Snap Judgment

At 101 years old, Deborah discovered a box she'd stashed away a lifetime ago. What was inside reignited an old love and turned her life upside down. This is an episode from a podcast we love, Heavyweight . We are so excited to share it with you! Heavyweight, hosted by Jonathan Goldstein, creates space for difficult conversations and resolving long-standing regrets and unanswered questions. Balanci...

The Fire Girls blast their sirens to salute Amika as she is released from prison after seven years. She has no career, no home, no money, and teenage children who have been waiting for their mom to return. But the hardest part of regaining her freedom, would be believing that she is worthy. This episode contains graphic imagery. Sensitive listeners please be advised.  Thank you, Amika Mota, for sh...

As wildland fires burn hotter and stronger across California, Amika and the incarcerated firefighters are put in extreme danger. At a massive, out of control fire, Amika must defy orders for the sake of the women on her crew. This episode contains graphic imagery. Sensitive listeners please be advised.  Thank you, Amika Mota, for sharing your story with us! Fire Escape , the 6-part series is dropp...

Amika and the Fire Girls are called to the scene of a terrible crash to rescue the passengers from the wreckage. Amika realizes the driver of the car is intoxicated. While saving his life, she reckons with lives lost and the harsh future awaiting the young patient. Back at the firehouse, Amika’s crew are called out to a Christmas Eve emergency.  This episode contains strong language and graphic im...

At the firehouse, Amika plans a drop – a secret plan to sneak forbidden cell phones to her friends still on the inside. She begins to worry she might get caught. And then she’s called to an emergency involving one of her jailers. This episode contains strong language and graphic imagery. Sensitive listeners please be advised.  Thank you, Amika Mota, for sharing your story with us! Fire Escape , th...

Amika is thrown in the hole for forty days. Locked in a windowless cell, she can hear the women through the walls losing their sanity. To protect herself, Amika must shut down all connections with everyone she loves: her cellies, her mom, and even her kids. The world looks dark until she sees a small light that may illuminate a path to her new life when she gets a call from the firehouse.    This...

How did Amika Mota go from a midwife and mother of three to a prisoner inside one of the largest women's prisons on Earth?  Handcuffed to a hospital bed, awaiting trial, Amika tries to come to grips with the tragic crash that cost one man his life and took her away from her children. Inside the Chowchilla prison walls, she faces the "green cops" and the threat of solitary confinement. Outside the...

Strapped in a harness, on the edge of a mountain, the snow bridge lets out a hollow crack as it gives way. The story of two climbers whose fates are intertwined by a length of rope. Big thanks to Jim Davidson for sharing his story! Jim wrote a book with Kevin Vaughan about surviving the fall on Mt. Rainier, called The Ledge. He also wrote a book about his experiences during and after the Nepal ear...

Snap+ is the new subscription membership program from Snap Judgment. You’ll get an ad-free stream, special behind-the-scenes features, and even some virtual hangs with Glynn. Bonus episodes will drop every month.  Join us! Sign up at Supercast .  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A musical prodigy from Kansas becomes a renowned race woman in Chicago, a tabloid sensation in Harlem, and a musical force the world over. These are the many lives and loves of one of the most famous women of the era: Nora Holt. Starring Nichole Hill, Natalie Tulloch, and Christabel Nsiah-Buadi. This incredible story comes to us from Our Ancestors Were Messy , a show about our ancestors and all th...

Zaki is in Kabul running an indie newspaper called The Etilaatroz. The Taliban are approaching the city, and the entire newsroom is on edge. But the question in Zaki’s mind is, “How do we save the paper?” Plus, a story from a journalist who decides what belongs in her bag. Last Paper Standing This story contains graphic imagery, sensitive listeners please be advised. Thank you to Zaki Daryabi for...

What if you invented something the whole world knows but someone else took the credit? This week on Snap, we uncover the story of Krazy George, a shy wood-shop teacher turned professional cheerleader, who sparked a phenomenon from the stands of the Oakland Coliseum. A huge thank you to the man, the myth, the legend… Krazy George Henderson for sharing your story. At 80 years young, George is still...

A call from the Philadelphia Phillies brings a big league opportunity to a pitcher holding out hope. Thank you, Brian Mazone, for sharing your story with the Snap! After retiring from baseball in 2010, Brian started a new career in medical supply sales in the San Diego area. To read more about Brian’s journey in baseball, check out the article from the Washington Post by Dave Sheinin which inspire...

A Los Angeles radio show prank-calls random French citizens and unintentionally reach le président. A hotheaded comedian gets into a fight. Plus, a seven-year parking spot war.  This episode contains strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised. The French Connection A Los Angeles radio show prank-calls random French citizens and unintentionally reach le président.  A very big thank you...

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 will be criticized 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 fear...

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. ...

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...

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 Afte...

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 ref...

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 & Claw  series -- stay tuned next month for our collection of love st...

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...

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 C...

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...

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 & Mik...