Shawn Ryan Show - Episode #219: Isaiah Taylor, CEO of Valar Atomics

Release Date: July 17, 2025

1. Welcome and Introduction

In Episode #219 of the Shawn Ryan Show, host Shawn Ryan welcomes Isaiah Taylor, the 26-year-old CEO of Valar Atomics, a pioneering startup focused on reinventing atomic energy. The introduction highlights Isaiah's impressive journey from dropping out of high school at 16 to leading a company at the forefront of nuclear innovation.

2. The Power Grid and Energy Demands of AI

Shawn Ryan initiates the conversation by expressing concerns about the fragility of the current power grid and its ability to meet the escalating energy demands driven by data centers and artificial intelligence. He references a prediction made by Scott Nolan that by 2030, AI could consume energy equivalent to today's global usage, potentially overwhelming the existing grid infrastructure.

Isaiah Taylor responds, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. At [01:48], he states:

"I think it's either all the energy grid will be sucked up by 2030 or we'll fall behind on AI, which I think is unacceptable."

3. Small Modular Reactors: Valar Atomics' Solution

Shawn Ryan inquires about Valar Atomics' approach to addressing the energy crisis. Isaiah Taylor explains that the company is developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), specifically in the lower range of SMRs, with their first commercial unit projected to produce around 25 megawatts electric.

At [02:10], Isaiah clarifies:

"Small modular reactor is the technical term. ... Our first commercial unit will be around 25 megawatts electric."

He further elaborates that multiple units can be clustered together to power larger populations, enabling scalability and flexibility in addressing diverse energy needs.

4. Isaiah Taylor’s Background and Motivation

Discussing his personal journey, Isaiah shares his humble beginnings, growing up in the Midwest on food stamps, and the significant influence of his supportive parents. Despite financial hardships, his father's unwavering belief in his ability to solve large-scale problems fueled his ambition.

At [05:32], Isaiah reflects on his upbringing:

"I like to say that my dad will prove to have been one of the greatest investors in history ... My dad invested in me to be able to do that."

His fascination with nuclear energy traces back to his great-grandfather's involvement in the Manhattan Project, sparking a lifelong passion for making nuclear energy accessible and efficient.

5. Challenges in the Nuclear Industry

Shawn Ryan shifts the focus to the broader nuclear industry, questioning why innovation has stalled. Isaiah Taylor attributes the stagnation to outdated designs and overly restrictive regulations that hinder rapid prototyping and scaling.

At [09:04], Isaiah draws a parallel with SpaceX:

"So I think that SpaceX is the great example here. ... And it gave them a test platform to test their construction methods ... and now they're building Starship."

He advocates for starting small, learning quickly, and scaling efficiently—principles he applies at Valar Atomics to overcome historical inefficiencies in nuclear reactor development.

6. Regulatory Environment and Policy Shifts

The conversation delves into the regulatory hurdles faced by the nuclear sector. Isaiah Taylor criticizes the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), highlighting its slow pace in approving new construction permits compared to China's rapid expansion in nuclear infrastructure.

At [26:46], Isaiah states:

"I pitched 80 different VC firms ... all of the rest of them are trying to figure out is this company going to get funded ... which really has very little to do with the concept."

He praises the Trump administration for initiating policies that aim to overhaul the NRC, making it more conducive to innovation and rapid deployment of nuclear technology.

7. Disrupting the Traditional Power Grid: Decentralization and Microgrids

Isaiah emphasizes the vulnerabilities of the centralized power grid, advocating for a shift towards decentralized microgrids powered by SMRs. He explains that decentralization enhances resilience against attacks and reduces the fragility inherent in large, interconnected systems.

At [56:56], Isaiah elaborates:

"A centralized system is a vulnerable system. If you can take out one piece of it, the rest of it goes down."

By implementing microgrids, each with its own cluster of reactors, communities can achieve greater energy security and efficiency.

8. Competitions and China's Role in Nuclear

The discussion touches on China's advancements in nuclear technology, noting that while the United States has struggled with regulatory bottlenecks, China has rapidly expanded its nuclear capabilities.

At [82:09], Isaiah comments:

"China has the largest triso production capability in the world today ... But we're still back there. We're still trying to just get this stuff working."

He underscores the urgency for the U.S. to innovate and scale nuclear technology to regain a competitive edge.

9. Applications of Valar Atomics' Reactors

Isaiah Taylor outlines the diverse applications of Valar Atomics' reactors, including powering data centers, advanced manufacturing, and defense operations. He envisions reactors supplying energy to gigasites—industrial campuses that can support multiple high-demand operations simultaneously.

At [119:19], he states:

"The goal is July 4th next year. ... power data centers there."

He also highlights potential uses in military bases, enhancing energy independence and operational efficiency for defense establishments.

10. Pricing Strategy and the Idiot Index

Addressing cost concerns, Isaiah introduces the concept of the "idiot index," a metric comparing the finished cost of a product to its material costs. He reveals that current nuclear energy has an idiot index of 140, indicating it is significantly over-priced compared to mature industries like automotive.

At [135:46], Isaiah explains:

"Nuclear is about 140 ... that's 10 times to 12 times more than it should be for a mature commercial piece of industrial equipment."

Valar Atomics aims to reduce this index by starting from first principles, simplifying reactor design, and mass manufacturing to drive down costs.

11. Future Plans and Scaling Operations

Looking ahead, Isaiah Taylor shares Valar Atomics' ambitious plans to scale reactor production exponentially. With reactors designed to be the size of a shipping container, the company targets rapid deployment and iterative improvement.

At [109:01], Isaiah mentions:

"I would like to see us pumping out this model of reactor essentially every two and a half weeks."

He also discusses potential expansions into space applications, such as powering missions to Mars by generating hydrocarbons needed for rocket fuel using nuclear energy.

12. National Security and Espionage Concerns

The conversation briefly touches on national security, highlighting concerns about espionage and the importance of securing nuclear technology against adversaries like China. Isaiah Taylor acknowledges the risks but asserts confidence in the robustness of Valar Atomics' reactor designs against such threats.

At [94:00], Isaiah notes:

"The outcome is that ... you are much less likely to have those ceramic spheres bursting ... than what would happen if you crashed one into an existing nuclear dome."

13. Final Thoughts and Conclusion

In concluding the episode, Shawn Ryan commends Isaiah Taylor for his remarkable achievements and inspiring story. Isaiah expresses gratitude for the opportunity to discuss Valar Atomics' mission to revolutionize energy production, emphasizing the critical role of nuclear energy in securing a sustainable and prosperous future.

At [150:21], Isaiah reflects:

"Thank you. This has been a really great time."

Shawn Ryan echoes the sentiment, praising Isaiah's innovative spirit and resilience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Isaiah Taylor [01:48]: "I think it's either all the energy grid will be sucked up by 2030 or we'll fall behind on AI, which I think is unacceptable."

• Isaiah Taylor [02:10]: "Small modular reactor is the technical term. ... Our first commercial unit will be around 25 megawatts electric."

• Isaiah Taylor [05:32]: "I like to say that my dad will prove to have been one of the greatest investors in history ... My dad invested in me to be able to do that."

• Isaiah Taylor [09:04]: "SpaceX is the great example here. ... And it gave them a test platform to test their construction methods ... and now they're building Starship."

• Isaiah Taylor [26:46]: "I pitched 80 different VC firms ... all of the rest of them are trying to figure out is this company going to get funded ... which really has very little to do with the concept."

• Isaiah Taylor [56:56]: "A centralized system is a vulnerable system. If you can take out one piece of it, the rest of it goes down."

• Isaiah Taylor [82:09]: "China has the largest triso production capability in the world today ... But we're still back there. We're still trying to just get this stuff working."

• Isaiah Taylor [135:46]: "Nuclear is about 140 ... that's 10 times to 12 times more than it should be for a mature commercial piece of industrial equipment."

Conclusion

This episode of the Shawn Ryan Show offers an in-depth exploration of the challenges and innovations in the nuclear energy sector, led by the visionary Isaiah Taylor. Valar Atomics' commitment to decentralizing power generation through SMRs presents a promising solution to future energy demands, particularly those driven by artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Despite regulatory and competitive hurdles, Isaiah's strategic approach and entrepreneurial spirit position Valar Atomics as a key player in the renaissance of nuclear energy.