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Big Ideas Lab

Big Ideas Lab

By: Mission.org
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Your exploration inside Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Hear untold stories, meet boundary-pushing pioneers and get unparalleled access to groundbreaking science and technology. From national security challenges to computing revolutions, discover the innovations that are shaping tomorrow, today.2024 Mission.org Physics Political Science Politics & Government Science World
Episodes
  • Energetic Materials
    Mar 24 2026

    Behind every safeguard of national security lies a world few ever see. Inside Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, scientists and engineers are redefining how explosions are developed, modeled, and tested to ensure the United States maintains a safe, secure, and reliable deterrent. From molecule-level physics to exascale computing systems, the Energetic Materials Center is the hub of subject matter expertise in explosive science at LLNL. EMC is partnering in global scientific collaborations aimed at reducing risk, advancing security, and shaping the future of deterrence in a rapidly changing world.

    Guests featured (in order of appearance):

    • Lara Leininger, Director of Energetic Materials Center, LLNL
    • Alex Gash, Deputy Director of Energetic Materials Center, LLNL

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    Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

    Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

    Script by Caroline Kidd.

    Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

    Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

    Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

    Narrated by Matthew Powell.

    Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

    Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    22 mins
  • Target Fabrication
    Mar 10 2026

    At the center of every experiment at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility is a target - a tiny, precisely engineered object built to withstand the intensity of the world’s highest energy laser system. Join us as we explore target fabrication: the craft behind capsules made of diamond, their intricate assemblies, and cross continental journeys that make fusion experiments possible.

    Guests featured (in order of appearance):

    • Michael Stadermann, Target Fabrication Program Manager, LLNL
    • Jared Hund, LLNL Contract Manager at General Atomics

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    Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

    Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

    Script by Dara Bates.

    Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

    Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

    Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

    Narrated by Matthew Powell.

    Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

    Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    14 mins
  • 24 Hour Operations
    Feb 24 2026

    The world’s most demanding science never sleeps.

    From facilities that operate around the clock to the people monitoring safety, power, and infrastructure overnight, this episode goes behind the scenes of the invisible operations at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory that keep critical science moving forward - even when nothing appears to be happening.

    Guests featured (in order of appearance):

    • Cynthia Rivera, Principal Associate Director of Operations & Business, LLNL
    • Robert Scripp, Emergency Management Department Head, LLNL

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    Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

    Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch.

    Script by Elizabeth Sherman.

    Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell.

    Story Editing by Levi Hanusch.

    Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

    Narrated by Matthew Powell.

    Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

    Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    12 mins
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