A young girl’s fantastic dream to be a doctor sends her into the middle of political realities of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Plus – the story of the first dog to travel around the world and the hottest alien takeover of all time.

Round Trip

A young girl’s fantastic dream to be a doctor sends her into the middle of political realities of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

This story contains scenes of domestic abuse and gun violence, please take care while listening.

Thank you, MJ Fièvre, for sharing your story with us! You can read more about MJ’s childhood in Haiti in her memoir: “A Sky the Color of Chaos” And she’s working on a book series that uplifts Black women and girls – check out all that and more at badassblackgirl.com

Produced by David Exumé, original story score by Lalin St. Juste. Music and sound design for opening story by Druuvy.

The Dog that Went Around the World

The story of the first dog to travel around the world (and refuse a free steak).

Produced by Joe Rosenberg, original score & sound design by Leon Morimoto.

Bionic Blondes

The hottest alien takeover of all time.

This story was originally written by Kelly Link, and comes from her collection, Stranger Things Happen. It was adapted, directed, and produced by Mark Ristich and Eliza Smith. Voice ActorsL Glynn Washington and Joyce Lee.

Season 16 - Episode 29

When Michelle moves into The Gearbox on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, she meets a new dance partner. And in Yauco, the mountain is alive. It knows you. It is aware of you. And when you pass, it will not let you leave unforgotten.

This story comes to us from our evil-twin, Spooked! You can listen to Spooked on any podcast platform, episodes drop weekly. If you want more supernatural fun, check out Spooked on YouTube.

The Gearbox

When Michelle moves into The Gearbox on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, she meets a new dance partner.

Produced by Anne Ford, original score by Doug Stuart.

Spirit of the Mountain

In Yauco, the mountain is alive. It knows you. It is aware of you. And when you pass, it will not let you leave unforgotten.

Thank you Adam, for sharing your story with us.

Produced by Erick Yáñez, original score by Doug Stuart, artwork by Teo Ducot.

Season 16 - Episode 28

He’s slick, slippery, sweet-talking his way past the guards and straight into a superfan’s dream. He’s the stuff of legends, he’s Super Bowl Rick. And meet his counterpart… Tom Garvey. The man who lived inside the walls of his favorite stadium, Phantom-of-the-Opera style. It’s Pittsburgh vs Philly in an epic sports story-off.

This episode contains explicit language, sensitive listeners please be advised.

STORIES

Super Bowl Rick

He’s slick, slippery, sweet-talking his way past the guards and straight into a superfan’s dream. He’s the stuff of legends, he’s Super Bowl Rick.

Thank you Rick Steigerwald for telling us your story!

When Rick returned home following the Super Bowl , he shared his story with the Pittsburgh Press - check out the 1979 article! Rick retired after a 39 year career in steamfitting and now serves as the Pennsylvania Boxing Commissioner. He’s a three time former Golden Gloves Boxing champion and longtime referee, and was just inducted into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame this past year.

Big thanks as well to Ryan O’Shea who originally interviewed Rick and the late Steeler Jack Deloplaine on his Youtube channel.

Produced by Bo Walsh, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff.

A Vet in the Vet

For years, Tom Garvey lived every sports fan’s secret dream: he lived inside the walls of his favorite stadium, Phantom-of-the-Opera style.

Thanks Tom, Jud Bertholf, and John Grossman!

Read Tom’s story in his memoir The Secret Apartment and his autobiographical novel Many Beaucoup Magics.

Produced by John Fecile, edited by Nancy Lopez, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff.

Season 16 - Episode 27

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.

This story contains drug references and offensive language, sensitive listeners please be advised.

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.

Produced by John Fecile. This story featured the music of David Rocha, the original score is by Renzo Gorrio. Artwork by Teo Ducot.

Snap Classic – Season 16 – Episode 26

In the Big Top, the Ringmaster wows the crowd in his top hat and sparkly jacket. But underneath the glitz is a feeling that only a father can lay to rest. And what do you do when your family’s big moment on national TV turns into a total disaster? ...Happy Father's Day y'all!

Ringmaster

In the Big Top, the Ringmaster wows the crowd in his top hat and sparkly jacket. But underneath the glitz is a question that only a father can lay to rest.

Thank you Jonathan Lee Iverson for sharing your story with us! Jonathan is a Ringmaster to this day, you can find him touring up and down California.

Produced by Anna Sussman. Original score by Derek Barber. Photo credit: Wednesday Aja.

The Angry Marriage?

What do you do when your family’s big moment on national TV turns into a total disaster?

A huge thank you to Charles, Linda and Rebecca Kraus for sharing your story with Snap!

You can find all things Charles the Clown including videos, songs, magic tricks, puppet routines and even book Charles for your next event in the Bay Area.

Dr. Bonnie Maslin and The Today Show did not respond to our requests for comment about this story.

Produced by Bo Walsh. Original score by Dirk Schwartzhoff. Edited by Regina Bediako & Anna Sussman.

Season 16 - Episode 25

This week on Snap, we go to Guadalajara, Mexico where Dante meets Jorge. As they start to understand each other they soon discover that what brings them together also sets them apart.

This episode contains sexual references, sensitive listeners please be advised.

Thank you, Dante and Jorge, for sharing your story!

The Spanish version of this episode is available at CUIR: Historias Disidentes, a non-fiction podcast that showcases stories from the Latinx LGBTQ+ community and from people who challenge the way we think about love, identity, sex and pleasure. You can listen to more CUIR episodes anywhere you listen to podcasts and on the CUIR website: https://estonoesradio.mx/programas/cuir

Jorge was voiced by Terry Holiday, one of the most prominent trans actresses in Mexico. You can read more about Terry in this Vice article (in Spanish).

Produced by Erick Yáñez, edited by Nancy López. Reported by Dante Ureta. Original score by Renzo Gorrio. Art by Teo Ducot.

Snap Classic - Season 16 – Episode 24

After years of fighting battles as a child soldier, a Sudanese man finds himself a refugee in Australia. As he struggles to overcome his past, he comes face-to-face with his childhood tormentor on a TV show.

This episode recounts real events that happened to a child soldier, including graphic scenes inside a prison camp, listener discretion is advised.

Thank you, Ayik, for sharing your incredible story with us! To learn more about Ayik’s life, check out his memoir, The Lost Boy. You can also catch Ayik on Harrow, a crime drama on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Produced by Ruby Schwartz, edited by Nancy López. Special thanks to Wendy Love. Original score by Renzo Gorrio. Artwork by Teo Ducot.

This week’s music spotlight features the song “Rocketeer” from our very own Renzo Gorrio! Renzo scores so many stories on Snap (like this one!) and he produces under the name Hydroplane. Listen to “Rocketeer” from his album “Rockets” available on cassette, vinyl, and digitally on Bandcamp.

Snap Classic – Season 16 – Episode 23

Have you ever wanted something so badly you’d do anything to make it happen? Sixteen-year-old Mohamed decides to dig deep in his religion to take the next step with his crush. There’s no love like young love… especially when it’s a secret.

This story contains strong language, discusses sexuality, and mentions corporal punishment. Please take care while listening.

BIG thanks to Mohamed Ali for sharing his story with us! Mohamed is an artist and comedian, he just got back to Canada after spending the last few years working and performing in Southeast Asia. Check out his Instagram!

Special thanks to Zahra Noorbakhsh. Big thanks as well to Zaiba Hasan & her crew from the podcast Mommying While Muslim.

Produced by Regina Bediako, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot.

Snap Music Spotlight: “Honest” by Jada Imani (produced by Dakim)

Jada Imani is an East St. Louis-born, Bay Area-raised Hip-Hop R&B artist and organizer. In addition to a whole bunch of great music, Jada recently launched a new product line called “Good For The Soul”. Be sure to check out her Patreon and follow her on social media!

This song comes to us from the compilation Water For The Town Vol. 4, a project series from SmartBomb created to raise mutual aid and awareness for various organizations and grassroots movements doing vital work right here in Oakland.

The song is produced by Dakim, be sure to check out more of Dakim’s music and follow them on Instagram!

Season 16 – Episode 22 - Snap Classic