Snap Judgment

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 <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vice-news-reports/id1525769448">VICE News Reports.</a> 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

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 &amp; Nail series -- stay tuned next month for our collection of love stories in February... Fever. Do not miss it. No Reins 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. This story contains state brutality and sexual situations, sensitive listeners please be advised. Thank you Pardis for speaking with Snap! Check out her book --<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Queens-Middle-Eastern-Horsewomen/dp/0306832135">Book of Queens</a> -- all about her time on horseback in Iran.  Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff.  Headless Chicken Some 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 <a href="http://miketheheadlesschicken.org/">miketheheadlesschicken.org</a> Produced by Joe Rosenberg, original score by Renzo Gorrio with additional instrumentation by Andrew Vickers. Season 17 - Episode 4

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 <a href="https://www.hannahfriedman.com">Hannah Friedman</a> and her parents Alison Pascoe &amp; Dean Friedman for sharing their story with Snap! <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thehannahfriedman/?hl=en">Hannah</a> 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 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Sucks-Losing-Finding-Myself/dp/0757307752?ref_=ast_author_mpb">“Everything Sucks”</a>  Produced by Bo Walsh, edited by Regina Bediako, original score by Renzo Gorrio. Photo courtesy of Alison Pascoe.  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 <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ghost-horse-joe-layden/1113938086?ean=9781250048646">"The Ghost Horse"</a> Produced by Anna Sussman, sound design by Renzo Gorrio. Season 17 - Episode 3

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 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigcliffordray_44/">Clifford Ray</a> and Mary O’Herron for sharing their story with the Snap! This year, Big Cliff and Author <a href="https://www.layniedweaver.com/">Laynie D. Weaver</a> teamed up to bring Clifford and Dr. Spock’s story to life in an illustrated Children’s book titled <a href="https://store.bookbaby.com/book/big-clifford-ray-saves-the-day">“Big Clifford Ray Saves The Day.” </a>Want more Big Cliff? Follow him on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bigcliffordray_44/%20">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://x.com/CliffordRayNBA">X</a>. Produced by Bo Walsh, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff , artwork by Teo Ducot Plan B Snap 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: <a href="https://www.boonechamber.com/foundation?">The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation</a> and <a href="https://www.therockboone.church/giving">The Rock</a>. For a world of Southern-baked personal narratives, interwoven with Black American history, listen to Ray’s podcast: <a href="https://drraychristian.com/the-podcast">What’s Ray Saying?</a> Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Derek Barber Snap Classic - Season 17 – Episode 2

A teenage hacker inspired by “Mr. Robot” takes on his principal, teachers, and the Board of Education. And a night-shift doctor shares a story of life after death.  STORIES Code Yellow A teenage hacker inspired by “Mr. Robot” takes on his principal, teachers, and the Board of Education. This story contains strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised.  This piece was adapted from the podcast, <a href="https://darknetdiaries.com/">Darknet Diaries.</a> Listen to the full story, called <a href="https://darknetdiaries.com/episode/17/">Finn</a>. Produced by Jack Rhysider with assistance from Nancy Lopez, original score by Renzo Gorrio. Artwork by Teo Ducot. The Lazarus Effect A night-shift doctor shares a story of life after death. This story comes to us from the podcast, <a href="http://thenocturnists.com/podcast">The Nocturnists</a>, and was performed live in San Francisco in 2018. You can listen to the full story, called <a href="http://thenocturnists.com/podcast/2019/3/16/season-2-episode-1">The Lazarus Effect</a>. Special thanks to Emily Silverman, Ana Adlerstein, Ali Block, Adelaide Papazolou, Marina Poole, Kirk Klocke, and the storyteller, Joe Sills. Snap Classic – Season 16 Episode 56

Jen Angel is a beloved cupcake baker whose life was taken in a smash and grab gone wrong. Now a young man accused of the crime has his future hanging in the balance. Cries for justice, retribution and reason all collide as everyone tries to figure out “What Would Jen Do?” This episode contains graphic imagery and strong language. Please take care while listening. Thank you to Ocean, Ashanthe, Emily, Moira, Tobias, Sandra, and people from our community, right here in Oakland, who opened up their hearts to share their story with Snap Judgment.  Special thanks to Jemila, the Estate of Jen Angel (including Julie, Dana, Megan, Ryan, and Elle) and the entire team at Angel Cakes. Additional field recording by David Exumé. Expert Consultation from Sukey Lewis. Special thanks to KQED Legal.  Produced by Regina Bediako, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff. Tribute image is <a href="https://designaction.org/">Design Action Collective</a>. Season 16 - Episode 54

A fisherman down on his luck finds gold at the bottom of the sea. It’s only after his treasure hunt is underway that he discovers what is truly valuable deep down. BIG thanks to Joe Pennisi for sharing your story with Snap. This story would not have been possible if not for the amazing, on-the-ground reporting work of Tara Duggan, Jason Fagone, and Santiago Mejia who first told <a href="https://projects.sfchronicle.com/2019/the-fishermans-secret/">this incredible story</a> for the <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/">San Francisco Chronicle.</a> Produced by Nikka Singh, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot.  Snap Classic - Season 16 – Episode 53

When a young man is told he is going deaf, he sets out on a challenge to memorize the songs that defined his life. He had no idea that those songs would come back to him in the most unexpected way. And a musical savant shares the inner workings of his amazing gift.  STORIES  The Soundtrack of Silence  When a young man is told is he going deaf, he sets out on a challenge to memorize the songs that defined his life. He had no idea that those songs would come back to him in the most unexpected way. Thank you, Matt Hay, for sharing your story! A version of <a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11383461/soundtrack-of-silence">this story</a> aired on KQED’s <a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/program/qedup">Q’ed Up</a>. Produced by April Dembosky. Sound Design by April Dembosky, Leon Morimoto &amp; Renzo Gorrio. Sudden Savant  Although most musicians spend decades honing their craft, musical genius Derek Amato never had to practice a day in his life. One day, he just sat down at the piano and his fingers began to fly across the keys with ease. As an immediate musical genius, Derek is one of the few people on Earth diagnosed with Acquired Musical Savant Syndrome. Derek takes us into the inner workings of his amazing gift. Produced by Anna Sussman &amp;  Pat Mesiti-Miller. Original score &amp; sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Season 16 - Episode 52