Snap Judgment

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 this incredible story for the San Francisco Chronicle.Produced by Nikka Singh, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot. Snap Classic - Season 16 – Episode 53 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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 this story aired on KQED’s Q’ed Up.Produced by April Dembosky. Sound Design by April Dembosky, Leon Morimoto & 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 &  Pat Mesiti-Miller. Original score & sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller.Season 16 - Episode 52 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Connie Shirakawa, a Chicago storyteller, shares her haunting experiences growing up in a boarding house, where she communicates with a 'knock-knock ghost' through coded messages. She recounts finding a Ouija board and using the ghost’s signals to grapple with family loss. Chetanur Razdan reveals his grandfather's eerie encounter with floating lights in the Himalayas, warning of the mischievous Rachok spirit that lures travelers. Together, their tales explore the supernatural and the connections between the living and the beyond.

A 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

A 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

A 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

DeAndre 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, illustration by Alex Williamson.Season 16 - Episode 47 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this gripping narrative, Shayna Sheely, a story producer and narrator, and Emily Smith, a dedicated high school newspaper adviser, delve into the daring investigation by student journalists uncovering the truth about their new principal. They discuss the students' meticulous investigative tactics, from reverse image searches to credential verifications. Tensions rise as their findings challenge school authorities, culminating in the principal's resignation amidst national media attention. Tune in to discover the power of young voices in truth-seeking!

Mark Betancourt, a seasoned story producer, shares the gripping tale of a middle-school theater's dramatic journey from safe space to controversy. As Lee and Parker navigate the chaos of a homophobic backlash, the adults react with fervor while the kids strive to find their voices. Mike McGee, an acclaimed spoken-word artist, complements the theme with a powerful storytelling piece reflecting on secrets and identity in school. Together, they explore the complexities of growing up amid societal tensions.

Taylor Bruck, the Ulster County Clerk, takes center stage in a heated legal battle over abortion rights. He recalls the moment he defied a Texas Attorney General's judgment against a doctor prescribing abortion medication, invoking New York's shield law for protection. Bruck shares the emotional weight of his role, the impact of the shield law on reproductive health, and the personal strain of navigating such contentious legal waters. His story reveals the intertwined fates of local governance and national legal controversies.