Snap Judgment

Snap Judgment and PRX

Snap Judgment mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic radio. Snap’s raw, musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. It's storytelling... with a BEAT.

read less

Our Editor's Take

What happens when immersive audio beats blend with first-person storytelling? Will the combination hold a captive audience? Public Radio Exchange's podcast Snap Judgment attempts this bold experiment. This is a musical brand of storytelling. Each tale unfolds with cinematic musical beats and dramatic narration. This, in the words of the podcast itself, is “Storytelling... with a beat.”

Listeners can expect a buffet of stories from all walks of life. The podcast shares perspectives from every facet imaginable. The series plucks its content from unexpected and unimaginable sources. In each episode, Snap Judgment delivers an original tale accompanied by climatic music. Every account offers an authentic human perspective, from survival stories to strange experiments. Listeners should know many of the podcast episodes contain sensitive topics.

Listeners get to cruise with Mary Gidley and ten others in the strangest group experiment of all time. They also get to discover the origins of white gold fever. These are but a taste of the flavor of adventures to come with Snap Judgment.

Award-winning media personality and host Glynn Washington anchors the Snap Judgment podcast. Producer Annie Nguyen joins the crew with score composer Leon Morimoto and designer Teo Ducot.

read less
ArtsArts
Performing ArtsPerforming Arts

Episodes

The Feast - Snap Classic
4d ago
The Feast - Snap Classic
When men living in Muskegon prison watch the breaking news of George Floyd’s murder on TV, they decide to host a one-of-a-kind celebration of life. And when Cindy adopted a four year old girl from China, there was a lot the two didn’t understand about each other.STORIESThe FeastWhen men living in Muskegon prison watch the breaking news of George Floyd’s murder on TV, they decide to host a one-of-a-kind celebration of life. This story is a tribute to Robert “Silk” Cannon Junior. This episode contains strong language and references to police violence. Sensitive listeners, please be advised.Special thanks to William Welch and Dee Dee Kirkwood who helped make the bagel sandwich a reality for the men in Muskegon. Additional shout-outs to Catherine Nouhan, Stephen Carmody, and Delores Ingram.And major thanks to Tana Ganeva, a criminal justice reporter who has written extensively about Michael Thompson’s incarceration and petitions for clemency. You can read more about the George Floyd celebration of life in her article in The Counter. Tana is currently working on a book about Cold War escapees. Produced by Shaina Shealy, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot.Xiao XiaoWhen Cindy adopted a four year old girl from China, there was a lot the two didn’t understand about each other.Find out about Cindy’s story (and her books) at CindyChampnella.com.Sound Design by Pat Mesiti-Miller, produced by Anna Sussman.Happy New Year Snap Nation! Snap Classic - Season 15 – Episode 58
I Got Ball
05-12-2024
I Got Ball
A shot at the pros. Everybody wants it, but these women have it. Faatimah was a pro point guard with a world of experience when she started her own league with a call-out for true ballers. But when her own future is on the line, can she deliver? And when a little girl goes missing in the desert, one woman is driven to find her… no matter what.STORIESI Got BallA shot at the pros. Everybody wants it, but these women have it. Faatimah was a pro point guard with a world of experience when she started her own league with a call-out for true ballers. But when her own future is on the line, can she deliver?This story contains strong language, sensitive listeneres please be advised.A huge thank you to Faatimah A, Delia Moore, and everyone over at the Women’s Premier Basketball Association for sharing their stories with the Snap!A few months after the 2023 WPBA season concluded, Faatimah signed a contract to play professionally in Kuwait, where she spent last season abroad and continues to play for the Jamaican Women’s National Team in international competition. Delia ended up having a successful rookie season for Ulster University in Belfast averaging Ten Points per game. She’s back in Ireland this season playing for the Limerick Sports Huskies. That piece was narrated by Brittani Burgess. She’s a documentary filmmaker and photographer out of Oakland who covers the WPBA . You can find links to Brittani’s work on all platforms at Bazeinteractions. Produced by Bo Walsh, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot.HuntedWhen a little girl goes missing in the desert, one woman is driven to find her… no matter what.This story mentions domestic abuse, please take care while listening. Help is available, visit the National Domestic Abuse Hotline for resources. Thank you, Hannah, for sharing your amazing story! Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio.Season 15 - Episode 53
The Hot Dog King of New York - Snap Classic
28-11-2024
The Hot Dog King of New York - Snap Classic
This dog has everything: mustard, onions, a scrap with Giuliani, Vietnam Vets, and The Met. Everyone is coming for the Throne of the Hot Dog King of New York… Dan Rossi. And a camp for kids with dermatological issues reveals that some summer romances are more than skin deep.STORIESThe Hot Dog King of New YorkThis dog has everything: mustard, onions, a scrap with Giuliani, Vietnam Vets, and The Met. Everyone is coming for the Throne of the Hot Dog King of New York… Dan Rossi.This story contains strong language – sensitive listeners please be advised.A huge thank you to Dan Rossi for sharing his story with Snap! There is so much that we were not able to share with you about Dan’s experience. To find out more check out his new memoir The New York Hot Dog King: From Rags to Riches to Less Than Rags. You can also follow Dan on social media.Additional thanks to our friends at VICE, whose series MUNCHIES featured Dan back in 2019 and was a big inspiration for this story.Listen to the King’s tribute song featured in this episode recorded by The Burner Band.Produced by Bo Walsh, original score by Clay Xavier, artwork by Teo Ducot.Skin DeepIt’s days before the big dance at Camp Discovery — and there’s a problem. A few problems. But the kids at this camp are more used to problems than your average camper.Thanks to everyone in this episode! Learn more about Camp Discovery at aad.org.Produced by Sarah Harris with help from Anna Sussman. Sound design by Renzo Gorrio.Snap Classic - Season 15 – Episode 52
Fire Escape
14-11-2024
Fire Escape
We are thrilled to share our new show Fire Escape, in partnership with Wondery! This 10 episode series, hosted by Anna Sussman, explores one woman’s journey as an incarcerated firefighter as she fights fire from behind bars -- defying a system intent on burying her under the weight of her worst moment.This episode contains strong language and mentions a car crash and its aftermath. Please take care while listening.Episode 1: The CrashHow did Amika Mota go from a midwife and mother of three to a prisoner inside one of the largest women's prisons on Earth? Handcuffed to a hospital bed, awaiting trial, Amika tries to come to grips with the tragic crash that cost one man his life and took her away from her children. Inside the Chowchilla prison walls, she faces the "green cops" and the threat of solitary confinement. Outside the walls sits Firehouse Five, the home of the legendary crew of incarcerated firefighters called the Fire Girls.Thank you, Amika Mota, for your help and generosity in sharing your story with us!!!Fire Escape is a production of Snap Studios at KQED and Wondery. This series was created, written, and produced by Anna Sussman. For Snap Studios, our senior story editors are Mark Ristich and Nancy López. Marisa Dodge is our Director of Production. Original music by Renzo Gorrio, Dirk Schwarzhoff, and Doug Stuart. Doug Stuart also created our original theme song. Sound design and engineering by Miles Lassi. Special thanks to Pat Mesiti-Miller and the SF Fire Department. For Wondery, our senior story editor is Phyllis Fletcher. Our development producer is Eliza Mills. Clare Chambers, Lauren Dee and Mandy Gorenstein are our senior producers. Sarah Mathis is our managing producer. Our executive producers for Snap Studios are Glynn Washington and Mark Ristich. Executive producers for Wondery are Marshall Lewy, Morgan Jones, George Lavender and Jen Sargent. Binge all episodes of Fire Escape early and ad-free right now by signing up for Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify or Amazon Music with your Prime Membership. Start your free trial: www.wondery.com/links/fire-escape now.Season 15 - Episode 50
The League of Impersonators - Snap Classic
03-10-2024
The League of Impersonators - Snap Classic
When Umid is trapped behind enemy lines, he gets help... from two of the world’s most dangerous men. And a glitch in time brings mayhem to a man’s life day after day… no matter how many times he resets his clocks.This episode contains some strong language. Sensitive listeners, please be advised.STORIESThe League of ImpersonatorsWhen Umid Isabaev is trapped behind enemy lines, he gets help… from two of the world’s most dangerous men.Thank you, Umid, for sharing your story with Snap!Thanks to Ethan Herschenfeld who voiced Umid’s words, and to, Mars Lipowski, who was the voice of Steve Poland. BIG thanks as well to our translators for this piece, Muhitdin Ahunhodjaev and Magdalena Balz.The three fake heads of state reunited recently in Poland for a magazine photo shoot! This photo will also be on our social media accounts.Want more from the Kim Jong Un Look-alike? Check out his Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Trying to hear from the Putin Look-alike? Visit his website.Produced by John Fecile & Anne Ford, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot.Time GlitchJoel Gheen is out of the military, newly married, and in college. His new life is going great… if he could just catch the damn bus.Thank you, Joel, for sharing your story with us!If you’re hungry for more details about Joel’s experience with a real-life glitch in the matrix, check out his website. Joel also has a fun podcast that covers weird topics from a Biblical perspective. Listen to hear all the paranormal stuff that never gets discussed from a traditional church pulpit or Bible study.Produced by Anne Ford, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff.Season 15 – Episode 43
We Have A Problem
26-09-2024
We Have A Problem
Four comics score a sweet gig in the Deep South. It’s champagne, a Benz, and maybe even a Kevin Hart appearance. But their dream of life behind the velvet rope is about to get a rude awakening. Plus, do we take the Honolulu ghost tour with Lopaka, or the big time wresting match with Johnny All Black? You only get one double life on the latest Snap.STORIESWe Have A ProblemComics, Lamarr Todd, Matt Black, and Ken Jones, score a sweet gig in the Deep South. It’s champagne, a Benz, and maybe even a Kevin Hart appearance. But their dream of life behind the velvet rope is about to get a rude awakening. BIG thanks to, Lamarr Todd, for sharing his story with Snap! Lamarr is a standup comedian and a featured judge at First Person Arts in Philadelphia. Find out about his tour dates and current exploits on Instagram and X.Matt Black and Ken Jones are also lighting up comedy stages around the country! Find Matt on Instagram. Find Ken on Instagram and X. Produced by Justin Kramon, original score by Clay Xavier.Double BookedDo we take the Honolulu ghost tour with Lopaka, or the big time wresting match with Johnny All Black? You only get one double life on the latest Snap.Thank you, Lopaka, for sharing your story! Lopaka still leads ghost tours in Honolulu today. Want to hear some of Lopaka’s stories from the dark side? Head on over to our evil twin sister show, Spooked... you can listen on any podcast platform.Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot.Season 15 - Episode 42
The Sound of Home from Mind Your Own
19-09-2024
The Sound of Home from Mind Your Own
Snap Studios introduces an epic collaboration years in the making... "Mind Your Own." A new storytelling show hosted and produced by Lupita Nyong'o, that navigates what it means to belong all from an African perspective.Lupita Nyong’o knows what home feels like. But where exactly is it? In Mexico, where she was born? Kenya, where she grew up? Or the States, where she’s spent the past 20 years?Like Lupita, millions of Africans are spread out across the globe following family, searching for love, building futures and creating stories. It's these stories – wild and messy, intimate and joyous – that she wants to hear. Join Lupita as she shares tales of her own and dives into the lives of real people finding their way in new worlds of every kind.Episode 1: The Sound of HomeSound travels in all directions, but your feet can only follow in one.“Losing My Accent”: Lupita takes on an American accent when she becomes an actor-in-training at Yale.Original score by Ian Hughes Pelton AKA Tofu Jack.“Obaa Sima”: How long can a song stay in your heart? A musical journey from Ghana to Germany to Canada transports Yaw Atta-Owusu from the toy store to the dance floor.Big thanks to Yaw for sharing his story with us! Check out the Obaa Sima album featured in this episode. Thanks as well to Awesome Tapes From Africa for sharing Yaw’s music with us.Produced by Marisa Dodge and Regina Bediako with assistance from Bo Walsh. Original score by Clay Xavier, with additional music from Marla Kether and Ata Kak.Original Mind Your Own theme song by Sandra Lawson-Ndu AKA Sandu Ndu x Peachcurls ft. Ehiorobo. This episode also featured the song Show My Side by CKay ft. Amaarae.Executive Producers: Glynn Washington and Mark RistichManaging Editor: Regina BediakoDirector of Production: Marisa DodgeSeries Producers: David Exumé and Priscilla AlabiMusic Supervisor: Sandra Lawson-NduStory Scouts: Ashley Okwuosa, Fiona Nyong’o, Jessica Kariisa, Lesedi Oluko MocheEditors: Nancy López and Anna SussmanEngineering: Miles LassiOperations Manager: Florene WileyStory Consultant: John FecileGraphic Design: Jemimah EkehOriginal Artwork: Mateus SitholeSpecial Thanks: Allan Coye, Jake Kleinberg, Samara Still, Sarah Yoo, Warner Music Group, and Afripods.Episode transcripts can be found here.Mind Your Own is a production of KQED’s Snap Studios, with sales and distribution by Lemonada Media. Hosted and produced by Lupita Nyong’o.