Snap Judgment - podcast cover

Snap Judgment

Snap Judgment and PRXsnapjudgment.org

Snap Judgment mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic radio. Snap’s raw, musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. It's storytelling... with a BEAT.

Episodes

The Medicine Game

A group of all-native girls with a lot to prove take on the future of their high school lacrosse team. And an ENT doctor learns to be comfortable outside her comfort zone. STORIES The Medicine Game A group of all-native girls with a lot to prove, take on the future of their high school lacrosse team. This story contains racially insensitive language. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. Thank you, Jacelyn, for sharing your story with us! Jacelyn now plays lacrosse for Virginia Tech. We first ...

Mar 11, 202151 minSeason 12Ep. 8

Suave - Spotlight

This week, Snap is proud to spotlight Suave ! This podcast captures the true story of a teenager sentenced to life in prison without parole & what happens when, decades later, he suddenly gets a second chance at freedom. It’s the story of thousands of juveniles sentenced to die in U.S. prisons told through one man’s journey of incarceration and redemption and his near 30-year friendship with journalist, Maria Hinojosa. This episode contains strong language and descriptions of violence and se...

Mar 09, 202135 minSeason 12Ep. 7

Beyond Faces of Death - Snap Classic

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... This episode contains a content advisory for graphic imagery and strong language. It describes scenes of both human and animal death. This story is not for children and sensitive listeners, please be advised. Special thanks to our film consultants, Spencer Parsons an...

Mar 04, 202138 minSeason 12Ep. 6

Thin Ice

An underwater photographer sets out on a quest to document harp seals and experiences a moment that becomes a part of her forever. This story contains descriptions of animal death in the wild. Sensitive listeners, please be advised Thank you, Jennifer Hayes, for sharing your story with us! Special thanks to Jennifer’s guide Mario Cyr and her husband David Doubilet. You can find Jennifer and David’s stunning photographs of harp seals in National Geographic Magazine , on their website , or on Jenn...

Feb 26, 202136 minSeason 12Ep. 5

The Sasquatch of Pumpkintown - Snap Classic

Everyone in Pumpkintown is hunting for Sasquatch... except Ben Becker. He knows exactly where Bigfoot lives. This episode does contain strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised. This story originally aired on the Here Be Monsters podcast hosted by Jeff Emtman. They just dropped a new season… listen and subscribe for more awesome stories! Produced by Jeff Emtman Sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller Artwork by Teo Ducot Snap Classic - Season 5 - Episode 12 Learn about your ad choices: do...

Feb 24, 202113 min

Diamonds in the Sky - Snap Classic

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. Fasten your seat belts, it’s time for liftoff… This episode contains strong language and descriptions of a ‘rockstar lifestyle,’ sensitive listeners please be advised. Special thanks to Kristen Gwynne, Lawrence Bull, and Elizabeth Nakano. Produced by John Fecile, original score by Renzo Gorrio Sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller Artwork...

Feb 18, 202134 min

Birdzilla

When the biggest baddest bird in the wild is on the brink of death, one couple will do anything to bring her back home. Snap presents, “Birdzilla.” A Canadian love story. This episode discusses the subject of death and contains strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised. Thank you, Murdo Messer, for sharing your story with us! And all of us here at Snap are thinking fondly of the late Dr. Helene Van Doninck, wherever you are, thank you. Learn more about the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabili...

Feb 11, 202149 minSeason 12Ep. 4

Jinho's Journey

A hip hop artist from Oakland leaves his mic behind to join the police force and fight for justice from the inside. This story includes scenes of police violence and strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised. Thank you, Jinho Ferreira, for sharing your story with us! Listen to “I Can’t Breathe” from Jinho’s hip hop group, Flipsyde. This story was adapted from the piece originally produced for WorldAffairs , an incredible weekly podcast and radio show. Special thanks to Jarrod Sport ...

Feb 04, 202137 minSeason 12Ep. 3

The Secret Adventures of Black People

A woman recounts her Aunt’s fairytale love story and searches for her own Modern Romance. An African princess learns she is truly beautiful. And a precocious eight-year-old finds himself on the brink of a revolution when he applies lessons learned from a homework assignment to other areas of his life. STORIES Modern Romance In the second half of her life, Stephanie found her classic Hollywood romance. Now she attempts to understand the strange and confusing world of dating apps to help her niece...

Jan 28, 202138 minSeason 12Ep. 2

Heaven's Gate - Spotlight

In 1997, thirty-nine people took their own lives in an apparent mass suicide. The events captivated the media and had people across the planet asking the same question... ‘Why?’ 20 years later, those who lost loved ones and those who still believe - tell their story. Snap Judgment presents a special spotlight on Heaven’s Gate . Find out the story behind the cult that changed the world. Heaven’s Gate is produced by Stitcher in collaboration with Pineapple Street Media and is hosted by Snap’s very...

Jan 21, 202149 min

Money Truck

Six people, six different times and places, but they all find themselves in the same predicament, asking the same question, should they stop or should they go? BIG thanks to Tyler Estep, who first reported Philip Dean’s story for the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Thanks also to Cole Richards and Randy Scott Carroll for recording assistance. Thank you to everyone interviewed for this story: Troy Stokes, Philip Dean, Betsy Richards, Delrish Moss, Carol Steele, and the Lucky Guy. Big love and thank...

Jan 14, 202135 minSeason 12Ep. 1

A Person Who Has Never Even Been Married... - Appearances Spotlight

An Iranian American examines herself and her life in a one-woman audio show that straddles the line between fiction and truth. Snap Judgment presents, “A Person Who Has Never Even Been Married...” a special spotlight on the Appearances podcast. This episode contains strong language, scenes of domestic turmoil, and mentions sex. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. From Mermaid Palace and Radiotopia , Sharon Mashihi brings you Appearances . This podcast brings to life an Iranian American famil...

Jan 08, 202134 minSeason 11Ep. 42

Monaea, a 2020 Diary - Snap Spotlights "VICE News Reports"

2020 has been a YEAR, and Monaea Upton has a lot to say about it. This week we bring you an episode from the podcast Vice News Reports . Vice sent 17-year-old Monaea Upton a recorder and she’s been keeping an audio diary of her senior year of high school in North Minneapolis — during online school, the aftermath of the George Floyd protests, and a spike in neighborhood gun violence. We take you inside her world. This story does contain strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised. BIG ...

Dec 31, 202049 minSeason 11Ep. 41

Upended - The 2020 Look Back Special

What if after the craziest year on record somebody asked you… “what happened?” The Snap team spoke to some of the people that changed our world in 2020 to see if their stories have a part II. BIG thanks to all of the storytellers who let us take a little peek back into their lives for this special episode: Patti Ragan from “Zoo Nebraska” Naandar from “Letters from Lockdown - Gaza, Myanmar, and at Sea” Jacoby Cochran from “Time Traveler” Gregory from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to America” Dr. Ayaz V...

Dec 24, 202050 minSeason 11Ep. 40

The Crossroad

A good samaritan pulls over to the side of the road to help a family in distress. A few weeks later, he realizes something is wrong. This episode contains some graphic imagery and strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised. BIG love and thanks so much to Dr. Ray Christian for sharing his story with us. If you loved his story he’s got plenty more on his podcast “What’s Ray Saying.” Produced by Nikka Singh, original score by Lauryn Newson Sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller Artwork by Te...

Dec 17, 202018 minSeason 11Ep. 39

The Lamb, the Lion, and the Fox - Snap Classic

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 Morim...

Dec 15, 202045 min

No One Calls Me Shooter - Snap Classic

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. This story does contain strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised. Bethany Barnes originally reported this story for The Oregonian - Targeted: A Family and the Quest to Stop the Next School Shooter. She...

Dec 10, 202051 min

Beautiful

Lawrence “Binkey” Tolefree gets a phone call about a huge opportunity. But it’s the next call from his mom that leads to the most surprising performance of his career. And Nygel Turner shares what it's like to live with Gynecomastia (aka Man Boobs). This episode contains adult language & a scene with graphic imagery. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. STORIES The Looking Glass Glynn looks at an old picture of himself and reflects... Produced by Pat Mesiti-Miller Have You Seen Her Lawren...

Dec 03, 202045 minSeason 11Ep. 38

Brass Ring - Snap Classic

A fortune hunter searches for buried treasure in an Arizona silver mine but finds something he never expected. And a young boy learns how to hustle and survive in Brooklyn during a time when the mob ran the streets. STORIES Silver Mine W.C. Jameson has searched for a recovered buried treasure across the world. But on a search in Arizona, he found something he never expected. Find out more about W.C. Jameson’s work and adventures at his website. Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Leon Mo...

Nov 26, 202041 min

The 2020 Gratitude Special

Glynn gets a new friend. A wolf in Yellowstone becomes a legend in her own time. And a woman’s life changes forever when a hurricane heads towards her house full of birds. Snap Judgment presents, “The 2020 Gratitude Special.” We are grateful to lift voices up, to tell stories, and we are so SO thankful for you Snap Nation! We appreciate each and every one of you Snappas… for all of the love and support you’ve shown us, thank you. STORIES Bardot Everyone needs a scratch behind the ears sometimes....

Nov 20, 202041 min

The Badder, The Better: Bobby Shmurda - “Louder Than A Riot” from NPR

Rhyme and punishment go hand in hand in America. This week, we are featuring Louder Than A Riot , an incredible new podcast from NPR Music . It reveals the interconnected rise of hip-hop and mass incarceration. From Bobby Shmurda to Nipsey Hussle, each episode explores an artist's story to examine a different aspect of the criminal justice system that disproportionately impacts Black America. STORY The Badder, The Better: Bobby Shmurda (Pt 1) Just like his legendary disappearing hat, Brooklyn ra...

Nov 18, 202051 minSeason 11Ep. 37

Greetings, Prophet!

A mild-mannered theater professor attempts to stage a controversial play in a small East Texas town. This episode discusses drug use, sex, homophobia, and contains explicit language. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. Thank you to Joseph Magee, Justin Adams, Jennifer Ann Handy, and the rest of the cast and crew of Angels in America Kilgore College, 1999. BIG love and thanks to Raymond Caldwell, who just retired after 54 years of teaching theater. This story was based on the Texas Monthly ma...

Nov 13, 202051 minSeason 11Ep. 36

The Choice - Snap Classic

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 the Lucky podcast , listen to part two of Nada’s story “The Choice” here . Produced by Briana Breen Sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller Artwork by Teo Ducot Snap Classic - Season 9 Episode 16 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Nov 05, 202035 min

Spooked - Cat Bone Curse

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. Snap presents a story crafted in the dark of night by Spooked. Thank you, Todd, for sharing your story with us! Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio Artwork by Sanaa Khan Listen to Spooked on Luminary ! Spooked season 5 has 22 all-new episodes to keep you up at night. You can get a Luminary subscription for as little as $2.99 a month wi...

Oct 30, 202016 minSeason 11Ep. 35

Spooked - Don't Wanna Fright No More

When singer/songwriter and former frontwoman of the Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard, comes up against a hostile spirit in her home, she has to decide: who’s going to get to stay? Brittany... or the ghost? Snap proudly presents an amazing Spooked tale! Big thanks and big love to Brittany for sharing her story with us. Produced by Chris Hambrick, original score by Leon Morimoto Artwork by Sanaa Khan Listen to Spooked on Luminary ! Spooked season 5 has 22 all-new episodes to keep you up at night. Y...

Oct 27, 202041 minSeason 11Ep. 34

Spooked - Teacher's Pet

Kristen Cortez is a new teacher in beautiful Los Gatos, California. From her classroom window, she can see rolling, golden hills. Redwood trees. The sun is almost always shining. And yet… something lurks. Snap proudly presents a story crafted in the dark of night by Spooked . Thank you, Kristen, for telling us your terrifying tale! Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Richard Haig Artwork by Teo Ducot Listen to Spooked on Luminary ! Spooked season 5 has 22 all-new episodes to keep you up ...

Oct 22, 202027 minSeason 11Ep. 33

Spooked - Skinwalker

Lee’s great grandfather, his grandfather, and his father have all seen him: the shapeshifter. They know this man has the power to curse them, to hurt them. Lee wonders: is this man coming for him too? Snap proudly presents a terrifying tale from Spooked . BIG thanks to, Lee, and his entire family for sharing their story with us! Produced by Annie Nguyen, original score by Leon Morimoto Artwork by Teo Ducot Listen to Spooked on Luminary ! Spooked season 5 has 22 all-new episodes to keep you up at...

Oct 20, 202039 minSeason 11Ep. 32

Backstage

Some of the best stories are told when the show’s over… Join us for our first-ever Snap Backstage! We bring together incredible storytellers from all over the country for a roundtable of stories about second-rate first class tickets, a racist dog, and baggy pants. This episode does contain strong language and the mention of drug use, sensitive listeners please be advised. BIG thanks to Dino Archie , Shannon Cason , Dr. Ray Christian , Joyce Lee , and Don Reed for spending some time with us Backs...

Oct 15, 202051 minSeason 11Ep. 31

Texas Ranger - Snap Classic

Back in the 1970s, Bob Favor signed up to be a Texas Ranger. He proudly 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, check out his book: My Rangering Days. Produced by Luke Quinton , original score by Leon Morimoto Sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller Snap Classic - Season 7 - Episode 8 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...

Oct 08, 202020 min

Time Traveler

Just 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… Sensitive listeners, please note this story contains explicit language and references racial violence. 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 Sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller Artwork by Te...

Oct 01, 202018 minSeason 11Ep. 30