Snap Judgment

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. Produced by Shaina Shealy, original score by Renzo Gorrio. Season 17 - Episode 10 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

An ecologist in Maine fears she must be crazy because she communicates with animals. Then a tiny, collared Dove told her he could read her mind. And – a man in Alaska hears a rumor about the elusive blue bear. He never gave it much thought until a friend convinced him to search for one. We're wrapping up the FEVER series this week! Tune in. STORIES When Doves Cry An ecologist in Maine fears she must be crazy because she communicates with animals. Then a tiny, collared Dove told her he could read her mind. Thank you Sara and Lily B for sharing your story with us! Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Nicholas Marks. 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. Thanks Lynn for sharing your story with Snap! For more on Lynn Schooler's work check out his Facebook page. Produced by Nancy Lopez, sound design by Renzo Gorrio and Davey Kim. Season 17 - Episode 9 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

From puppy love to stolen moments to the thrill of the chase... their relationship made headlines. A huge thank you to Toby Dorr for sharing her story with Snap! Toby is an author, speaker and criminal justice reform advocate. She’s also the founder of the Fierce Grace Movement, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting women impacted by incarceration through storytelling and mentorship. There's so much that we were not able to share about Toby’s experience... to find out more, check out Toby’s memoir “Living With Conviction” Produced by Bo Walsh, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Nicholas Marks. Season 17 - Episode 8 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Could you choose a lover for the love of your life? Our Fever Series continues with more stories from the heart -- of the heart. STORIES Loves Actually A Colorado couple explore uncharted territory when their idyllic marriage gets hit with a curve ball. Thank you to Mil and Jan Markle for sitting down with Snap, opening up your hearts and sharing your story! Produced by Regina Bediako, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio. Love Rivals After a whirlwind romance, Brian and Vanessa get married and move to Kinshasa. Everything is going well until she shows up. Thank you Vanessa Woods for sharing your story! Produced by Mira Burt-Wintonick, Cristal Duhaime and Jodie Taylor. This story comes to us from CBC's Love Me. Listen to more Love Me on any podcast platform. Season 17 - Episode 7 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Your eyes may deceive you, your ears can betray you, but when it comes to love the nose knows. Plus - a reflection on life’s sliding doors and how we can never truly know all the versions of the people we love. This week on Snap, we kick off our FEVER series! Four weeks full of love stories that are not your typical romances... We love you Snap Nation! Catch the Fever. STORIES Smell Ya Later After Laura’s husband gets a fatal diagnosis, he promises to contact her from beyond the grave. But how will she know it’s really him? This supernatural story comes to us from our evil twin podcast, Spooked. Spooked drops weekly, listen on any podcast platform! Thank you, Laura Packer, for sharing this special story. Laura’s a storyteller in Minneapolis. Learn more about Laura at her website. Produced by Anne Ford, original score by Leon Morimoto. My Dead Mother’s Italian Lover Not long after Peter’s mother Mara dies, a stranger messages him on Facebook. His name is Francesco and he says that before she met Peter’s dad, Mara was the love of his life. Francesco starts sending Peter poetry and links to love songs, describing his romance with Peter’s mom in more and more detail. And the woman in his stories is nothing like the mother Peter knew. So Peter reaches out to Francesco for a phone call. A reflection on life’s sliding doors and how we can never truly know all the versions of the people we love. This story comes to us from Love Me, from CBC. It was produced by Peter Lang-Stanton, Cristal Duhaime and Mira Burt-Wintonick. Sound design by Cristal Duhaime. Mix engineered by Michelle MACK-lem . Featuring original music by David Drury. To hear more stories about the messiness of human connection, check out Love Me wherever you get your podcasts. Season 17 - Episode 6 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Adizah Eghan noticed an interesting trend on social media: everyone seemed to be living it up in Tulum, Mexico. Some were flocking there to have a good time, while others were seeking something much deeper: they wanted to escape racism and seek refuge with like-minded people. Adizah traveled to Mexico to experience the vibes of Tulum for herself — and also dig into why Black people are seeking refuge in a small fishing town south of Cancun. This piece comes to us from our friends at VICE News Reports. VICE has so many amazing stories, make sure you check out their podcast! This episode contains explicit language, sensitive listeners please be advised. Special thanks to Nubia Younge, Patricia Talley, and all those in Tulum! This episode was produced by Adizah Eghan and edited by Kate Osborn and James T. Green with help from Annie Aviles and Stephanie Kariuki. The original score is by Kyle Murdock. Snap Classic - Season 17 – Episode 5 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

An Iranian American professor is on a date in the hills outside Tehran. She hears the thunder of galloping, and what comes over the crest will ignite an unbridled passion in her - defining her future and explaining her past. Plus, an urban legend about a chicken that turns out to be true. This is our final week of the Tooth & Nail series -- stay tuned next month for our collection of love stories in February... Fever. Do not miss it. No Reins An Iranian American professor is on a date in the hills outside Tehran. She hears the thunder of galloping, and what comes over the crest will ignite an unbridled passion in her - defining her future and explaining her past. This story contains state brutality and sexual situations, sensitive listeners please be advised. Thank you Pardis for speaking with Snap! Check out her book --Book of Queens -- all about her time on horseback in Iran. Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff. Headless Chicken Some schoolyard stories are true, and so are some urban legends. This story contains descriptions of a chicken without a head, please take care while listening. For more information about Mike The Headless Chicken, including Fruita, Colorado’s annual Mike The Headless Chicken Festival, check out miketheheadlesschicken.org Produced by Joe Rosenberg, original score by Renzo Gorrio with additional instrumentation by Andrew Vickers. Season 17 - Episode 4 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

What if your sister -- the one your parents raised you with, the one that shared your toys -- what if she didn’t just have different hair, or a slightly different nose, but was an entirely different species altogether? Hannah Friedman experiences the Law of the Jungle firsthand in the (dis)comfort of her family home. STORIES Monkey Sister A huge thank you to Hannah Friedman and her parents Alison Pascoe & Dean Friedman for sharing their story with Snap! Hannah is a tv and film writer, producer and composer based in Los Angeles. To find out more about her life growing up with Amelia the monkey, check out Hannah’s memoir “Everything Sucks” Produced by Bo Walsh, edited by Regina Bediako, original score by Renzo Gorrio. Photo courtesy of Alison Pascoe. The Gift Horse Tim Snyder thought he knew horses. He’d been around horses his entire life. Then he was introduced to a disabled horse that completely changed his life. Thanks Tim for sharing your story! Check out Tim's book "The Ghost Horse" Produced by Anna Sussman, sound design by Renzo Gorrio. Season 17 - Episode 3 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A dolphin named Dr. Spock is in danger and NBA star Clifford Ray is the only man big enough to lend a hand. Plus, torrential rain is ripping through the Appalachians and the people of the mountain are all looking for Plan B. STORIES Just Another Day for Big Clifford Ray A dolphin named Dr. Spock is in danger and NBA star Clifford Ray is the only man big enough to lend a hand. A huge thank you to Clifford Ray and Mary O’Herron for sharing their story with the Snap! This year, Big Cliff and Author Laynie D. Weaver teamed up to bring Clifford and Dr. Spock’s story to life in an illustrated Children’s book titled “Big Clifford Ray Saves The Day.” Want more Big Cliff? Follow him on Instagram or X. Produced by Bo Walsh, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff , artwork by Teo Ducot Plan B Snap Storyteller, Dr. Ray Christian, found himself trapped by the rising floodwaters of hurricane Helene, he knew he had to flee. But he also knew that meant leaving behind all of his animals, including his favorite goat. Thank you, Ray, for sharing your story with us! Ray has shared some resources for hurricane Helene recovery: The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and The Rock. For a world of Southern-baked personal narratives, interwoven with Black American history, listen to Ray’s podcast: What’s Ray Saying? Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Derek Barber Snap Classic - Season 17 – Episode 2 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Can the dreaded Alligator Death Roll actually save your life? One man risks life and limb in the Florida swamplands. Thank you, Eric Merda, for sharing his story with us! Eric has been sharing his experience on stage doing stand-up comedy and also as a motivational speaker. Check him out on Instagram! Produced by Bo Walsh, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Nick Marks. Season 17 - Episode 1 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A severed head turns up in a small rural town. While police investigate this as a crime, they look at disturbed graves, search for missing people — suspect a killer. But the forensic artist on the case has a very different theory for how the head ended up in the woods. This story contains references to forensic material, sensitive listeners please be advised. Thank you to Michelle Vitali & Mike O’Brien for sharing this story with Snap. Produced by Nancy López, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot. Happy New Year Snap Nation -- thank you for listening in 2025! We love you! Snap Classic - Season 16 - Episode 61 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Scott Lechner is the king of Christmas trees in Manhattan, nicknamed the “Pontiff of Soho.” But when his business runs afoul of the mob, he gets an offer that he can’t refuse. And a covert operative is assigned to extract a high-level target from Russia, and it’s about to ruin his holiday plans. STORIES The Christmas Tree Mafia Scott Lechner is the king of Christmas trees in Manhattan, nicknamed the “Pontiff of Soho.” But when his business runs afoul of the mob, he gets an offer that he can’t refuse. The crazy true story of the New York Christmas tree industry, full of turf wars, karate fights, and the mafia. This story contains explicit language, sensitive listeners please be advised. This story is dedicated to the memory of Scott Lechner, the pontiff of Soho and the emperor of New York city treemen. Thanks as well to Russ and Little Scott. Produced by Ilana Strauss, John Fecile & Annie Nguyen, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot. Secrets in Siberia Mike Ramsdell is a covert operative for the federal government. He’s assigned to capture and extract a high-level target from Russia, but the mission goes horribly wrong. Find Mike’s book here. Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio. Snap Classic - Season 16 – Episode 60 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

German and his family are stuck behind the walls of a rusty old pencil factory in the jungle. When a Youtuber stumbles onto the scene with a camera, he may be their only hope. Thank you, to German, Eva, and Sasha. Thanks also to Julia Neusner. You can see more of Caya’s documentaries about tech and society on his Youtube channel “Slide Bean.” This story will be featured on Today Explained on 12.23.25, tune in! The Banished By Bargain project is a great resource to learn more about the Trump administration’s third-country deportations. Produced by John Fecile and Caya, edited by Nancy Lopez, original music by Renzo Gorrio. Season 16 - Episode 59 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It’s the dawn of hip-hop and 15-year-old Roxanne Shanté is the best battle rapper in Queensbridge NYC. She spits out a hit record in the time it takes for her laundry to dry, for real. She’s bold, controversial and everyone wants to take her down at the “MC Battle for World Supremacy.” This story contains explicit language, sensitive listeners please be advised. A giant thank you to the now Grammy-winning, forever "Queen of Rox," Roxanne Shanté for sharing her story with Snap! You can find Roxanne on IG @imroxanneshante. She also hosts a daily show on Sirius XM's Channel 43 Rock the Bells Radio. Tune in! Produced Justin Kramon, edited by Nancy López, original score by Lauryn Newson. Season 16 - Episode 58 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A woman wakes up in a hospital bed with no idea why she’s there. Her perception of reality is questionable. A doctor discovers a possible source for her delusions and what follows is her journey to recovery and back to herself. Thank you to Susannah Cahalan for sharing your story with us! Susannah tells the full tale of her descent into madness and rise out of it in her international bestselling memoir Brain on Fire. She's written a new book called The Acid Queen, about the reality-bending world of psychedelics. You can find Susannah on IG @suscahalan. Our friends at The Pulse will be continuing Susannah's story this coming week, as she investigates one of the most famous psychological experiments of all time... and discovers something incredible. You'll want to catch that on the next episode of WHYY's The Pulse, available on the NPR podcast feed. Produced by Justin Kramon, edited by Nancy Lopez, engineering by Boen Wong, music from Blue Dot Sessions. Season 16 - Episode 57 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A teenage hacker inspired by “Mr. Robot” takes on his principal, teachers, and the Board of Education. And a night-shift doctor 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 story contains strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised. 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, original score by Renzo Gorrio. Artwork by Teo Ducot. 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. Snap Classic – Season 16 Episode 56 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

On the frozen tundra, a polar bear guide wakes up to a loud THUMP on the side of his ice buggy. It’s his 1,000 pound buddy, Dancer. And he wants a cup of coffee. Plus, Don Reed transports himself to 1970. Not So Tiny Dancer On the frozen tundra, a polar bear guide wakes up to a loud THUMP on the side of his ice buggy. It’s his 1,000 pound buddy, Dancer. And he wants a cup of coffee. Thank you, Dennis Comparye, for sharing your story with us! To learn more about his work to help the Polar Bears, email Dennis: polarbearfilmfund@gmail.com Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, artwork by Teo Ducot. Butter Laugh yourself silly with the Snap Judgment LIVE audience, as master storyteller Don Reed transports himself to 1970's Oakland. Original music performed by Alex Mandel, Tim Frick and David Brandt. Watch the LIVE version. Thank you Snap Fam for supporting us and listening all these years! We are so grateful for you. Snap Classic - Season 16 – Episode 55 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jen Angel is a beloved cupcake baker whose life was taken in a smash and grab gone wrong. Now a young man accused of the crime has his future hanging in the balance. Cries for justice, retribution and reason all collide as everyone tries to figure out “What Would Jen Do?” This episode contains graphic imagery and strong language. Please take care while listening. Thank you to Ocean, Ashanthe, Emily, Moira, Tobias, Sandra, and people from our community, right here in Oakland, who opened up their hearts to share their story with Snap Judgment. Special thanks to Jemila, the Estate of Jen Angel (including Julie, Dana, Megan, Ryan, and Elle) and the entire team at Angel Cakes. Additional field recording by David Exumé. Expert Consultation from Sukey Lewis. Special thanks to KQED Legal. Produced by Regina Bediako, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff. Tribute image is Design Action Collective. Season 16 - Episode 54 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A fisherman down on his luck finds gold at the bottom of the sea. It’s only after his treasure hunt is underway that he discovers what is truly valuable deep down. BIG thanks to Joe Pennisi for sharing your story with Snap. This story would not have been possible if not for the amazing, on-the-ground reporting work of Tara Duggan, Jason Fagone, and Santiago Mejia who first told this incredible story for the San Francisco Chronicle. Produced by Nikka Singh, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot. Snap Classic - Season 16 – Episode 53 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When a young man is told he is 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. And a musical savant shares the inner workings of his amazing gift. STORIES The Soundtrack of Silence 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. Thank you, Matt Hay, for sharing your story! A version of this story aired on KQED’s Q’ed Up. Produced by April Dembosky. Sound Design by April Dembosky, Leon Morimoto & Renzo Gorrio. Sudden Savant Although most musicians spend decades honing their craft, musical genius Derek Amato never had to practice a day in his life. One day, he just sat down at the piano and his fingers began to fly across the keys with ease. As an immediate musical genius, Derek is one of the few people on Earth diagnosed with Acquired Musical Savant Syndrome. Derek takes us into the inner workings of his amazing gift. Produced by Anna Sussman & Pat Mesiti-Miller. Original score & sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Season 16 - Episode 52 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices