Snap Judgment

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 StandingThis story contains graphic imagery, sensitive listeners please be advised.Thank you to Zaki Daryabi for sharing your story with Snap! Extra thanks to Luft Ali Sultani and the entire team at Etilaatroz.If you want to learn more about Etilaatroz and their journey to cover the news, visit their website or watch a documentary about their days in Kabul on Youtube for free.Produced by Shaina Shealy, edited by Nancy Lopez, original score by Renzo Gorrio.Lost BaggageFatima decides what belongs in her bag. Thank you Fatima for sharing your story! You can see her reporting from Afghanistan on topics like women’s rights and education in The New York Times.Season 17 - Episode 14 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 banging his drum for the Spartans at his alma mater, San Jose State. He also just celebrated his 50th season cheering professionally for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.To read more about the life and times of George, check out his memoir “Still Krazy After All These Cheers” Produced by Bo Walsh, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, artwork by Teo Ducot.Season 17 - Episode 13 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 inspired this story.Produced by Bo Walsh, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, art by Teo Ducot.Season 17 - Episode 12 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 ConnectionA Los Angeles radio show prank-calls random French citizens and unintentionally reach le président. A very big thank you to Ralph Garman & Kevin Ryder for sharing their story with Snap! Radio rules.Produced by Max Jungreis, original score by Renzo Gorrio, edited by Nancy López + Anna Sussman. Choke ZoneMoshe Kasher tells a little story about conflict resolution. Thank you, Moshe, for sharing your story! Check out Moshe’s memoir: Subculture Vulture: A Memoir in Six Scenes Produced by David Exumé, original score by Clay Xavier.The Parking Space WarA seven-year vendetta stemming from a parking spot war. Told live at the Black Cat by DC Benny.Thank you DC Benny for sharing this story! Big thanks also to 800 Pound Gorilla Media. Follow DC Benny at... Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, or on YouTube. Stay Connected with 800 Pound Gorilla -- check out their Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, or on YouTube.Season 17 - Episode 11 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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. STORIESWhen Doves CryAn 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, edited by John Fecile, original score by Nicholas Marks. The Blue BearLynn 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 ActuallyA 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 RivalsAfter 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.STORIESSmell Ya LaterAfter 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 & Claw series -- stay tuned next month for our collection of love stories in February... Fever. Do not miss it.No ReinsAn 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 ChickenSome 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.orgProduced 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. STORIESMonkey SisterA 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 by Robin Schwartz.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.STORIESJust Another Day for Big Clifford RayA 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 DucotPlan BSnap 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 BarberSnap 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