Snap Judgment

When twin rovers named Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars twenty years ago, they were only supposed to last 90 Martian days. But years passed, they were still alive, and engineers kept taking care of them...

We proudly present a This is Love Spotlight — a story from out of this world, about two robots on Mars who just would not die. And the people whose job it was to check on them every day, who started to think about them as family.

This story Tau = 10.8, is from the podcast This is Love, part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. 

This is Love, hosted by Phoebe Judge is a show that tells stories about a lot of different kinds of love — sometimes love between people, sometimes not. It’s made by the same team that makes what was one of the first true crime podcasts out there — a show called Criminal. 

They have dozens more stories like this available wherever you get your podcasts! Their website is thisislovepodcast.com. 

Artwork by Julienne Alexander 

MUSIC

Season 15 - Episode 20 

In sweet home Alabama, from the heart of Libya, comes a renegade candidate with a boombox and a head scarf. The cheerleaders, the geeks, the dweebs and the freaks are about to send a message the country needs right after 9/11.

A very big thank you to Yasmin!

Yasmin is a comedian and storyteller. You can follow her on Instagram @yasminelhahahady or TikTok @yasmin_elhady. She first told a version of this story at Story District in Washington, DC.  

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

Season 15 - Episode 19

She’s stunning grey, sleek as a race car, and stronger than all the boys. Her name is Winning Colors and for Dino and Miami she’s the long shot of a lifetime.

This story contains strong language and includes descriptions of gambling, sensitive listeners please be advised.

If gambling has become a problem for you or for someone you know, you can call 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537) to seek free, confidential, 24/7 problem gambling assistance.

A huge thank you to Mark “Miami” Paul for sharing his story with Snap!

Wondering what happened to Winning Colors? After her 1988 Kentucky Derby crown the big grey filly retired the following year with eight career wins. In 2000, she was inducted into the U.S. National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. In 2008, at the age of 23 Winning Colors was laid to rest in Lexington, Kentucky.

To find out more about Miami and Winning Colors’ story – check out Miami’s book, “The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told” 

Original score by Renzo Gorrio, produced by Bo Walsh, artwork by Teo Ducot

Snap Classic - Season 15 – Episode 18

Some roads are long and some roads wind. Some roads show you things you’d never think you’d find…

This week we’re featuring stories from our evil twin podcast Spooked! You can listen to Spooked for free on any podcast platform. Be afraid.

STORIES

Demon Dog

A mysterious wolf creature hunts Chuck and his family on winding mountain roads. Chuck can hardly believe it was real, until he finds an old legend that confirms it.

Thank you, Chuck, for sharing your story!

Produced by Greta Weber and Chris Hambrick, original score by Yari Bundy

Deception Pass

When Shirley gets sent out on a trucking job two weeks before Christmas, she thinks the biggest thing she has to fear is winter weather. But she’s about to learn, there are scarier things than storms out on the road.

Thanks, Shirley, for sharing your story with Spooked!

Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Doug Stuart

Night Watch

When Dave took on the graveyard shift at the station, he saw all kinds of stuff. But he never saw anything quite like this.

Thanks, Dave, for sharing your story with us.

Produced by Annie Nguyen, original score by Davey Kim

Artwork by Teo Ducot 

Season 15 - Episode 17

Melissa McFadden always saw police officers as protectors. But when she became an officer, she found herself with almost no one to protect her.

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

Thank you, Lt. McFadden for sharing your story with us! Check out McFadden’s book: Walking the Thin Black Line

Funding for this episode was provided by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, as part of its "Expanding Awareness of the Science of Intellectual Humility" initiative, supported by the John Templeton Foundation. 

Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 15 - Episode 16 

Things go horribly wrong for a safari guide on the Zambezi River when he comes face-to-face with a rogue hippo. And Dr. Ray Christian breaks the first rule about Fight Club and tells us all about it. 

This episode contains graphic imagery. Please take care while listening.

STORIES 

Belly of the Beast

Things go horribly wrong for a safari guide on the Zambezi River when he comes face-to-face with a rogue hippo.

Thank you, Paul, for sharing your story with Snap! Check out Paul Templer’s memoir, What’s Left of Me.

Produced by Erika Lantz, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot

Fight Club

The first rule about fight club is you do not talk about fight club. Dr. Ray Christian breaks that rule.

You can hear more of Ray on his podcast: What's Ray Saying?

Produced by Mark Ristich, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Snap Classic - Season 15 - Episode 15

A man fights freezing temperatures and extreme altitude while ascending Mt. Kilimanjaro, to search for answers to life’s questions. And when a resident of the Cadillac Hotel goes missing, her longtime lover and best friend won’t rest until she is found.

STORIES

Rocky’s Best Life

Glynn remembers the fond memories of a childhood friend, Rocky.

Produced by Pat Mesiti-Miller

The Enlightenment Trap

A skeptical journalist fights freezing temperatures alongside a fitness guru to test his limits.

Read more about Scott’s adventures with Wim Hof and his ascent up Mt. Kilimanjaro in his book, “What Doesn’t Kill Us.” See what else Scott is up to on his website.

Produced by Adizah Eghan, original score by David Last

The Cadillac Hotel

At the Cadillac Hotel, an SRO in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District, a resident has gone missing. Her long time lover and best friend won’t rest until she is found.

Produced by Parker Yesko with assistance from Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Snap Classic: Season 15 - Episode 14

Three fanboys and a dead-sexy wax Burt Reynolds are on a mission. They are Eastbound and Down on a road trip from Cali to Florida State and the troopers… are hot on their heels.

A huge thank you to Mike Carano, Matt Leuthe, and Steve Millunzi for sharing their experience! Mike originally told a version of this story in conversation with Christine Blackburn on the Storyworthy podcast. Check out their collection of amazing stories!

Produced by Bo Walsh, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff, artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 15 - Episode 13

A Chicago newspaper establishes an undercover bar to catch officials in the act of corruption. And a hardcore soccer fan from the crowd is put to the test in a game what happens next made him a legend.

STORIES

Night At The Mirage

A Chicago newspaper establishes an undercover bar to catch officials in the act of corruption. They soon acquire a cast of characters looking for more than just a drink. Snap presents, “Night at The Mirage.” The story of the famous undercover Chicago Sun bar, as told by two reporters posing as bartenders.

Produced by Joe Rosenburg and Anna Sussman, original score by Leon Morimoto

The Legend Of Steve Davies

In one of soccer’s most legendary fairy tales, manager Harry Redknapp once plucked a hardcore fan from the crowd and put him to the test for West Ham United. What happens next made the fan a legend.

Thank you, Steve Davies, for sharing your story with the Snap. A special thanks to Jeff for bringing us that story.

Produced by Davey Kim

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Snap Classic – Season 15 Episode 12

Cell Double L is the final cell in Oklahoma State Penitentiary. It is the cell you occupy before your execution. We speak to three men and their loved ones as they move through death watch row.

This episode includes references to penal executions and strong language. Please take care while listening.

Huge enormous thanks to Bigler Stouffer, Wade Lay, and Donald Grant for sharing your stories. Also major thanks to the loved ones, on the outside, for allowing us inside their lives.

Produced by Ellie Lightfoot and Gaby Caplan

Gaby Caplan and Ellie Lightfoot reported this story while participating in the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s National Fellowship and the Kristy Hammam Fund for Health Journalism.

Season 15 - Episode 11