For 110 days Peter Hammarstedt and his group of ocean vigilantes hunted the most notorious poacher on the high seas, known as the Thunder. Their journey turns into an epic chase across 10,000 miles, two seas, and three oceans, through massive ice floors, violent clashes, and storms-tossed seas, where only one ship makes it home.

Thank you so much to Peter Hammarstedt for sharing your story with us!

Thanks as well to Ian Urbina. We first heard about this story thanks to his reporting. You can find his book, The Outlaw Ocean: Journeys Across the Last Untamed Frontier, on Knopf, Amazon, or anywhere books are sold. Ian has a great collection of stories and books about the lawless ocean.

Also, BIG thanks to Brick City TV & Mark Benjamin for sharing the audio from their documentary, Ocean Warriors: Chasing the Thunder. You can see a trailer of the film here.

Produced by Nikka Singh, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Season 11 - Episode 22

This weekend we are moving our podcast feed. You will still be able to listen to Snap Judgment on the radio and wherever you get your podcasts, but we want to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

Make sure Snap stays in your feed by subscribing. Next week, check to see you have the new epic Snap episode, "Chasing Thunder." If you don't see it in your feed, please refresh or resubscribe. 

Thank you for your support and for being a part of Snap Nation.

A young boy in a migrant worker farm camp in California’s Central valley gets a surprise present from his father. But the gift comes with certain expectations.

Thank you, Jaime for sharing your story with Snap! Jaime Cortez is a writer and visual artist based in Northern California. His upcoming book of humorous semi-autobiographical short stories will be released in 2021 by Grove Atlantic Press. 

Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Clay Xavier

Artwork by Teo Ducot 

Season 11 - Episode 21

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

A DJ hosts a radio show from a garden shed in his backyard. For over forty years… he had an audience of one.

This story was co-produced in partnership with our friends at Narratively, which celebrates humanity through authentic storytelling. They have amazing stories, podcasts, and so much more.

Reporting for this piece came from Jeff Maysh. It was produced by Jeff Maysh, John Fecile, and Narratively's founder, Noah Rosenberg. 

Original Score by Renzo Gorrio

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 11 - Episode 20

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

Team Snap brings you voices from four amazing people - some looking to the future, some looking at the past, and those who never emerged. We proudly present our sixth installment of “Letters from Lockdown.”

STORIES

Sarajevo

Alma Telibecirevic was living in the suburbs of Sarajevo when Serbian paramilitary forces invaded her neighborhood and threatened to put her father and brother into a camp. Her family escaped, running deep into the city, a city under siege. That siege lasted four years. Learn more about Alma.

Yangon

Ko Bo Kyi was arrested twice when he was a student in Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city. It was 1988, during the nation-wide uprisings calling for democracy and the release of political prisoners. He later founded an advocacy organization and museum, The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, where he advocates on behalf of former political prisoners in Myanmar.

New Orleans

Jordan Michael Bridges had just started his senior year of high school when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. The year didn't go as planned - and Jordan is here to offer some love to this year’s graduating class of high school seniors.

San Francisco

Brian Basinger lived in San Francisco back in the nineties, during the height of the AIDS crisis. He is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Q Foundation.

Thank you, Alma, Ko Bo Kyi, Jordan Michael, and Brian for sharing your stories!

These stories were produced by Naomi Zeveloff, Shaina Shealy, Liz Mak, Anna Sussman

Music by Renzo Gorrio, additional production by Pat Mesiti-Miller

Artwork by Sanaa Khan

Digital Producer: Marisa Dodge

Season 11 - Episode 19

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

A computer hacker tries to make his way home through two countries, dense jungle, and a seemingly endless string of technical challenges.

Produced by Adizah Eghan + Levi Vonk, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Artwork by Teo Ducot 

Snap Classic - Season 10 Episode 4

Police shootings, mistaken arrests, and growing up Black / Brown up in America. This week, Snap presents amazing stories from people facing our nation’s original sin.

STORIES

Never Again

Glynn and his family protest in Oakland where thousands gather to scream light at our national darkness.

Produced by Pat Mesiti-Miller 

Thick Blue Line

In 2012, Kari Brandenburg became the longest-serving district attorney in Bernalillo County, where Albuquerque sits. But at the start of her fourth term in office something big started to take hold of the county. Police shootings were at an all-time high and everyone was looking to Kari’s office for answers.

For more on what went down in Albuquerque, check out Jeff Proctor’s reporting for the Albuquerque Journal.

Produced by Nancy Lopez, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Captive Audience 

When Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter was mistakenly arrested at the airport, he learned that his fame could only get him so far.

Performed live by Tariq Trotter at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for Snap Judgment LIVE.

Music by Alex Mandel, performed by the Snap Players Alex Mandel, Tim Frick, and David Brandt.

DRANO

A reluctant young Boy Scout comes face to face with DRANO, and earns his merit badge in "reality."

Shannon Cason is a writer, award-winning storyteller, and the host of the Shannon Cason’s Homemade Stories podcast and the In Good Co. Detroit podcast. Listen and subscribe! 

Produced by Mark Ristich 

Artwork: Teo Ducot 

Protest tape: Annie Nguyen + Lauryn Newson

We stand with the black community. We stand with our black listeners, storytellers, employees, creators, supporters, family, and friends. Please stay strong and stay safe as we write the next chapter of our collective history. 

At the height of the Cold War, Ulrike Poppe just might have been the most surveilled woman in the world. But it was only after the wall fell that things really got interesting.

Be sure to check out Luisa Beck, reporting on all things German at The Washington Post, as well as the work of reporter Andrew Curry, whose article in Wired first got us interested in Ulrike’s story. And if you’re interested in Stasi Records Agency, can you visit their English-language website to learn more.

Produced by Luisa Beck with production assistance by Joe Rosenberg

Original score by Renzo Gorrio

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Snap Classic - Season 9 Episode 15

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

When Dr. Ayaz Virji first set foot in Dawson, Minnesota, he didn’t know what to expect. He was a brown Muslim man walking into a predominantly white rural town. But much to his surprise Ayaz and his family fit right in. Dawson quickly became home and his neighbors became like his extended family. Then came the presidential election of 2016.

A very big thank you to Ayaz and Mussarat Virji, and to Mandy France and Doug Peterson for sharing their story with Snap!

For more, please make sure to check out Ayaz Virji’s book, Love Thy Neighbor: A Muslim Doctor’s Struggle for Home in Rural America.

Produced by Nancy Lopez, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 11 - Episode 18

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

A son tries to make contact with his dad, who’s deteriorating in the throes of dementia. He makes new connections and discoveries, and as he says goodbye to his father, he is granted a long-awaited wish.

Snap Judgment presents, “Lucky Penny,” a special spotlight on The Truth Podcast, from PRX’s Radiotopia.

Content Advisory: This episode contains strong language and drug use. Listener discretion is advised. 

Thank you to everyone at The Truth for sharing this story with us here at Snap!

CAST

David Deblinger - Adam/Father
Neil Tyrone Pritchard - Elijah
Maggie Burke - Mother
Tomoko Miyagi -Kyoko
Louis Kornfeld - Obstetrician
David Aaron Baker - Palliative Physician

Written by David Deblinger

Produced by Jonathan Mitchell

Original music by Fred Johnson

Associate producer: Cara Ehlenfeldt

Associate editor: Davy Gardner

This episode is based on a stage production originally directed and developed by Ben Snyder at Labyrinth Theater Company

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 11 - Episode 17 

Some stories that seem the furthest away hit closest to home. Team Snap presents more lockdown advice from around the world, even from the places you least expect. Listen to the fifth installment of "Letters from Lockdown."

Philippines

Father Picx is a Catholic priest from the Philippines. Every year he spends months alone in his hermitage, but his first experience with real solitude wasn’t on a retreat... it happened in a place called the Dragon Room.

Greece

Noah and Freya met in a refugee camp in Greece. But after they fell in love, and wanted to start a new life together, they found it wasn’t quite so easy to leave.

Watch Noah recite his poem + learn about Freya’s business.

Michigan

Alison wanted to take a nice long soak and found herself trapped for days.

Special thanks to Juuni in Michigan for helping us out during the pandemic.

Libya

Rafram is a visual artist who grew up in Jerusalem and traveled to Libya 10 years ago to photograph synagogues and Jewish graveyards. Rafram says he was granted permission from the Libyan government and police, but on the last day of his visit... Rafram was kidnapped.

These days, Rafram lives in Tunis, and usually posts pictures of his culinary adventures on Instagram. But he’s currently on a social media break for 170 days, to mark 10 years since he spent 170 days in prison.

“Freedom is priceless, and real freedom is happening inside us,” he wrote in his last post.

When a little girl goes missing in the desert, one woman is driven to find her, no matter what. And a mother makes her own Ebola suit - MacGyver style - to save her son's life. 

Happy Mother's Day to all you Snap Moms! 

STORIES

Hunted

When a little girl goes missing in the desert, one woman is driven to find her, no matter what.

Find out all about Hannah’s amazing story, and find resources for domestic abuse survivors on her website.

Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Outbreak

What do you do when a life-threatening disease makes it too dangerous to save the person closest to you?

Dr. Phillip Ireland was a physician at JFK Hospital in Liberia during the virulent outbreak of Ebola in 2014 when families were torn apart by the runaway virus.

Produced by Jake Halpern with additional assistance from Mark Ristich, Anna Sussman, Adizah Eghan, and Eliza Smith. Original score by Renzo Gorrio. 

Special thanks to Yale NGN.

Artwork by Teo Ducot

**SEND ORLI SOME LOVE**

Orli is an 11-year-old spending a lot of time in the hospital listening to Snap. She is one of the biggest Snappas in the land! Send Orli some love at Love@snapjudgment.org and we will forward it on. <3

Who better to seek advice from than a mother? This week, Team Snap brings you the fourth installment of, "Letters from Lockdown,” featuring moms around the world. Happy Mother's Day to all the Snap Moms out there!

Liberia

In the Liberian city of Monrovia, there was one neighborhood, notoriously the poorest neighborhood in the city, that was completely locked down during the Ebola crisis. Bendu Kanu Pajibo is a mother of three and has lived in that neighborhood her entire life. Find out she managed to keep her smile. 

Columbus

After years struggling to get US papers, Edith Espinal finally had no choice but to hide from the government in the only place she felt safe. 

Learn more about Edith’s story, and support her case. Her team also put together a COVID-19 Stay of Removal, sign the petition. 

Chicago

This isn’t the first time Ameena has been worried about her kids going outside. A violence interrupter talks life and death in Chicago. Hear her message to all the parents out there.

Learn more about Ameena and check out these Chicago organizations: Pause for Peace and Protector of the Bread Food Pantry. 

V grew up hearing about her parent’s epic love story... but she never knew about the song behind it.

BIG thanks to V and her mom for sharing their story with us here at Snap.

Produced by Liz Mak, original score by Pat Mesiti-Miller 

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 11 - Episode 13

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

While most of the world continues to shelter-in-place, Team Snap brings you the third installment of, "Letters from Lockdown.” 

STORIES

Jericho: 

Osama Iliwat spent days in solitary confinement inside an Israeli prison during the First and Second Palestinian Intifadas. Learn how peace found him in the midst of conflict.

Today, Osama runs a cell phone shop in Jericho, is a peace activist, and leads international tours in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. He advocates for dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians and speaks to international groups with an organization called Combatants for Peace. 

Rwanda:

In the 90s, Eric Murangwe was the star goalkeeper of Rwanda’s most beloved football team, Rayon Sport. He was also a Tutsi - at the time when death squads were hunting Tutsis. Find out where Eric took refuge… and with who.

Eric now runs a charity called Ishami Foundation, which brings people together through sport.  He’s currently raising money for vulnerable families affected by coronavirus during the genocide commemoration in Rwanda. Help him reach his goal. 

Brooklyn

Estee grew up in an ultra-orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn where her then-husband isolated her from friends, family, and activities for nearly two decades. Hear how Estee’s spirit could not be contained by four walls. 

Today, Estee lives in Jerusalem with her eight children and recently remarried a very kind man. She teaches Zumba Extreme at the Jerusalem YMCA. Hear more of Estee’s story in the Snap archives.

Thank you, Osama, Eric, and Estee for sharing your stories with us!

Produced by Shaina Shealy, Naomi Zeveloff, Liz Mak, and Anna Sussman

Music by Renzo Gorrio, additional production by Pat Mesiti-Miller

Artwork by Sanaa Khan

Season 11 - Episode 12

Our team is working quickly to put together more pieces of advice from people all over the world - stay tuned for more. And if you have advice from a past lockdown you’d like to share with Snap Nation - reach out to us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook - or email pitches@snapjudgment.org 

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

Team Snap proudly presents the second installment of, "Letters from Lockdown," featuring stories from people around the world who have experienced lockdown before.

STORIES: 

Guantánamo

Mansoor Adayfi comes from Yemen but was detained at Guantánamo for fifteen years. Find out what he did to survive the brutality and isolation of a terror prison.

Mansoor is available for speaking and writing. Find him on Twitter (@mansooradayfi), Instagram, Facebook, or check out his website. 

Utah

If you could only write down one sentence a day what would it be? Dr. Judy Ensley found herself as a patient battling for her life.

An artist and retired English professor, she lives with her husband in Ogden, Utah. Learn more about Judy.

On the Run

Meg and Elena were in love... and escaping Russia. They set sail on a small boat, heading out into the open seas, knowing only that they had each other.

You can find Meg and Elena’s blog and books on their website.

Thank you, Mansoor, Judy, Meg, and Elena, for sharing your stories with us!

Produced by Shaina Shealy, Naomi Zeveloff, Liz Mak, and Anna Sussman

Music by Renzo Gorrio, additional production by Pat Mesiti-Miller

Artwork by Sanaa Khan

Season 11 - Episode 11

Our team is working quickly to put together more pieces of advice from people all over the world. If you have advice from a past lockdown you’d like to share, email us at pitches@snapjudgment.org.

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

A skeptical journalist fights freezing temperatures alongside a fitness guru to test the limits of his own mortality.

Read more about Scott’s adventures with Wim Hof and his ascent up Mt. Kilimanjaro in his book, “What Doesn't Kill Us." See what else Scott is up to on his website.

Produced by Adizah Eghan, original score by David Last 

Snap Classic: Season 8 - Episode 17

Weed brownies, firefighting, and friendship. It’s a 4/20 Snap Special! Amazing stories by friends, about the friend you did not expect.

STORIES

Weed Brownies

At school, Alia Volz was a weird kid without a lot of friends. She had a secret... after school, she’d go home and help her mom make and sell weed brownies all over San Francisco. But one day, Alia discovered something about her mom’s business that turned her secret into a burden that was far more painful than she could have imagined. 

Thank you, Alia, for sharing your story with Snap! See more of Alia’s work.

Produced by Shaina Shealy, original score by Doug Stuart

Up in Smoke

Firefighting runs through Nyge’s bloodline. But he had no idea what it would cost to pursue this family dream. 

This story was produced by YR Media's Adult ISH podcast. Adult ISH is a culture, advice, and storytelling show about #adulting, that is produced entirely by folks who are "almost adults". It’s distributed by PRX’s Radiotopia. Listen to more episodes of Adult ISH and subscribe here.

Produced by Nyge Turner and Davey Kim, sound design by Clay Xavier, Marcel Angelo, and Davey Kim 

Season 11 - Episode 10

In other parts of the world, the concept of lockdown isn’t new at all — being forced to stay inside a room, a building, or a closed territory is a familiar experience. What can we learn from people who have been under lockdown before, whether in a war zone, in prison or another setting?

During quarantine, Team Snap is bringing you pieces of wisdom, hope, and defiance from people who have experienced lockdown.

Gaza

Majd Waheidi has lived through war and siege in Gaza. She found a way to drown out the sounds of rockets with her own voice. Follow Majd on Twitter. 

Myanmar

Nandar is from a village in Shan State, in Northern Myanmar. At fourteen, she was sent to a menstruation hut when she got her first period. Her lockdown lasted five days, but changed her forever. To learn more about Nandar’s activism in Myanmar, check out her organization Purple Feminist Group. 

At Sea

Martin Machado works on container ships and is at sea for up to six months at a time. Old tarps and messages in bottles are just a few things Martin uses to stay creative. Check out Martin's artwork.

Thank you, Majd Waheidi, Nandar, and Martin Machado, for sharing your stories with us!

Produced by Shaina Shealy, Naomi Zeveloff, Liz Mak, and Anna Sussman

Artwork by Sanaa Khan

Season 11 - Episode 9

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

When Heidi Shin had her first baby, she took an entire year to care for her daughter full-time. For the most part, she loved it. But she also felt like she was losing part of herself to motherhood. So she decides to take a work trip to an island off the coast of South Korea. She comes away with an unexpected discovery about motherhood and herself.

Check out more of Heidi's work. Listen to Heidi's full story for PRI, Diving with the last generation of Korea’s Mermaids.

Produced by Heidi Shin and Shaina Shealy, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Season 11 - Episode 8

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

Blair can’t see his hands in front of his face. He can’t see the ground beneath his feet. He’s not in the dark: he’s in a thick cloud of fog. And then a stranger’s voice emerges from the mist, guiding him… can he trust her?

This story comes to us from Australia, the original Upside Down.

Thank you, Blair, for sharing your story with Spooked.

Produced by Greta Weber, original score by Lauryn Newson

Artwork by Sanaa Khan

Spooked Season 4 - Episode 4

Spooked Season IV is ALIVE. Our Spring season has 10 new episodes, each released weekly. We have another 22 coming for you in the Fall. Select episodes will be available across streaming platforms but ALL will be exclusively on Luminary. Download the Luminary mobile app or go to LuminaryPodcasts.com 

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

When the scariest man in town is arrested for murder, only one lawyer is willing to represent him.

Produced by Joe Rosenberg, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Snap Classic: Season 6 - Episode 30

Saidu Tejan-Thomas Jr. had a complicated relationship with his mother. But after she passed, he traveled across the world to try and make things better.

This story comes from Transom.org and was produced by Saidu Tejan-Thomas Jr. and Jay Allison

Additional production by Pat Mesiti-Miller

Special thanks to Kadijatu Suma, Haja Suma, Fatima Rahman, Alimamy Conteh, Sheri Rickson, Lynn Levy and Gimlet Media. Thomas King, Brima Thomas, and Jartu Tejan-Thomas. Thanks also to Milo, Mason and Melissa Allison, Viki Merrick, Samantha Broun, Sydney Lewis, Rob Rosenthal, and WCAI and Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole Massachusetts.

Season 11 - Episode 7

The story of a chimpanzee and a man whose dream brought disaster to a small American town.

This story details violence against animals. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. 

Thank you, Carson Vaughan, for sharing your story with Snap! Read more about Zoo Nebraska in Carson's book, Zoo Nebraska: The Dismantling of an American Dream. 

Additional thanks to Patti Ragan from the Center for Great Apes.

Produced by John Fecile and Carson Vaughan, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Additional production by Jesse Dukes and Pat Mesiti-Miller 

Interested in protecting Great Apes? Learn more at the Center for Great Apes

Season 11 - Episode 6

Betsy keeps seeing a young girl at night in her room. She stands at the end of Betsy’s bed and stares at her. She comes back, over and over: night after night; year after year. Betsy knows she wants something, but she has to figure out what. Snap Judgment Presents: Spooked. Be afraid. 

Thank you, Betsy, for sharing your story with us. Betsy is a #Spooked listener and reached out to us to share her story. If you have a frightening tale you'd like to share, email us: spooked@snapjudgment.org 

Produced by Annie Nguyen, original score by Leon Morimoto

Artwork by Sanaa Khan

A whole new season of Spooked has RISEN. The Spring season has 10 new episodes, each released weekly starting 3/13/20. There will be another 22 coming for you in the Fall. Select episodes will be available across streaming platforms but ALL will be exclusively on Luminary. Download the Luminary mobile app or go to LuminaryPodcasts.com #SpookedPod

Season 4 - Episode 1

A young teacher's daily struggles provide the backdrop for this harrowing reflection on the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Snap spotlights the amazing, "Have You Heard George's Podcast?" from BBC Sounds.  #HYHGP

In a move from journalism to drama, George departs with the documentary-style narration of previous episodes to deliver a heart-wrenching story of resilience and neglect in London's inner city. Enlisting the help of rising star Jade Alleyne, poet Sophia Thakur, as well as his own brothers, Freddie, Michael and Kenny Mpanga, George, introduces a small universe of characters whose witty exchanges offer insight into their respective environments.  

BIG thanks to George the Poet, Benbrick, and BBC sounds for sharing this story with us! 

Written by George the Poet, original score by Benbrick. Produced by Benbrick and George The Poet. Additional music by Pat Mesiti-Miller. 

Featured songs:

Chika Dole - Touch

Abi Ocia - Running

Snap Spotlight - Season 11, Episode 5 

A black detective in Colorado Springs infiltrates the KKK and finds himself face-to-face with David Duke, the Grand Wizard. And Daryl Davis is a boogie-woogie pianist who's played with Bill Clinton, Bruce Hornsby and Chuck Berry. But we wanted to talk to him about another group of his friends...

This story contains strong language. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. 

STORIES

The Real Black Klansman

A black detective in Colorado Springs infiltrates the KKK and finds himself face-to-face with David Duke, the Grand Wizard.

A whole new season of Spooked returns Friday the 13th of March. Expect all sorts of scary. And if you haven't learned by now... please, don't turn out the lights!

Season IV's episodes will be available on Luminary. Download the Luminary mobile app or go to LuminaryPodcasts.com

Be afraid. 

Mountain Village is a Native Alaskan town in the middle of nowhere. One woman is the town’s only police officer and she alone is responsible for the safety of everyone there. Her track record is perfect until one day when she responds to a call that changes everything.

This story discusses suicide, violence, and contains strong language. Sensitive listeners, please be advised.

We can’t thank Anna Bill and Jim and Eunice Bryan enough for sharing their stories with us. We also want to thank Cathy Moses and the Mountain Village Tribal Council for their time and patience. Additional thanks to Francine Chiklak, Johanna Eurich, Steve Hiemel, Shane Iverson, Anna Rose MacArthur, Lori Townsend, and Anna Walters.

In addition to Anna Bill’s work, Mountain Village is tackling its suicide and public safety crises with grassroots community programs, as well as a tribal court system that focuses on restorative justice. You can learn more about them here and here. A version of this story was first reported for NPR affiliate KYUK in Bethel, Alaska in 2018. If you’re interested in learning more about rural Alaska and its public safety crisis, we recommend following KYUK and KNBA’s coverage, as well as ProPublica’s Lawless series.

Produced by Teresa Cotsirilos, original score by Renzo Gorrio

If you or a loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Season 11 - Episode 4

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else.

It’s Senior Year and Alex, Damaris, and Brantin have been waiting for the day they get to leave Mission High and enter adulthood. Snap follows the three students for a whole year as their dreams turn into reality.

A very special thank you to our heroes: Brantin, Damaris and Alex. Thank you also to Mission High School Principal Eric Guthertz, everyone in the Wellness Center and our guide Chandra Shivakumar.

A young, newlywed couple on their honeymoon around the world is faced with a choice. Either take the airplane back to where they came from and miss their dream of seeing the Amazon River, wait three months in a threadbare town for the next boat, or do what the man in the white suit suggests, which is to take a raft by themselves down the river. They take the raft. What could go wrong? Find out on the Ruthless River.

Thank you, Holly Fitzgerald, for sharing your story with us! Read more about Holly's epic romance in her memoir, Ruthless River.

Produced by Nikka Singh, original score by Renzo Gorrio 

Season 11 - Episode 3

Mary needed to get away from her husband. A handsome stranger offered her a way out. All she had to do was participate in the strangest group experiment of all time.

Thank you, Mary Gidley, for sharing your story with Snap. Mary just released a memoir titled Point to Point. 

You can learn more about the Acali experiment in the incredible documentary The Raft. Hear from Mary and other participants as they relive the experiment on a life-size recreation of the raft. The Raft opened in theaters in the U.S. in 2019 and begins streaming on digital platforms in the U.S. on May 19, 2020.

Special thanks to director Marcus Lindeen.

Produced by John Fecile, original score by Leon Morimoto

Artwork by: Sanaa Khan

Season 11 - Episode 2

A Chicago newspaper establishes an undercover bar to catch officials in the act of corruption. They soon acquire a cast of characters looking for more than just a drink.

Snap presents, "Night at The Mirage." The story of the famous undercover Chicago Sun bar, as told by two reporters posing as bartenders. 

Produced by Joe Rosenburg and Anna Sussman, original score by Leon Morimoto

Snap Classic - Season 9 Episode 21

There’s something special about the small town of Montrose, surrounded by the majestic mountains and quiet mesas of western Colorado. One night, an explosion in the night sky draws townspeople out to search for something more. Something bigger. Something… out of this world. 

Special thanks to Brendan Borrell for his original reporting in Montrose and Delta, Colorado.

You can read more about the continuing fall out between Steve Curry and Blaine Reed in his article in The Verge.  Additional thanks to Blaine and his brother Blake Reed, Ryan Brown, Zillamay at Mountain of the West, Paul Paladino, Dave Lehman, and Duane Renfrow.

Produced by Shaina Shealy and Jazmin Aguilera, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Season 11 - Episode 1 

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else. 

An openly gay luchador full of talent faces an uphill battle to get the crowd and the press on his side. A woman takes on superhero duty, serving as a heroine of the streets. And Neal Brennan rocks three mics.

Snap Judgment presents, “The Performers.” Exploring the magic behind the stagecraft.

Magic Lamp

Glynn's good luck charm goes missing.

Produced by Mark Ristich

Cassandro El Exotico

Cassandro is an up-and-coming luchador, a professional Mexican wrestler. He wants to get to the big arenas. He's got the talent, no doubt. But because he's also one of the only openly gay fighters, he's got an uphill battle to get the crowd and the press on his side. 

Produced by Eliza Smith, original score by Leon Morimoto 

The Lusty Lady - Gina Gold 

Pimps beware! Gina Gold is on superhero duty.

Performed live at Snap LIVE! in Oakland's Paramount Theater

Music composed by Alex Mandel, music performed by Alex Mandel, David Brandt, and Tim Frick 

Three Mics - Neal Brennan 

Neal Brennan writer, director, comedian and co-creator of Chappelle's Show is in the studio telling a story from his one-man show, "3 Mics".

Performed by Neal Brennan, produced by Lina Misitzis and Mark Ristich

Snap Classic - Season 7 Episode 10

The beat doesn’t happen without YOU. Support Snap storytelling... stories you won't hear anywhere else. 

Tom was a cop. Jason was a teenager in a gang. One night in 1997, they had a violent encounter that Tom describes as “inevitable.” Tom and Jason relate the story of that night and the series of events that unfolded in the years afterward. 

Snap Judgment presents, “Tell Christy I Love Her,” a special spotlight on the Ear Hustle Podcast, from PRX’s Radiotopia.

Content Advisory: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence. Listener discretion is advised.

Thank you to those who shared their stories with Ear Hustle for this episode: Jason Samuel and Tom & Christy Morgan. A BIG thanks and so much love to the Ear Hustle crew! 

Also, thanks to Jason Cohen and CNN for letting Ear Hustle use audio from their episode,  “Officer Down” from the program, The Redemption Project. This story wouldn't have been possible without Martina Lutz Schneider from the restorative justice group, Ahimsa Collective.

Be sure to visit www.EarHustleSq.com to hear more stories, see pictures from episodes, and follow everything Ear Hustle.

Listen to the full song from Antwan Banks Williams, “Powerful”, and follow Antwan here.

Ear Hustle comes to us from PRX’s Radiotopia and is produced by Earlonne Woods, Nigel Poor, Rhasaan “New York” Thomas, John “Yahya” Johnson, Pat Mesiti-Miller, and Bruce Wallace. This episode is scored with music from Antwan Williams, David Jassy, Rhashiyd Zinnamon, Lee Jaspar and Matt Glasbey. Senior Producer Curtis Fox, Digital Producer Erin Wade, and Executive Producer Julie Shapiro.

Artwork by: Antwan Williams 

A loan shark crusades against the dark side of the payday industry, after running a risky business. A student discovers a kid named Hitler at college orientation, leading to a search for more Hitler’s. And a survivor of criminalization and state violence takes the stage as a means of healing.

STORIES

A Loan Shark’s Debt

From the heyday to mayday, of payday loans.

Special thanks to Gary Rivlin, a reporting fellow with The Investigative Fund for bringing this story to Snap Judgment.

For more info, check out Gary’s story in The Intercept. You can also contact Phil at his email address 

Produced by Davey Kim, original score by Leon Morimoto

A Kid Named Hitler

On his very first day of college, Joe swore he heard something that he couldn’t possibly have heard... 

If you want to learn about more people named Hitler, check out director Matt Ogen’s fascinating documentary “Meet The Hitlers,” in which he interviews Hitlers from all over the world.  It’s currently available on iTunes and Amazon.  For more information on his upcoming projects, including a documentary about a high school on the US-Mexico border and a new documentary series about fighting culture around the world, be sure to check out mattogens.com.  You can also follow Matt on Twitter and Instagram.

Produced by Joe Rosenberg, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Power: From the Mouths of the Occupied

A survivor of criminalization and state violence takes the stage as a means of healing.

African Americans work with LA-based director - and Black Lives Matter co-founder - Patrisse Khan-Cullors to tell stories about traumatic encounters with law enforcement. This was included in the live Seattle production of Power: From the Mouths of the Occupied.

BIG thanks to Luzviminda Uzuri Carpenter for sharing your story with Snap.

To learn more about Power: From the Mouths of the Occupied, and the work of Patrisse Cullors check out her website. If you want to hear more from Luzviminda, check out her talk show.

Produced by Patrisse Cullors and C. Davida Ingram

Snap Classic - Season 8 Episode 5

A poet delivers a devastating portrait of the relationship that made him who he is today. Two men come face to face one night in the dark canyon-lands of southern Utah. And a dangerous anarchist steals, kills, and escapes, until one day when he can run no further. 

It’s Snap’s 2019 Look Back Special... time to look back before we move forward. Happy Holidays to all! 

STORIES

A Little Time 

Glynn and his son stumble upon an incredible creature in the woods. 

Produced by Lauryn Newson

My Best Friend 

In his first appearance on the Snap Judgment stage, Ise Lyfe delivers a devastating portrait of the relationship that made him who he is today. Performed at Snap LIVE.

Original Music by Alex Mandel, music performed by Alex Mandel and the Snap Judgment Players (Tim Frick and David Brandt), re-recording mix by Pat Mesiti-Miller

Produced by Glynn Washington and Mark Ristich

The Incident At Poison Spider Mesa

The story of two men who come face to face one night in the canyonlands of southern Utah.

Brody Young is a Utah State Park Ranger and motivational speaker, helping other people figure out how to survive the unsurvivable.  To find out more about his story, be sure to check out his website, rangerbrodyyoung.com.

Produced by Joe Rosenberg, original score by Leon Morimoto

Chaotic Good

Malaclypse was part of a dangerous anarchist group. They stole, they killed, they escaped, until one day when Malaclypse could run no further...

Produced by Jazmin Aguilera, original score by Renzo Gorrio 

Season 10 Episode 37

After traumatic experiences at sea, a diver falls in love with the ocean again by building a secret underwater kingdom for seahorses.

BIG thanks to Roger Hanson. Roger’s writing a children’s book, called “A Seahorse of a Different Color,” about a unique seahorse who was born different. It comes out in June.

Roger has previously been covered by the LA Times and Spectrum Channel 1, which called him the “world’s foremost expert on the Pacific Seahorse.”

Seahorse Update: In September, pregnant Deep Blue stopped showing up. Roger thinks he was eaten by an octopus. He’s moved any remaining octopuses in the area and resettled them elsewhere. 

Produced by Liz Mak, original score by Leon Moriomoto 

Season 10 Episode 36

A woman arrives in India only to discover that the baby she’s there to adopt has just been rescued from an orphanage tied to a child trafficking ring. Listen to Part Two of this amazing journey. 

BIG thanks to Danielle and Annaporva Green for sharing your story with Snap. Read more incredible stories from Danielle in her book, A Magnificent Obsession.

Produced by Nancy López, original score by Renzo Gorrio 

Season 10 Episode 35

When 14-year-old Annaporva finally decides to ask her mother about her biological family a story so unexpected unravels - there’s kingpins, death threats, and Maneka Gandhi. 

A HUGE thank you to Annaporva and Danielle Green for sharing your story with Snap. For more stories from Danielle, check out her book, A Magnificent Obsession.

Produced by Nancy López, original score by Renzo Gorrio 

Be sure to listen to next week's Snap episode to hear Part Two of this story.

Season 10 Episode 34

An aid worker is held hostage in Iraq, a detective’s toughest case turns out to be an investigation into his own past, and a hauntingly beautiful story of a simple piece of fruit.

Snap proudly presents a classic, "Leap of Faith." Amazing stories from real people who absolutely, positively have to take a big chance.

STORIES

Sorry Pops

Glynn scours the earth for new ways to disappoint his Dad.

Produced by Pat Mesiti-Miller

Nahoko Takato: Hero Held Hostage

In 2004, aid worker Nahoko Takato was taken hostage in Iraq. When she finally returns back to Japan, she was not prepared for her homecoming.

Check out her work.

Produced and scored by Davey Kim

Past Life Detective

Detective Bob Snow never could have imagined that the toughest case of his entire career, would be an investigation into his own past....life. Check out Bob Snow’s books.

Produced by Liz Mak, original score by Renzo Gorrio

The Orange

Storyteller Joel ben Izzy tells the hauntingly beautiful story of a simple piece of fruit.

Visit Joel’s site for more stories.

Produced by Stephanie Foo, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Snap Classic - Season 7 Episode 18

Snap Judgment presents, “The 2019 Gratitude Special." 

We are grateful to tell stories and we are so so thankful for you Snappas! For all the love and support you have shown this crazy ridiculous enterprise that is Snap Judgment, thank you.

STORIES

Anti-Traditions

Glynn has an amazing Thanksgiving tradition... and it happens after Thanksgiving.

The Headless Chicken

For more information about Mike The Headless Chicken, including Fruita, Colorado’s annual Mike The Headless Chicken Festival, be sure to check out miketheheadlesschicken.org.

Produced by, Joe Rosenberg, original score by Renzo Gorrio with additional instrumentation by Andrew Vickers

Playground Bullies and Dark Secrets (Snap LIVE in Los Angeles)

Fans and journalists embark on a seven-show tour with Rihanna... in seven countries, over seven days, on a Boeing 777, to celebrate her seventh album in seven years. Did we mention this is the seventh anniversary of the tour?

Fasten your seat belts, it’s time for liftoff... 

Special thanks to Kristen Gwynne, Lawrence Bull, and Elizabeth Nakano.

Produced by John Fecile, original score by Renzo Gorrio

#rihannaplane

Season 10 Episode 32 

In the 1970s, thousands of Vietnamese refugees were left on the remote Anambas Islands in Indonesia. They were stranded without food, water, and shelter, forced to survive off the land. Now, almost 40 years later, one woman wants to go back to those distant islands, one last time.

Check out the photo gallery from Kuku Island by Liz Mak.

You can also listen to Liz's HowSound piece, “Interviewing For Emotions” about how she structured her interviews and asked questions that provided the space for people to open up to her and be vulnerable for this story.

Thank you so much to Carina Hoang. Carina is a Special Representative for Australia for UNHCR. Check out her book, “Boat People: Personal Stories from the Vietnamese Exodus 1976-1996,” available in both English and Vietnamese. 

Carina is part of an Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV series, “The Heights." Be sure to check it out.

Our heartfelt thanks to Tony Luu; his mother Truong On, his brother, Daniel, and the rest of the Luu family.

Thanks to the Outside Podcast from Outside Magazine, where you can also hear this show. Also, check Public Radio International’s The World for a shorter version of this audio story.

This story would not have been possible without the generous support of the International Women’s Media Foundation.

Amaryllis was fast on track to become an established journalist when her mentor was kidnapped and killed by a terrorist group. She decided she had to give up the transparency of journalism if she wanted to truly help curb terror, and instead joined the shadow world of the CIA. But the shadow world had its own cost. 

Snap presents, "The Lamb, the Lion, and the Fox."

A big thanks to Amaryllis Fox. You can buy her book on Knopf, Amazon, or anywhere books are sold. 

Produced by Nikka Singh, original score by Leon Morimoto

Season 10, Episode 31

A woman’s voice changes forever, following a stroke-like episode. A man living in Alaska continues to hear rumors about the elusive blue bear. When he goes out searching for one, he ends up finding... something much different. And a girl gains magical powers that lead to an irreversible and terrible chain of events. 

Snap Judgment presents a classic, “Godsend.”

STORIES

The Garbage Man

Glynn's first day at a new school is rough... until he meets a girl who knows how to take out the trash.

Producer: Pat Mesiti Miller

What Accent?

When Ellen Spencer was released from the hospital after a mysterious stroke-like episode her voice would never be the same again.

Producer: Julia DeWitt
Sound Design: Pat Mesiti-Miller

The Blue Bear

Lynn Schooler grew up in Alaska hearing rumor after rumor about the elusive blue bear. He never gave it much thought until a friend convinced him they go out searching for one. What Lynn ended up finding was, of course, something much different.

For more on Lynn Schooler’s work check out this website and his Facebook page.

Producer: Nancy Lopez
Sound Design: Renzo Gorrio and Davey Kim

With Great Power 

What if a harmless little game you used to play in your living room, ended up giving you real magical powers, magical powers led to an irreversible and terrible chain of events?

Find more of Katie Lippa’s work on her website www.lippalogic.com. 

Check out the life and work of Samantha Smith www.samanthasmith.info/

Producer: Anna Sussman
Sound Design: Leon Morimoto

Bonnie Blagg and her two friends call for Bloody Mary in the mirror on her dresser during a middle school sleepover. Bonnie thinks nothing of it until a ghost boy with long, sharp, bloody teeth appears in her bedroom every single night after that.

Happy Halloween week! Enjoy this Spooked tale... and don't turn out the lights.

Produced by Chris Hambrick

Original score by Leon Morimoto

Artwork by Sanaa Khan

Want more Spooked? There are 26 new episodes of Spooked coming this season each week through Halloween and into a spooky November. To listen to them all, download the Luminary mobile app or go to LuminaryPodcasts.com. 

When Maribel loses her little brother Santi, her very best friend in the world, she learns that love is sometimes stronger than death. We travel to Mexico for this very special Spooked tale. 

Thank you, Maribel Placencia, from the bottom of our hearts, for sharing your extraordinary story. Big love to you and your family.

This story comes to us from our Spooked correspondent, Erick Yañez.

Produced by Nancy Lopéz

Original Score by Renzo Gorrio

Artwork by Sanaa Khan

A Spanish-language version of this story will be available soon.

Want more Spooked? There are 26 new episodes of Spooked being released this season each week through Halloween and into a spooky November. To listen to them all, download the Luminary mobile app or go to LuminaryPodcasts.com.

It's Halloween Season and Snap is here to bring you Spooked stories from the dark of night!

Tales about ladies who lurk, haunt and aren't messing around. Be afraid. 

STORIES

Barbara Nichols Pond

Ever since a little girl died a watery death, the kids in Johnston County steer clear of the pond. Years later, Todd thinks that she might just be avenging her untimely end.

Thank you, Todd Narron for being our tour guide in the mysterious American South.

Todd’s memoir is Country Stories of Ghosts and Bad Men.

Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Room 324

A film producer visits one of the most iconic haunted places in the world: The Stanley Hotel. He doesn’t believe in ghosts at all. But he’s about to question reality. 

A big thanks to Daniel Noah for sharing this story with us. Daniel is the cohost of SpectreVision's Visitations Podcast, a Shudder Original.

Produced by Eliza Smith, original score by Davey Kim

Artwork by: Teo Ducot 

Snap Season 10 Episode 28

Want more Spooked? There are 26 new episodes of Spooked coming this season each week through Halloween and into a spooky November. To listen to them all, download the Luminary mobile app or go to LuminaryPodcasts.com. And remember, don't turn out the lights...

It's Halloween Season and Snap is here to bring you Spooked stories from the dark of night! We proudly present, "Spooked - Mrs. Hagstrom." 

When supernatural forces come for her kids, Curtis’s mom stands strong. Mrs. Hagstrom may be one of the meanest ghosts yet. Be afraid. 

Curtis’s memoir is Shadow of Fear. 

Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Leon Morimoto

Artwork by Sanaa Khan

Snap Season 10 Episode 27

Want more Spooked? There are 26 new episodes of Spooked coming this season each week through Halloween and into a spooky November. To listen to them all, download the Luminary mobile app or go to LuminaryPodcasts.com. And remember, don't turn out the lights...

When Dean Issacharoff was a commander in the Israeli Defense Forces, he patrolled the Palestinian city of Hebron, and later fought in Gaza. Then, after he got home from the army, Dean’s decision to speak out about his own violent actions came back to haunt him in a twisted turn of events.

Sensitive listeners - please be advised this story contains images of war and violence.

Thank you, Dean, for sharing your story with us.

A special thanks to the University of Southern California’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture, the John Templeton Foundation and Templeton Religion Trust, and KALW’s Spiritual Edge podcast - this story would not have been possible without their support. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of these organizations.

This story was produced by Shaina Shealy and the original score was by Pat Mesiti-Miller.

Season 10 Episode 26

A mentor to a disabled little boy loses a piece of himself and discovers what is gained. 

Sensitive listeners, please be advised - this story contains graphic content with descriptions of extreme bodily harm. 

This story came to us from Nick van der Kolk's Love + Radio from Luminary Media, where you can hear the latest season of Love and Radio on the Luminary app. 

A big thank you to Ed Cushman for sharing your story. 

Ed's story was produced by Julia DeWitt and Phil Dmochowski, with help from Steven Jackson. 

Original music by George Langford

Artwork by Katie McBride 

A dad surprises his son by taking him on his first slave plantation tour. And a girl realizes the computer version of herself, acts more like her than she does.

STORIES:

"My First Slave Plantation Tour"

Back in 2013, when Adult ISH host Nyge Turner was in his late teens, his dad surprised him by taking him on his first slave plantation tour. To make matters worse, apart from the bus driver and a single employee on the plantation, there was not a single black person in sight.

Produced by: Nyge Turner and Davey Kim

Sound Design: Clay Xavier and Stanley Ipkuss

"Sim Stephanie"

Stephanie Foo had a love-hate relationship with that old computer game the Sims. But when she steps foot into the latest version of the game, the AI is so good, her new Sim acts more like Stephanie than Stephanie does.

Producer: Stephanie Foo

Sound Design: Leon Morimoto

Season 10 Episode 25

When the thought of his own mortality becomes too much to bear, a father of two living in Utah decides to upgrade his own body, one piece at a time.

Sensitive listeners should note - this episode contains extremely graphic scenes of bodily harm and visceral scenes of live surgery. 

Thank you to Rich Lee for sharing your story with Snap. Hear more work from producer Lawrence Bull on his podcast Sound of Mind. Thanks to filmmakers Leeor Kaufman and Joe Egender for their assistance. Look out for their biohacking documentary on Netflix.

Producer: Lawrence Bull with assistance from Anna Sussman

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Season 10 Episode 24

Bryan Denson was a court reporter for The Oregonian newspaper in Portland. It could be mind-numbing work sitting in the cheap seats of the American justice system. But then one day he got a tip about an espionage case coming in. The defendant was 24-year-old Nathan Nicholson. For Bryan, it would turn out to be the story of a lifetime. For Nathan, it was the beginning of the end. 

To learn more about Nathan’s story, make sure to grab a copy of Bryan Denson’s book: The Spy’s Son. You can check out his other work at bryandenson.com. Bryan also wrote a six-part series of Nathan’s story for The Oregonian.

A big thanks to The Oregonian/OregonLive for allowing Snap Judgment to use tape from Bryan Denson’s interview with Nathan Nicholson. 

Producer: Nancy López
Sound Design: Renzo Gorrio

April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to preserve Lincoln’s legacy. 

This story comes to us from 1865, an Airship production. Heavily researched, this historical political thriller podcast is an audio drama that explores America’s darkest hours. You will be astonished—and all of it is based on true events. 

Starring Jeremy Schwartz as Edwin Stanton.

Also featuring: Lindsay Graham, Pam Dougherty, Matthew Gray, Didi Archilla, Montgomery Sutton, Ian Ferguson, Taylor Harris, Michael Tatum, Reed Birney, Jessica Renee Russell, Aaron Roberts, Bruce Elliott, David Coffee

Created by Steven Walters and Erik Archilla

Written and directed by Steven Walters

Executive Producer: Lindsay Graham

Co-executive Producers: Erik Archilla, Robert McCollum, and Steven Walters

Music and Sound Design by Lindsay Graham

To find out more about 1865, go to 1865podcast.com, or check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

New episodes air weekly and look for special “Inside the Episode” interviews with the writers and producers of the series to find out more about the real history behind 1865.

You get up every morning and go through the motions, but do you ever stop to wonder what you're leaving behind? 

When a brilliant inventor was robbed of his life’s work, his son did the only reasonable thing: he became a robber.

Walter produced a film called The Unknowns: Talent is Colorblind. The film tells the incredible true story of “The Highway,” a group of self-taught African-American painters living in the Jim Crow South who, when no one was looking, invented a whole new style of art.

To learn more about the life of Walter Shaw Sr. and his inventions, be sure to check out Walter Jr.’s memoir, License To Steal, and the documentary Genius On-Hold.

Producer: Joe Rosenberg

Sound Design and Score: Leon Morimoto 

Snap Classic: Season 8 Episode 10

This week on Snap Judgment...two stories about the human mind and how it can play tricks on you. A father of five and devout Mormon is dragged into a world that upends everything he knows to be true. And a young man comes to terms with his mother’s profound mental illness.

STORIES

"Tracy: My Ride-or-Die"

When Adult ISH host Nyge Turner turned 17, he became the caretaker for his ride-or-die: Tracy. His mom.

This story was produced by YR Media's Adult ISH podcast (Mom ISH episode). Adult ISH is a culture, advice, and storytelling show about #adulting, that is produced entirely by folks who are "almost adults." It’s distributed by PRX’s Radiotopia. Be sure to subscribe and listen here.

Theme Music: “Speak To Me” by Stoney

"A Short Stay in Hell"

A father of five and devout Mormon is dragged into a world that upends everything he knows to be true.

This story comes to us from Believable, a new podcast from Narratively about how our stories define who we are. Each episode dives into a personal, eye-opening story where narratives conflict and different perspectives about the truth collide.

Steve Peck works at Brigham Young University and tells this story to a microbiology class every year. Check out his novel, “A Short Stay in Hell” which inspired this story.

Listen and subscribe to Believable wherever you get your podcasts.

Producer: Ash Sanders
Lead Producer & Sound Designer: Ryan Sweikert
Host & Executive Producer, Narratively Podcasts: Noah Rosenberg
Production Assistant: Emily Rostek
Story Consultant: Brendan Spiegel
Art Direction: Vinnie Neuberg
Believable Episode Art: Zoe Van Dijk
Additional Support: Ula Kulpa and Russell Gragg
Special Thanks: Made in New York Media Center and Brigham Young University

"Head Games" episode artwork: Teo Ducot 

Season 10 Episode 23

Martin is a paramedic. He has a gift for saving peoples' lives. He also has another, darker, gift--one that he doesn’t want to use. 

Thank you, Martin Moseley, for sharing your story with us. Martin is a longtime Spooked listener. 

Produced by: Eliza Smith

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Artwork by: Sanaa Khan

Season III is ALIVE!! There are 26 new episodes of Spooked coming this season each week through Halloween and into a spooky November. To listen to them all, download the Luminary mobile app or go to LuminaryPodcasts.com. And remember, don't turn out the lights...

Season 10 Episode 22

For two years, ISIS fought to take over the city of Mosul, killing 40,000 civilians.

A group of men and women from around the world flew into Iraq and made their way to Mosul, to try their hand at fighting ISIS.

Snap proudly presents a Classic, "The Badlands."

Producer: Anna Sussman
Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Check out more from the Free Burma Rangers.
Check out the book City of Death.

"Witness the Free Burma Rangers Rescue of a Young Iraqi Girl"
Watch Dave Eubank (Helmet) run into the line of fire to rescue a young girl who barely survived an ISIS massacre in Mosul. Dave and other members of his group, the Free Burma Rangers, spotted the young girl hiding among scores of dead bodies.

"Ephraim Mattos Rescues an Elderly Iraqi Man"
Watch as Ephraim Mattos (Backwards Cap), a former Navy Seal turned civilian rescue team member, rescues an elderly man who barely survived an ISIS massacre. Despite his heroic efforts, Ephraim was not able to save the old man, who died moments after this video ends.  And the loss haunts Ephraim over and over again.

"A Woman Being Dragged to Safety by the Free Burma Rangers and the Iraqi Army"
Watch the dramatic rescue of a woman left for dead in the courtyard of an abandoned soda factory, surrounded on all sides by ISIS. Unable to carry her from the open-air courtyard without being spotted by ISIS fighters, the rescuers managed to throw the injured woman a length of cable, and drag her over rubble and shrapnel, to safety. 

Snap Classic - Season 9 Episode 14

Spooked Season III is upon us! It’s bigger, badder, and scarier than ever. We’ve got new episodes with terrifying tales to keep you up at night...

The first episode drops next week, Thursday, 8/22/19. Don't listen alone...

All 26 episodes will be available on Luminary.link/spooked. 

Download the app for free or go to Luminary.link/spooked to start a free trial. 

A man inspired by joy writes a song, then he discovers it’s become a weapon. And a boy beat down by life learns to fight back, with the help of an upper-cut and milkshakes.

STORIES

Life On Easy Street  

A musician writes a song so catchy, it takes over the world...then he finds out it's become a weapon. "Easy Street" turned into something it was never meant to be.

This story contains explicit language, sensitive listeners are advised.

A big thanks to Joe Sivick & producer Deena Prichep

Listen to the Easy Street (Redux) single by The Occupy ICE PDX Alliance on Apple Music or iTunes.

Producer: John Fecile

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio 

The Little Boxer

It's the 1950s in San Francisco. After getting beat one time too many, little Gus Lee decides to fight back. 

A big thanks to Gus Lee. This story comes from his novel, “China Boy,” based on his childhood. Lee is a courage-based leadership trainer and consultant. He’s now completing his eighth book, "Courage Is a Verb."

Producer: Liz Mak

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio 

Season 10 Episode 21 

Glynn unearths paradise. A geoscientist journeys deep into the Amazon Jungle, where rivers rage and legends come true. And a revolutionary living in exile does the unexpected. Snap presents a classic, "Shangri-La."

STORIES

"The Perfect Spot"

Backpackers are scouring Southeast Asia looking for the magical spot, but Glynn has the inside tip.

"Boiling River"

Andres Ruzo tried to track down a legendary he’s heard his grandfather talk about in stories when he was a little boy. He found the stuff of legends, and then was faced with the choices, and burdens of knowing a valuable secret.

Find out more in Andres Ruzo’s book, The Boiling River. Check out the Boiling River Project, the TED talk, and TED book.

Producer: Anna Sussman

"For Love and Revolution"

In the 1970’s Truman Capote interviewed Watani Stiner, a young revolutionary serving time in San Quentin for the death of two Black Panthers. Then... things got interesting.

Producer: Sukey Lewis and Mark Ristich

Season 7 Episode 12 

Snap leaves San Quentin State Prison with the Ear Hustle podcast and then goes back behind the walls to hear stories from Prison Reception.

Content Advisory: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence. Listener discretion is advised. 

STORIES 

Kissing the Concrete

Snap finds freedom with Ear Hustle. Two men transition from prison back into society and find out who - or what - is waiting for them on the outside. 

Listen to the full episode of Kissing the Concrete.

Excuse Me On The Tier

Snap goes under lock and key with Ear Hustle. Everyone entering the prison system must pass through Reception, to learn the ropes and discover what’s really behind the walls.

Listen to the full episode of Excuse Me On The Tier.

A big thanks to Tevin Fournette, aka Cutty, and Ronnie Young for sharing their stories about leaving prison with the team. You can hear more of Cutty’s music here. Thanks also to John “Yahya” Johnson, David Ditto, Talib Brooks, Louis Brackett, and Jeff Atkins for sharing their experiences inside Prison Reception.

Artwork by: Antwan Williams 

Be sure to visit www.EarHustleSq.com to hear more stories, see pictures from episodes, and follow everything Ear Hustle.

Ear Hustle comes to us from PRX’s Radiotopia and is produced by Earlonne Woods, Nigel Poor, Rhasaan “New York” Thomas, John “Yahya” Johnson, Pat Mesiti-Miller, and Bruce Wallace. This episode is scored with music from Antwan Williams and David Jassy. Senior Producer Curtis Fox, Digital Producer Erin Wade, and Executive Producer Julie Shapiro.

In a dark and fictional world, we meet the best Hollywood trainer money can buy.  A trainer who specializes in the human body, but one body in his gym... isn't breathing. 

Snap spotlights "The Truth" podcast. We're proud to present Part One from their five-part series, “The Body Genius.” 

To hear all five episodes & see the full list of credits, visit "The Truth" podcast.

Season 10 Episode 20 

A teenage hacker inspired by “Mr. Robot” takes on his high school and gets personal with his principal's Twitter account. And night-shift doctor, Joe Sills, shares a story of life after death. 

STORIES

Code Yellow 

A teenage hacker inspired by “Mr. Robot” takes on his principal, teachers, and the Board of Education.

This piece was adapted from the podcast, Darknet Diaries. Listen to the full story, called Finn.

Produced by: Jack Rhysider with assistance from Nancy Lopez 

Sound Design: Renzo Gorrio 

The Lazarus Effect 

A night-shift doctor shares a story of life after death. 

This story comes to us from the podcast, The Nocturnists and was performed live in San Francisco in 2018.

You can listen to the full story, called The Lazarus Effect. 

Special thanks to:
Emily Silverman, Ana Adlerstein, Ali Block, Adelaide Papazolou, Marina Poole, Kirk Klocke, and the storyteller, Joe Sills

"Respawn"

Season 10 Episode 19 

A one-legged high schooler wrestles with his identity and his weight class. He faces tough opponents and big decisions. 

The Wrestler With The Missing Leg

Anthony Robles was born with one leg, but that didn’t stop him from joining the wrestling team.

If you want to learn more about Anthony’s story and his career as a motivational speaker, check out his website and be sure to read his memoir, Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated. 

Producer: Joe Rosenberg    
Sound Design: Renzo Gorrio

Season 8 Episode 18

"On the Mat" - Snap Classic 

In the small Croatian town of Vukovar, some 200 people went missing. 

Years later, a group of investigators with The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia set out on an impossible task to find out who was responsible for these missing people. 

For more about finding justice in the Balkans check out: 

The Investigator by Vladimir Dzuro

The Butcher’s Trial by Julian Borger 

Produced by: Shaina Shealy, Liz Mak, Adizah Eghan

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Season 10 Episode 18

Life can be messy, and there isn’t always time to do things the right way…

Mouth Of The Dragon

When a small child is lost, it's up to Glynn to face the dragon.

Producer: Pat Mesiti-Miller

As The World Burns

What happens when the world around you starts to burn?

Performed live by Josh Healey at Snap Judgment LIVE! in San Francisco's Nourse Theater 

A Little White Lie

Think your dating life is tough? Try being an Arab, Muslim man after 9/11 in New York City.

Be sure to check out out Ghazi’s most recent film, Peace After Marriage. You can also find him on twitter.

Producer: Anna Sussman, Shoshi Shmuluvitz and Joe Rosenberg
Sound: Leon Morimoto

Mortuary Assistant Required

The wanted ad said “Mortuary Assistant Required. Prior Experience An Advantage, But Not Essential.” No one bothered to apply, except for Simon...

Simon Winchester is a journalist and the author of 28 books, including The Professor and The Madman. Be sure to check out his next book, Pacific, about the modern life of the Pacific Ocean.

Producer: Joe Rosenberg

Season 6 Episode 16

THE LEGEND OF SWEETFOOT

Comedian Dino Archie gets into a bar fight that blossoms into a bromance. The bond with his soulmate ripens over crab trapping, bankruptcy, and the Ghost of Christmas Future.

CAMP EXORCIST

Comedian James Judd falls in love with a human hair blanket and performs a church camp exorcism…you know, the kind with googly-eyed sock puppets.

Original Music by Bells Atlas 

Season 10 Episode 17

Point guard Alex Owumi has just landed in North Africa to play basketball for his childhood hero.

For more information, check out Alex’s book -- Qaddafi's Point Guard.

Producer: Davey Kim and Anna Sussman
Sound Design: Davey Kim, Leon Morimoto

Season 6 - Episode 8

Hear the story behind the influential photo of the Syrian boy who drowned while attempting to reach Europe.

Read more in Tima Kurdi’s book, The Boy on the Beach.

Producer: Anna Sussman

Original Score:  Renzo Gorrio

1.  Quiet is Best

When Julie Lindahl discovered that her grandfather had been an active member of the German SS, she decided to return to the scene of his crimes. But her grandmother made things difficult.

Julie Lindahl has written a book about her experience:  The Pendulum: A Granddaughter's Search for her Family's Forbidden Nazi Past.

A version of this story was originally produced for the podcast Kind World, which tells stories about the effect a single act can have on our lives. You can find Kind World in any podcast app.

Producer: Erika Lantz

Production Assistance: Liz Mak

Original Score and Sound Design: Leon Morimoto

2. Like A House On Fire

Young Glynn is trying to keep up appearances at school, despite his family’s hardships. Then his house goes up in flames. Performed live in Portland at Revolution Hall.

Music composed and performed: BELL'S ATLAS

When Josh Healey learns some unexpected news from his girlfriend, his first thought...is of Grandma Barbara and Grandma Henrietta.

Performed Live by Josh Healey at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Music written by Alex Mandel and performed by the Snap Players Alex Mandel, Tim Frick and David Brandt

A Wives’ Tale

Five women, one husband and one goal in life... to get to the Celestial Kingdom. 

Producer: Tyler Measom & Adizah Eghan

Original Score and Sound Design: Renzo Gorrio

When Roderick turns 18, he gets a special gift from his mom... for the one thing about him, she does not love.

Sound Design & Score: Leon Morimoto

Produced: Shaina Shealy, Mark Oppenheimer and the team at Unorthodox.

Comic Jen Kober tells the story of the mother she never expected to find, on a journey she never expected to take.

Performed live at The Paramount in Oakland. 

Music composed by Bells Atlas.

STORIES 

1.  "Glynn - ""Tithe Me Not

Original Score and Sound Design: Pat Mesiti-Miller

 2.  Whiteboy John & The Seven Saints

Description:  How did a kid from Harlem become the biggest heroin dealer in upstate New York, almost overnigoht?  And what would it take for him to turn his back on a mountain of cash?

Producer:    Anna Sussman

Original Score and Sound Design:     Renzo Gorrio

 3.  Year Zero

Description: A young man returns to Cambodia to piece together the fragments of his history that the Khmer Rouge and his family have torn apart.

Producer:    Liz Mak

Original Score and Sound Design:     Leon Morimoto

4.  Joe Klocek’s The California Confederacy

Performed live by Joe Klocek

Music performed by Alex Mandell & The Snap Players

School shootings and their tragic aftermath have become an all too common story. But here’s one side of it that you probably haven’t heard. This story takes place at a high school in Portland, Oregon, where officials fear the next school shooter might be a teenage boy in their midst.

Bethany Barnes originally reported this story for The Oregonian - Targeted: A Family and the Quest to Stop the Next School Shooter. She is now an investigative reporter for the Tampa Bay Times.

Producer: Nancy López

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

A tiny, pirate radio station broadcasts to the thousands of families trapped in ISIS-controlled Mosul. When listeners start calling in, something remarkable happens.

Producer:  Anna Sussman

Original Score and Sound Design:  Leon Morimoto and Pat Mesiti-Miller

Niagara Falls

Glynn’s trip to Niagara Falls starts in the Tunnel of Love with a taboo first kiss.

Performed live by Glynn Washington.

Don Reed  - Things You Wouldn't Normally Do 

When Don Reed got accepted into UCLA he was ecstatic; problem was he was broke and had nowhere to live.

Performed live by Don Reed

Joyce Lee   -  The Wolf Whistle

All her life she’d been taught she was a prize to be won. Then she decided she was going to pick her prize.

Performed live by Joyce Lee.

All music composed and performed by Bell's Atlas

The story of a small Christian hill town in Palestine, and the 18 cows that kind of, almost, but never really, changed the course of its future.

Producer: Shaina Shealy
Original Score: Leon Morimoto

Snap Favorite Don Reed takes the stage with a heartfelt homage to his father's dreams for his son.

Performed live by Don Reed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music

Music composed and performed by Bells Atlas

Snap comedy queen Jen Kober thought having an adventurous date meant trying a new restaurant... little did she know she would be free falling into a pretty crappy situation.

Original Music by Bells Atlas

Performed Live at Brooklyn Academy of Music

Join Snap Nation and Get The Video at snapjudgment.org

Back in the 1970's Bob Favor signed up to be a Texas Ranger. He helped local police solve some of their toughest cases. But there was one case that kept getting away from him.

For more of Bob Favor’s exploits as a Texas Ranger, make sure to grab a copy of his book: My Rangering Days. 

For more of Luke Quinton’s work check out his website: http://brighttypewriter.tumblr.com

Producer: Luke Quinton

Sound Design: Leon Morimoto

John Cotrocois is obsessed with meet-cutes. The problem is, he often falls for the wrong men and winds up in one mind-boggling situation after another. Will his dream of a fairy-tale romance come true?

Producers: Mira Burt-Wintonick and Cristal Duhaime

Sound Design: Cristal Duhaime

Snap spotlights the smart new podcast "Peace of Mind" with Bhi Bhiman. In the inaugural episode, Bhi interviews Glynn Washington, bestselling author Dave Eggers, and renowned social psychologist, Lee Ross. The soundtrack to the episode is “Brother, Can You Spare Some Peace of Mind?” Listen + subscribe here: https://fanlink.to/PeaceofMind. And check out peaceofmindpod.com for music and bonus content.

After a college party, Anwen* and Sameer* went back to a dorm room. What happened that night was confusing and horrible. But in this story we get the rare opportunity to hear both of them grapple with what happened in a way that is both surprising and meaningful. Warning, this story contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence.

*Names have been changed.

This piece was adapted from the podcast, Reckonings, produced by Stephanie Lepp, and found online at www.reckonings.show. You can find a link to the full story, called A Survivor and Her Perpetrator Find Justice, here.

Producer: Stephanie Lepp

Original Score: Leon Morimoto

The voicemail message says someone from your past needs your help. Would you respond, if it meant getting involved in a murder trial?

From Russia With Love

Two women, a tiny boat, the wide open ocean...and kismet.  

Elena has written a book about their adventure, called Talking to the Moon. You can read the story on the couple’s website, http://www.cadenza.ca/index.php/en/talking-to-the-moon-en/

You can learn more about Elena and Meg’s journey at their other website, anticruise.online.

Producer: Liz Mak

Original Score: Leon Morimoto

Gloomy Sunday

Hungarian composer Rezső Seress dreamed of changing the world with his music. He did.

Producer: Davey Kim

A computer hacker tries to make his way home through two countries, a dense jungle and a seemingly endless string of technical challenges.

A Snap Judgment special presentation of "Heaven's Gate."

The story of the cult that left 39 dead in a quest for spiritual salvation.

Nick Yarris says he was a junkie, a thief, and a liar. So when he was imprisoned on a false charge, no one believed in his innocence. Then he found his only way out.

Thank you so much to Nick Yarris. Check out his books, including his latest, “Monsters & Madmen: A Death Row Experiment.” Learn more at nickyarris.org.

Thank you also to the Wolfgram Memorial Library at Widener University, and its Reference Librarian & University Archivist Jill M. Borin for her help.

And lastly, thank you Nick Yarris’ former attorney, Michael J. Malloy.

Producer: Liz Mak
Original Score: Leon Morimoto

There was a legend in central Maine, about a hermit who had lived in the woods, unseen, for 30 years.  Then, in 2013, the police arrested a man named Christopher Knight.

To learn more about Chris Knight’s story, be sure to check out journalist’s Mike Finkel’s book, The Stranger In The Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit.  

Producer: Joe Rosenberg

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio and Andrew Vicars

On January 13th 2018, at exactly 8:07 in the morning, one text message turned the state of Hawaii into a state of emergency.

From panic and fear to acceptance and joy, Snap Judgment explores the 38 minutes when the people of Hawaii faced an incoming ballistic missile threat.

Lead Producer: Jazmin Aguilera

Editor: Anna Sussman

Producers: Eliza Smith, Erika Lantz, John Fecile

Additional production assistance: Nancy Lopez

Original score and Sound design: Renzo Gorrio and Leon Morimoto

A young man has the chance to work on a very secret, very powerful weapon that could put an end to world war II. The project involves no toxins, no chemicals, no shrapnel and no bullets. Instead, the project involves lots and lots of flying mammals. Lots.

Content Advisory:  This story details a war situation involving both people and animals, Listener Discretion Is Advised.

When you feel the walls coming closer and closer, where do you go? Where do you hide?

Stories

Wonderboy

In 1979, a four-seater cessna carrying Norman Ollestad, his dad and his dad’s girlfriend violently crashed onto the top of an ~8,000-foot mountain. He was just 11 years old. To learn more about Norman’s story, check out his book -- Crazy for the Storm. Be sure to also check out his latest thriller, French Girl With Mother.

Producer and Original Score: Davey Kim

The Blue Bicycle

Hasan is just a kid who just wants to pop a wheelie on a bad ass BMX bike. Is that too much to ask?

Thanks so much to Hasan Minhaj. Hasan is a former correspondent on the Daily Show. He now has a comedy special on Netflix, Homecoming King, as well as a new show, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj.

Producer: Lina Misitzis

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Chin-Kyll and Bo-Ok: Across the DMZ

What happens when you are reunited with your North Korean sister for the first time in over five decades? This story comes to Snap Judgment by way of Mary Kim.

Voice Actors: Yongnam and Mikyung Kim

Producer and Sound Design:  Davey Kim

Snap Judgment spotlights the amazing podcast Ear Hustle: The Big No No. In this episode we look for love in one of the most difficult places to forge a relationship, San Quentin State Prison.

Kassem Eid had spent two years living in a city under siege.  After he and his neighbors took part in the protests during the Arab Spring in 2011, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad began to punish towns like Kassem’s. His forces bombed them, surrounded them, and starved them. That’s when Kassem decided to fight back.

Thank you so much to Kassem Eid for sharing his story with us. Kassem was recently accepted into Columbia University. You can check out his new book, “My Country,” out now. Find him on twitter at @qzakarya.

Producer: Liz Mak

Original Score: Leon Morimoto

When Jack Boyles signed up for the Navy in the early 1960s he was excited to work aboard the USS Shangri-La. As the ship’s only yeoman he had access to top secret information so he knew before most people why the ship was docked off of Cuba. But little did he know what was in store for him.

Producer: Nancy López
Original Score: Leon Morimoto

STORIES

THE BEST LITTLE SWIMMER

Terry Galloway is ten years old and absolutely hot for summer camp. The only problem is, her family can’t afford it. But after she fails a hearing test at school, Terry learns that she is deaf -- and also eligible to attend The Lions Camp for Crippled Children, a summer camp that is free to kids with disabilities. The summer of 1960, just got way more exciting.

Terry Galloway is a writer, director, and performer for stage, radio, and film. For more about Terry’s childhood in Texas,  check out her book Mean Little Deaf Queer.

Producer: Adizah Eghan

Original Score: Leon Morimoto

THE DOG THAT WENT AROUND THE WORLD

The story of the first dog to travel around the world (and refuse a free steak).

For more information on Owney's travels, be sure to check out the Post Office Museum's interactive map. But brace yourself, there's a lot of pins...

Producer: Joe Rosenberg

Original Score: Leon Morimoto

QUAKE CITY HERO

In 1989, an enormous earthquake struck the Bay Area. One of Oakland’s major arteries, the Cypress Freeway, collapsed. And one guy, a local Oaklander, left his home, and dove into the wreckage to save lives.

This story is produced by Liam Donoghue, host and producer of the podcast East Bay Yesterday. If you want to hear about Bruce Lee's most notorious fight, or Oakland's oldest soul food cook, or grizzly bears, you can find the show here.

Co-production by Eliza Smith

Sound design by Davey Kim

Producer: Liam Donoghue and Eliza Smith

"Bad Hair Cut" - When the man in charge of a small, insular northern Ohio town wreaks havoc on his followers, a young Amish boy with a passion for good hair tries to clean up the mess.

Producer: Shaina Shealy

Sound Design: Renzo Gorrio

What do you do when you are trying to give birth... in the middle of a wildfire?

Nicole Veum is interviewed live by producer April Demobosky for "The Fire Tapes"

The Fire Tapes is a collaboration between KQED's "The Bay" and Snap Judgment for the Coal + Ice Festival in San Francisco.

Producers: Sukey Lewis, Mark Ristich and Jeremy Siegel.

Counted: An Oakland Story is the story of the people lost to Oakland’s violence last year. During 2017, a team of Snap Judgment producers, learned about Oakland’s homicide victims, their families and communities.

Visit oaklandstory.org for more interviews, photos and illustrations.

Producer: Adizah Eghan, Anna Sussman, Shaina Shealy, Jonathan Jones, Pat Mesiti-Miller, Nancy Lopez, Jazmin Aguilera, Eliza Smith, and Pendarvis Harshaw.

Score: Leon Morimoto, Pat Mesiti-Miller, Renzo Gorrio, Dave Deporis. With special thanks to Fantastic Negrito. Find more of David Deporis’s music at www.davedeporis.com

When Josh Healey learns some unexpected news from his girlfriend, his first thought...is of Grandma Barbara and Grandma Henrietta.

Performed Live by Josh Healey at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter - Captive Audience

When Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter was mistakenly arrested at the airport, he learned that his fame could only get him so far.

Performed Live by Tariq Trotter at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Music written by Alex Mandel and performed by the Snap Players Alex Mandel, Tim Frick and David Brandt

The Birds: As a little boy in Richmond Virginia, raising pigeons, Ray Christian made a friend with the same hobby. But there was something mysterious about Ray’s new pal.

Producer: Anna Sussman
Original Score: Leon Morimoto

The Taxidermist: When Tracey started doing taxidermy, she assumed all her subjects would be dead. Until she met a squirrel who didn't seem quite right.

Producer: Jazmin Aguilera
Original Score: Leon Morimoto

The Visage: A man is hired to do remodel work on a house with a haunted history.  But something inside the house doesn’t want anything to change.

Producer: Anna Sussman
Original Score: Leon Morimoto

It's that time of year again. Snap Judgment proudly presents "Spooked IX: Trapped."

THE IRON GATE

An American sniper shooter takes over an empty house in Baghdad and encounters the one threat he is powerless against.

Pro rock climbers Jason Smith and Tommy Caldwell know a thing or two about dangerous even life threatening adventures, but when they go on an expedition to the famous Yellow Wall in Kyrgyzstan, their lives were threatened in a whole new way.

Check out more about Jason “Singer” Smith at his website jasonsingersmith.com

And be sure to check out Tommy Caldwell’s book “The Push” available now as well as the movie The Dawn Wall.

For more details on the kidnapping read Greg Child’s book “Over The Edge."

Producer: Jazmin Aguilera and Luke Quinton

Original Sound Design: Renzo Gorrio

What if you had two choices. Either risk death, or start over in a completely new life. Now imagine you had to make that decision for your child. Check out more of Amy Roost’s work here and her podcast Fury here.

Read Amy Roost’s article on what may have caused each of her children to have brain malformations in Dame Magazine.  

Producer:Amy Roost, Anna Sussman.

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

When Mansoor Adayfi was 19 years old, he was shipped to Guantanamo Bay detention center. He had no idea where he was or why he was there. But he was held there for 14 years. During that time, Mansoor attended informal marriage classes held by a fellow inmate and began writing love letters despite never having been in love.

Mansoor is currently writing a memoir about his time at Guantanamo. You can read his writing here.

This story was produced and edited by Sarah Geis, Cristal Duhaime and Mira Burt-Wintonick for the CBC podcast, Love Me. It was mixed by Cristal Duhaime.

Producer: Mira Burt-Wintonick, Cristal Duhaime, and Sarah Geis

In the mid-70s, Conan was hired to direct and produce a nature documentary. But he wanted to do something more ambitious. The film he made became one of the most infamous movies ever, but his success came with deadly consequences.

Special thanks to our film consultants, Spencer Parsons and Todd Wieneke.

Producer: John Fecile

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

 Sometimes the only word you hear is "No." But what if you always said "Yes"? Snap Judgment proudly presents "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy".

Stories

Forbidden Fruit

An aspiring priest decides to experience all that the world has to offer.

The Faith Healer

Imagine putting your hands on someone, and curing whatever ails them. Charles Monroe Kane knows the feeling.

The Insane Million Maker Master Counterfeiter

What’s the easiest way to make money? Make Money. And lots of it.

What if you could be you without all of the responsibility, the guilt, and the self-loathing? Too good to be true? ...Maybe not.

Stories

Marwencol - When Mark Hogancamp woke up in the hospital he had no idea who he was or where he was. He was beat up so badly that he couldn’t walk, talk or speak.  His therapy? Marwencol.

Friday Night Lights  - Your dad loves football. You hate football. How do you quit? Play football.

Just Another Fish Story - 20 Years ago, a whale washed up on a beach in Lubec, Maine, but its death was just the beginning of its story.  

When you’re a safari guide on the Zambezi River, you always know that things could go horribly wrong. You can find Paul Templer’s memoir here.

Producer: Erika Lantz

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

One man infiltrated undercover, the other got invited inside. Featuring a new story from the "Real Black Klansman" Detective Ron Stallworth. On the next Snap...we're going face to face with "The Klan." Includes a bonus Snap Classic story from boogie-woogie pianist Daryl Davis, author of “Klan-Destine Relationships.”

Featuring:

"Mirror Touch" - As a  medical school student, Joel Salinas was obsessed with the human brain. But as soon as he got to work, his own senses began to turn on him.

Joel Salinas is a neurologist at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Neurology.

He is the author of Mirror Touch: A Memoir of Synesthesia and the Secret Life of the Brain

"What Accent?" - When Ellen Spencer was released from the hospital after a mysterious stroke-like episode her voice would never be the same again.

"The Bat Boy and the Pine Tar Game" - Every baseball fan has heard of the superstar hitter George Brett and his infamous Pine Tar Game…but have you heard of the bat boy’s version?

After a salesman at Oakland’s Lake Merritt disappears, journalist Tammerlin Drummond investigates what happened to him.

Video used in story provided by user ritchhazel on YouTube.

Producer: Adizah Eghan

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

It's here... listen to the first story from Spooked Season II now available at SpookedPodcast.org

It's coming. It's bigger and badder and all-new... Spooked Season II. From Snap Judgment and WNYC Studios, host Glynn Washington pushes back the veil to bring you stories from real people battling the forces of the night. Subscribe now to get a new Spooked episode every week leading up to Halloween.

Dylan Evans had hit a wall. Life was becoming too routine, too mundane. So he did something very few of us would do to change that.

For more check out Dylan Evan’s book: The Utopia Experiment

Producer: Nancy Lopez

Sound Design: Pat Mesiti-Miller

In the 1970s, thousands of Vietnamese refugees were left on the remote Anambas Islands in Indonesia. They were stranded without food, water, and shelter, forced to survive off the land. Now, almost 40 years later, one woman wants to go back to those distant islands, one last time.

Thank you so much to Carina Hoang. Carina is a Special Representative for Australia for UNHCR. Check out her book, “Boat People: Personal Stories from the Vietnamese Exodus 1976-1996,” available in both English and Vietnamese. 

Carina is now filming a new Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV series, “The Heights." Be sure to check it out.

Our heartfelt thanks to Tony Luu; his mother Truong On, his brother, Daniel, and the rest of the Luu family.

Thanks to the Outside Podcast from Outside Magazine, where you can also hear this show. Also, check Public Radio International’s The World for a shorter version of this audio story.

This story would not have been possible without the generous support of the International Women’s Media Foundation.

In 2009, Jane Gillooly came across an item on Ebay that piqued her imagination.  The picture was of a suitcase filled with old audiotapes. The listing’s title was “Suitcase of Love and Shame.”

You can purchase Jane’s feature-length documentary film, Suitcase of Love and Shame, on iTunes and learn more about it at Cinemaguild.  

Producer: Joe Rosenberg

Original Score and Sound Design: Leon Morimoto

The story of The Mirage, the famous undercover Chicago Sun bar, as told by two reporters posing as bartenders.  Pam Zekman currently works as an investigative reporter for CBS 2 Chicago. You can find Zay Smith’s book about The Mirage, his humor column and a his novel, at zaysmith.com.

A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to the Chicago Sun-Time’s collaborator as the Better Business Bureau. It was the Better Government Association

Producers: Joe Rosenberg and Anna Sussman

Original Score: Leon Morimoto

An all new season of Spooked, the podcast, is dropping early August. In this episode, we’re featuring some of our favorite stories from Spooked, season one.

The first rule about fight club is you do not talk about fight club.  Ray Christian breaks that rule.

You can hear more of Ray on his podcast What's Ray Saying.

Producer:  Mark Ristich

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Snap Judgment joins the podcast Ear Hustle, from PRX's Radiotopia, for a look at parenting from inside San Quentin State Prison.

In this episode incarcerated fathers share their stories of striving to be present in their children's lives. One inmate reconnects with his son after 20 years. Another stays very involved through letters and visits. And a third gets the opportunity to give his teenage son a haircut.

And stay tuned for the exclusive interview with Glynn and the team behind Ear Hustle. Nigel Poor, Earlonne Woods, Antwan Williams, along with Public Information Officer Lt. Sam Robinson discuss family relationships while incarcerated in San Quentin State Prison.

Thanks to the fathers who shared their stories: Derrick Holloway, John Newman and Maverick, and thanks also to Derrick Jr. for talking with us.

Thick Glass was scored with music and sound design by David Jassy and Antwan Williams, with contributions from Lee Jasper, Maserati-E and Charlie Spencer. Here's a transcript for Thick Glass.

Special Thanks to SQSP's Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for supporting the show.

Illustration by Antwan Williams

Learn More and Subscribe to all that is Ear Hustle at www.EarHustleSQ.com

In 2006, a wolf was born in Yellowstone who would become a legend in her own time. For more about the 06 Female and the debate surrounding wolves in Yellowstone, be sure to check out Jeff Hull's article in Outside Magazine and Nate Rott's special report for NPR.

Producer: Joe Rosenberg

What do you do when someone tells you something you know to be false, and yet...you can just tell they're telling the truth? On the next all-NEW Snap..."Beyond Belief."

STORIES

Chaotic Good

Malaclypse was part of a dangerous anarchist group. They stole, they killed, they escaped, until one day when Malaclypse could run no further...

Producer: Jazmin Aguilera
Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Modern Love

When Stephanie Saldana was 27 years old, she thought her calling was to become a nun. But at a monastery in the Syrian desert, she met a monk who made her rethink everything.

Producer: Caitlin O’Keefe

Sound Design: John Perotti

What if you don't have a heart?

On an all-new Snap, we proudly present "The Tin Man."

When the fight is over we still have to deal with the pieces of the battle that remain inside.  Featuring The Warrior Box and Soul of a Soldier.

When Avi Steinberg became a prison librarian, he thought his job would be to keep track of the books.  Then he started reading between the lines.

To learn more about Avi’s time behind bars -- and between the stacks -- be sure to check out his memoir, Running The Books.  His latest book, The Lost Book of Mormon, which was nominated for the Thurber Prize for American Humor, will be out in paperback in November.

Producer: Joe Rosenberg

Hear how one of Yugoslavia’s top basketball players attempts to escape the Siege of Sarajevo and don't miss The Nocturnists late night meltdown at the morgue.

STORIES

"The Choice" from the Lucky Podcast

Nada Rothbart thought she’d have plenty of time to get her family out of Sarajevo. Suddenly, it was too late.

This story originally aired on Lucky podcast, listen to part two of Nada’s story "The Choice" here.

Producer: Briana Breen

"Live At The Morgue" from The Nocturnists Podcast

What do you do when the morgue has a total meltdown. Galen Laserson tells her story live at The Nocturnist.  Its host and creator is Emily Silverman, MD, its executive producer is Ali Block, MD, and its podcast producer is Marina Poole.  The Nocturnists has its own podcast, with compelling stories from our live events, followed by an interview with the storyteller. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts.

In the desert of northern South Africa you come across a little puddle.  If you dive down into that puddle, at the bottom there is a slot.  This is the entrance to third largest freshwater cave in the world. This is where the adventure begins.  

Producer: Julia DeWitt

At the height of the Cold War, Ulrike Poppe just might have been the most surveilled woman in the world. But it was only after the wall fell that things got really interesting.

Be sure to check out Luisa Beck’s reporting on all things Germany at The Washington Post, as well as the work of reporter Andrew Curry, whose article in Wired first got us interested in Ulrike’s story.  And if you’re interested in Stasi Records Agency, can you visit their English-language website to learn more.          

Producer: Luisa Beck with Production Assistance By Joe Rosenberg
Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

For two years, Isis fought to take over the city of Mosul, killing 40,000 civilians. This is a story about a group of men and women, from around the world, who packed up their bags flew into Iraq, and made their way to Mosul, to try their hand at fighting Isis, back.

Check out more from the Free Burma Rangers at http://www.freeburmarangers.org

And check out the book City of Death set to release October 23rd, 2018.

Producer: Anna Sussman
Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

"Witness the Free Burma Rangers Rescue of a Young Iraqi Girl"

Watch Dave Eubank (Helmet) run into the line of fire to rescue a young girl who barely survived an ISIS massacre in Mosul. Dave and other members of his group, the Free Burma Rangers, spotted the young girl hiding among scores of dead bodies.

"Ephraim Mattos Rescues an Elderly Iraqi Man"

Watch as Ephraim Mattos (Backwards Cap), a former Navy Seal turned civilian rescue team member, rescues an elderly man who barely survived an ISIS massacre. Despite his heroic efforts, Ephraim was not able to save the old man, who died moments after this video ends.  And the loss haunts Ephraim over and over again.

"A Woman Being Dragged to Safety by the Free Burma Rangers and the Iraqi Army"

Watch the dramatic rescue of a woman left for dead in the courtyard of an abandoned soda factory, surrounded on all sides by ISIS. Unable to carry her from the open air courtyard without being spotted by ISIS fighters, the rescuers managed to throw the injured woman a length of cable, and drag her over rubble and shrapnel, to safety.

When a rising high school track star in  Eritrea, East Africa, is arrested under the military dictatorship, he realizes he might have a way out....run.

For more information about issues facing African migrants in Israel and resources on how to help, Israeli organization Eritrean Women’s Community Center website.

Teklit Michal writes a blog for Times of Israel and hosts a news channel in Tirgrinya for fellow Eritreans in Israel. You can follow his work on his Facebook page.

Producer: Shaina Shealy

On Atlas Peak there is one way in and one way out.  When wildfire threatened their homes, the only escape route...was up.

Sukey Lewis is an investigative reporter for KQED public radio out of San Francisco. The Atlas Peak fire was just one of a series of catastrophic fires that broke out that night across northern California. 44 people in all died in those fires.  Check out KQED's fire investigation.

Original Score: Davey Kim

Producer: Sukey Lewis

On the next Snap..."Unforgiven." There is a line, draw it in the sand, shake on it, mark it in blood, but if you cross it... there is no going back.

Hijacker's Letter

What do you do when you receive a letter from your husband’s killer?

For more information, check out Kathleen’s website and facebook page.

Producer and Sound Design:Davey Kim

Cop Out

Cop Robert Davis had two choices: Show up to court and serve a sentence that meant certain death... or find a way out. Find out about Robert Davis’s work here.

Producer: Anna Sussman

Sound Design: Renzo Gorrio

The Silent Twins

June and Jennifer Gibbons were twins sisters who hadn’t spoken to anyone but each other for their whole lives. That is, until journalist Marjorie Wallace came along. Marjorie unearthed the twins’ fascinating, and sometimes sinister inner world.

For more information on the Gibbons twins, check out Marjorie’s book, The Silent Twins.

Producer: Eliza Smith

Sound Design: Leon Morimoto

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Breakfast Of Champions." Stories of young people using every trick in their little arsenal to win praise and love, only to find themselves alone in the end.

The Best Little Swimmer

Terry Galloway is ten years old and absolutely in love with the idea of summer camp. The only problem is, her family can’t afford it. But after she fails a hearing test at school, Terry learns that she is deaf -- and also eligible to attend The Lions Camp for Crippled Children, a summer camp that is free to kids with disabilities. The summer of 1960, just got way more exciting.

Terry Galloway is a writer, director and performer for stage, radio, and film. For more about Terry’s childhood in Texas,  check out her book Mean Little Deaf Queer.

Producer: Adizah Eghan

Original Score: Leon Morimoto

The One Year Campaign of Li Na

In 1958, Charles Li spent one of the strangest, most difficult years of his life in a Communist Chinese reform school.

Charles Li is a professor emeritus at the University of California, Santa Barbara. To read more of his story, check out his book, “The Bitter Sea: Coming of Age in a China before Mao.”

Producer: Liz Mak
Original Score: Leon Morimoto

Rick Moranis performed by Adam Wade

A young man can’t shake his dead ringer resemblance to Rick Moranis for years until one night he’s able to use it for an adventure. This was recorded live at the monthly 'Tales of the Cosmos' show at the UC Beast in New York City's Lower East Side. It is the first Saturday of the month at 7pm.

Hear more stories by Adam Wade.

Producer: Jamie DeWolf

Documentarian Paul Berczeller examines the case of Takako Konishi, who died in a frozen forest on the North Dakota/Minnesota border looking for the fictional treasure from the Coen Brother’s film Fargo. 

Be sure to check out Paul’s documentary about Takako’s journey, This is A True Story.
Also, be sure to check out the feature film by the David and Nathan Zellner inspired by Takako’s story, Kumiko: The Treasure Hunter. 

It is available for download on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and xBox, as well as VOD.

Producer: Joe Rosenberg

Snap proudly presents "The Trouble With Shannon Cason." KC Wilbourn was a rising star in education, turning around some of Detroit’s most troubled public schools. But in order to do that, she cut some legal corners that put her in prison. Do the ends justify the means?

Check out the new podcast "The Trouble with Shannon Cason" and connect on Twitter @TheTroublePod

Counted: An Oakland Story is a yearlong look at the people lost to Oakland’s violence. During 2017, a team of Snap Judgment producers learned about Oakland’s homicide victims, their families and communities.

Visit oaklandstory.org for more interviews, photos, and illustrations.

CREDITS:

"Counted: An Oakland Story" was produced by Adizah Eghan, Anna Sussman, Shaina Shealy, Jonathan Jones, Pat Mesiti-Miller, Nancy Lopez, Jazmin Aguilera, Eliza Smith, and Pendarvis Harshaw.

• Co-hosts of "Counted: An Oakland Story" are Adizah Eghan and Daryle Allums
• Senior Producer Anna Sussman
• Original Concept by Jonathan Jones
• Original Score by Pat-Mesiti-Miller, Leon Morimoto, and Renzo Gorrio
• Photography by Cinque Mubarak
• Artwork by Abner Hauge, Teo Ducot, and Shaina Shealy
• Additional production by Teo Ducot and Liz Mak
• Special thanks to Fantastic Negrito who contributed music from the album “The Last Days of Oakland”
• Website by Teo Ducot, Jeremy Rue, and Shaina Shealy  
• Executive Producers: Mark Ristich and Glynn Washington

Been There Better Than That

Glynn witnesses a lady show what real class looks like.
Producer: Mark Ristich

12 Pageant Queens, 1000 Snakes

One Beauty Pageant. 12 contestants. 1000 rattlesnakes.
Producer: Anna Sussman

A Hard Knock Life

Sharon Skolnick was nine years old and an orphan in the Murrow Indian Orphanage, when she was confronted with the opportunity every girl at the orphanage dreamed of. Find out more about artist Sharon Skolnick at here.
Producer: Anna Sussman
Sound Design: Renzo Gorrio

Xiao Xiao

When Cindy adopted a four year old girl from China, there was a lot the two didn’t understand about each other.
Find out about Cindy’s story (and her books) at CindyChampnella.com.
Producer: Anna Sussman
Sound Design:  Pat Mesiti-Miller

Airlifted out of Baghdad into Israel, Avraham was about to get a new life in a new land…

Avraham’s story was included in a 12-part Hebrew webseries called Neviim: Operation Amram by Elad Ben Elul (@Eladbenelul) and Yossi Brauman. Read hundreds more testimonies like Avraham’s at Amram’s website . The Amram association has collected hundreds of saliva samples from people who connected to the kidnapping affair and can be contacted at amram.dna at gmail.com. 

Producer: Shaina Shealy

Vocal Translator: Noam Eshel

Written Translation: Tal Janner-Klausner and Shira Rubin

Original Score:  Renzo Gorrio

In 1989, an enormous earthquake struck the Bay Area. One of Oakland’s major arteries, the Cypress Freeway, collapsed. And one man named Raven, a local Oaklander, left his home, and dove into the wreckage to save lives.

This story is produced by Liam O'Donoghue, host and producer of the podcast East Bay Yesterday. If you want to hear about Bruce Lee's most notorious fight, or Oakland's oldest soul food cook, or grizzly bears, you can find the show here. 

Producer: Liam O'Donoghue and Eliza Smith
Original Score: Davey Kim

When Snap Judgment producer Davey Kim was in eighth grade, he went to the regional level spelling bee with his best friend...and took R-E-V-E-N-G-E.

Producer: Davey Kim

The story of how Mokhtar Akhanshali braved a civil war to bring Yemeni coffee to the world.  

Dave Egger’s biography of Mokhtar, The Monk of Mokha, is available wherever books are sold. And be sure to check out the book’s Instagram at @themonkofmokha.

Producer: Joe Rosenberg

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Ear Hustle brings you stories of life inside prison, shared and produced by those living it. The podcast is a partnership between Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams, currently incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison, and Nigel Poor, a Bay Area artist.

The team works in San Quentin’s media lab to produce stories that are sometimes difficult, often funny, and always honest, offering a nuanced view of people living within the American prison system.

Find out more about Ear Hustle and subscribe to the podcast on their website www.EarHustleSQ.com

Snap spends a year with three Mission High School seniors Brantin, Damaris, and Alex as they try to make sense of adulthood in a rapidly changing San Francisco.

A very special thank you to our heroes: Brantin, Damaris and Alex. Thank you also to Mission High School Principal Eric Guthertz, everyone in the Wellness Center and our guide for the year Chandra Shivakumar.

Donate here to support Alex's Education Fund

Producers: Adizah Eghan, Liz Mak, Eliza Smith, Anna Sussman and Mark Ristich.

Original Score: Pat Mesiti Miller  and Renzo Gorrio

When a young man is told is he going deaf, he sets out on a challenge to memorize the songs that defined his life. He had no idea that those songs would come back to him in the most unexpected way.

A version of this story aired on KQED's Q'ed up Podcast.

Producer: April Dembosky

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Sound Design: Leon Morimoto and April Dembosky

Linda, Loretta, and Me

What happens when boy meets girl and… fungus? This is a story about love and spores, from one of our favorite podcasts, Love Me. You can find more episodes of Love Me at cbc.ca/loveme or whenever you listen to podcasts. Be sure to check out producer Jonathan Zenti’s podcast, Meat.

Producer: Mira Burt-Wintonick, Cristal Duhaime, and Jonathan Zenti

What if you were born to twerk it, but you didn't know how to work it? Estee Rose grew up in a tight-knit Ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Brooklyn. Find out how she reclaims her faith after she loses it in a tumultuous series of events. To channel Estee’s tunes, check out producer Shaina Shealy’s Spotify playlist, “Zumba Estee”. Additional thanks to the Jerusalem International YMCA, the Dorot Foundation, and Natalie Ben Ami.

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Producer: Shaina Shealy

What if one day you found out you look like one of the most famous people in the country -- who everybody hates?

Lynn Harris is an author, commentator, award-winning journalist and mostly-retired comedian. She has a new business, teaching comedy to teenage girls. You can find her performing on stage as Tonya Harding here.

Producer: Liz Mak

There are big stories with weight, little stories with heart, and then the stories that are just STOOPID.

Date With The Devil

When he was younger, Greg Stone was always a good boyfriend. Or, he tried to be.

Producer: Liz Mak
Original Score: Leon Morimoto

My Big Pee Break

Actress Diona Reasonover was on the brink of her big break. But she never expected it to happen while she was on her vacation.

Diona Reasonover is an actress who lives in LA, you can check out her writing on “I Love You America” with Sarah Silverman on Hulu.

Producer: Adizah Eghan

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Before there was Zimbabwe, there was the “Heavy” scene. In the 1970’s, Rock music rang out from the black townships in Rhodesia. One band, Wells Fargo, became the voice of the people. Founding members Ebba Chitambo and Never Mpofu tell their story of music and revolution in the face of an oppressive government.

Wells Fargo’s new release Watch Out! is available now through Vinyl Me Please.
Learn more about the work Matthew Shechmeister and Eothen “Egon” Alapatt are doing to document the Heavy scene at Now-Again Records.  

 
Producer: Pat Mesiti-Miller
Correspondent: Albert Nyathi
Featuring Music by Wells Fargo

Courtesy of Now-Again Records

The Snap Judgment Holiday Special features two good Santas in "Miracle on 22nd Street," a misguided angel in "Preaching to the Choir," and Snap story makers as they look back on their favorite stories of 2017.

Let Moss Hills take you on sea cruise …

To learn more about the sinking of the Oceanos, be sure to check out: www.oceanossinking.com/

And you like that, you definitely won’t want to miss the video of the ship’s final moments:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfIZ6rcySuY

Producer: Joe Rosenberg

Sound Design: Renzo Gorrio

In 1962, in a very small, very white suburb of Chicago, a young couple set out to adopt a baby girl.

This story was produced in collaboration with The New York Times.

 Check out Amy Roost's website: AmyRoost.com

Producers: Amy Roost and Anna Sussman

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

James Vlahos wanted to keep his dad around for as long as possible, so he saved the best part about him in the best way he knew how.

Vlahos is also working on a book, Talk To Me, about the quest to create conversation-making A.I.s. Check out his article about dadbot in Wired Magazine.

Follow James on Twitter @jamesvlahos

Producer: Jazmin Aguilera
Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Jay J. Armes was a real life superhero ... until real life intruded.  

Also be sure to check out Gary Cartwright’s original 1976 article on Jay J. Armes for Texas Monthly.

Producer: Vanessa Rancano
Sound Design: Leon Morimoto

We're dropping the story-pocalypse. Snap proudly presents "The Passion" performed LIVE! at San Francisco's Nourse Theater.

STORIES

Glynn Washington - Director's Cut

Glynn’s a bean counter by day but at night it’s “Lights, Camera, Action!”

Original score composed by Alex Mandel, and performed by Alex and the Snap Judgment Playaz (Tim Frick & David Brandt.) Performed at Snap Judgment Live! in San Francisco's Nourse Theater.

Recorded and mixed by Pat Mesiti-Miller

Josh Healey - JDate

Snap Judgment's Josh Healey brings the funny when he decides to help his Mother out of a jam.

See Josh Healey's amazing performance, "How To Help Your Mom Set Up Her Online Profile On JDate."

Original score composed by Alex Mandel, and performed by Alex and the Snap Judgment Playaz (Tim Frick & David Brandt.)

Performed at Snap Judgment LIVE in San Francisco's Nourse Theater. Recorded and mixed by Pat Mesiti-Miller.

Jamie DeWolf - Xiana Fairchild

A story dedicated to the little girl in the hallway.  See Jamie DeWolf's astonishing performance here.

Performed at Snap Judgment Live! in San Francisco's Nourse Theater.  Original score composed by Alex Mandel, and performed by Alex and the Snap Judgment Playaz (Tim Frick & David Brandt.)

Recorded and mixed by Pat Mesiti-Miller

Don Reed - Butter

The ridiculous story of a reluctant player and his secret sauce.

Performed at Snap Judgment Live! in San Francisco's Nourse Theater. Original score composed by Alex Mandel, and performed by Alex and the Snap Judgment Playaz (Tim Frick & David Brandt.)

Recorded and mixed by Pat Mesiti-Miller

The Outbreak

What do you do when a life-threatening disease makes it too dangerous to save the person closest to you.

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

Producer: Jake Halpern with assistance from Mark Ristich, Anna Sussman, Adizah Eghan and Eliza Smith


Grits and Sausages

When Ray Christian was a young boy, he longed to hear the voice of God.

Check out his podcast here.

Producer: Davey Kim

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio

The Blue Bear

For  Lynn Schooler grew up in Alaska hearing rumor after rumor about the elusive blue bear. He never gave it much thought until a friend convinced him that they should go out searching for one. What Lynn ended up finding was, of course, something much different.

For more on Lynn Schooler’s work check out this website.

Producer: Nancy Lopez

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio and Davey Kim

From Russia With Love

Two women, a tiny boat, the wide open ocean...and kismet.  

Elena has written a book about their adventure, called Talking to the Moon. You can read the story on the couple’s website, http://www.cadenza.ca/index.php/en/talking-to-the-moon-en/

You can learn more about Elena and Meg’s journey at their other website, anticruise.online.

Producer: Liz Mak

Original Score: Leon Morimoto

Tameer is part of an ethnic minority in northern Israel called Druze. When he is struck on the head as a young boy he inherits an entire new lifetime of memories.

Original Score: Renzo Gorrio
Producer: Shaina Shealy

"Cowboy Ghost" - Valerie is lost in a snowstorm in rural Montana. She thinks she might not be able to get out, when she sees two headlights coming to her through the storm. Help is on the way - she hopes. Valerie’s story comes to us from the book Trucker Ghost Stories, edited by Annie Wilder.

Producer: Eliza Smith

"Voice In The Woods" - When the voice says "Stop" you stay perfectly still. And when the voice says "Run!" you had better run.

Producer: Eliza Smith

"Great Aunt Rose" – When Christina McKenna’s cruel aunt comes back from the grave to make amends--she’s not sure if she can forgive. Read more about Christina’s childhood in Ireland in her book, My Mother Wore A Yellow Dress.

Producer: Anna Sussman
Original Score: Leon Morimoto

"Devil’s Water" – Attempting to dig the family well in rural Michigan, Glynn's family comes up dry – until Daddy cuts a deal with the Devil.

Original Score: Pat Mesiti-Miller

On the next all-NEW Snap, Katie Leavitt tells her story "Confessions of a Baby Snatcher." Also featuring comedians Ayanna Dookie and Seaton Smith in "Get The Hook Up!"

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Incident at Poison Spider Mesa." The story of two men who come face to face one night in the canyon lands of southern Utah.

Brody Young is a Utah State Park Ranger and motivational speaker, helping other people figure out how to survive the unsurvivable.  To find out more about his story, be sure to check out his website, rangerbrodyyoung.com.

Producer:  Joe Rosenberg

Original Score and Sound Design: Leon Morimoto

"Time Warp Saloon" - The neon sign blinks at the roadhouse bar. The jukebox plays an old tune as the bartender shouts, "Last Call." Just one more. Why not? What could it hurt?

This story came to Spooked from Jim Harold’s Campfire Podcast, hosted by Jim Harold, check it out at JimHarold.com.

"Love Letters" - Mark Spencer lived in the haunted house with the ghost of Ladell - and we are eternally grateful that he stuck around long enough to bring us his story. Mark Spencer and his family have lived in the Allen House since 2007. Visit him online at AllenHouseTours.com

On the next Snap..."Man of Steel." When an immovable object meets an unstoppable force, what is left standing?

Sharp Dressed Man

Glynn discovers discovers the man behind the man he wants to be.

Producer: Pat Mesiti Miller

The Price Of Silence

How did Ben Holmes disappear and then reappear with a bang?

Producer:Davey Kim
Sound Design: Renzo Gorrio

Old Time Strong Man

What happens when a five-foot-seven, 42-year-old from Queens decides to become a superhero?

This story comes from the documentary Bending Steel.

Also check out Chris Wonder Schoek and Unconventional Athletes.

Producer: Anna Sussman

Benjamin and The Bear

Back when he was kid, Benjamin was a scrawny outcast with a penchant for tinkering. He liked to  go on adventures in the abandoned mining town where he grew up, seeking discarded electronics to repair. One day he goes on an adventure that he will never forget.

Today Benjamin Young Savage is a graphic artist and  illustrator based in Baltimore. We found him on Twitter.

Producer: Adizah Eghan and Eliza Smith

Original Score: Leon Morimoto

Goose Justice

Snap storyteller Abdul Kenyatta was taught to be wary of the police. Then one day he found a way to turn the tables.

Producer:Anna Sussman

Original Score: Leon Morimoto

On the next Snap Judgment, "The Performer." The hardest character to play is the character without a script.

Magic Lamp

Glynn's good luck charm goes missing.

Producer: Mark Ristich

Cassandro El Exotico

Cassandro is an up-and-coming luchador, a professional Mexican wrestler. He wants to get to the big arenas. He's got the talent, no doubt. But because he's also one of the only openly gay fighters, he's got an uphill battle to get the crowd and the press on his side. 

Producer:Eliza Smith
Sound Design: Leon Morimoto

Gina Gold - The Lusty Lady

Pimps beware! Gina Gold is on superhero duty.

Performed live at Snap LIVE! in Oakland's Paramount Theater
Music composed by Alex Mandel and performed by Alex Mandel, David Brandt, and Tim Frick

Neal Brennan - Three Mics

Neal Brennan writer, director, comedian and co-creator of Chappelle's Show is in the studio telling a story from his one-man show Three Mics.

Performed by Neal Brennan
Producer: Lina Misitzis and Mark Ristich

Supernatural Storytelling. Experience Snap's new haunted podcast, "Spooked!"

 Featuring "Houdini’s Promise" and "The Night Mother."

Get Spooked at SpookedPodcast.org. From the creators of Snap Judgment and WNYC studios, a new podcast that pushes back the veil. Real stories from real people battling the forces of the night.  Subscribe now!

Have you ever happily wandered the woods? Not a care in the world. Then right after sunset felt a hot, oily breath breathing down your shoulder? Snap Judgment proudly presents "Campfire Tales IV: Primal."

*Get the NEW Spooked Podcast now at SpookedPodcast.org. 

STORIES

Border Bogeyman
Rocky Elmore used to work down by the border during long pitch-black nights in the desert. It was so dark you never knew who or what was out there.

Tooki Man
Trekking in Indonesia, Ian and Stuart wander off the beaten path.  There, a broken man tells them he knows the way to magic . . .

The Trail of Polaroids
After arriving home from work, Douglas Leach saw a Polaroid lying on his front step. He picked it up. He shouldn't have . . .

Past Life Detective 
Detective Bob Snow could never have imagined that the toughest case of his entire career, would be an investigation into his own past....life.  Check out Bob Snow’s books here. 

On the next Snap, "The Promise." Some of them are worthless, and some of them have infinite value, and some you will never know how much they are worth... until you have to cash them in.

On the next Snap Judgment,"On The Mat." Amazing people wrestling with tough opponents and big decisions. Featuring Anthony Robles, the grappler that could take you down with one leg, and the Von Erich wrestling family whose glitz and fame was riddled with pain and sacrifice.

On the next Snap..."High Crimes and Misdemeanors. When your back is against the wall and you're all out of options, you don't want to break the law...but it wants to break you. Featuring the story of an imprisoned Iranian fiancee and a personal story from the Daily Show's Hasan Minhaj.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Transcendent." Amazing stories from people pushing the limits of their own mortality. Featuring the story of a skeptical journalist turned mountain climber.

On the next Snap..."The Mercenary", amazing stories from people paid to do our dirty work.

On the next all-NEW Snap Special..."The Cadillac Hotel." At the Cadillac Hotel, an SRO in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District, a resident has gone missing. Her long time lover and best friend won’t rest until she is found.

On the next Snap Judgment, we proudly present "Artificial Intelligence."  Amazing stories from real people battling a digital future.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Bad Medicine." You take the pills, you exercise regularly, and yet, still something or perhaps someone is wrong...

On the next Snap, "Can't Hold Me Down." The world has a natural order that we all abide...except when we don't.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."True Believer." When all hope is lost, the only people left are the true believers.

On the next Snap..."Overthrow." You give the big speech, lead the big charge, but can you take them down? 

One family, one story, three acts. The amazing Fecile family invites us behind closed doors to witness the hardest choice they ever had to make. A special stunning collaboration with Love and Radio... “Bslink Once For Yes."

This story comes to us from Nick van DerKolk's podcast Love and Radio.

Produced by John Fecile, Steven Jackson and  Lizzie Schiffman Tufano

Additional recording by Patrick Tufano   

Original Music by Pat Mesiti-Miller and Curtis Heath

To hear the original full length version of this story go to Loveandradio.org. 

Learn more about The Brain Injury Association of America and the work the Fecile family has done with them.

Season 8 Episode 14 

On the next all-NEW Snap Judgment, one family, one story, three acts. The amazing Fecile family invites us behind closed doors to witness the hardest choice they ever had to make. A special stunning collaboration with Love and Radio... “Blink Once For Yes."

This story comes to us from Nick van DerKolk's podcast Love and Radio.

Produced by John Fecile, Steven Jackson and  Lizzie Schiffman Tufano

Additional recording by Patrick Tufano   

Original Music by Pat Mesiti-Miller and Curtis Heath

To hear the original full length version of this story go to Loveandradio.org. 

Learn more about The Brain Injury Association of America and the work the Fecile family has done with them.

On the next Snap, "The Patient". When you're at your very worst, alone, naked in a thin robe, and on a white table that you realize what you're really made of.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."By The Book." What if you do everything just right to the letter but you discover the exact way they asked you to do it ...is wrong?

On the next all-NEW Snap Special..."Palestinian Sperm Smuggling."

When Yehiya gets thrown in jail for arming the Palestinian resistance, he and his wife, Sameera, have to find a way to keep their family growing.

This story comes to us from Shaina Shealy, an American radio producer working out of Jerusalem. You can find her on Twitter @shainashealy.

Eliza Smith provided editorial assistance for this piece.

Original Score and Sound Design: Leon Morimoto

Producer: Shaina Shealy

On the next all-NEW Snap…”Tricknology.” When you’re struggling and living in the margins, the powers that be want to keep you…exactly where you are.

On the next Snap, "The Fall Guy." Who are you going to turn to when the dust settles and someone's gotta take the blame?

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Hey DJ!" You will never know your true power until you know your radio voice.  Featuring the amazing story of Radio Mosul.

On the next Snap... "Chain of Command." Amazing stories about those on the bottom talking to those in the middle who report to those on top.

On the next Snap, "Better Half." We all have our better sides, but what if your better side of yourself...is someone else?

On the next all-NEW Snap ..."Legacy." You get up every morning and go through the motions, but do you ever stop to wonder what you're leaving behind?

On the 4/20 Snap Special, "High Stakes." When life goes up in smoke, inhale deep.

On the next Snap..."The Klan." The word instills fear in many, fascination in some, and allegiance in others, and on the next Snap Judgment we're going face to face.

It's an exclusive Snap Special -- Don Reed's "I Miss Toni." The Snap Performer Of The Year reveals a family story of love, betrayal, and pride. Includes a post-story interview with Glynn Washington. 

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Boxed In." When you feel the walls coming closer and closer, where do you go? Where do you hide?

On the next Snap Special..."Bad Magic." It's intriguing, tempting, and dangerous, but somehow you can't resist... Support Snap Judgment storytelling at SnapJudgment.org.

On the next Snap Special..."Aces Wild".  We throw down a four of a kind in front of a full house...LIVE!

On the next podcast only Snap Special..."My Mother's Daughter." You can argue, laugh, and cry but you can never change who you came from. Support Snap Judgment storytelling at snapjudgment.org

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Born Identity." There is the person you were born to be, and then there is the person you're creating. But what happens when both sides battle it out?

On the next Snap Special..."Heart's Desire." You know the feeling, the longing, the passion...you think you can ignore it, but you can never escape it. Support Snap Judgment storytelling at snapjudgment.org.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Personal Jesus." Reach out and touch faith. Amazing stories of people searching for their own salvation.

On the next Snap Judgment…”Full Circle.” It's almost like deja vu. Almost. Except, you remember every single step of the journey. Amazing stories about ending up exactly where you got started.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Notorious." More money, more problems, more stories than you know what to do with. Throw your hands in the air if you're a true player.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."One In A Million." There is lots of stuff that is never supposed to happen, but once in a while, something slips through the cracks.

On the next Snap... "Dirty Work."  You know how bad it looks, and it's not gonna get any easier, but you roll up your sleeves and get down to it. 

On the next all-NEW Snap "Run For It." You can walk, amble, stride, but if you really want something...you better run.

On the next Snap..."Brass Ring." Sometimes you gotta go around the carousel a few times to get the prize.

What's it like to be pulling the levers, twisting the plot, and making the tough cuts inside the Snap story factory?   Snap presents "The Specialist," a podcast about work we don't think about and the people who do it. 

Hosted by Casey Miner, a project of KALW public radio in San Francisco.

www.specialistpodcast.com

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Mirrors." You can run and hide from just about everyone, except yourself.

On the next Snap Judgment... "Man on a Mission." Lead, follow or get out of the way. It's amazing stories that will not be denied.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Backstory." Before you can begin to understand the story, you gotta hear the backstory.

We think we're slick...that nobody knows the difference between the private us and public us. On the next Snap, it's all exposed on "Sex, Lies and Audiotape."

Snap presents a special audio fiction episode featuring Jonathan Mitchell's "The Truth."

Can You Help Me Find My Mom?

A girl is lost and can't find her mom. Why won't anyone help her?

Written by Diana McCorry
Produced by Jonathan Mitchell

more @ thetruthpodcast.com/story/2015/4/8/can-you-help-me-find-my-mom

VISIBLE

A blind man gets a Seeing Eye App.

Written by Louis Kornfeld
with help from Diana McCorry
Produced by Jonathan Mitchell

more @ thetruthpodcast.com/story/2016/2/12/visible-drive-straight-ahead

The Truth is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX, a curated network of extraordinary, cutting-edge shows. Learn more at radiotopia.fm.

In this one-hour special, "Homemade Stories: The Struggle is Real," award-winning storyteller Shannon Cason takes us on a journey that finds hope in struggle. From navigating Detroit’s overwhelmed criminal justice system, to searching for work and finding closed doors, to being a father after failing in marriage, to finding anchors in a sea of uncertainty, Shannon's stories are heartfelt, heartbreaking and hilarious all at once.

Go, go, go. Push, push, push. That's all well and good, but every once in a while it's time to kick back and look at what you already did.  The Snap Judgment 2016 Look Back Special.

It's an all-new Snap…"Mettle." Luck is nice, good fortune fantastic, but sometimes you have to show what you are made of.

On the next Snap, "Cross To Bear." You don't want it, you didn't create it, but it's all yours.

Bells Atlas, the sultry, soulful, funky Oakland band performing with Snap Live! has put together a mixtape that we know you are gonna dig.  It's an early gift for you, from Snap. 

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Rivals." It's always that person you can't stand who pushes you to be better.

Some people go through life with a smile on their faces...do they know something we don't? On the next Snap, "Rose Colored Glasses."

It's an extra helping of stuffing..."Gratitude 2015" encore presentation. Even now, Snap still has a whole lot to be thankful for.  So pass the gravy, and thanks for listening. 

On the next Snap Judgment, "Gratitude 2016." Even after the rain, there are still rainbows.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Inside Scoop." The secret handshake, the password, the hidden deals, they can all be elusive...but on the next Snap Judgment we let you in the inner circle.

On the next Snap ..."The Proxy." What if you could be you without all of the responsibility, the guilt, and the self-loathing? Too good to be true? ...Maybe not.

On an all-NEW Snap..."Spooked VII: Pitch Black." There is the dark of night...and then there is darkness so deep you can barely hear yourself scream. The hair-raising finale of Snap's terrifying "Spooked Week" of haunting, true-life stories. Be afraid . . .

On the next Snap Spooked Special..."Sight Unseen." When the lights go dark...how can you be sure you're alone?  Part of Snap's terrifying "Spooked Week" of haunting, true-life stories. Be afraid . . .

On the next Snap Spooked Special... "Hounds of Hell." What happens when man's best friend...turns into your worst enemy? Part of Snap's terrifying "Spooked Week" of haunting, true-life stories. Be afraid . . .

On the next Snap Spooked Special...."Welcome To The Dollhouse." Sometimes the most innocent things...are the scariest. Part of Snap's terrifying "Spooked Week" of haunting, true-life stories. Be afraid . . .

When the fire crackles and the shadows dance -- get ready for Snap Judgment's "Campfire Tales." Part of Snap's terrifying "Spooked Week" of haunting, true-life stories. Be afraid . . .

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Down With The Ship." There are two kinds of people, those who try to survive...and those who dance as the water rises

On the next Snap..."Tin Man." What if you were born without a heart? Featuring stories about the DMZ, face blindness, and psychopaths.

Can't wait for Spooked 7? Try this... a classic ghost story with photographic evidence. Two men living outside of Los Angeles encounter a ghost so undeniable, they have to fight back the press and the rest of the world to maintain their sanity.

See the pics for yourself:  www.seeingthingsthebook.com

Also see pics here.

Producer: Anna Sussman
Sound design: Pat Mesiti-Miller

On the next all-NEW Snap... "End Of The Rainbow." We all want a world where what we imagine comes to pass, but sometimes, you can't escape reality.

On the next Snap..."Breakout." Storytellers Don Reed, J.W. Taylor, and James Judd perform live in San Francisco for the "Breakout Special."

On the next all-NEW Snap..."My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy." Sometimes the only word you hear is "No." But what if you always said "Yes"? 

On the next Snap..."Crash and Burn." Riveting stories from people who pushed it to the limit.

Snap Judgment, storytelling with a BEAT.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Blood Oath." Some commitments go way beyond words. Amazing stories of friendship and betrayal.

How far would you go to save the person you love? This radio play was adapted from Amber Sparks’s story, 13 Ways of Destroying a Painting, from her short story collection The Unfinished World. You can find more of her work at www.ambernoellesparks.com

Narrator: Thao Nguyen of Thao and the Get Down Stay Down

Director: Mark Ristich

Producer: Eliza Smith

Sound Design: Pat Mesiti-Miller

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Fortress of Solitude." When the world becomes too much, you need a safe place to regroup. 

On the next Snap ... "Weight Of The World." Everyone has a secret. Some secrets are heavier than others.

One mom, one dad, 2.5 kids and a white picket fence?  This week on Snap Judgment we get real.  From WNYC Studios, Snap proudly presents..."Nuclear Family."

Joe Rowe lived happily in the middle of the West Texas desert - until a stranger named Rick McLaren moved in and started a violent militia group called the Republic of Texas. Things got downright ugly when McLaren sent troops to take Joe hostage in his own home.

Check out some behind-the-scenes footage of Joe showing off bullet holes in his home! Right here at Snap Films!

Producer: Stephanie Foo

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Big Girls Don't Cry." When the going gets tough, the tough make stuff happen. Featuring stories about rattlesnakes pageant queens, Apache orphans, and the legendary Xiao Xiao.

When the world around you is burning, where do you look for relief?

Performed live by Josh Healey at Snap LIVE!

Music composed by Alex Mandel and performed by Alex Mandel, Tim Frick, and David Brandt

Glynn Washington tells us what it's like to grow up black in a white supremacist Jesus Cult (the Worldwide Church of God).   This interview was produced by Benjamen Walker, the host of the podcast the Theory of Everything. 

On the next Snap..."Caught Up." You think you make your own decisions, go your own way, forge your own path, but you look up and realize...you're playing someone else's game.

On the next all-NEW Snap..." Leap of Faith." When you feel disaster looming, but still...you decide to go for it. Snap Judgment, storytelling with a beat.

Storyteller Joel ben Izzy tells the hauntingly beautiful story of a simple piece of fruit.

Producer: Stephanie Foo

On the next all-NEW Snap Judgment..."Shake, Rattle, and Roll." What happens when you try to hold your ground, but that same ground crumbles beneath you?

A New York Rabbi has his faith tested when he takes a job in Nebraska. 

Producer: Anna Sussman

On the next Snap, "Godsend." You may have the wisdom of the ages, but when it really hits the fan...even you might need some help. Featuring tales of rare medical phenomenons, mythical creatures, and mind control.

On an all-NEW Snap..."Voice of Reason". What if you discover your plans aren't working? Do you listen to good advice or do you shoot the messenger? Featuring stories about Jesse Jackson, the voice of God, and more...

On the next Snap..."Unforgiven." There is a line, draw it in the sand, shake on it, mark it in blood, but if you cross it... there is no going back.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Loss for Words." We know what you wanted to say, what you were trying to say, what you should have said. We really, really do.

On the next all-NEW Snap..."Man of Steel." When an immovable object meets an unstoppable force, what is left standing?

Hear the final results of your hard work.  Big Love from Team Snap!