastructure if not the Space Force?

171

Ray Smith (Part 2) - The History of Oak Ridge and Y-12 to Present Day

172

John Swegle, Ph.D. 2 - Nuclear Arms Control: Operational Considerations

173

Ray Smith (Part 1) - The History of Oak Ridge and Y-12 to Present Day

174

Matthew Kroenig - The Role of Nuclear Superiority

175

Lieutenant General In-Bum Chun (ROK, Ret) - Korean Perspective on Nuclear Weapons and Korean Security

176

Darwin Morgan - The History on the Nevada National Security Site

177

Colonel Glen Shilland- Deterrence on The Korean Peninsula

178

Wally Clark, Ph.D. - 101 Level Weapons Effects

179

David Schild - Meeting the Challenge: Specialty Systems and Critical Applications in Dynamic Environments

180

Raphael Cohen, Ph.D. - Big Ideas on War in Ukraine, Recruitment and Tri polarity

181

Brian Green - Unpacking Deterrence Strategy and Missile Defense

182

Carl Rhodes, Ph.D. - Australia's Defense Strategic Review

183

Wendy Baca - From the Manhattan Project to Present: Preserving and Transferring Knowledge to the Newest Generation

184

Bradley T. Gericke, Ph.D. Major General, U.S. Army, Ret. - The Role of the Army in the Asia Pacific Region

185

Juan Vitali, Ph.D. - The Importance of Advancing Nuclear Energy

186

Major Frank W. Perry, Jr. - Helos in the Missile Field

187

Independence Day Special

188

Tom Karako - Filling in the Gaps of Missile Defense

189

Eric Edelman - The New Makers of Modern Strategy and the Future of Strategic Deterrence

190

David Campbell - Questions on Nuclear Waste Clean-Up

191

Carl Rehberg - Missile Defense and Challenges in the Pacific

192

Lani Kass, Ph.D. - Thoughts from a career in National Security

193

Michael Shoults: The U.S. Air Force Integration in the Nuclear Enterprise

194

David Jonas, Esq. - Presidential Authority on Imminent Attack

195

Pete Newell - Mission Acceleration and Innovation in Risk Adverse America

196

Paul Saunders - Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, and War Crimes

197

Daniel Poneman - Reconstituting our Ability to Enrich Uranium

198

Terry Roehrig, Ph.D. - Current Events on the Korean Peninsula

199

The Honorable Rob R. Hood - The History of the NNSA and Where are We Now?

200

Lt Col Raymundo Vann Jr. and Capt Gabriella Graham - It’s a Family Affair: U.S. Air Force

201

The Honorable Frank Miller - All Things Nuclear

202

BG (Ret.) Gregory S. Bowen 2 - The New Role of U.S. Air and Missile Defense

203

Steve Blank - Innovation in the Nuclear Enterprise

204

Col., USAF (Ret.) Mike Guillot - Sharing Expertise in the Nuclear Enterprise Through Writing

205

B.G. John Weidner - Weapons Effects, Modernization, and Policy

206

Christine M. Leah, PhD - Where Does Australia Stand on the U.S. Extended Deterrence

207

Eric Wollerman - Manufacturing and Supply Chain in the Nuclear Enterprise

208

Dr. Kerry M. Kartchner - Arms Control and Russia’s Objectives

209

Dr. Mark Herrmann and Dr. Charles Nakhleh - U.S. National Laboratories, Stockpile Stewardship and Workforce

210

Sarah Mineiro - Acquisition Reform in the Nuclear Enterprise/Embedding AI in NC3

211

Stephen Blank, PhD - Russia and Ukraine, A Historical Perspective

212

Samuel S. Stanton, Jr., PhD - Theories of International Relations

213

Lt. Col. Derek Williams - Keeping ICBM force on Alert and the Doctrine of "Launch on Warning"

214

Maj. Gen. USAF (Ret.) Richard Evans 2 - Airborne Leg of Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3)

215

Brig. Gen. Ty Neuman - The Role of Nuclear Weapons in the Air Force Future Concepts

216

Bob Peters 2 - The Future of Arms Control

217

Robyn Hutchins - Recruiting and Retaining Young Talent in Our Nuclear Enterprise

218

Dr. Donald Gooch: How Do We Measure Deterrence?

219

Dr. James Petrosky 2 - Electromagnetic Pulse and the Power Grid

220

Dr. Robert Smith - Workforce, Recruitment and the Changing Demographics

221

Peter Huessy 2 - Russia Ceases to Comply with New START

222

Dr. John Laudun - How to Craft Your Narrative of Deterrence

223

BRIG GEN. USAF (RET) Rob Spalding - Chinese Strategy, Active Defense and EMPs

224

Zachary Kallenborn 2 - Chinese Spy Balloons, Drones and Growing Concerns

225

Dr. Mark Peters - Battelle & National Laboratories - Their Role in Nonproliferation and Clean Energy

226

Rebekah Koffler - Ukraine, Russia and Putin’s Playbook

227

U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry - The Ebb and Flow of Today’s Nuclear Issues in Congress

228

Curtis McGiffin Part 2 - Integrated Deterrence

229

Dr. Chris Yeaw - Ultra-Low Yield Weapons - Why does Russia have so Many?

230

Dr. Jonathan Trexel Part 2

231

David Craig - Make Your Voice Heard: Effective Writing Strategies to Support and Educate on Deterrence and More

232

Dr. Jonathan Trexel - Tripolar Arms Race Among the United States, Russia, and China

233

Major Bryce Acres, Jade Fortiner, Omar Castillo - Attracting and Retaining Talent: Work Force Development

234

Nicolas M. Chaillan- Securing U.S. Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3)

235

Dr. John Swegle - Chinese Weapons Programs

236

Greg Meyer - Pantex, Submarines, and the Role of the Private Sector in Deterrence

237

Christopher Stone - Tactical Warning/Strategic Warning and F.O.B.S.

238

BG (Ret) Greg Bowen - U.S. Strategic Command and Missile Defense Review

239

Major General (Ret.) Richard Evans: Components That Comprise the U.S. Nuclear Enterprise

240

NucleCast Holiday Special with Dr. Adam Lowther

241

Dr. James Petrosky - ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles), Electromagnetic Pulse and More

242

Zachary Kallenborn - Drones: Strategic Uses Now and in the Future

243

Lucian Niemeyer - Nuclear Power used in Strategic Defense

244

Sam Wilson - Four Schools of Thought on Hypersonics

245

Dr. Adam Lowther - Low Yield Nuclear Weapons

246

Dr. Robert Peters - Red Zone Warfare

247

Scott Sudduth - Workforce Development and the Thousands Talent Program

248

Brigadier General Gerald Goodfellow (Ret.) - Technology and Fastest Around the World Flight and More

249

Dr. Michaela Dodge - The Cost of Nuclear Weapons in Deterrence

250

David Beering - Hypersonics

251

Bruce Klingner - Threats, Challenges and Opportunities in the Korean Peninsula

252

Colonel Keith Butler - U.S. Senior Military Leader's Thoughts on Nuclear Modernization

253

Dr. Rob Soofer - SLCM-N and the Nuclear Posture Review

254

Dr. John Harvey - Careers in National Security

255

Dr. Brent Park - The U.S. National Labs

256

Bill Ostendorff - Role of the Sea Leg in Nuclear Deterrence

257

Jim Howe - Highly Enriched Uranium Needs

258

Brigadier General Stacy Jo Huser - DoD and DoE Integration

259

Curtis McGiffin - Nuclear Education

260

Dave Trachtenberg - China and Russia Strategy

261

Patty-Jane Geller - SLCM-N (Sea Launch Cruise Missile) and Capital Hill Deterrence Culture

262

Senator Kevin Cramer - Minot Air Force Base and Politics of Modernization

263

David Cherington and Jeff Crater - Advanced Nuclear Weapons Alliance Deterrence Center

264

Dr. Brad Roberts - Theories of Victory

265

Dr. Stephen Cimbala - Minimum Deterrence

266

Dr. Mark Schneider - Russian Nuclear Strategy

267

Dr. Lisa Porter and Dr. Michael Griffin - Hypersonics

268

Peter Huessy - book: Guide to Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of Great-Power Competition