"His secrets filled the air around him like smoke..."  A young boy idolizes his karate instructor. Each kick, throw, and punch a step on the path to becoming a man. But the power of his presence cannot hold back the questions of his character.

STORIES

The Master

"His secrets filled the air around him like smoke..."  A young boy idolizes his karate instructor. Each kick, throw, and punch a step on the path to becoming a man. But the power of his presence cannot hold back the questions of his character.

Thank you, Simon Shieh, for sharing your story! Read the poems featured in this story and more -- in Simon's debut poetry collection Master.

And an extra special thank you to Katherine Litwin.

Produced by John Fecile. Edited by Anna Sussman and Nancy López. Original Score by Renzo Gorrio and Doug Stuart. Artwork by Teo Ducot.

Ego Tripping - Nikki Giovanni 

Read by Flo Wiley. Music by Pat Mesiti-Miller.

Burning Books

Glynn's mom finds the devil in her house.

Performed by Glynn Washington at Snap LIVE. Original score composed and performed by Alex Mandel, Tim Frick, and David Brandt. 

Season 16 - Episode 11

Katie falls hard for Barys during a whirlwind trip to Belarus. But there’s a giant red flag she can’t ignore any longer. And two people who have the same name, live in the same city, and have the same professional interests soon find out what else they have in common.

STORIES

Real Love

Boston-based writer Katie Simon is on assignment in Belarus when she meets and falls hard for Barys in less than a week. When she’s back home, her friends alert her to a giant red flag she can no longer afford to ignore.

This story briefly mentions sex, sensitive listeners please be advised.

Thank you, Katie, for sharing this story with Snap! Keep up with her latest work, including an upcoming book about falling in love and generational storytelling here. Learn more about Katie on her Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.

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

Ovrkast “Love Somebody” – Music Spotlight

This week’s Snap Music Spotlight features Oakland artist Ovrkast with the song, “Love Somebody” watch the video here!

Listen to Ovrkast’s latest album, Try Again (DELUXE) out now!! To stay up to date with all things Ovrkast, be sure to follow them on Twitter and Instagram.

Katie vs. Katie

When Katie Crouch learned there was another Katie Crouch who lived in the same city and apparently had the same professional interests as her she thought, huh, what else do we have in common? She would soon find out.

This story was done in collaboration with Ozy.com, the online magazine that published both Katies’ essays: The Other Me and Doppelgangers Unite?

Katie Crouch continues to virtually cross paths with her name twin from her new city of Chicago, where she works for an educational publisher, raises a toddler on her own, and writes a blog.

Katie Crouch is a New York Times best-selling novelist. Her books include Girls in Trucks and Abroad, among others.

Produced by Nancy López, original score by Renzo Gorrio

Season 16 – Episode 10 - Snap Classic

Coffee is the love language for two Gaza journalists Shrouq and Roshdi. But one morning at breakfast, their little family life is torn apart. Now, Shrouq must navigate a war, motherhood and the disappearing memories of love. And -- the story of a 10-year-old girl with a magnetic smile who makes magic out of breadcrumbs on a rooftop in Gaza and the internet is eating it up.

STORIES 

After Roshdi

Coffee is the love language for two Gaza journalists Shrouq and Roshdi. But one morning at breakfast, their little family life is torn apart. Now, Shrouq must navigate a war, motherhood and the disappearing memories of love. 

Thank you so much, Shrouq, for sharing your story with us.

Produced by Ashley Cleek, Regina Bediako, and Shaina Shealy. Edited by Nancy López and Anna Sussman. Original score by Renzo Gorrio. Artwork by Teo Ducot.

Chef Renad

A 10-year-old girl with a magnetic smile who makes magic out of breadcrumbs on a rooftop in Gaza and the internet is eating it up.

Many thanks to Chef Renad and her sister Nourhan Attallah. You can find Chef Renad on Youtube or Instagram.

Special thanks to the Committee to Protect Journalists for sharing their extensive reporting from the Gaza Strip.  

Produced by Shaina Shealy. Edited by Nancy López. Music by Renzo Gorrio. Translation by Ansam Ismail Kalloub. Recording by Shrouq.

Season 16 - Episode 9

Ray looks back on his decision to join the army, unraveling a complicated history of Black military service and reflecting on the surprising changes the armed forces made in his life.

This episode contains explicit language. Please take care while listening.

This story comes to us from the incredible podcast, What’s Ray Saying? In each episode, Ray Christian, the award-winning storyteller, combat veteran, historian, and devoted father of six, invites you to become part of his community, as he shares stories from the scenic mountains of Appalachia.

Listen to What's Ray Saying? wherever you get your podcasts! To get all things Ray -- check out his website.

What's Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian. Mark Pagán is the senior producer. Jonathan Cabral is the associate producer. Story editing by Mark Pagán with development support from The Moth. Sound design by Rebecca Seidel. Original music comes from RJ Christian and Blue Dot Sessions. What's Ray Saying? is supported by its amazing listeners, PRX, and The Moth.

Season 16 - Episode 8

Chris Lundy has always wanted to figure out why his family took him to see a Vodou priest and how this treatment made him better. And a group paratroopers go on a trip with their Sergeant that’s out of this world.

STORIES

Magic Potion Vodou

Chris Lundy has always wanted to figure out why his family took him to see a Vodou priest and how this treatment made him better.

There is one explicit word in this story. Sensitive listeners, please be advised.

Big thanks to Chris Lundy for sharing your story! Chris is a storyteller who’s performed at First Person Arts, RISK!, USA Today’s Storytellers Project, and more.

Major thanks to WHYY’s The Pulse, who originally aired this story. Their podcast features stories about people and places at the heart of health and science. Check it out!!

This story was produced and reported by Chris Lundy and Justin Kramon. It was edited by Maiken Scott and Lindsay Lazarski. Sound design by Maiken Scott. Engineering by Charlie Kaier. Special thanks to Dieu Nalio Chery for his help on the story.

Acid Jump

When morale was low among the paratroopers in his company, Sergeant Ray Christian takes them on a trip.

Thanks Ray for telling us your story! Check out Ray’s podcast, What’s Ray Saying, and follow him on Twitter.

Original score by Leon Morimoto, produced by Adizah Eghan.

Artwork by Teo Ducot

Season 16 - Episode 7

How long will you hurt yourself before you start loving yourself? Ronald Young Jr. grapples with the impending loss of his mother while still thinking about his weight. And a kid shares what it’s like to live with Gynecomastia (aka Man Boobs).

STORIES

The Weight of Sorrow

Ronald Young Jr. grapples with the impending loss of his mother while still thinking about his weight.

This story comes to us from Weight For It, a production of Oh It’s Big Ron Studios and is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Listen to Weight For It wherever you get your podcasts!! Follow Ron on Twitter, Threads, IG, and TikTok – @ohitsbigron

Episodes of Weight For It are produced and written by Ronald Young Jr., with editing from Sarah Dealey. Sound design and mixing from the Reverend John DeLore of Starlight Diner. Theme music from Jay Redd, with additional music from Mass Potential, the artist DT, and the mysterious Breakmaster Cylinder. Episode artwork by Andy J. Pizza.

If you need support for disordered eating or your body image -- please check out the resources below:

Crescent Counseling Center

Intuitive Growth Counseling

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated disorders

Project Heal

Muti-service eating disorders association

National Alliance for Eating Disorders

Eating Recovery Center

What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat – Aubrey Gordon

Heavy – Kiese Laymon

Belly of the Beast – Da’ Shaun Harrison

The Body is Not an Apology – Sonya Renee Taylor

The Amazing T*tty Man

How long 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”. Subscribe and listen here!

Produced by Nygel Turner and Davey Kim, sound design by Oluwafemi and Davey Kim.

Season 16 - Episode …

It was all they had. A spoon and a rusty nail. But for the young Uyghur men trapped in a cell, it meant… escape. 

Thank you, Hashim, for sharing your story with us.

This episode was reported in partnership with Coda Story.

Reported by Isobel Cockerell of Coda Story. Produced by Isobel Cockerell and John Fecile. Original score by Renzo Gorrio. English translation for Hashim by Ezra. Artwork by Teo Ducot.

Season 16 - Episode 5

Andy Marra is on a mission to Korea in search of the mother she never knew with a secret she absolutely has to tell. And when two close friends can’t see each other face-to-face, they exchange letters from two very different places.

The Birth Dream

Andy Marra is on a mission to Korea in search of the mother she never knew with a secret she absolutely has to tell.

Thank you, Andy, for sharing your story with Snap! Find out more about her advocacy work here.

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

Letters from Uncuffed

It’s been almost a year since friends and family have been able to visit their loved ones in prison, due to the pandemic. Letters to the inside are always a lifeline. This year, more than ever.

Today, from Uncuffed, we hear from Adamu Chan, who was recently released from San Quentin State Prison, while his friend Edmond Richardson, is still on the inside.

Uncuffed is a storytelling project made by people behind bars, from inside California prisons, in collaboration with KALW. To hear the full version of this story, visit Uncuffed and make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

Produced by Adamu Chan, Ninna Gaensler-Debs, Angela Johnston, Pat Mesiti-Miller & Eli Wirtschafter.

Snap Classic – Season 16 – Episode 4

Standup comic Cassandra Dee struggles with depression. She jokes about it in her standup comedy but isn’t sure if she can pull it off. She jokes about the kids that bullied her growing up, the bad dates, the suicidal ideations, the failed therapy sessions. The audience laughs, but she wonders… has she gone too far? And - a story from a young woman feeling trapped in her body, until one day she finds the perfect getaway vehicle. 

STORIES 

The Last Thing on the List from Love & Radio

Standup comic Cassandra Dee struggles with depression. She jokes about it in her standup comedy but isn’t sure if she can pull it off. She jokes about the kids that bullied her growing up, the bad dates, the suicidal ideations, the failed therapy sessions. The audience laughs, but she wonders… has she gone too far?

Although this is a story about finding hope, please note it discusses suicidal ideation. Please take care while listening.

Thank you, thank you, to Cassandra Dee for sharing her story. Cassandra's comedy special, Uncle Earth, is available for free on YouTube from Helium Comedy Studios. You can also find her on Instagram.

This story was produced by Justin Kramon with Ana Adlerstein for the Love and Radio podcast. 

Love and Radio is like family to Snap. Their stories are intense, strange, and unlike anything in podcasting – and they’re launching their tenth season later this year. 

Special thanks to Aviva DeKornfeld for her help on this story. Huge thanks also to Brett Wean at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Artwork by Teo Ducot.

Help is available. If you or a loved one is in crisis, please call the Suicide Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the US. You can learn more about suicide prevention, healing, and connect locally with others whose lives have been affected by suicide through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The Minivan 

A young woman feels trapped in her body, until one day she finds the perfect getaway vehicle.

This story was performed at Snap LIVE at The Power Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in partnership with Michigan Radio and The Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Original Music by Alex Mandel. Music performed by Alex Mandel, Tim Frick, and David Brandt. Re-recording mix by Pat Mesiti-Miller.

Season 16 - Episode 3

Eric and David score their dream house in the country… with a lily pond. When one frog finds it, he tells a friend, who tells a friend, and pretty soon quiet sunsets are now very trilling. It’s loud, it’s proud and it’s about to bring the whole house down. Plus — a story from a man who pulls off an airmail stunt that most could only dream about.

STORIES 

Gay Frog Happy Hour

Eric and David score their dream house in the country… with a lily pond. When one frog finds it, he tells a friend, who tells a friend, and pretty soon quiet sunsets are now very trilling. It’s loud, it’s proud and it’s about to bring the whole house down.

A very big thank you to R. Eric Thomas for sharing his story with Snap! Eric tells more of the frog saga and other hilarious tales in his most recent essay collection, Congratulations, the Best is Over! R. Eric Thomas writes the nationally syndicated daily advice column Asking Eric. He is a playwright, screenwriter, national bestselling author, and long-running host of The Moth in Philadelphia. Find all things Eric on his website.

Produced by Justin Kramon, original score by Clay Xavier, artwork by Teo Ducot.

Air Mail Man

Ever wanted to get some place real bad but didn’t have the funds? Ever try to think up crazy ways to get to your destination, without having to pay? You’re gonna want to listen to this story. Brian Robson pulled off an airmail stunt that most of could only dream about.

Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio.

Season 16 - Episode 2