Podcast
Snap Judgment
Hosted by Snap Judgment and PRX · EN
Snap Judgment mixes real stories with beats to produce cinematic, dramatic audio. Snap’s raw, musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. It's storytelling... with a BEAT.
154episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Knock Knock
Oct 3000:48:12Summary readyIn a boarding house in Chicago, a young girl puts her questions to the universe and the answers are returned in coded messages from the other side. And a boy lost in the forest at the foothills of the Himalayas, sees a light in the distance… but it isn’t there to guide him.This story comes to us from our evil-twin, Spooked! You can listen to Spooked on any podcast platform, episodes drop weekly. Happy Halloween! STORIESKnock KnockIn a boarding house in Chicago, a young girl puts her questions to the universe and the answers are returned in coded messages from the other side.BIG thanks to Connie Shirakawa for sharing her story with us. Connie is a storyteller in Chicago. You can catch some of her performances on her website.Produced by Anne Ford, original score by Doug Stuart.Fire CreatureWhen you’re lost in the forest at the foothills of the Himalayas, a light in the distance is not always good news. Thank you, Razdan, for sharing your grandfather’s story with Spooked.Produced by Erick Yáñez, original score by Clay Xavier, scouted by Aditya Mattoo.Season 16 - Episode 51 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Summary
Hexxed
Oct 2300:49:23Summary readyA man visits prominent members of the Blackfeet Traditional Medicine community. After witnessing an unexplainable force, he learns just how important it is to practice good medicine. And a girl growing up in Mumbai knows money doesn’t grow on trees. But when times get tough, her family house begins to reveal its secrets.This story comes to us from our evil-twin, Spooked! You can listen to Spooked on any podcast platform, episodes drop weekly. STORIESBull BoyWhile Dan is at the compound of good friends and prominent members of the Blackfeet Traditional Medicine community, the Heavyrunner family, he learns just how important it is to practice good medicine.Thanks to Dan SaSuweh Jones for sharing your story with us! Learn more about Dan.Produced by Chris Hambrick, original score by Leon Morimoto.Hiding Spot Growing up in Mumbai, Rashi knew money didn't grow on trees. But when times got really tough and the family was on the brink, their house began to reveal its secrets.Thank you Rashi for sharing your story with Spooked!Rashi is a radio DJ on BIG FM India. You can also follow her on Instagram: @rjrashiofficial @biglive @bigfm.jharkhandProduced by Erick Yáñez. Original score by Lauryn Newson. Scouted by Aditya Mattoo. Season 16 - Episode 50 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Summary
The Wager
Oct 1600:41:25Summary readyA young man gets “rollers” — the gift of a lifetime from a mysterious friend. Plus, an epic mixup at the funeral home is about to bring the house down.STORIES The Birds - LIVEA young man gets “rollers” — the gift of a lifetime from a mysterious friend.This story was told at the Orpheum Theatre at Spooked LIVE in 2023. Join us at our shows next week in Los Angeles and Oakland! Get your tix. Cross over.Thank you, Dr. Ray Christian! Check out Ray’s podcast: What’s Ray SayingOriginal music performed live by Doug Stuart and Brijean Murphy. Produced by Anna Sussman. Mixed by Miles Lassi. Special thanks to Ryan Davis, Sarah Rose Leonard, Jon Cohn, Rebecca Stumme, Kristen Payne, and the LA Orpheum Team.That's Not MamaAn epic mixup at the funeral home is about to bring the house down.Thank you, Sheri Booker, for sharing her story with Snap! Sheri is an author, poet, spoken word artist, and professor. If you want to read more of Sheri's tales from her near-decade of work in the funeral business, check out her memoir: Nine Years Under: Coming of Age in an Inner-City Funeral Home. Big thanks to Jessica Henkin and Laura Wexler at The Stoop Storytelling Series in Baltimore for introducing us to Sheri.Original score by Clay Xavier, edited by Nancy López, produced by Justin Kramon.Season 16 - Episode 49 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Summary
Batwoman - Snap Classic
Oct 900:43:10Summary readyA woman in Texas takes animal rehabilitation to new heights when she brings over a thousand bats back from the dead in her own home. And a Snap producer reveals he owes a lot to one single hairy flying mammal. STORIESBatwomanA woman in Texas takes animal rehabilitation to new heights when she brings over a thousand bats back from the dead in her own home.Thank you, Mary Warwick, for sharing your story with us!Big thanks also to The Houston Humane Society, The TWRC Wildlife Center, and the Batworld Sanctuary in Texas – whose staff protect and rehabilitate bats, and provide education and training on the proper treatment of bats to people all over the US.Original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, produced by Shaina Shealy, artwork by Teo Ducot.Bless the BatSnap Producer, John Fecile, tells us how he got where is he today.Original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, produced by John Fecile.Season 16 – Episode 48 - Snap Classic Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Summary
School Daze: Hall Pass
Oct 200:49:00Summary readyDeAndre D’Angelo, a scam artist with a talent for forged documents and a taste for red sports cars finds the perfect persona to escape his checkered past. He's the Camaro driving, show tune singing, high school student who is actually 31 years old.What if you could relive your youth and do it all over again the right way?Thank you, Michael Backman, for sharing your story with Snap! Check out Michael's music.Produced by Jeff Maysh and Nancy López, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff. Season 16 - Episode 47 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Summary
School Daze: The Sleuthers
Sep 2500:49:30Summary readyA team of high school students investigate a new hire at their school. What they discover leads them towards an all out battle for the truth. Extra special thanks to Emily Smith and her team of sleuthers!Produced by Shaina Shealy, edited by Nancy Lopez, original score Nick Marks. Season 16 - Episode 46 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Summary
School Daze: Stuck in the Middle - Snap Classic
Sep 1800:50:20Summary readyDrama Club is the happy, safe space for Lee and Parker until their school play becomes a homophobic middle school meltdown. The lights get turned up to 10, the adults are in a media frenzy, and the kids are just trying to figure it all out.STORIESDon’t Say Gay DadsDrama Club is the happy, safe space for Lee and Parker until their school play becomes a homophobic middle school meltdown. The lights get turned up to 10, the adults are in a media frenzy, and the kids are just trying to figure it all out.This story contains descriptions of abuse directed at gay persons. Please take care while listening.A very big thank you to Lee and Parker—who are best friends to this day. Thanks as well to Jamie McGonnigal.Produced by Mark Betancourt, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff. Artwork by Teo Ducot.Playground Bullies and Dark Secrets In middle school, Mike has a secret. But no one has ever seen “it.”This was performed at Snap LIVE in Los Angeles.“Mighty” Mike McGee is an international spoken word artist, writer, performer, speaker, slam poet and comic. McGee is the first slam poet to win both the American National Poetry Slam Individual Grand Championship and the Individual World Poetry Slam Championship.Original score composed and performed by Alex Mandel, Tim Frick, and David Brandt.Season 16 – Episode 45 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Summary
County Clerk
Sep 1600:14:56Summary readyThe county clerk in a sleepy town finds himself on the frontlines of a national fight over abortion care. When a New York doctor prescribes abortion meds to a Texas woman, a state's rights fight erupts. Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck is front and center when he invokes the "shield law" to prevent Texas AG Ken Paxton from filing a case against the doctor. Produced by Anna Sussman and Zoe FerrignoOriginal Score by Dirk Schwarzhoff Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Summary
Dirty Work - Snap Classic
Sep 1100:50:48Summary readyThis week on Snap Judgment… it's the tough jobs, the rough jobs, the roll up your sleeves and get it done jobs. When the oddest man in town is arrested for murder, only one lawyer steps up to represent him. Plus misadventures under the Not-So-Big Top.STORIESThe Writing Is On The WallWhen the scariest man in town is arrested for murder, only one lawyer volunteers to represent him...Produced by Joe Rosenberg, sound design by Renzo GorrioCorrections: In a previous version, McCracken Poston is referred to as both a state senator and state representative. He was a state representative, not a state senator. Also, Virginia Ridley is described as having last been seen in public in 1980, 17 years before the events described in this story. In fact it was in 1970, 27 years before.The Indiana Bust-OutHow does a well-mannered math kid become a first-class hustler? Through the ancient carnie tradition of "The Indiana Bust-Out."Check out Pete’s book -- Eyeing the Flash: The Making of a Carnival Con ArtistProduced by Davey Kim, sound design by Leon Morimoto and Davey KimArtwork by Teo DucotSeason 14 - Episode 20 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Summary
A Tiny Plot: "Burned" EP 5
Sep 400:31:25Summary readyThe group from Union Point moves into their new homes on the tiny plot of land near Lake Merritt. They run their own security and decide who comes into their space. But then, on a Monday morning in March, we hear devastating news…A fire burns through the plot of land on E12th. Is this the end of the experiment, or will the group keep building?This episode contains strong language & graphic imagery. Please take care while listening. Thank you to the entire cast from A Tiny Plot for sharing your story with us.Hosted and produced by Shaina Shealy. Edited by Anna Sussman, original music by Renzo Gorrio, engineering by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Director of Production: Marisa Dodge. Executive Producers: Glynn Washington and Mark Ristich. Artwork: Teo Ducot.Special thanks: Jen Chien, Catherine Winter, the City of Oakland, Sweetie at the Travel Inn, Ryan Finnegan, Will Craft, JP Dobrin, Thomas Brouns, Sukey Lewis, Alistair Boone, The Street Spirit, KQED legal, and Ott House Audio.Episode 5 of 5. You can listen to the entire series now! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Summary