Atomic Countdown

Experts from the world of nuclear threats and international security will share personal stories from their professional experience.

Hollywood, Health & Society presents a virtual storytelling event with experts from the world of nuclear threats and international security, who will share amusing, poignant and personal accounts of key moments in their professional lives. Scientists, policy analysts and activists will present five-minute stories of their experiences working for national security in the U.S. and in critical global hotspots.

Their insightful and moving narratives—honed with help from TV/film writers from Madam Secretary, Designated Survivor, Crazy Rich Asians and others, and storytellers for The Moth—will inspire, inform and entertain.

• JENNIFER CECIL (Moderator) | Executive producer/writer for Fried Green Tomatoes (NBC); other TV credits include Notorious, Hell on Wheels, Heartbeat, Private Practice, 90210, Brothers and Sisters and One Tree Hill

PRESENTERS/STORYTELLERS:

• COREY HINDERSTEIN—VP, International Fuel Cycle Strategies, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI); story: “Mountain Climbing for Policy Wonks” 00:07:04

• RICK WAYMAN—former president/CEO, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation; story: “The Fear of God” 00:13:19

• ALLEGRA HARPOOTLIAN—communications manager, Peace & Security ReThink Media; story: “When Doomscrolling Is Your Job” 00:19:23

• LAURA ROCKWOOD—director, Open Nuclear Network, One Earth Future; story: “Baghdad is Burning” 00:26:12

• MICHELLE DOVER—director of programs, Ploughshares Fund; story: “Not the West Wing” 00:33:44

• JAMES McKEON —program officer, Global Nuclear Policy, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI); story: “The Nuclear Hotline” 00:46:49

• SIMONE WILLIAMS—program manager/research associate, Project on Nuclear Issues, CSIS Center for Strategic & International Studies; story: “Dare to Dream” 00:56:45

• CECILI THOMPSON WILLIAMS—executive director, Beyond the Bomb; story: “Optimistic Rage” 01:02:57

• NATASHA BAJEMA—director, Converging Risks Lab, Council on Strategic Risks; story: “Lean into You” 01:08:44

• “The Last Minutes” story will be presented by actor PARISA FITZ-HENLEY (Jessica Jones; Luke Cage; Midnight, Texas), who stars in the upcoming ABC medical drama Triage. 01:17:28

• Montage of how nuclear weaponry and issues have been presented on television and film throughout the years at 00:42:10

STORYTELLING COACHES:

• DAVID CRABB

• BRYAN KETT

• JOCELYN LEHRER

• GAIL A. THOMAS