AMSEcast with guest Michelle Shocklee

AMSEcast with guest Michelle Shocklee

From AMSEcast by American Museum of Science and Energy

March 26, 2026 · 24 min

About this episode

Michelle Shocklee discusses her novel and the historical significance of Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project.

Author Michelle Shocklee discusses her novel The Women of Oak Ridge and the personal, historical, and emotional paths that led her to the story of the Secret City during the Manhattan Project. Growing up near Los Alamos and coming from a World War II family shaped her long-standing connection to the era, but a chance encounter with a reader ultimately sparked her discovery of Oak Ridge. Shocklee describes her deep research process, drawing on oral histories, archival photographs, museum resources, and firsthand accounts to authentically portray life inside a city built on secrecy. She explains how she weaves history into fiction by grounding the narrative in the lived experiences of her characters, particularly women whose wartime work reshaped their futures. The conversation highlights the challenges of secrecy, segregation, and stress faced by Oak Ridge residents, as well as the lasting impact of women entering the workforce during the war. Ultimately, Shocklee reflects on Oak Ridge as both a hidden chapter of history and a powerful source of human resilience and transformation.

People in this episode

Guest: Michelle Shocklee

Topics covered

  • historical fiction
  • Manhattan Project
  • women in history
  • oral histories
  • research process
  • Oak Ridge

Keywords

  • Michelle Shocklee
  • The Women of Oak Ridge
  • Manhattan Project
  • oral histories
  • women in workforce
  • historical research

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Women of Oak Ridge

Places: Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, World War II

More episodes of AMSEcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the AMSEcast podcast page.