Big Ideas Lab

In the 1960s, a quiet revolution was taking shape behind the scenes—one that would eventually touch every corner of our modern world. As Cold War tensions rose and the future grew more uncertain, scientists embarked on a mission to harness a new kind of power: high performance computing. What began as an effort to solve complex nuclear challenges would soon transform the way we think, work, and live. From early machines like the UNIVAC-1, nicknamed an "oversized toaster," to today’s supercomputers capable of simulating entire worlds, this episode explores how Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s relentless innovations have transformed technology—and continue to shape the future of our everyday lives. --- Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace. Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle. Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch. Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance): Michel Mccoy, Former Director of LLNL's Advanced Simulation and Computing ProgramRob Neely, Associate  Director for Weapon Simulation and Computing at LLNLBecky Springmeyer, Division Leader for Livermore Computing.Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. 

In the wake of the Soviet Union's first atomic bomb test, the looming threat of nuclear war sent shockwaves through the United States. Air raid sirens blared, bomb shelters were built, and schoolchildren were drilled in "Duck and Cover" tactics. But the U.S. government knew preparation wasn’t enough—they needed a breakthrough, something far more powerful to shift the balance of power.Their answer was nuclear deterrence: the idea that the best protection against a nuclear attack is the fear of retaliation. This sparked a race to develop a weapon so powerful that the Soviets wouldn’t dare challenge it.At the center of this effort was physicist Ernest Lawrence, whose visionary leadership not only pushed the boundaries of nuclear science but also laid the foundation for a lab that would revolutionize both national security and scientific discovery. This is the story of how Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was born—and how it began to change the world.---Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.Narrated by Matthew Powell.Video Production by Levi Hanusch.Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):Tom Ramos, LLNL Physicist & Author of From Berkeley to Berlin Bruce Tarter, Former LLNL Director & Author of The American Lab Rob Neely, Associate  Director for Weapon Simulation and Computing at LLNLBrought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

What if one square mile could change the world?Welcome to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where groundbreaking scientific discoveries are transforming the way we understand, interact with and shape our reality.Tucked just beyond the San Francisco Bay, this hub of innovation is home to some of the brightest minds tackling humanity's toughest challenges. In this episode, we pull back the curtain for a rare insider’s tour. You’ll hear stories of breakthrough innovations, the science that powers them, and the people brave enough to push the limits of what's known. Step inside a world where the future is being written—one discovery at a time.---Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.Narrated by Matthew Powell.Video Production by Levi Hanusch.Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):Kim Budil, LLNL DirectorPat Falcone,  LLNL Deputy Director of Science and TechnologyBrian Cracchiola, LLNL Explosive Operations Manager for the Strategic Deterrence DirectorateRazi Haque, LLNL Implantable Microsystems Group LeadCarolyn Zerkle, LLNL  Principal Deputy DirectorTom Ramos, LLNL Physicist & Author of From Berkeley to Berlin Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Welcome to the Big Ideas Lab, a weekly podcast that takes you 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.New episodes release weekly. Subscribe now.  ---Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced and Written by Lacey Peace.Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.Narrated by Matthew Powell.Video Production by Levi Hanusch.Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):Kim Budil, LLNL DirectorPat Falcone,  LLNL Deputy Director of Science and TechnologyBrian Cracchiola, LLNL Explosive Operations Manager for the Strategic Deterrence DirectorateRazi Haque, LLNL Implantable Microsystems Group LeadJeff Florando, LLNL Associate Program Director for Hydrodynamic and Subcritical Experiments in the Weapons Physics and Design ProgramTom Ramos, Former LLNL PhysicistCarolyn Zerkle, LLNL  Principal Deputy DirectorMichel Mccoy, Former Director of LLNL's Advanced Simulation and Computing ProgramTeresa Bailey, LLNL Associate Program Director for Computational Physics in the Weapons Simulation and Computing TeamMichael Stadermann, LLNL Program Manager for Target FabricationCaitlin Silberman, LLNL ArchivistBrought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.