In this episode of the Nuclear Leader Podcast, host Bill Nowicki introduces Michael Rennhack, a radiation technician with years of experience. Michael shares his journey from growing up in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to entering the nuclear industry through family influence and a fateful job application. He discusses his extensive career, working at various nuclear facilities and DOE sites, and highlights his contributions to decommissioning projects and radiation protection. Moreover, Michael discusses his role in founding NukeWorker.com, a vital resource for nuclear professionals. This episode offers insights into the nuclear industry's operations, challenges, and the importance of community and knowledge sharing.

00:00 Introduction to the Nuclear Leader Podcast

00:35 Meet Mike Rennhack: A Veteran Radiation Technician

01:16 Mike's Early Life and Entry into the Nuclear Industry

03:01 First Steps in the Nuclear Industry

05:43 Decommissioning and Radiation Engineering

06:24 Working with Jim Berger and Decommissioning Protocols

12:38 Adventures in Nuclear Facilities and Particle Accelerators

23:22 Settling Down and Family Life

25:32 Returning to Michigan and Career at DC Cook

27:41 Applying for Jobs: A Shotgun Approach

28:15 Emergency Preparedness at DC Cook

29:53 Transition to Procedure Writing

30:27 The Birth of NukeWorker.com

30:47 Early Days of Computing and Online Communities

35:30 Managing Online Communities

41:33 NukeWorker.com: A Resource for Nuclear Workers

53:07 Reflections and Future Plans

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https://www.nukeworker.com

In this special episode, Lori Brady, Senior Director of Human Resources and Workforce Development at the Nuclear Energy Institute, discusses critical strategies for promoting nuclear energy growth and workforce sustainability. Joined by her assistant, Anthony Brown, Lori highlights the importance of modernizing the industry, creating sustainable workforce ecosystems, and addressing challenges like high attrition rates and training new generations. Discover how innovative approaches, flexible workforce strategies, and a passion for nuclear energy are driving the industry's future. Tune in to learn about the exciting developments and ongoing efforts in shaping a thriving nuclear energy sector.

00:00 Introduction to a Special Episode

00:28 Understanding the Nuclear Energy Institute

01:22 Lori Brady's Insights on Nuclear Energy

03:09 Workforce Development in Nuclear Energy

04:35 Building Sustainable Workforce Ecosystems

06:03 Challenges and Successes in Workforce Development

09:58 Creative Approaches to Training and Education

16:33 The Importance of Passion in the Nuclear Industry

26:26 Strategic Workforce Planning for the Future

32:33 Engaging the Next Generation

41:27 Introduction to Electronic Procedures

42:03 Rethinking Job Qualifications

43:53 Career Path Challenges

45:22 Listening to Workforce Needs

46:32 Modernizing Work Environments

50:17 Addressing Workforce Turnover

57:23 The Future of Nuclear Workforce

01:15:43 Concluding Thoughts and Contact Information

NEI

nei.org

 nuclearworks.org,

Phone 202-739-8000 asked to be forwarded to Anthony Brown/Lori Brady

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In this episode, young supervisor Ryan Smothers from Palisades shares his insights on restarting a nuclear plant and building a cohesive, skilled team. Ryan discusses his approach to hiring, focusing on bringing in highly qualified candidates, even if they are overqualified, and ensuring team cohesion by involving current employees in the hiring process. He emphasizes the importance of transparency about the challenges of the nuclear industry and fostering a team culture where employees feel ownership of their workspaces. Ryan also highlights the rewarding nature of developing people, rather than just solving technical problems, and his vision for creating a good workplace culture at Palisades. This episode is rich with valuable lessons for new leaders, particularly in technical fields.

00:00 Restarting a Nuclear Plant: The Challenge

00:19 Meet Ryan Smothers: Young and Wise

00:36 Building a Strong Team: Strategies and Insights

03:20 Overcoming Industry Challenges

06:25 Empowering Employees: Ownership and Responsibility

08:49 The Importance of Team Cohesion

12:34 Ryan's Journey: From IT to Nuclear

16:51 Future Vision for Palisades

17:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, the focus is on Australia's journey in nuclear power, introduced by an American nuclear navy veteran, Mark Schneider. Schneider is working diligently to restart nuclear power in Australia by applying his extensive experience from the commercial nuclear world and the submarine service. His background includes growing up in northwest Oregon, a childhood marked by dark humor, and an extensive career in the military, including 20 years in the Navy and switching roles to the Coast Guard. Schneider's enthusiasm for nuclear power was sparked early on, solidified during high school physics, and further developed through rigorous training and real-world experience in nuclear submarines and power stations. He discusses Australia's regulatory framework, advocating for a blend of US and UK policies, and emphasizes the importance of clear, comprehensive training to prepare the next generation of nuclear professionals. The episode also touches on Mark's belief in the pivotal role of women in nuclear leadership and their unique contributions to policy and industry advancements. He ends with a call for increased involvement in women in nuclear organizations to drive future progress.

00:52 Mark Schneider's Background and Early Life

03:30 Journey into the Military and Nuclear Field

05:31 Experiences in the Navy and Nuclear Training

08:11 Career Transition and Passion for Nuclear Energy

23:45 Advocacy and Public Perception of Nuclear Power

30:14 A Passionate Encounter at the Event

30:23 The Safest Occupational Workplaces

31:55 A Thought-Provoking Radio Interview

32:57 Podcast Insights and Protective Gear

34:41 Navigating Nuclear Policies in Australia

39:49 Regulatory Approaches: US vs. UK vs. Australia

42:08 Advocacy and Public Engagement

52:25 The Future of Nuclear in Australia

59:57 Women Leading the Nuclear Industry

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In this episode, Bill interviews Adam Eastridge, Senior Manager, Operations, and Nick Culp Senior Manager - Government Affairs and Communications for the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan. They discuss the ambitious project of restarting the decommissioned plant and how it symbolizes a broader push for sustainable nuclear energy. Key topics include the cultural and community aspects of the restart, staffing challenges, and the critical support from local and federal entities. Additionally, they touch upon the future of small modular reactors (SMRs) at the site, and what this means for local job opportunities and the broader energy landscape. The episode provides an in-depth look at the complexities and collaborative efforts behind bringing a nuclear plant back online safely and effectively.

00:00 Adam Eastridge and Nick Culp

02:50 Nick's Role and Community Impact

06:05 Workforce and Training at Palisades

09:22 Leadership and Organizational Culture

12:31 Community and External Support

17:08 Future Plans and SMR Announcement

32:18 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Future Workers

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In this episode, Matt shares his journey of becoming interested in nuclear energy, sparked by reading about climate change solutions that included nuclear options. He talks about his extensive research into the field and the pivotal role that understanding nuclear's clean energy potential played in shifting his preconceived notions. Matt's personal adventures, including a significant bike journey to visit nuclear power plants, highlight his passionate fusion of adventure and purpose. The discussion also delves into the intricacies of the nuclear power industry, including plant operations, the impact of historical nuclear events on public perception, and the importance of maintaining high operational standards through organizations like INPO. Matt reflects on the need for the U.S. to embrace nuclear to meet future energy demands and his aspirations to transition into the energy sector, leveraging his background and ongoing education. This episode is a rich dialogue on nuclear energy's complexities and the pathway to greater acceptance and efficiency within the industry.

00:00 Getting Interested in Nuclear Energy

01:17 Biking Adventure to Nuclear Plants

04:15 Surprising Insights from Plant Tours

05:32 Understanding the Electric Grid

07:28 Changing Perceptions of Nuclear Energy

09:47 Career in Nuclear Industry

20:04 Challenges and Future of Nuclear Energy

24:38 Operational Challenges and Solutions

25:43 Promoting Excellence in Operations

26:04 Evaluations and Improvements

28:09 Global Leadership and Collaboration

30:58 Lessons from Fukushima

32:44 Nuclear Industry Challenges and Opportunities

37:05 Future of Nuclear Power in the US 41:03 Career Aspirations and Opportunities

43:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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1. Ingemar Engkvist’s Background and Philosophy

   • Ingemar’s unconventional leadership style: prioritizing people over technology.

   • His journey from teaching to nuclear chemistry, and eventually, leadership roles in the nuclear industry.

   • The importance of listening and connecting people in the future of nuclear energy.

2. Challenges in the Nuclear Industry

   • The current push for new nuclear power plants and the “naive” optimism around it.

   • Supply chain issues, delays, and cost overruns in large-scale reactor projects (e.g., Finland and China).

   • The complexity of regulatory requirements and the need for a more realistic approach.

3. Leadership and People Management

   • Ingemar’s emphasis on people over technical expertise in leadership roles.

   • The importance of asking questions, fostering trust, and enabling employee development.

   • Balancing work and personal life, especially with family commitments.

4. Diversity and the Future Workforce

   • The need for greater diversity in the nuclear industry, including gender and cultural representation.

   • The changing expectations of young professionals: work-life balance, flexibility, and quicker career advancement.

   • The importance of mentorship and encouraging younger generations to join the energy industry.

5. WANO and Global Nuclear Excellence

   • Ingemar’s roles as Director of the Paris Center and CEO of WANO.

   • The challenges of maintaining global nuclear safety standards across diverse cultures.

   • WANO’s response to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, including safeguarding nuclear plants in conflict zones.

6. The Role of Technology in Nuclear Power

   • The potential of AI and IoT for improving plant diagnostics and reliability.

   • The balance between automation and human decision-making in ensuring nuclear safety.

   • The need for innovation while maintaining conservative safety practices.

7. Germany’s Nuclear Phase-Out

   • Ingemar’s critique of Germany’s decision to shut down its nuclear plants, particularly the high-performing EPR reactor.

   • The impact of this decision on energy prices, carbon emissions, and industrial competitiveness in Germany.

8. Advice for Young Leaders

   • Ingemar encourages young professionals to join the energy industry, emphasizing its opportunities for growth and contribution.

   • The importance of diversity, inclusion, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and reflection.

• On Leadership:
  
  “My main interest has always been people. Even in technical roles, I focused on connecting and empowering individuals.”
  
  

• On Nuclear Challenges:
  
  “The nuclear industry has become so complex that we’ve created almost impossible requirements to fulfill.”
  
  

• On Work-Life Balance:
  
  “I made a commitment to my family. From Friday evening to Monday morning, I was there for them, no matter what.”
  
  

• On Diversity:
  
  “We need to attract the right talents, and that means encouraging females and embracing cultural diversity. We can’t afford to deselect talent.”
  
  

• On the Future of Nuclear Power:
  
  “The energy industry offers unmatched opportunities for growth, learning, and making a real impact on the world.”
  
  

• WANO (World Association of Nuclear Operators): www.wano.info

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