There’s something special about the small town of Montrose, surrounded by the majestic mountains and quiet mesas of western Colorado. One night, an explosion in the night sky brings townspeople out to search for something more. Something bigger. Something out of this world.

Special thanks to Brendan Borrell for his original reporting in Montrose and Delta, Colorado.

You can read more about the continuing fallout between Steve Curry and Blaine Reed in his article in The Verge.  Additional thanks to Blaine and his brother Blake Reed, Ryan Brown, Zillamay at Mountain of the West, Paul Paladino, Dave Lehman, and Duane Renfrow.

Produced by Shaina Shealy & Jazmi­n Aguilera, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Narcocorrido superstar Chalino Sánchez sings to a sold-out crowd for the first time in Sinaloa. It's the best night of his career until someone hands him a note. His face turns pale and his smile slowly disappears. That night, after the show, Chalino will be executed. But who killed him and why? We begin a journey to understand Chalino's life and impact on him, and the theories behind his unsolved murder on him. This incredible story comes to us from our friends at Sonoro Media and Futuro Studios.

This episode contains graphic language, scenes of violence, and drug use that are not suitable for all audiences, discretion is advised.

“Ídolo: The Ballad of Chalino Sánchez,” is an 8-episode podcast that examines the extraordinary life of the Mexican singer-songwriter and attempts to unravel the mystery of his unsolved murder. Hosted by Erick Galindo in English and Alejandro Mendoza in Spanish. You can listen in English or Spanish on any podcast platform!

Season 13 - Episode 12 - Spotlight

When record store owner Jeff Bubeck buys an old record collection out of an abandoned storage unit, he has no idea what he’s stumbled across. Jeff learns the collection once belonged to the late great J Dilla, one of the greatest hip-hop producers of all time. Along with the thousands of LPs from Dilla’s personal collection, there is something else that is uncovered, something huge.

Producer Pat Mesiti-Miller talks with Jeff Bubeck and Dilla’s mother, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey.

Learn more about the J Dilla Foundation. Want to hear some of the music from the recovered tapes? Go listen to: The Lost Scrolls, Vol. 1 - EP J Dilla.

Produced by Pat Mesiti-Miller, artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 13 - Episode 11 - Snap Classic

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 week on Snap, we proudly present, “The Loophole.”

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 13 - Episode 10

Mimi Nguyen’s mother, Thanh, has always been super anxious. She obsessively calls Mimi at all hours and is always worried they’re in danger. This paranoia really put a strain on their relationship, until Mimi heard Thanh talking in her sleep one night. And Mimi realized… maybe there were long-hidden family secrets that might explain Thanh’s behavior.

This story contains strong language, graphic depictions of war, and mention of suicide. Please take care while listening.

Thank you, Mimi & Thanh, for sharing your story with us!

Stephanie Foo produced this story – she also wrote a memoir about intergenerational immigrant trauma and her own complex PTSD… in it, she tears down her own walls and shares her and her family’s story. Check out her incredible new book, “What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma.”

Produced by Stephanie Foo, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 13 - Episode 9

Some of the best stories are told when the show’s over… Join us Backstage where 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 13 - Episode 8 - Snap Classic

A pair of star-crossed lovers encounter the paranormal while performing Romeo & Juliet in fair Wisconsin. And when a man falls in love with his wife he doesn’t just get one life partner - he gains an entire family.

STORIES

Romeo & Juliet

A pair of star-crossed lovers encounter the paranormal in fair Wisconsin, where we lay our scene.

This story comes to us from our evil-twin, Spooked, a Luminary Original podcast.

Want more Spooked? Season 6 of Spooked is streaming now. This Luminary Original Podcast is rolling out new episodes through Spring, 2022. You can hear the newest episodes by subscribing to the Luminary Channel on Apple Podcasts, or directly on Luminary.

Thank you, Kelsey Brennan & Andy Truschinski, for sharing your story!

Produced by Zoë Ferrigno, original score by Nicholas Marks

Multiplicity

When you get really close to someone, you get to know different sides of them naturally. It was no different when Jim Bunkelman fell in love with his wife, Rhonda. What was different was just how many different sides of Rhonda there were.

This does refer to trauma from sexual and physical abuse, sensitive listeners are advised.

Thanks, Jim, for sharing your story with us!

If you’d like to learn more about what is referred to by some as healthy multiplicity, Jim suggests you consult Healthymultiplicity.com and Multiplicity 101 for more information.

Produced by Julia DeWitt, sound design by Leon Morimoto

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 13 - Episode 7

Afia Kaakyire has a decision to make. And by God, her family is going to help her figure this s*** out.

This week on Snap, we’re featuring S***hole Country. Join Afia as she forages for her family’s guidance in their shared histories during a long-awaited trip to Ghana — true tales dipped in green card anxieties, complicated love, an “Are You the One?” marathon, and liberal portions of the world’s best Jollof. This episode contains explicit language, sensitive listeners please be advised.

The story comes to us from our good friend Afia and Radiotopia Presents. Go listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or at radiotopiapresents.fm You’ll find the other five episodes in this incredible eight-part series.

S***hole Country is written, narrated, and sound designed by Afia Kaakyire and produced by Afia and Mark Pagán. Julie Shapiro and Audrey Mardavich are the executive producers. Cover art by Sindiso Nyoni.

Music Credits:

Theme song by Ria Boss

“Too Late for the Party” by Unheard Music Concepts

“Noodle Opus” by Blue Dot Sessions

“Crisis Averted” by David Hilowitz

“I Kno” by Vincent Augustus

Season 13 - Episode 6

A DJ hosts a radio show from a garden shed in his backyard. For over forty years he had an audience of one.

This story was co-produced in partnership with our friends at Narratively, which celebrates humanity through authentic storytelling. They have amazing stories, podcasts, and so much more.

Reporting for this piece came from Jeff Maysh. It was produced by Jeff Maysh, John Fecile, and Narratively‘s founder, Noah Rosenberg.

Original Score by Renzo Gorrio

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 13 - Episode 5 - Snap Classic

Rooty, a piglet, leaves her Victorian dollhouse on the farm and heads to the city of New Orleans to find a family. But when Hurricane Katrina hits, everything that is near and dear to her is threatened.

BIG thanks to Jim & Connie for sharing their story with us! Thanks as well to Jeffery Tam & Dr. Alison Barca.

Produced by Annie Nguyen, original score by Cheflee

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 13 - Episode 4