How 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.

This episode contains descriptions of a car crash & strong language. Sensitive listeners please be advised. 

Thank you, Amika Mota, for sharing your story with us!

Fire Escape, the 6-part series is dropping weekly on the Snap Judgment podcast feed. You can access the bonus episodes here. 

Fire Escape is a production of Snap Studios at KQED, made in partnership with Audible (previously Wondery). This series was created, written and produced by Anna Sussman. 

Snap Senior story editors: Mark Ristich and Nancy López. Director of Production: Marisa Dodge. Original music by Renzo Gorrio and Doug Stuart. Doug Stuart also created the theme song. Sound design and engineering by Miles Lassi.  

Audible senior story editor: Phyllis Fletcher. Development producer: Eliza Mills. Senior Producers: Clare Chambers, Lauren Dee and Mandy Gorenstein. Managing Producer: Sarah Mathis. Executive producers: Glynn Washington, Mark Ristich, Marshall Lewy, Morgan Jones, George Lavender and Jen Sargent.

Special thanks to Adizah Eghan, Kathryn Styer Martínez, Pat Mesiti-Miller, Allison MacAdam, Catherine Winter and the San Francisco Fire Department.

Season 17 - Episode 17

Strapped in a harness, on the edge of a mountain, the snow bridge lets out a hollow crack as it gives way. The story of two climbers whose fates are intertwined by a length of rope.

Big thanks to Jim Davidson for sharing his story!

Jim wrote a book with Kevin Vaughan about surviving the fall on Mt. Rainier, called The Ledge. He also wrote a book about his experiences during and after the Nepal earthquake called The Next Everest. Check them out!

Produced by Justin Kramon, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot. 

Snap Classic - Season 17 - Episode 16

Snap+ is the new subscription membership program from Snap Judgment. You’ll get an ad-free stream, special behind-the-scenes features, and even some virtual hangs with Glynn. Bonus episodes will drop every month. 

Join us! Sign up at Supercast. 

A musical prodigy from Kansas becomes a renowned race woman in Chicago, a tabloid sensation in Harlem, and a musical force the world over. These are the many lives and loves of one of the most famous women of the era: Nora Holt. Starring Nichole Hill, Natalie Tulloch, and Christabel Nsiah-Buadi.

This incredible story comes to us from Our Ancestors Were Messy, a show about our ancestors and all their drama. 

It dives into the gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines and then history in pre-Civil Rights Era America. Host Nichole Hill takes her guests through the story of an ancestor in search of opportunity, adventure, love, and a way to beat Jim Crow. Along the way, these ancestors make messes that land them in the gossip columns of Black newspapers.

Listen to Our Ancestors Were Messy on any podcast platform! Or follow along on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.

This story was written and produced by Nichole Hill. Sound design by Pat Mesiti-Miller with additional music by Mellat Makeda.

Season 17 - Episode 15

Zaki is in Kabul running an indie newspaper called The Etilaatroz. The Taliban are approaching the city, and the entire newsroom is on edge. But the question in Zaki’s mind is, “How do we save the paper?” Plus, a story from a journalist who decides what belongs in her bag.

Last Paper Standing

This story contains graphic imagery, sensitive listeners please be advised.

Thank you to Zaki Daryabi for sharing your story with Snap! Extra thanks to Luft Ali Sultani and the entire team at Etilaatroz.

If you want to learn more about Etilaatroz and their journey to cover the news, visit their website or watch a documentary about their days in Kabul on Youtube for free.

Produced by Shaina Shealy, edited by Nancy Lopez, original score by Renzo Gorrio.

Lost Baggage

Fatima decides what belongs in her bag. 

Thank you Fatima for sharing your story! You can see her reporting from Afghanistan on topics like women’s rights and education in The New York Times.

Season 17 - Episode 14

What if you invented something the whole world knows but someone else took the credit? This week on Snap, we uncover the story of Krazy George, a shy wood-shop teacher turned professional cheerleader, who sparked a phenomenon from the stands of the Oakland Coliseum.

A huge thank you to the man, the myth, the legend… Krazy George Henderson for sharing your story.

At 80 years young, George is still banging his drum for the Spartans at his alma mater, San Jose State. He also just celebrated his 50th season cheering professionally for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.

To read more about the life and times of George, check out his memoir “Still Krazy After All These Cheers” 

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

Season 17 - Episode 13

A call from the Philadelphia Phillies brings a big league opportunity to a pitcher holding out hope.

Thank you, Brian Mazone, for sharing your story with the Snap! After retiring from baseball in 2010, Brian started a new career in medical supply sales in the San Diego area. To read more about Brian’s journey in baseball, check out the article from the Washington Post by Dave Sheinin which inspired this story.

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

Season 17 - Episode 12

A Los Angeles radio show prank-calls random French citizens and unintentionally reach le président. A hotheaded comedian gets into a fight. Plus, a seven-year parking spot war. 

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

The French Connection

A Los Angeles radio show prank-calls random French citizens and unintentionally reach le président. 

A very big thank you to Ralph Garman & Kevin Ryder for sharing their story with Snap! Radio rules.

Produced by Max Jungreis, original score by Renzo Gorrio, edited by Nancy López + Anna Sussman. 

Choke Zone

Moshe Kasher tells a little story about conflict resolution. 

Thank you, Moshe, for sharing your story! Check out Moshe’s memoir: Subculture Vulture: A Memoir in Six Scenes 

Produced by David Exumé, original score by Clay Xavier.

The Parking Space War

A seven-year vendetta stemming from a parking spot war. Told live at the Black Cat by DC Benny.

Thank you DC Benny for sharing this story! Big thanks also to 800 Pound Gorilla Media. 

Follow DC Benny at... Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, or on YouTube. Stay Connected with 800 Pound Gorilla -- check out their Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, or on YouTube.

Season 17 - Episode 11

When the man in charge of a small, insular northern Ohio town wreaks havoc on his followers, a young Amish boy with a passion for good hair tries to clean up the mess.

Produced by Shaina Shealy, original score by Renzo Gorrio. 

Season 17 - Episode 10

An ecologist in Maine fears she will be criticized because she "communicates with animals." Then a tiny, collared Dove told her he could read her mind. And – a man in Alaska hears a rumor about the elusive blue bear. He never gave it much thought until a friend convinced him to search for one. We're wrapping up the FEVER series this week! Tune in. 

STORIES

When Doves Cry

An ecologist in Maine fears she must be crazy because she communicates with animals. Then a tiny, collared Dove told her he could read her mind. 

Thank you Sara and Lily B for sharing your story with us!

Produced by Anna Sussman, edited by John Fecile, original score by Nicholas Marks. 

The Blue Bear

Lynn Schooler grew up in Alaska hearing rumor after rumor about the elusive blue bear. He never gave it much thought until a friend convinced him they go out searching for one. What Lynn ended up finding was, of course, something much different.

Thanks Lynn for sharing your story with Snap! For more on Lynn Schooler's work check out his Facebook page.

Produced by Nancy Lopez, sound design by Renzo Gorrio and Davey Kim.

Season 17 - Episode 9