Snap Judgment Snap Judgment

A rock climber hits the jackpot in Yosemite and Moss Hills saves the day with his music on a sea cruise. Two stories… double the trouble.STORIESLake ChronicopiaDale Bard was a young rock climber in Yosemite in the ’70s. Back then, rock climbing was an obscure, expensive passion. And he came across the most unbelievable cash cow you’ve ever heard of.Thank you, Cisco DeVries, Papa Tom DeVries, all the climbers that helped us, and a big huge thanks to the filmmakers Greg Laut and Nicholas Rosen from Sender Films. Check out our link to their amazing documentary on this very story, “Valley Uprising.”Produced by Anna Sussman & Julia Dewitt, original score by Leon MorimotoThe Sinking of the Cruise Ship OceanosMoss Hills takes us on a sea cruise and saves the day with his music.Thanks, Moss, for sharing your story with us! Love this story? Learn more about the sinking of the Oceanos or watch a video of the ship’s final moments!Produced by Joe Rosenberg, original score by Renzo GorrioSnap Classic – Season 15 – Episode 35

A severed head turns up in a small rural town. While police investigate this as a crime, they look at disturbed graves, search for missing people — suspect a killer. But the forensic artist on the case has a very different theory for how the head ended up in the woods.This story contains references to forensic material, sensitive listeners please be advised.Thank you to Michelle Vitali & Mike O’Brien for sharing this story with Snap.Produced by Nancy López, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo DucotSnap Classic - Season 15 – Episode 34

Hold onto your mullets! British drummer Nick Murphy and his band are overjoyed after signing a record deal with THE Quincy Jones in 1984. That is, until a chance encounter with one of the biggest stars in the world changes everything. And the story of a talented luchador who has an uphill battle to get the crowd and the press on his side.STORIES Feelabeelia: One-Hit Wonder?Hold onto your mullets! British drummer Nick Murphy and his band are overjoyed after signing a record deal with THE Quincy Jones in 1984. That is, until a chance encounter with one of the biggest stars in the world changes everything. Major thanks to Nick Murphy for sharing your story with Snap. Nick still lives in Leicester today and he’s continuing to make his dreams come true as one of the oldest students at De Montfort University, where he studies music technology. Produced by Regina Bediako, original score by Clay Xavier.Cassandro El ExoticoCassandro is an up-and-coming luchador, a professional Mexican wrestler. He wants to get to the big arenas. He’s got the talent, no doubt. But because he’s also one of the only openly gay fighters, he’s got an uphill battle to get the crowd and the press on his side.This story contains graphic imagery regarding suicide. Please take care while listening. Thank you for sharing your story, Cassandro!Produced by Eliza Smith, sound design by Leon MorimotoArtwork by Teo DucotSeason 15 - Episode 33

An undercover ATF agent is going full throttle on a highway to hell as he tries to infiltrate the most notorious motorcycle club on the planet.This story contains police violence, descriptions of violence, and graphic imagery. Sensitive listeners, please be advised.BIG thanks to Jay Dobyns for sharing his story with Snap. There is so much that we were not able to share with you about Jay’s experience. To find out more check out his memoirs “No Angel” and “Catching Hell.”Special thanks to George Christie.The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club did not respond to requests for comment on this story.Produced by Bo Walsh, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, artwork by Teo DucotSnap Classic - Season 15 – Episode 32

Your daddy is a bank robber, the world is on fire, and grandma’s last dress is in stitches. There’s got to be some way out of this... Chasing the Rainbow.STORIESSalmon Daddy After being fed up with life in rural Virginia, 15-year-old Deni Béchard calls his estranged father with one request: “I want to go live with you.” His dad, he found out, was a bank robber and Deni wanted a life right out of a crime novel. But when he finally gets to Vancouver, he finds out his dad doesn’t quite live up to the legend.Thanks, Deni, for sharing your story with Snap! Check out all of Deni's books and see what he's up to on his website. You can also follow him on Instagram or X.Produced by David Exumé. Original Score by Renzo Gorrio.As the World Burns What happens when the world around you starts to burn? Performed by Josh Healey at Snap Judgment LIVE! at San Francisco's Nourse Theater.Music composed by Alex Mandel and performed by Alex Mandel, Tim Frick, and David Brandt.The Funeral DressPaul Valdez loved making dresses with his grandmother at her bridal shop in Santa Fe, but one particular dress he didn’t want to make… Thanks, Paul, for sharing your story!Produced by Jazmin Aguilera. Sound Design by Renzo Gorrio.Season 15 - Episode 31

A woman’s life changes forever when she decides to tell a secret that she’s kept for 23 years. The first all-woman race car driving team in the Middle East is forced to find the center of gravity on and off the track. And a young boy makes waves in his family.STORIESRacing HaroldGlynn races a rival for the ultimate prize.Score and Sound Design by Pat Mesiti-MillerThe Secret Life of Katherine Ann PowerWhat happens when you decide to keep a secret for a really long time...And then, you decide to tell.To learn more about Katherine’s experience, check out her book Doing Time: Papers from Framingham PrisonProduced by Adizah Eghan, original score by Renzo GorrioSpeed SistersMarah is the best racer on the Speed Sisters team--the first all-female racing collective in the Arab world. That is, until Betty joins the team.This story is a collaboration with Amber Fares, director of the documentary Speed Sisters. Produced by Eliza Smith, sound production by Leon MorimotoTranslation and voice over: Amber Fares, as Marah. Jazmin Aguilera, as Betty. Avery Trufelman, as Maysoon. Mark Ristich, as Marah’s dad. Pat Mesiti-Miller, as Khaled.The Boy Who Made WavesJoe Blair is a pipe fitter in Iowa who writes in his spare time. He is the father of four, including one autistic son—Michael--who has been both a source of joy and a source of stress.This story was brought to us by Modern Love: the Podcast, a collaboration between The New York Times and WBUR Boston. It takes essays from the paper’s popular Sunday column and matches them with top talent from the stage and screen. Mykelti Williamson, who played "Bubba" in Forrest Gump and most recently Gabriel in the Oscar-nominated film "Fences" reads Joe Blair's essay "For The Boy Who Makes Waves."For more incredible stories of modern Love, go visit the Modern Love website and subscribe to their podcast.Then check out Joe Blair’s memoir, By The Iowa Sea, about the joys and sorrows of life on the great plains. And if you haven't already, go see Mykelti Williamson in Fences, directed by Denzel Washington. Original score by Pat Mesiti-MillerEpisode artwork by Teo DucotSeason 15 - Episode 30