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In 1997, thirty-nine people took their own lives in an apparent mass suicide. The events captivated the media and had people across the planet asking the same question... ‘Why?’ 20 years later, those who lost loved ones and those who still believe - tell their story. Snap Judgment presents a special spotlight on Heaven’s Gate. Find out the story behind the cult that changed the world. Heaven’s Gate is produced by Stitcher in collaboration with Pineapple Street Media and is hosted by Snap’s very own Glynn Washington. You can listen to Heaven’s Gate wherever you get your pods. Go on… subscribe right now and listen to all the episodes!

Six people, six different times and places, but they all find themselves in the same predicament, asking the same question, should they stop or should they go? BIG thanks to Tyler Estep, who first reported Philip Dean’s story for the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Thanks also to Cole Richards and Randy Scott Carroll for recording assistance. Thank you to everyone interviewed for this story: Troy Stokes, Philip Dean, Betsy Richards, Delrish Moss, Carol Steele, and the Lucky Guy. Big love and thanks to Shannon Cason, who narrated this piece. Check out Shannon's podcast 'Homemade Stories' to hear more from him. Produced by Anna Sussman, John Fecile & Nancy López, original score by Renzo Gorrio Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 12 - Episode 1

An Iranian American examines herself and her life in a one-woman audio show that straddles the line between fiction and truth. Snap Judgment presents, “A Person Who Has Never Even Been Married...” a special spotlight on the Appearances podcast. This episode contains strong language, scenes of domestic turmoil, and mentions sex. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. From Mermaid Palace and Radiotopia, Sharon Mashihi brings you Appearances. This podcast brings to life an Iranian American family and community through the real and fantastical mental machinations of Melanie Barzadeh. Melanie is in her mid 30’s and desires nothing more than to become a mother. The difficulty of finding the right partner seems to be directly connected to the struggles witnessed in her home throughout her entire childhood. As Sharon Mashihi voice-acts all the characters in one family, the depth of the love, pain, and struggle is felt with visceral, profound compassion at every turn. This is episode 2 of a 9 episode audio mind trip. Go on… go listen to all the episodes and subscribe to this amazing podcast! The roles of Melanie, her family members, and all the wedding guests were performed by Sharon Mashihi.  The role of Ponch was performed by Thatcher Keats. This episode also featured clips from an interview with Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh. The story consultant was Sunita Prasad.  The associate producer of pre-production was Monique Laborde.  The associate producer was Ariel Mejia. The mix engineer was Harry Knazen. Kaitlin Prest is the executive producer and editor of Appearances. The show was made with support from New York State Council on the Arts, Madowell, the Ragdale Foundation, Union Docs, and IFP. Snap Season 11 - Episode 42

2020 has been a YEAR, and Monaea Upton has a lot to say about it. This week we bring you an episode from the podcast Vice News Reports. Vice sent 17-year-old Monaea Upton a recorder and she’s been keeping an audio diary of her senior year of high school in North Minneapolis — during online school, the aftermath of the George Floyd protests, and a spike in neighborhood gun violence. We take you inside her world. This story does contain strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised. BIG BIG love and special thanks to Monaea Upton, for letting us into her world! Thanks to her Mother, Rochelle Upton, as well. This episode was produced by Vice News Reports, a new weekly podcast hosted by Arielle Duhaime Ross. Go on… check it out! This incredible podcast brings you to the news so you can hear it for yourself. VICE News reporters and producers take you along as they travel across the globe to where life is happening, right up to the frontline as a story is unfolding. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! You can also check out VICE News on their website, Twitter, or Instagram. VICE News Reports is produced by Jesse Alejandro Cottrell, Jen Kinney, Janice Llamoca, and Julia Nutter. Senior producers are Ashley Cleek and Adizah Eghan. Associate producers are Adreanna Rodriguez, Sam Egan, and Sophie Kazis. Sound Design and music composition by Steve Bone and Kyle Murdock. The executive producer and VP of Vice Audio is Kate Osborn. Janet Lee is Senior Production Manager for VICE Audio. Production coordination by Steph Brown. Fact-Checking by Samir Ferdowsi. Special thanks to Mauri Milander Friestleben, Charles Adams, Sam Wilbur, Courtland Pickens, Azhae’la Hanson, Samir Ferdowsi, and Alex Baumhardt. Photograph by Foluso Famuyide Jr, illustration by Teo Ducot Season 11 - Episode 41

What if after the craziest year on record somebody asked you… “what happened?” The Snap team spoke to some of the people that changed our world in 2020 to see if their stories have a part II. BIG thanks to all of the storytellers who let us take a little peek back into their lives for this special episode: Patti Ragan from “Zoo Nebraska” Naandar from “Letters from Lockdown - Gaza, Myanmar, and at Sea” Jacoby Cochran from “Time Traveler” Gregory from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to America” Dr. Ayaz Virji & Doug Peterson from “The Country Doctor” Chanthon Bun from “Outbreak at San Quentin” Mary Gidley from “Raft of Passion” After an insane year, there is still so much to be thankful for. We are exceptionally grateful for you Snap Nation! The best people in all the world listen to this show. Happy Holidays from our family to yours… and cheers to the new year ahead. Produced by Anna Sussman, Nancy Lopez, John Fecile, Shaina Shealy, Regina Bediako, & Pat Mesiti-Miller Original score by Pat Mesiti-Miller Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 11 - Episode 40

A good samaritan pulls over to the side of the road to help a family in distress. A few weeks later, he realizes something is wrong. This episode contains some graphic imagery and strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised. BIG love and thanks so much to Dr. Ray Christian for sharing his story with us. If you loved his story he’s got plenty more on his podcast “What’s Ray Saying.” Produced by Nikka Singh, original score by Lauryn Newson Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 11 - Episode 39

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

School shootings and their tragic aftermath have become an all too common story. But here’s one side of it that you probably haven’t heard. This story takes place at a high school in Portland, Oregon, where officials fear the next school shooter might be a teenage boy in their midst. This story does contain strong language, sensitive listeners please be advised. Bethany Barnes originally reported this story for The Oregonian - Targeted: A Family and the Quest to Stop the Next School Shooter. She is now an investigative reporter for the Tampa Bay Times. Produced by Nancy López, original score by Renzo Gorrio Artwork by Teo Ducot Snap Classic - Season 10 Episode 12

Lawrence “Binkey” Tolefree gets a phone call about a huge opportunity. But it’s the next call from his mom that leads to the most surprising performance of his career. And Nygel Turner shares what it's like to live with Gynecomastia (aka Man Boobs). This episode contains adult language & a scene with graphic imagery. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. STORIES The Looking Glass Glynn looks at an old picture of himself and reflects... Produced by Pat Mesiti-Miller Have You Seen Her Lawrence “Binkey” Tolefree Jr. was born with a mic in his hands. He never met a stage he wouldn’t try to grace with his presence. And at 33, he thinks he’s finally gotten his big break. But when he calls his mom to tell her the good news, he sets into motion a journey that ushers in the most unexpected performance of his career. Go on and get more Binkey Tolefree in your life! Check out his show every Friday on South Side Radio. The piece featured “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye, and “Have You Seen Her” by The Chi-Lites, which was written in part by Binky’s grandmother the great Barbara Acklin. Produced by Regina Bediako, original score by Pat Mesiti-Miller The Amazing T*tty Man How far will you hurt yourself before you start loving yourself? Nygel Turner shares what it's like to live with Gynecomastia (aka Man Boobs). This story was produced by YR Media's Adult ISH podcast. Adult ISH is a culture, advice, and storytelling show about #adulting, that is produced entirely by folks who are "almost adults". The show is distributed by PRX’s Radiotopia. Be sure to subscribe and listen here! Produced by Nygel Turner and Davey Kim, sound design by Oluwafemi and Davey Kim Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 11 - Episode 38

A fortune hunter searches for buried treasure in an Arizona silver mine but finds something he never expected. And a young boy learns how to hustle and survive in Brooklyn during a time when the mob ran the streets. STORIES Silver Mine W.C. Jameson has searched for a recovered buried treasure across the world. But on a search in Arizona, he found something he never expected. Find out more about W.C. Jameson’s work and adventures at his website. Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Leon Morimoto Number One Boy In Brooklyn, before it was hip, back in the days when Williamsburg was still rough and the mob ran Red Hook, this is where Lou Diaz learned how to hustle as a young boy. It was on these same streets that this hustle would be particularly handy in a totally different way than he ever expected. Check out Lou’s book, Dancing with the Devil: Confessions of an Undercover Agent. Produced by Julia Dewitt, original score by Renzo Gorrio Artwork by Teo Ducot

Glynn gets a new friend. A wolf in Yellowstone becomes a legend in her own time. And a woman’s life changes forever when a hurricane heads towards her house full of birds. Snap Judgment presents, “The 2020 Gratitude Special.” We are grateful to lift voices up, to tell stories, and we are so SO thankful for you Snap Nation! We appreciate each and every one of you Snappas… for all of the love and support you’ve shown us, thank you. STORIES Bardot Everyone needs a scratch behind the ears sometimes. Produced by Pat Mesiti-Miller 06 Female In 2006, a wolf was born in Yellowstone who would become a legend in her own time. For more about the 06 Female and the debate surrounding wolves in Yellowstone, be sure to check out Jeff Hull's article in Outside Magazine and Nate Rott's special report for NPR. Produced by Joe Rosenberg, original score by Renzo Gorrio The Birds With a houseful of her favorite birds and a hurricane on the way, Nikki's whole life is about to be upturned. Find out more about Nikki's life story on her website, and in her book, "The Bird Market of Paris." Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio Artwork by Teo Ducot

Rhyme and punishment go hand in hand in America. This week, we are featuring Louder Than A Riot, an incredible new podcast from NPR Music. It reveals the interconnected rise of hip-hop and mass incarceration. From Bobby Shmurda to Nipsey Hussle, each episode explores an artist's story to examine a different aspect of the criminal justice system that disproportionately impacts Black America. STORY The Badder, The Better: Bobby Shmurda (Pt 1) Just like his legendary disappearing hat, Brooklyn rapper Bobby Shmurda's career was on the rise in 2014. But so was the evidence in a murder case against his crew, GS9. In the first of three episodes exploring Bobby's story, we look at his come-up through the eyes of former Epic Records exec Sha Money XL, who guided Bobby on his tightrope walk from the streets to superstardom. What happens when the industry capitalizes on a criminal persona? And do record execs have the juice to back Bobby up when things get too hot? Content Advisory: This story contains strong language and the mention of drug use and guns. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. Be sure to visit Louder Than A Riot to hear Part 2 and 3 of Bobby Shmurda’s story and listen to more incredible episodes. Follow the show on Twitter @LouderThanARiot and subscribe! To hear the music in this episode, check out the Louder Than A Riot playlists on Apple Music & Spotify. Louder Than A Riot is hosted by NPR Music's Rodney Carmichael and Sidney Madden, this podcast is invested in power from all angles — the power the music industry wields over artists, the power of institutional forces that marginalize communities of color, the power of the prison industrial complex and the power dynamics deep-rooted in the rap game. Illustration by Dale Edwin Murray for NPR ©2020 National Public Radio, Inc.

A mild-mannered theater professor attempts to stage a controversial play in a small East Texas town. This episode discusses drug use, sex, homophobia, and contains explicit language. Sensitive listeners, please be advised. Thank you to Joseph Magee, Justin Adams, Jennifer Ann Handy, and the rest of the cast and crew of Angels in America Kilgore College, 1999. BIG love and thanks to Raymond Caldwell, who just retired after 54 years of teaching theater. This story was based on the Texas Monthly magazine article “When Angels in America Came to East Texas” by Wes Ferguson. Special thanks also to the Texas Shakespeare Festival, Matthew Simpson, Helena de Groot, Kyle Henry, and Katie Song. Produced by John Fecile, original score by Renzo Gorrio Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 11 - Episode 36

Nada Rothbart thought she’d have plenty of time to get her family out of Sarajevo. Suddenly, it was too late. This story originally aired on the Lucky podcast, listen to part two of Nada’s story “The Choice” here. Produced by Briana Breen Artwork by Teo Ducot Snap Classic - Season 9 Episode 16

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. Snap presents a story crafted in the dark of night by Spooked. Thank you, Todd, for sharing your story with us! Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio Artwork by Sanaa Khan Listen to Spooked on Luminary! Spooked season 5 has 22 all-new episodes to keep you up at night. You can get a Luminary subscription for as little as $2.99 a month with their annual plan, plus a 7-day free trial to get started. Not available in all markets. Terms apply. Visit luminarypodcasts.com to learn more.

When singer/songwriter and former frontwoman of the Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard, comes up against a hostile spirit in her home, she has to decide: who’s going to get to stay? Brittany... or the ghost? Snap proudly presents an amazing Spooked tale! Big thanks and big love to Brittany for sharing her story with us. Produced by Chris Hambrick, original score by Leon Morimoto Artwork by Sanaa Khan Listen to Spooked on Luminary! Spooked season 5 has 22 all-new episodes to keep you up at night. You can get a Luminary subscription for as little as $2.99 a month with their annual plan, plus a 7-day free trial to get started. Not available in all markets. Terms apply. Visit luminarypodcasts.com to learn more.

Kristen Cortez is a new teacher in beautiful Los Gatos, California. From her classroom window, she can see rolling, golden hills. Redwood trees. The sun is almost always shining. And yet… something lurks. Snap proudly presents a story crafted in the dark of night by Spooked. Thank you, Kristen, for telling us your terrifying tale! Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Richard Haig Artwork by Teo Ducot Listen to Spooked on Luminary! Spooked season 5 has 22 all-new episodes to keep you up at night. You can get a Luminary subscription for as little as $2.99 a month with their annual plan, plus a 7-day free trial to get started. Not available in all markets. Terms apply. Visit luminarypodcasts.com to learn more.

Lee’s great grandfather, his grandfather, and his father have all seen him: the shapeshifter. They know this man has the power to curse them, to hurt them. Lee wonders: is this man coming for him too? Snap proudly presents a terrifying tale from Spooked. BIG thanks to, Lee, and his entire family for sharing their story with us! Produced by Annie Nguyen, original score by Leon Morimoto Artwork by Teo Ducot Listen to Spooked on Luminary! Spooked season 5 has 22 all-new episodes to keep you up at night. You can get a Luminary subscription for as little as $2.99 a month with their annual plan, plus a 7-day free trial to get started. Not available in all markets. Terms apply. Visit luminarypodcasts.com to learn more.

Some of the best stories are told when the show’s over… Join us for our first-ever Snap Backstage! We bring together incredible storytellers from all over the country for a roundtable of stories about second-rate first class tickets, a racist dog, and baggy pants. This episode does contain strong language and the mention of drug use, sensitive listeners please be advised. BIG thanks to Dino Archie, Shannon Cason, Dr. Ray Christian, Joyce Lee, and Don Reed for spending some time with us Backstage! Special thanks to Snap’s Flo Wiley for her help with this episode. Produced by Nikka Singh, original score by Pat Mesiti-Miller Artwork by Teo Ducot Season 11 - Episode 31

Back in the 1970s, Bob Favor signed up to be a Texas Ranger. He proudly helped local police solve some of their toughest cases. But there was one case that kept getting away from him. For more of Bob Favor’s exploits as a Texas Ranger, check out his book: My Rangering Days. Produced by Luke Quinton, original score by Leon Morimoto Snap Classic - Season 7 - Episode 8