Homegrown: OKC

Caty Szeto is a woman with a dream: to become a K-Pop superstar. The 23-year-old Asian American is traveling from her home in LA to South Korea’s capital Seoul to attend a K-Pop academy. There she’ll do hardcore training in singing, dancing and styling. All this is to prepare for make-or-break auditions for K-Pop entertainment agencies. If she makes it, Caty could be like all those chart-topping idols who travel the world, perform to legions of fans and make millions. But this quest has its challenges. Caty finds out about ageism in the industry, where many new idols are in their teens. Then she comes face-to-face with incredibly specific K-beauty standards while navigating being a foreigner in K-Pop. Over just three months, our host journalist Haeryun Kang follows Caty to see if she can overcome these obstacles and reach K-Pop stardom. Listen to Mission K-Pop on all platforms or wherever you get your podcasts. Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Daryl Johnson, a former DHS and ATF analyst who warned early about resurgent right-wing extremism. He recounts his report on domestic threats and the backlash that followed. Conversations cover the persistence of conspiracy theories, how extremists idolize McVeigh, and how online networks and political cycles fuel modern violence.

Stephen Jones, the defense attorney who represented Timothy McVeigh, reflects on taking a high-risk, high-profile murder trial. He describes meetings with McVeigh, a strategy focused on conspiracy and reasonable doubt, clashes with media leaks, and courtroom ethics amid intense scrutiny.

Merrick Garland, a federal judge who led early Justice Department work on the Oklahoma City bombing, recalls arriving at the blast site and building a focused, low-profile prosecution. He describes assembling a tight team, avoiding spectacle, and why narrowing the case mattered. The episode also explores how presidential reaction and political rhetoric shaped the national response.

A detailed reconstruction of the April 19, 1995 bombing and its immediate human toll. Dramatic rescues, makeshift medical care, and the grief of families who searched for loved ones. The statewide volunteer mobilization and blood drives that followed. The fast-moving criminal investigation that traced a hidden VIN, rental records, and a routine traffic stop leading to an arrest.

Michael Fortier, an acquaintance who struggled with ambivalence about the plot, and Timothy McVeigh, the central perpetrator whose own words are read aloud. They discuss the months of detailed planning, fake IDs and cover tradecraft, acquiring fertilizer and barrels, rehearsal and setbacks, and the final drive toward the Murrah building.

A drifting veteran's descent into right-wing rage and road life. Visits to a Michigan farm and gun shows that normalized violent rhetoric. The Waco siege as a galvanizing moment that pushed him toward planning a catastrophic attack. Quiet preparations in rural America and how ordinary purchases enabled an extraordinary crime.

Ron Capus, a former Army colleague of Timothy McVeigh, shares insights on McVeigh's military persona and the shocking transformation he underwent. Initially seen as an exemplary soldier with commendations from his Gulf War service, McVeigh's outlook soured after failing a crucial Special Forces training. Capus recounts the unraveling of McVeigh’s mental state, his engaging yet tumultuous relationships, and the rising racial tensions that influenced his extremist views. The conversation paints a complex picture of how a decorated veteran became a notorious figure.

Exploring the truth behind the Oklahoma City Bombing and Timothy McVeigh's connection to a racist novel that inspired the attack. Delving into McVeigh's right-wing extremist beliefs, his military background, and the ongoing presence of the movement today. Unveiling the ideological roots of the bombing and the influence of 'The Turner Diaries' on white supremacist ideologies.

New episodes every TuesdaySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.