Silkwood

Though she and her boyfriend Drew were originally excited to help usher in the age of atomic energy, the seeds of Karen Silkwood's disillusionment grew after she participated in her first strike and began witnessing an increasing number of safety issues and accidents. Before Karen worked at Kerr-McGee's Cimarron plant, an environmentalist named Irene Younghein got found out about its existence and, through anonymous attempted whistleblowers, found out about many points of concern - accidents, unsafe practices, and the Atomic Energy Commission turning a blind eye to infractions. Had Younhein and Karen met, the trajectory of the story might have turned out. In Karen's time, and outside of work, her intimate relationship with Drew, like her attitude about her job, was in a seemingly constant state of change.This episode was written by Cathy O’Neal.Silkwood is produced, researched, and narrated by Erica Lee. Additional research by Aimee Worley. Edited and produced by Vincent Strange. Artwork is by Erica Lee and theme music is by Brightside Studio.For more information about the podcast, including sources, please visit GoneCold.com/Silkwood #KarenSilkwood #Silkwood #OKC #Whistleblower #Conspiracy #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #ColdCase #CrimeStories #PodcastRecommendations #TrueCrimeCommunity #CrimeJunkie #MysteryPodcast #TrueCrimeObsessed #CrimeDocs #InvestigationDiscovery #PodcastAddict #TrueCrimeFan #CriminalJustice #ForensicFiles #TrueCrimeAddict #TrueCrimeLovers #CrimeScene #PodcastLife

When Karen Silkwood became involved with the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union Local 5283, it wasn’t long before she was participating in her first strike. Kerr-McGee was holding strong against the picketers. They hired line-breakers and went about business as usual, which also unfortunately meant operating at the risk of their employees, as safety precautions and conditions were far less than ideal at the Cimarron, Oklahoma facility. Both the Kerr-McGee and the United States government had a history of placing their business experiments over the lives of citizens and workers. When the strike was over, nothing had changed. Except Karen Silkwood, who was more determined than ever to make a difference and stand up for what was right.This episode was written by Cathy O’Neal.Silkwood is produced, researched, and narrated by Erica Lee. Additional research by Aimee Worley. Edited and produced by Vincent Strange. Artwork is by Erica Lee and theme music is by Brightside Studio.For more information about the podcast, including sources, please visit GoneCold.com/Silkwood #KarenSilkwood #Silkwood #OKC #Whistleblower #Conspiracy #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #ColdCase #CrimeStories #PodcastRecommendations #TrueCrimeCommunity #CrimeJunkie #MysteryPodcast #TrueCrimeObsessed #CrimeDocs #InvestigationDiscovery #PodcastAddict #TrueCrimeFan #CriminalJustice #ForensicFiles #TrueCrimeAddict #TrueCrimeLovers #CrimeScene #PodcastLife

Under the leadership of Robert Samuel Kerr and Dean Anderson McGee, Kerr-McGee transformed from a small oil-drilling business into a conglomerate. Despite Kerr's personal tragedies, he achieved wealth and political success in the oil industry with Anderson's partnership. Kerr's political journey, from governor to senator, showcased his ambition and influence in national policies, benefiting both his state and business interests. However, Kerr-McGee's entry into the uranium market in the 1950s exploited Navajo workers with low wages and hazardous conditions. Despite the dangers, Kerr-McGee prioritized profits over worker safety, contributing to ongoing environmental damage and health issues among the Navajo community.In the 1960s, Kerr-McGee expanded its operations in Oklahoma by acquiring a refinery in Cushing to process uranium and thorium, radioactive metals with potential uses but also cancer risks. After a tragic explosion at the Cushing Facility in 1966, operations were moved to the new Cimarron Facility in Crescent, where Karen Silkwood eventually took a job.This episode was written by Cathy O’Neal and Vincent Strange. Silkwood is produced, researched, and narrated by Erica Lee with editing by Vincent Strange. Additional research by Aimee Worley. Artwork by Erica Lee, theme music by Brightside Studio.For more information about the podcast, including sources, please visit gonecold.com/silkwood. #KarenSilkwood #Silkwood #OKC #Whistleblower #Conspiracy #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #ColdCase #CrimeStories #PodcastRecommendations #TrueCrimeCommunity #CrimeJunkie #MysteryPodcast #TrueCrimeObsessed #CrimeDocs #InvestigationDiscovery #PodcastAddict #TrueCrimeFan #CriminalJustice #ForensicFiles #TrueCrimeAddict #TrueCrimeLovers #CrimeScene #PodcastLife

Since the beginning, Karen Silkwood marched to the beat of her own drum. She chose chemistry over home economics. Love over university. The list goes on. Far from her humble beginnings, Karen ends up in Oklahoma City, where she answers a want ad for something that fascinates her: nuclear energy. The company was as enamored by Karen as she was about the work, but work isn't the only thing she finds at Kerr-McGee.This episode was written by Cathy O’Neal and Vincent Stange. Silkwood is produced, researched, and narrated by Erica Lee with editing by Vincent Strange. Additional research by Aimee Worley. Artwork by Erica Lee, theme music by Brightside Studio.For more information about the podcast, including sources, please visit gonecold.com/silkwood.#KarenSilkwood #Silkwood #OKC #Whistleblower #Conspiracy #TrueCrime #TrueCrimePodcast #Podcast #Unsolved #UnsolvedMysteries #TrueCrime #ColdCase #CrimeStories #PodcastRecommendations #TrueCrimeCommunity #CrimeJunkie #MysteryPodcast #TrueCrimeObsessed #CrimeDocs #InvestigationDiscovery #PodcastAddict #TrueCrimeFan #CriminalJustice #ForensicFiles #TrueCrimeAddict #TrueCrimeLovers #CrimeScene #PodcastLife