Snap Judgment

Amaryllis was fast on track to become an established journalist when her mentor was kidnapped and killed by a terrorist group. She decided she had to give up the transparency of journalism if she wanted to truly help curb terror, and instead joined the shadow world of the CIA. But the shadow world had its own cost. A big thanks to Amaryllis Fox for sharing her story with us. You can buy her book on Knopf, Amazon, or anywhere books are sold. Produced by Nikka Singh, original score by Leon Morimoto, artwork by Teo Ducot Snap Classic – Season 10, Episode 31 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This 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. STORIES The Writing Is On The Wall When the scariest man in town is arrested for murder, only one lawyer volunteers to represent him... Produced by Joe Rosenberg, sound design by Renzo Gorrio Corrections: 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-Out How 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 Artist Produced by Davey Kim, sound design by Leon Morimoto and Davey Kim Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 20 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Two sisters, Magi and Memo, track down an American man accused of sexual abuse at a children's home in Kenya. It’s a story spanning two continents… following those who give everything to make things right.This story, while not graphic, does involve child abuse, including sexual abuse, and the death of a child. Sensitive listeners, please be advised.Thank you so much to everyone in this story. To Magi and Memo, for sharing your lives with us over the past two years. Magi has started a GoFundMe to raise money for the survivors of the Dow Children's Home.To Janice and especially to Joy — Kongoi for your courage and your strength. Kongoi as well to Geoffrey Ng’tich, Beatrice Korir, and Joshua Abudoh.Translation by Caroline ChebetRecording engineers: Josh Wilcox, Ryan Geesaman, and CoconutOriginal score by Renzo GorrioProduced and reported by Halima Gikandi and John FecileArtwork by Teo DucotSeason 14 - Episode 19 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The first time someone says I love you could be the same moment you never see them again… Liz and John are lost in the chaos and struggling to find their way to safety when a country music concert in Vegas becomes the site of a senseless tragedy. This story references an incidence of mass gun violence. Know that while this story does contain trauma it is not only a story of trauma… it’s a story of love, community, caring, and hope. A tremendous thank you to Liz Heaton for sharing her story with us. This story was produced by Dave Nadelberg, creator of the global stage show and podcast Mortified, now celebrating its 20th anniversary. Additional production support from Joey Fischground and Zahra Noorbakhsh The original score for this story was by Dirk Schwarzhoff Special thanks to Neil Katcher and Jessica Lawrence Season 14 - Episode 18 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jay J. Armes was a real life superhero... until real life intruded. And after living in darkness for decades, a man’s life changes forever when someone suddenly switches the lights on. STORIES Jay J. Armes, Private Eye Jay J. Armes was a real life superhero... until real life intruded. Produced by Vanessa Rancano, sound design by Leon Morimoto Switched On Imagine spending the first four decades of your life in darkness. Then imagine that someone suddenly switches the lights on. John Elder Robison is a writer, speaker and advocate for people with autism. Be sure to check out his Neurodiversity work at the College of William and Mary as well as his car restoration work at Robison Services. Produced and scored by Davey Kim Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 17 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

As a littler girl, Jen Kober discovered the allure of being a Brownie Scout… the Girl Scout Cookie. Holding out for Girl Scout Cookie release day was another struggle all together. Performed Live by Jen Kober at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Music written by Alex Mandel and performed by the Snap Players Alex Mandel, Tim Frick and David Brand Season 14 - Episode 17 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Sometimes what you want to say, what you mean, and what comes out of your mouth are entirely different things. STORIES I Love You Dadbot James Vlahos wanted to keep his dad around for as long as possible, so he saved the best part about him in the best way he knew how. Vlahos is also working on a book, Talk To Me, about Silicon’s Valley’s quest to create conversation-making A.I.s. Check out his article about Dadbot in Wired Magazine. Follow James on Twitter. Original Score by Renzo Gorrio, produced Jazmin Aguilera Date With The Devil When he was younger, Greg Stone was always a good boyfriend. Or, he tried to be. Greg Stone is a comedian living in New York. You can also hear him on his podcast, The Rad Dude Cast. Check out Greg’s website. Original Score by Leon Morimoto, produced by Liz Mak My Big Pee Break Actress Diona Reasonover was on the brink of her big break. But she never expected it to happen while she was on her vacation. Diona Reasonover is an actress who lives in LA, you can check out her writing on “I Love You America” with Sarah Silverman on Hulu. Produced by Adizah Eghan Sherlock Hound Kirby Verret’s grandpa was a Houma who just wanted to hunt and be free on the Louisiana bayou. He couldn’t be bothered by anyone...except for his best friend, Brown the dog. Produced by Stephanie Foo Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 16 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Todd’s uncle was one mean son of a biscuit. But long after he’s dead and gone, his descendants worry that his meanness might rub off on them. Master storyteller Todd Narron is our tour guide as we explore the mysterious, spooky American South. This story comes to us from our evil twin podcast, Spooked. Episodes drop weekly on Friday! Featuring brand new stories - along with episodes previously available only by subscription. Listen for free on any podcast platform. Thank you, Todd Narron, for sharing your stories with us! If you want more stories from Todd, check out his incredible books: Country Stories of Ghosts and Bad Men & Country Stories of Ghosts and Bad Men: Series 2 - The Dead Ones. Season 14 - Episode 15 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Everyone who works at Radio Centro knows it’s haunted. But Guillermo, the host on the station’s paranormal show “Tell it Tonight,” is about to discover that he has psychic powers that make him susceptible to the station’s haunts. This story comes to us from our evil twin podcast, Spooked. A show full of true supernatural tales that will keep you up at night. Spooked episodes now drop every week on Friday! Featuring brand new stories -- along with episodes previously available only by subscription. Listen for free on any podcast platform. Be afraid… Big, big love to Guillermo, thank you for sharing your story with the Spooked. The original score for that story was by Renzo Gorrio, it was produced by Fernando Hernandez Translation for that piece is by Fernando Hernandez, Renzo Gorrio, and Nestor Gomez Artwork by Sanaa Khan Season 14 - Episode 15 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The supersonic crack of a whip echoes through downtown Reno. It’s an art form to some, a concern to others, and for one person it’s the start of their search for Nando, the master whip-maker. This episode was produced by Fil Corbitt for their podcast THE WIND. The Wind is made at a handmade desk in the Sierra Nevada. Search for The Wind wherever you listen to podcasts. The music in this episode was written specifically for this story. The original score was composed and performed by Emily Pratt who makes music under the name Howls Road. This final song was by Yclept Insan. You can hear Emily Pratt’s full soundtrack, plus photos of the whips, and much more at TheWind.ORG/SNAP Thank you to Emily Pratt, Mike Corbitt, and Anjeanette Damon for advice and support on this piece. Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 14 - Episode 13 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices