Snap Judgment

Two correctional officers pay a high price for exposing corruption and abuse by their fellow officers, in the most dangerous prison in California–New Folsom. This incredible episode is from On Our Watch, an investigative podcast series from our friends at KQED. This story touches on intense topics including substance use, state violence, and self harm. Please take care while listening. If you need support, there are resources below. On Our Watch is a story about broken promises and unwritten rules. It’s a story about who gets hurt when the system that promises to keep us safe is bent on protecting itself. Host Sukey Lewis and co-reporter Julie Small piece together an explosive narrative through interrogation tapes, 911 audio, prison phone calls, personal audio recordings, and hours of emotional interviews. It includes exclusive analysis of hundreds of previously secret documents—some only unsealed by lawsuits brought by KQED—and sheds light on misconduct and abuse within the California Department of Correct

When a reporter’s love story hits a dead end, she turns to a Palestinian couple for answers. A pretty ugly Photoshop project explodes and a man comes out to his mother repeatedly. STORIES Photo Session When a reporter’s love story hits a dead end, she turns to a Palestinian couple for answers. Thank you Rayan, Samih, and Anna! Two years after their engagement, Rayan and Samih got married and moved to a flat just outside the camp and they still work there as journalists. Our storyteller Anna and her boyfriend got engaged shortly after she moved to Iraq to be with him. Read these two stories and many more in Anna Lekas Miller’s book Love Across Borders. Produced by John Fecile. Original score by Clay Xavier. Artwork by Teo Ducot. Translation by Naziha Baassiri. Voice acting by Snap producer John Fecile and his wife Sarah Fecile. Make Me Beautiful Esther asked 50 Photoshop artists to make her beautiful. Things got pretty ugly. Thanks Esther for sharing this story! Esther Honig’s photo project still get

From the heart of Waziristan, the legend of Genghis Khan is being rewritten... on the squash court. Maria Toorpakai Wazir was raised as a boy, and took on everyone and everything - neighborhood bullies, Peshawar weightlifters, and all the rules about who should be able to compete. This story contains references to violence. Please take care while listening. Thank you, Maria Toorpakai Wazir, for sharing your story with Snap. In 2011, Maria moved to Toronto to train with Jonathon Power, a world champion in men's squash. Maria writes about this and so much more in her book: A Different Kind of Daughter: The Girl Who Hid from the Taliban in Plain Sight. She has also set up the Maria Toorpakai Foundation encouraging families to educate girls and allow them to play sports. Produced by Zahra Noorbakhsh & Nancy López, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, artwork by Teo Ducot Season 15 - Episode 6 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A newlywed couple travels down a South American River into the thick of the Amazon jungle on a raft… alone. Their romantic adventure soon turns into the ultimate test for survival. 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, artwork by Teo Ducot Snap Classic - Season 15 - Episode 5 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A small plastic boat bobs helpless in the Aegean Sea, overwhelmed and overloaded. A young father from Mogadishu must take the helm to save everyone on board -- but will he lose his family because of it? And a boy on a top-secret mission tries to win over the most elusive, electrifying student in his 7th-grade class. STORIES Hanad & Faysa A small plastic boat bobs helpless in the Aegean Sea, overwhelmed and overloaded. A young father from Mogadishu must take the helm to save everyone on board -- but will he lose his family because of it? Thank you, Hanad and Faysa, for sharing your story with us. Reported by Niki Kitsantonis. Produced by John Fecile and Niki Kitsantonis. Original score by Lauryn Newson. Hanad’s translation was read by Said Shaiye. Additional recording by Daphne Tolis. Additional translation by Abdi Mohamed. Danger 9b Richard Hatch is overseas on a top-secret mission… to win over Jill, the most elusive, electrifying student in his 7th-grade class. He isn’t suave or sophisticated, so

Hyphy, the legendary youth culture movement from the Bay. Uptempo music, oversized airbrushed T-shirts, stunna shades and candy painted cars doing donuts in intersections. It was an unbridled, livewire, communal celebration. The people fueled the music, and the music moved the people. But beneath it all? That’s where it gets real. Plus, a big story from a little boxer. STORIES Hyphy Kids Got Trauma from KQED This week on Snap, we have a special story to share from our friends at KQED’s Rightnowish podcast– it’s from host Pendarvis Harshaw’s series, Hyphy Kids Got Trauma. In 2006, Pen was 18 going on 19, and he had a front row seat to one of the most notable times in Bay Area hip-hop history– a period often referred to as “the hyphy movement”. It was an era of uptempo-bass-heavy music, oversized airbrushed white t-shirts, candy painted cars and stunna shades. There was exuberant dancing, extravagant slang, and goofy party antics. While there was a lot of partying and celebration, there was also a lot of

A rock band from Zimbabwe becomes the voice of a revolution. And a New York Rabbi has his faith tested when he takes a job helping a member of the KKK. STORIES Fault Lines Glynn goes on a date...and things get shaky. Sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller Zim Heavy: Rock and Revolution in Zimbabwe 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. Listen to Wells Fargo’s release "Watch Out!" Learn more about the work Matthew Shechmeister and Eothen “Egon” Alapatt are doing to document the Heavy scene at Now-Again Records. Produced by Pat Mesiti-Miller Correspondent: Albert Nyathi Featuring Music by Wells Fargo courtesy of Now-Again Records Rabbi And The KKK A New York Rabbi has his faith tested when he takes a job in Nebraska. Produced by Anna

A charming father wins just about everyone over until his criminal ways force his family on a ten-year journey running from the law.  A secret artist becomes an art world sensation but unearths a family scandal. And a bank manager who loves to gamble gets into trouble. Sometimes the con job hits close to home. STORIES Con Man Daddy You’re young, fun, and on the run from the law. One kid’s journey across the Deep South leads to a big confrontation with the man who inspired it all… Con Man Daddy. BIG thanks to Jason Russel Waller as well as his brothers, Randy and Kel, for sharing your story with Snap! Produced by Bo Walsh, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot The Art Of The Con What if the real story is even better than the fake story they made up? A secret artist, an art world sensation, a family scandal. Thanks, Ron, for sharing your story with us! Produced by Andrew Stelzer with support from Anna Sussman Insidious by Shannon Cason LIVE And a bank manager who loves to gamble gets

A family leaves their busy life in Southern California to live in a little cabin in the woods, without electricity. But then, strange things start happening… it seems this family aren’t the only occupants of the cabin. And a story about a grandfather who makes monsters tremble. Snap Judgment presents, “The Stormy Night.” Real stories from people fighting for their loved ones. STORIES Northspur Storm Kathy and her kids leave a busy life in Southern California to live in a little cabin in the woods, without electricity. But then, strange things start happening. It seems Kathy and her children aren’t the only occupants of the cabin. Thank you, Kathy Bolte, for sharing your story with Spooked! Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Renzo Gorrio Shayne Koyczan’s Monsters LIVE Night creatures tremble in fear of Shane Koyczan's grandfather, until powers fail. This story contains explicit language. Sensitive listeners please be advised. This story was told by Shane at Snap LIVE in Los Angeles. Original

This week on Snap, the story of the first dog to travel around the world, a summer camp swimming contest to remember, plus - an earthquake that takes a man straight into the wreckage. We are so grateful for you, Snap Nation. Thank you for listening and supporting our show! Cheers to you and yours this holiday season. STORIES 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. Produced by Adizah Eghan, original score by Leon Morimoto The Dog That Went Around The World The story of the first dog

From the podcast, Movement, we spotlight the story of a self proclaimed “drunk drag queen,” and the music that saved them. Plus, we go on an adventure underwater to visit a secret kingdom for seahorses. STORIES Movement From the podcast, Movement, we spotlight the story of a self proclaimed “drunk drag queen,” and the music that saved them. Produced by Meklit Hadero and Ian Coss. The Movement show was co-created by Julie Caine. You can find all of San Cha’s music and projects at churchofsancha.com. If you want to find more stories at the crossroads of music and migration, search for “Movement with Meklit Hadero,” wherever you listen! Movement is supported by The Mellon Foundation and National Geographic Society, and distributed by PRX. Under Pressure After traumatic experiences underwater, a diver falls in love with the ocean again by building a secret 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 seaho

One beauty pageant. 12 contestants. 1000 rattlesnakes. And a story from a young girl who is confronted with the opportunity every kid at the orphanage dreamed of. Plus, the legendary Xiao Xiao. STORIES Been There Better Than That Glynn witnesses a lady show what real class looks like. 12 Pageant Queens, 1000 Snakes One beauty pageant. 12 contestants. 1000 rattlesnakes. Produced by 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. Sound Design by Renzo Gorrio, produced by Anna Sussman 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. Sound Design by Pat Mesiti-Miller, produced by Anna Sussman Art by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 51 Learn about your ad choices:

Two crazy cats and one hard-nosed reporter land in Syria right as it is thrown into turmoil. And a lovesick junior high kid will do anything to win over his crush. Even if that means going “undercover” for the US government. STORIES Wartime Cats Two crazy cats and one hard-nosed reporter land in Syria right as it is thrown into turmoil. Rasha Elass navigates her way through Damascus amidst government crackdowns and whistling missiles in search of the country she loves. This story contains graphic imagery and descriptions of wartime violence, sensitive listeners please be advised. Thank you, Rasha, for sharing your story with us! Rasha Elass is currently the editorial director at New Lines Magazine, where she first shared this story. She’s also working on a memoir about her childhood and reporting days in Syria. Follow what she’s up to on her website. Produced by David Exumé, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot Danger 9b Richard Hatch is overseas on a top-secret mission… to win over Ji

This dog has everything: mustard, onions, a scrap with Giuliani, Vietnam Vets, and The Met. Everyone is coming for the Throne of the Hot Dog King of New York… Dan Rossi. And a camp for kids with dermatological issues reveals that some summer romances are more than skin deep. STORIES The Hot Dog King of New York This dog has everything: mustard, onions, a scrap with Giuliani, Vietnam Vets, and The Met. Everyone is coming for the Throne of the Hot Dog King of New York… Dan Rossi. This story contains strong language - sensitive listeners please be advised. A huge thank you to Dan Rossi for sharing his story with Snap! There is so much that we were not able to share with you about Dan’s experience. To find out more check out his new memoir The New York Hot Dog King: From Rags to Riches to Less Than Rags. You can also follow Dan on social media. Additional thanks to our friends at VICE, whose series MUNCHIES featured Dan back in 2019 and was a big inspiration for this story. Listen to the King’s tribute son

A young girl was lost to her family. Torn away from them during their time in the Japanese-American prison camps, she was institutionalized and thought to be gone. But now, somehow she is rumored to be alive. STORIES Seeking Shizuko A young girl was lost to her family. Torn away from them during their time in the Japanese-American prison camps, she was institutionalized and thought to be gone. But now, somehow she is rumored to be alive. A very big thank you to David “Mas” Masumoto for sharing his story. Mas wrote about Shizuko in his book, Secret Harvests. This story is part of Lisa’s podcast California Foodways. It gets support from California Humanities and the Food and Environment Reporting Network. Produced by Lisa Morehouse, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, artwork by Teo Ducot Nellie’s Pond When Peter Aguero got picked on as a kid, but it wasn’t the other kids he had to worry about. Hear more stories, and find where Peter’s performing next on his website, www.peteraguero.com Produced by An

Rooty isn’t like most farm pigs, she’s a city pig. This 300-pound Vietnamese pot-bellied pig is a New Orleans girl. But when Hurricane Katrina hits, everything in Rooty’s world is threatened. BIG thanks to Jim & Connie for sharing their story with us! Thanks as well to Jeffery Tam & Dr. Alison Barca. Produced by Annie Nguyen, original score by Cheflee, artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 47 - Snap Classic Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Elmer Gantry gets an offer to join a notoriously unstable rock n’ roll band on a tour of the US. What could possibly go wrong? And the infamous Pine Tar Game of baseball superstar George Brett... told by the bat boy. STORIES The Real Fleetwood Mac Elmer Gantry gets an offer to join a notoriously unstable rock n’ roll band on a tour of the US. What could possibly go wrong? Thanks, Elmer, for sharing your story with us! Learn more about Elmer Gantry’s music in this blog post that producer John Fecile wrote for Aquarium Drunkard. Kirby Gregory still performs with the band Curved Air. Read an extensive history of Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera from the magazine Ugly Things. Listen to a 10-song Spotify playlist that we put together of Elmer’s songs and other tunes from the story. Special thanks to Mike Stax, Anja Stax, and David Prest. Original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, produced by John Fecile The Bat Boy And The Pine Tar Bat Every baseball fan has heard of the superstar hitter George Brett and his infamo

We’re getting spooky again this week with a quirky haunting from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a tale from a girl who escapes a ghostly force through astral projection. Be afraid… this Halloween special features supernatural stories from our evil twin podcast, Spooked, told by people who can barely believe it happened themselves. You can listen to Spooked for free on any podcast platform! Episodes drop weekly. STORIES Night at the Aquarium On Kevin’s night shift at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, things get wet, wild, and very very weird. BIG thanks to Kevin Wright and the magical Monterey Bay Aquarium. Thanks also to KAZU Radio in Monterey, California for its assistance. Original score by Yari Bundy & Renzo Gorrio, produced by Anne Ford Out of Body Tiyi just wants to get away from the man in the closet. What happens next changes her life forever. Thank you, Tiyi Schippers, for sharing your story with us! You can find more of her creepy tales on YouTube. Original score by Leon Morimoto, produced by A

This week on Snap, a BigFoot story from Pawnee Nation and a tale from a traditional-Filipino-tattoo practitioner who rids people of ancestral spirits. Some spirits move on… others don’t want to leave. Be afraid… this Halloween special features supernatural stories from our evil twin podcast, Spooked told by people who can barely believe it happened themselves. You can listen to Spooked for free on any podcast platform! STORIES Big Man When the Big Guy shows up, you keep your mouth shut. Be afraid… Thank you to our storyteller for sharing his experiences. Original score by Yari Bundy, produced by Anne Ford Tattoo Exorcism Traditional-Filipino-tattoo practitioner, Lane Wilcken, is never scared when ancestral spirits visit during tattoo sessions. He knows that those spirits, the ones that are just stopping by, aren’t the ones you have to worry about. Thank you, Lane Wilcken, for sharing your story with us! Lane wrote the book on traditional Filipino tattooing — Filipino Tattoos: Ancient to Modern. Today

Promises. Some of them are worthless, some have infinite value, and some you will never know how much they are worth… until you have to cash them in. STORIES Birthday Glynn witnesses a miracle... his daughter's birth. Produced by Mark Ristich The Spy’s Son 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 on his website. 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. Original score and soun