Snap Judgment

An Afghan man is asked the unexpected by one of the most notorious Talibs in his neighborhood. A boy is picked on at school but it isn’t the other kids he has to worry about. Glynn flies too close to the sun. And not even death can keep true friends apart. STORIES Extremist Makeover A young boy in Afghanistan was approached by one of the most notorious Talibs in his neighborhood. He never expected the request the Talib made. Find out more about Qais Akbar Omar’s journey during Afghanistan’s long wars in his book, Fort of Nine Towers. Produced by Anna Sussman, sound design by Renzo Gorrio Nellie’s Pond When Peter Aguero got picked on as a kid, it wasn’t the other kids he had to worry about. Produced by Ana Adlerstein & Joe Rosenberg, sound design by Leon Morimoto Icarus How close can Glynn get to the sun? Produced by Pat Mesiti Miller Cece’s Ghost Not even death can keep true friends apart. Susan Kent is a Brooklyn-based writer and performer who curates the storytelling show, Tell It: Brooklyn. Learn all about her on her blog. Produced by Ana Adlerstein, sound design by Pat Mesiti Miller Artwork by Teo Ducot Snap Classic - Season 12 - Episode 40 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

August 21, 1971, was the deadliest day in San Quentin history, and it’s still a painful topic, both inside the prison and out. At the center of the story was a Black revolutionary named George Jackson. Who was he, and what makes him so controversial, even today? Snap Judgment presents, “August 21, 1971," a special spotlight on Ear Hustle from PRX’s Radiotopia. This episode contains strong language and mentions violence and suicide. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. To learn more about George Jackson and the events of August 21, 1971, check out the resources listed at the bottom of this page. BIG love and thanks to all our friends over at Ear Hustle. Want to hear more stories from Ear Hustle? They just dropped Season 8! And they're keeping busy with other projects too: One of their episodes this season is a participation challenge. For 30 days, Ear Hustle team members on the outside will attempt to eat and work out the same way their team members on the inside do. They are inviting listeners to join them in this exploration of constraint. And Nigel and Earlonne’s book, This Is Ear Hustle: Unflinching Stories of Everyday Prison Life will be out 10/19/21. You can pre-order it here. This episode was scored with music by Antwan Williams, Rhashiyd Zinnamon, and David Jassy. Artwork by Antwan Williams Be sure to visit www.EarHustleSq.com to hear more stories, see pictures from episodes, and follow everything Ear Hustle. Spotlight - Season 12 - Episode 39 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

You know we had to go for Round 2! We’ve brought your favorite Snap storytellers from around the world Backstage again, sharing the real stories that bubble up when the stage lights go down. Dino Archie, Shannon Cason, Dr. Ray Christian, Joyce Lee, and Don Reed join Glynn to spar about problematic side dishes, code-switching, and skin-lightening cream. Big thanks and love to the whole crew! This episode contains some adult language. Produced by Nikka Singh & Regina Bediako, original score & sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 12 - Episode 38 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Two women set sail on a tiny boat, embarking on a journey to freedom that takes them across the globe. And a Hungarian composer dreams of changing the world… he did. STORIES From Russia With Love Two women, a tiny boat, the wide-open ocean… and kismet. Elena has written a book about their adventure, called Talking to the Moon. You can read the story on the couple’s website. This story contains scenes of violence against a same-sex couple, sensitive listeners please be advised. Produced by Liz Mak, original score by Leon Morimoto Gloomy Sunday Hungarian composer Rezso Seress dreamed of changing the world with his music… he did. This story discusses suicide, sensitive listeners please be advised. Produced and scored by Davey Kim Artwork by Teo Ducot Snap Classic - Season 8 Episode 28 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It’s when the last glow of amber fades from the sky. When you can’t quite tell who approaches you on the dark path. When everyone starts to speak with lowered voices. That when you know… it’s time for Campfire Tales. This week, Spooked stories that will keep you up at night! A policeman experiences a sinister omen with deadly consequences. Crows set out to send a man warnings in Santa Fe. And it’s confirmed… all dogs do go to heaven. STORIES The Head We all know the old wives’ tales: don’t walk under a ladder or you’ll have bad luck; don’t step on the crack or you’ll break your mama’s back. Dan is about to discover another, more sinister omen… with deadly consequences. This story does contain graphic content, sensitive listeners please be advised. Thanks, Dan, for sharing your story with Spooked! Produced by Anne Ford, original score by Maryam Qudus A Murder of Crows Mike is pretty sure he’s going crazy. Every time he sees a crow, it seems like it’s trying to tell him something: to watch out, to beware. What are they trying to warn him of? Thank you, Mike, for sharing your story with Spooked! Produced by Alyia Yates, original score by Lauryn Newson All Dogs go to Heaven Sometimes, spirits reach out and ask us for help. And sometimes, they reach out to give us what we need, too. BIG thanks to, Kristin Kent, for sharing her story with Spooked! Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Moyses Nunez Artwork by Teo Ducot Do you need more stories that pass beyond the veil? Do you need more journeys through the Shadowland? Be afraid, because more Spooked storytelling awaits. Season 6 is out NOW! To hear 26 brand new episodes of #Spooked as they are released, subscribe to the Luminary channel on Apple Podcasts. Season 12 - Episode 36 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

ALM – as referred to in court documents – is a Navajo and Cherokee toddler. When he was a baby, a white couple from the suburbs of Dallas wanted to adopt him, but a federal law said they couldn’t. So they sued. Today, the lawsuit doesn’t just impact the future of one child, or even the future of one law. It threatens the entire legal structure defending Native American rights. Today, from Crooked Media, we’re sharing the first episode of This Land Season 2. This episode touches on different kinds of trauma. Please take care of yourself while you listen. To hear the full series, subscribe now to This Land wherever you get your podcasts. Snap Spotlight - Season 12 - Episode 35 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Sir Dyno is the Chicano Eazy-E, the king of lowrider car shows, an up-and-coming gangsta rapper straight outta Northern California. But when he gets the money to finance his next CD, he has no idea that the same music that made him a legend will also lead to his downfall. Thank you, David Rocha, for sharing your story with us! Thanks also to Sharon Rocha, Justin Berton & Julia Reynolds. David Rocha left prison in June 2009. He became a pastor and started a church in Modesto called House of Rest. This story featured the music of David Rocha, the original score is by Renzo Gorrio Produced by John Fecile Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 12 - Episode 34 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When Ian Coss decided to get married, every living member of his family who had ever been married had also been divorced. He wonders: are we doomed to recycle the patterns of behavior we get from our ancestors? And a fictional tale of marital mayhem! STORIES Forever is a Long Time When Ian Coss decided to get married, every living member of his family who had ever been married had also gotten divorced: parents, grandparents, and all his aunts and uncles on both sides — some of them twice. Seven years later, he’s still married, but has questions: What is the value of a lifetime commitment? Are we doomed to recycle the patterns of behavior we get from our ancestors? Are we all just better off alone? Forever is a Long Time is a five-episode series that weaves reflection and original music through Ian’s conversations with his wife and divorced family members — a look at love with people who have made mistakes. The full series is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Forever is a Long Time is created by Ian Coss and edited by Lacy Roberts. The music is co-produced by Alex Chakour, and mastered by Nick Zampiello at New Alliance East. The artwork is by Kelsey Tyssowski. Miniature Wife What happens when you shrink your wife… literally? Writer Manuel Gonzales brings us a fictional tale of marital mayhem. Check out more of Manuel’s writing. Thank you, to our VO Actors: Narrator: Thao Nguyen Husband: Sam Fischmann Wife: Eliza Smith Produced by Eliza Smith, sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller Season 12 - Episode 33 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A computer learns to speak with emotion and conviction but lacks the ability to distinguish good ideas from absolute madness. And a man has a chance to work on a secret project involving millions of flying mammals that could put an end to World War II. STORIES Theodora Making sense of the world is always a struggle.  And that's why, as far back as time has existed, some people have chosen to stand up in front of others and tells stories and share ideas that make sense of the chaos around us. We call them "orators" or "the ones who speak"  They turn the chaos into meaning and inspiration. But there's a bad side of orators too—it's the snake oil salesmen....the buzzword charlatans...the intellectual xenomorphs who prey upon those who just want to find some deeper truths. Producer Jeff Emtman is particularly sensitive to this dual nature of public speaking...he's got some of those darker traits himself.  So he developed a simple robot named Theodora who could speak to him about the highly porous barrier that separates inspiration and madness. This piece comes to us from the podcast Here Be Monsters (HBM146: Theodora). Music by James Li, of Liance.  Album: This Painting Doesn't Dry Theodora's also a Twitterbot. Read her latest meanderings on Twitter at @hypo_inspo. The Other Secret Weapon A young man has the chance to work on a very secret, very powerful weapon that could put an end to World War II. The project involves no toxins, no chemicals, no shrapnel and no bullets. Instead, the project involves lots and lots of flying mammals. Lots. This story details a war situation involving both people and animals, sensitive listeners please be advised. BIG thanks to Jack Couffer, who is now 97, and BIG love to the entire Couffer family. Special thanks to producer Elizabeth Nakano & to Doctor Peter Kuznick from the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University. The bat recordings were made for us by artist & composer Geneva Skeen. Learn more about Geneva’s work. Produced by John Fecile, original score by Renzo Gorrio, sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller, artwork by Teo Ducot Season 12 - Episode 32 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When Heidi Shin had her first baby, she took an entire year to care for her daughter full-time. For the most part, she loved it. But she also felt like she was losing part of herself to motherhood. So she decides to take a work trip to an island off the coast of South Korea. She comes away with an unexpected discovery about motherhood and herself. Check out more of Heidi’s work. Listen to Heidi’s full story for PRI, Diving with the last generation of Korea’s Mermaids. Produced by Heidi Shin and Shaina Shealy, original score by Renzo Gorrio Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 12 - Episode 31 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices