Snap Judgment

A woman recounts her Aunt’s fairytale love story while searching for her own Modern Romance. An African princess learns she is truly beautiful. And a precocious eight-year-old finds himself on the brink of a revolution.STORIESModern RomanceIn the second half of her life, Stephanie found her classic Hollywood romance. Now she attempts to understand the strange and confusing world of dating apps to help her niece – and the show’s host Nichole – find her happily ever after.This story comes to us from The Secret Adventures of Black People, hosted by Nichole Hill. This incredible podcast tells the stories of Black people holding it down across space and time. Be sure to check out the show and subscribe to the podcast at TheSecretAdventuresOfBlackPeople.comStay in touch by joining the newsletter, following their Instagram, or by sending an email to secretadventuresofblackpeople@gmail.comModern Romance was written and produced by Nichole Hill with production assistance by Shonte Hill, and story editing assistance by Talia Bender. Special thanks to Stephanie Camolli!Music: Epidemic SoundBeautiful – Sonya Renee TaylorAn African princess learns she is truly beautiful.This story was performed by Sonya Renee Taylor at Snap LIVE in DC. Sonya Renee Taylor is an internationally acclaimed performance poet, actress, educator, and activist. The LIVE score was composed by amazing Alex Mandel & performed by Alex Mandel, David Brandt, and Tim Frick. Watch Sonya’s Snap LIVE performance.Liberation – Latif DomanWhen Latif Doman is growing up in Philly, he takes his schoolwork seriously… which is unfortunate for the parents in his neighborhood.Many thanks to Latif and Story District for bringing us this story!Snap Classic - Season 15 – Episode 26 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Four hairstylists compete to win the Bronner Bros Hair Battle, a one-of-a-kind hairstyling showdown. Winning this competition doesn't just represent a feather in one's cap, it's a stepping stone to getting celebrity clients. Big hair. Big personalities.BIG thanks to all the stylists who shared their stories with us!Ashley Payne, the bob queen, moved her salon to a new location, a private, appointment-only, suite. She suffered some health blows and started a gofundme to help pay for a liver transplant.Check out Tammie B’s work! Que Barnes is still at the helm of her salon in Atlanta. Terrence Davidson, the king of hair, started selling hair products online called Kingz N Queenz.Produced by Chris Hambrick & Nancy Lopez, with assistance from Shaina ShealyOriginal score by Marco Prestige, sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller, artwork by Teo DucotSnap Classic - Season 15 – Episode 25 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Drama 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 SchwarzhoffPlayground 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.Artwork by Teo DucotSeason 15 - Episode 24 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Two sisters investigate an American accused of abuse in Kenya. Janice's past secrets revealed. Betrayal leads to legal consequences. Seeking justice for abuse victims in Kenya. A heartfelt reunion between Maggie and Joy.

Raymond Christian is back with a story that gives whole new meaning to the phrase “rear infantry.”Thanks, Ray, for sharing this story! Listen to Ray's show “What’s Ray Saying” wherever you get your podcasts.Produced by John Fecile, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo DucotSeason 15 - Episode 22 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It’s the 70’s, two young girls are caught up in the allure of smoking, and the whole scene is about to blow. And a veteran clown knows one thing… don’t bleed in front of the children.STORIESSmoke RingsBack in the 70s, smoking was cool. Angie was not.Thank you to Angie and her mom Marita for sharing this story.Produced by John Fecile, original score by Dirk SchwarzhoffCharles the ClownWhen it's time to put on a good face... sometimes you just gotta improvise.A huge thank you to the one and only Charles the Clown for sharing his experience with the Snap. Charles Kraus has been a children’s entertainer for more than 40 years. Check out his videos, songs, magic tricks, and puppet routines! You can even book Charles for your next event in Seattle and now in the San Francisco Bay Area .Produced by Bo Walsh , original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, artwork by Teo DucotSeason 15 - Episode 21 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When twin rovers named Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars twenty years ago, they were only supposed to last 90 Martian days. But years passed, they were still alive, and engineers kept taking care of them...We proudly present a This is Love Spotlight — a story from out of this world, about two robots on Mars who just would not die. And the people whose job it was to check on them every day, who started to think about them as family.This story Tau = 10.8, is from the podcast This is Love, part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. This is Love, hosted by Phoebe Judge is a show that tells stories about a lot of different kinds of love — sometimes love between people, sometimes not. It’s made by the same team that makes what was one of the first true crime podcasts out there — a show called Criminal. They have dozens more stories like this available wherever you get your podcasts! Their website is thisislovepodcast.com. Artwork by Julienne Alexander MUSIC “Spindash” by Blue Dot Sessions “Oriel” by Blue Dot Sessions “Line Exchange” by Blue Dot Sessions “Stickle” by Blue Dot Sessions “Idle Ways” by Blue Dot Sessions “Vernouillet_Swing Swing” by Blue Dot Sessions “The Gran Dias” by Blue Dot Sessions “The Longshoreman” by Blue Dot Sessions “Borough_Alternate Opening” by Blue Dot Sessions “Awash” by Blue Dot Sessions “Parissi” by Blue Dot Sessions “Pxl Htra” by Blue Dot Sessions “Trailmaker” by Blue Dot Sessions “Bundt” by Blue Dot Sessions “Pall Canyon” by Blue Dot Sessions “Etude 3 Chessanta_Alt Arp” by Blue Dot Sessions “Town Market_Guitar” by Blue Dot Sessions Season 15 - Episode 20  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In sweet home Alabama, from the heart of Libya, comes a renegade candidate with a boombox and a head scarf. The cheerleaders, the geeks, the dweebs and the freaks are about to send a message the country needs right after 9/11.A very big thank you to Yasmin!Yasmin is a comedian and storyteller. You can follow her on Instagram @yasminelhahahady or TikTok @yasmin_elhady. She first told a version of this story at Story District in Washington, DC.  Produced by Justin Kramon, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo DucotSeason 15 - Episode 19 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

She’s stunning grey, sleek as a race car, and stronger than all the boys. Her name is Winning Colors and for Dino and Miami she’s the long shot of a lifetime.This story contains strong language and includes descriptions of gambling, sensitive listeners please be advised.If gambling has become a problem for you or for someone you know, you can call 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537) to seek free, confidential, 24/7 problem gambling assistance.A huge thank you to Mark “Miami” Paul for sharing his story with Snap!Wondering what happened to Winning Colors? After her 1988 Kentucky Derby crown the big grey filly retired the following year with eight career wins. In 2000, she was inducted into the U.S. National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. In 2008, at the age of 23 Winning Colors was laid to rest in Lexington, Kentucky.To find out more about Miami and Winning Colors’ story – check out Miami’s book, “The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told” Original score by Renzo Gorrio, produced by Bo Walsh, artwork by Teo DucotSnap Classic - Season 15 – Episode 18 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Some roads are long and some roads wind. Some roads show you things you’d never think you’d find…This week we’re featuring stories from our evil twin podcast Spooked! You can listen to Spooked for free on any podcast platform. Be afraid.STORIESDemon DogA mysterious wolf creature hunts Chuck and his family on winding mountain roads. Chuck can hardly believe it was real, until he finds an old legend that confirms it.Thank you, Chuck, for sharing your story!Produced by Greta Weber and Chris Hambrick, original score by Yari BundyDeception PassWhen Shirley gets sent out on a trucking job two weeks before Christmas, she thinks the biggest thing she has to fear is winter weather. But she’s about to learn, there are scarier things than storms out on the road.Thanks, Shirley, for sharing your story with Spooked!Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Doug StuartNight WatchWhen Dave took on the graveyard shift at the station, he saw all kinds of stuff. But he never saw anything quite like this.Thanks, Dave, for sharing your story with us.Produced by Annie Nguyen, original score by Davey KimArtwork by Teo Ducot Season 15 - Episode 17 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices