More Than a Title — Grace Vanderhei on Nuclear Energy, Authenticity, and Daring to Be Whole ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep14

What does it mean to be more than what people expect you to be?

In this episode, host Valerie Crafton sits down with Grace Vanderhei — Nuclear Fuels Engineer and Clean Energy Advocate at Constellation, Miss America 2023, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and one of four women named by CNET as leading America's energy transition — for a conversation that is equal parts inspiring, grounding, and refreshingly real.

Grace's story defies easy labels.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison during her year as Miss America. She now works in Pressurized Water Reactor Core Design, travels the world educating people about energy, and is currently pursuing her MBA at Arizona State University — all while writing a book.

But this conversation goes far deeper than a résumé.

Valerie and Grace explore what it truly means to show up as a whole person — not just a title, not just a crown, not just a career.

They talk about how you can be deeply feminine and deeply passionate about engineering at the same time, and why the world is better when people stop choosing between who they are and what they do.

They also dig into the power of optimism — why Grace believes we shouldn't be afraid to strive for the best possible outcomes, even when that means embracing change, challenging assumptions, and imagining a future that doesn't exist yet.

And Grace shares something she hasn't talked much about publicly: the inspiration behind the book she's currently writing.

At the end of the day, Grace reminds us, we're all just people. Whole, complex, multidimensional people — and that's exactly what makes us powerful.

🎙️ Guest: Grace Vanderhei, Nuclear Fuels Engineer & Clean Energy Advocate, Constellation | Miss America 2023 | Forbes 30 Under 30

Thank you to our title sponsor MOD 42

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