Snap Judgment

A man walks off the side of a California highway, deep into the patchy grassland, to build a life away from the rest of the world. And a storyteller travels through a Chicago neighborhood with his grandmother… into a time machine. STORIES The Hitchhiker's Guide To America A man walks off the side of a California highway, deep into the patchy grassland, to build a life away from the rest of the world. Sensitive listeners should know that this story contains a description of a car accident. Thank you, Gregory, for sharing your story with us! Produced by Tessa Paoli, original score by Derek Barber Time Traveler A few weeks ago, writer and performer Jacoby Cochran walked through a Chicago neighborhood and into a time machine. That’s where the story begins… This story contains explicit language and references racial violence. Please take care while listening. Thank you, Jacoby, for sharing your story with us! For more of Jacoby’s work, please head on over to jacobycochran.com. Produced by Regina Bediako & Anna Sussman, original score by Clay Xavier Artwork by Teo Ducot

A man sages houses in his Southern Cheyenne community to rid them of unwanted powers and spirts. But when he encounters a stubborn entity he must step into his own power. And a work retreat in the jungle brings a doctor face-to-face with its protector. This week on Snap, we’re bringing you supernatural stories from our evil twin podcast, Spooked. For more stories from the other side of the veil — listen to Spooked for free on any podcast platform! STORIES Always Be Polite John Henson regularly smokes off houses for his friends and family. He’s learned to do it through years of observing family members. Now he is trusted by his Native Southern Cheyenne community to do it for others.He comes in, prays for the home, and goes on his way. But when he encounters a very stubborn entity outside his friend’s home, he has to step into his own power and get it to go, all while being polite. BIG thanks to, John Henson, for sharing your story with us! Original score by Leon Morimoto, produced by Chris Hambrick & Anne Ford Pee Afraid Dr. Aammton Alias has a work retreat in the jungle. And when he gets there … he’s gotta go. Thank you, Dr. Aammton, for sharing your story! Original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, produced by Anne Ford Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 27

Some of the best storytellers around have gathered to tell stories. Not for a huge audience -- but for each other. Snap presents, “Backstage III.” An episode made of love and laughter featuring Glynn Washington, Shannon Cason, Dino Archie, Joyce Lee, Don Reed, and Dr. Ray Christian! This episode contains explicit language and discusses firearms. Sensitive listeners please be advised. Thank you to all the amazing storytellers! Dino Archie is tearing up the comedy world with a brand new special on YouTube, Toxic But Safe. Joyce Lee's got a book coming out. Don Reed is touring his one man performance, The Never Too Late Show. Dr. Ray Christian is combining forces with The Moth for the return his podcast, What's Ray Saying. You can hear more of Shannon Cason’s brutally honest storytelling on his podcast, Homemade Stories. Produced by Mark Ristich. The original Backstage episodes were produced by Nikka Singh. Season 14 - Episode 26

As kids many of us dreamt of building and playing in a tree house. For Donald Vaughn, also known as “fish”, that became his everyday reality… but it was far from a dream. Cold, hungry and all alone, Vaughn was kicked out of his house at 11 years old, and built a makeshift treehouse in order to survive. Anthony Ivy, an Uncuffed producer at Solano State prison, asked Vaughn to share his nightmare of being unloved, unkept and isolated. Thank you, Donald Vaughn, for sharing your story! This piece comes from our friends at Uncuffed. You can listen to KALW’s Uncuffed, for more stories produced inside California state prisons, wherever you get your podcasts. Follow @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. To learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, and support the program at www.weareuncuffed.org Produced by Anthony Ivy Sound design by Eric "Maserati-E" Abercrombie Edited by Andrew Stelzer and Sonia Paul Artwork by Teo Ducot Uncuffed’s work in prisons is supported by the California Arts Council, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and donations from listeners. The producers fact-check content to the best of their ability. Content is approved by an information officer. Season 14 - Episode 25

When the music is within you, how far would you go to dance again? A young ballerina is diagnosed with scoliosis just as her passion for ballet begins. And Glynn's summer love turns serious when his church elders have a word with his father about the separation of the races. Bodies in Motion When the music is within you, how far would you go to dance again? A young ballerina is diagnosed with scoliosis just as her passion for ballet begins. A huge thank you to, Sophie Kohn, for sharing her story with Snap! Sophie is a writer and producer with CBC comedy. Follow her on Twitter. This piece was based on her essay “Body in Motion” which was originally published at Hazlitt.net Special thanks to David Exumé for his help with this story. Produced by Bo Walsh, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, artwork by Teo Ducot Niagara Falls At sixteen, Glynn's summer love turns serious when his church elders come to have a word with his father about the separation of the races. Produced by Stephanie Foo, told by Glynn Washington at Snap LIVE Season 14 - Episode 24

Today on Snap, we join a notorious anarchist organization in the midst of chaos and travel to the Syrian desert to meet a monk. 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... Original score by Renzo Gorrio, produced by Jazmin Aguilera 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. This story comes to us from Modern Love: The Podcast. It’s a collaboration between The New York Times and WBUR in Boston, where they take pieces from the Modern Love column, and ask actors to perform them. This story is read by Linda Cardellini. Sound design by John Perotti, produced by Caitlin O’Keefe Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 23 - Snap Classic

When Tameer gets hit in the head as a kid, he inherits an entire new lifetime of memories. Original score by Renzo Gorrio, producer by Shaina Shealy, artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 22

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. A big thanks to Amaryllis Fox for sharing her story with us. You can buy her book on Knopf, Amazon, or anywhere books are sold. Produced by Nikka Singh, original score by Leon Morimoto, artwork by Teo Ducot Snap Classic – Season 10, Episode 31

This week on Snap Judgment… it's the tough jobs, the rough jobs, the roll up your sleeves and get it done jobs. When the oddest man in town is arrested for murder, only one lawyer steps up to represent him. Plus misadventures under the Not-So-Big Top. STORIES The Writing Is On The Wall When the scariest man in town is arrested for murder, only one lawyer volunteers to represent him... Produced by Joe Rosenberg, sound design by Renzo Gorrio Corrections: In a previous version, McCracken Poston is referred to as both a state senator and state representative. He was a state representative, not a state senator. Also, Virginia Ridley is described as having last been seen in public in 1980, 17 years before the events described in this story. In fact it was in 1970, 27 years before. The Indiana Bust-Out How does a well-mannered math kid become a first-class hustler? Through the ancient carnie tradition of "The Indiana Bust-Out." Check out Pete’s book -- Eyeing the Flash: The Making of a Carnival Con Artist Produced by Davey Kim, sound design by Leon Morimoto and Davey Kim Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 20

Two sisters, Magi and Memo, track down an American man accused of sexual abuse at a children's home in Kenya. It’s a story spanning two continents… following those who give everything to make things right. This story, while not graphic, does involve child abuse, including sexual abuse, and the death of a child. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. Thank you so much to everyone in this story. To Magi and Memo, for sharing your lives with us over the past two years. Magi has started a GoFundMe to raise money for the survivors of the Dow Children's Home. To Janice and especially to Joy — Kongoi for your courage and your strength. Kongoi as well to Geoffrey Ng’tich, Beatrice Korir, and Joshua Abudoh. Translation by Caroline Chebet Recording engineers: Josh Wilcox, Ryan Geesaman, and Coconut Original score by Renzo Gorrio Produced and reported by Halima Gikandi and John Fecile Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 19

The first time someone says I love you could be the same moment you never see them again… Liz and John are lost in the chaos and struggling to find their way to safety when a country music concert in Vegas becomes the site of a senseless tragedy. This story references an incidence of mass gun violence. Know that while this story does contain trauma it is not only a story of trauma… it’s a story of love, community, caring, and hope. A tremendous thank you to Liz Heaton for sharing her story with us. This story was produced by Dave Nadelberg, creator of the global stage show and podcast Mortified, now celebrating its 20th anniversary. Additional production support from Joey Fischground and Zahra Noorbakhsh The original score for this story was by Dirk Schwarzhoff Special thanks to Neil Katcher and Jessica Lawrence Season 14 - Episode 18

Jay J. Armes was a real life superhero... until real life intruded. And after living in darkness for decades, a man’s life changes forever when someone suddenly switches the lights on. STORIES Jay J. Armes, Private Eye Jay J. Armes was a real life superhero... until real life intruded. Produced by Vanessa Rancano, sound design by Leon Morimoto Switched On Imagine spending the first four decades of your life in darkness. Then imagine that someone suddenly switches the lights on. John Elder Robison is a writer, speaker and advocate for people with autism. Be sure to check out his Neurodiversity work at the College of William and Mary as well as his car restoration work at Robison Services. Produced and scored by Davey Kim Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 17

As a littler girl, Jen Kober discovered the allure of being a Brownie Scout… the Girl Scout Cookie. Holding out for Girl Scout Cookie release day was another struggle all together. Performed Live by Jen Kober at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Music written by Alex Mandel and performed by the Snap Players Alex Mandel, Tim Frick and David Brand Season 14 - Episode 17

Sometimes what you want to say, what you mean, and what comes out of your mouth are entirely different things. STORIES I Love You Dadbot 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 Silicon’s Valley’s quest to create conversation-making A.I.s. Check out his article about Dadbot in Wired Magazine. Follow James on Twitter. Original Score by Renzo Gorrio, produced Jazmin Aguilera Date With The Devil When he was younger, Greg Stone was always a good boyfriend. Or, he tried to be. Greg Stone is a comedian living in New York. You can also hear him on his podcast, The Rad Dude Cast. Check out Greg’s website. Original Score by Leon Morimoto, produced by Liz Mak 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. Produced by Adizah Eghan Sherlock Hound Kirby Verret’s grandpa was a Houma who just wanted to hunt and be free on the Louisiana bayou. He couldn’t be bothered by anyone...except for his best friend, Brown the dog. Produced by Stephanie Foo Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 16

Todd’s uncle was one mean son of a biscuit. But long after he’s dead and gone, his descendants worry that his meanness might rub off on them. Master storyteller Todd Narron is our tour guide as we explore the mysterious, spooky American South. This story comes to us from our evil twin podcast, Spooked. Episodes drop weekly on Friday! Featuring brand new stories - along with episodes previously available only by subscription. Listen for free on any podcast platform. Thank you, Todd Narron, for sharing your stories with us! If you want more stories from Todd, check out his incredible books: Country Stories of Ghosts and Bad Men & Country Stories of Ghosts and Bad Men: Series 2 - The Dead Ones. Season 14 - Episode 15

Everyone who works at Radio Centro knows it’s haunted. But Guillermo, the host on the station’s paranormal show “Tell it Tonight,” is about to discover that he has psychic powers that make him susceptible to the station’s haunts. This story comes to us from our evil twin podcast, Spooked. A show full of true supernatural tales that will keep you up at night. Spooked episodes now drop every week on Friday! Featuring brand new stories -- along with episodes previously available only by subscription. Listen for free on any podcast platform. Be afraid… Big, big love to Guillermo, thank you for sharing your story with the Spooked. The original score for that story was by Renzo Gorrio, it was produced by Fernando Hernandez Translation for that piece is by Fernando Hernandez, Renzo Gorrio, and Nestor Gomez Artwork by Sanaa Khan Season 14 - Episode 15

The supersonic crack of a whip echoes through downtown Reno. It’s an art form to some, a concern to others, and for one person it’s the start of their search for Nando, the master whip-maker. This episode was produced by Fil Corbitt for their podcast THE WIND. The Wind is made at a handmade desk in the Sierra Nevada. Search for The Wind wherever you listen to podcasts. The music in this episode was written specifically for this story. The original score was composed and performed by Emily Pratt who makes music under the name Howls Road. This final song was by Yclept Insan. You can hear Emily Pratt’s full soundtrack, plus photos of the whips, and much more at TheWind.ORG/SNAP Thank you to Emily Pratt, Mike Corbitt, and Anjeanette Damon for advice and support on this piece. Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 13

We need you. I need you. Go to SnapJudgment.org and show your support for Snap. Give what you can at whatever level is comfortable for you. Let’s Keep Snap Snappin' -- Glynn

Mountain Village is an Alaska Native 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. Snap Classic - Season 14 - Episode 12

She’s stunning grey, sleek as a race car, and stronger than all the boys. Her name is Winning Colors and for Dino and Miami she’s the long shot of a lifetime. This story contains strong language and includes descriptions of gambling, sensitive listeners please be advised. If gambling has become a problem for you or for someone you know, you can call 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537) to seek free, confidential, 24/7 problem gambling assistance. A huge thank you to Mark “Miami” Paul for sharing his story with Snap! Wondering what happened to Winning Colors? After her 1988 Kentucky Derby crown the big grey filly retired the following year with eight career wins. In 2000, she was inducted into the U.S. National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. In 2008, at the age of 23 Winning Colors was laid to rest in Lexington, Kentucky. To find out more about Miami and Winning Colors’ story - check out Miami’s book, “The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told” Original score by Renzo Gorrio, produced by Bo Walsh, artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 11