Snap Judgment

A dolphin named Dr. Spock is in danger and NBA star Clifford Ray is the only man big enough to lend a hand. Plus, torrential rain is ripping through the Appalachians and the people of the mountain are all looking for Plan B.STORIESJust Another Day for Big Clifford RayA dolphin named Dr. Spock is in danger and NBA star Clifford Ray is the only man big enough to lend a hand.A huge thank you to Clifford Ray and Mary O’Herron for sharing their story with the Snap!This year, Big Cliff and Author Laynie D. Weaver teamed up to bring Clifford and Dr. Spock’s story to life in an illustrated Children’s book titled “Big Clifford Ray Saves The Day.” Want more Big Cliff? Follow him on Instagram or X.Produced by Bo Walsh, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff , artwork by Teo DucotPlan BSnap Storyteller, Dr. Ray Christian, found himself trapped by the rising floodwaters of hurricane Helene, he knew he had to flee. But he also knew that meant leaving behind all of his animals, including his favorite goat.Thank you, Ray, for sharing your story with us!Ray has shared some resources for hurricane Helene recovery: The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and The Rock.For a world of Southern-baked personal narratives, interwoven with Black American history, listen to Ray’s podcast: What’s Ray Saying?Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Derek BarberSnap Classic - Season 17 – Episode 2 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Can the dreaded Alligator Death Roll actually save your life? One man risks life and limb in the Florida swamplands.Thank you, Eric Merda, for sharing his story with us!Eric has been sharing his experience on stage doing stand-up comedy and also as a motivational speaker. Check him out on Instagram!Produced by Bo Walsh, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Nick Marks.Season 17 - Episode 1 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A severed head turns up in a small rural town. While police investigate this as a crime, they look at disturbed graves, search for missing people — suspect a killer. But the forensic artist on the case has a very different theory for how the head ended up in the woods.This story contains references to forensic material, sensitive listeners please be advised.Thank you to Michelle Vitali & Mike O’Brien for sharing this story with Snap.Produced by Nancy López, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot.Happy New Year Snap Nation -- thank you for listening in 2025! We love you!Snap Classic - Season 16 - Episode 61 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Scott Lechner is the king of Christmas trees in Manhattan, nicknamed the “Pontiff of Soho.” But when his business runs afoul of the mob, he gets an offer that he can’t refuse. And a covert operative is assigned to extract a high-level target from Russia, and it’s about to ruin his holiday plans.STORIESThe Christmas Tree MafiaScott Lechner is the king of Christmas trees in Manhattan, nicknamed the “Pontiff of Soho.” But when his business runs afoul of the mob, he gets an offer that he can’t refuse. The crazy true story of the New York Christmas tree industry, full of turf wars, karate fights, and the mafia.This story contains explicit language, sensitive listeners please be advised.This story is dedicated to the memory of Scott Lechner, the pontiff of Soho and the emperor of New York city treemen. Thanks as well to Russ and Little Scott.Produced by Ilana Strauss, John Fecile & Annie Nguyen, original score by Renzo Gorrio, artwork by Teo Ducot.Secrets in SiberiaMike Ramsdell is a covert operative for the federal government. He’s assigned to capture and extract a high-level target from Russia, but the mission goes horribly wrong.Find Mike’s book here.Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio.Snap Classic - Season 16 – Episode 60 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

German and his family are stuck behind the walls of a rusty old pencil factory in the jungle. When a Youtuber stumbles onto the scene with a camera, he may be their only hope.Thank you, to German, Eva, and Sasha. Thanks also to Julia Neusner.You can see more of Caya’s documentaries about tech and society on his Youtube channel “Slide Bean.”Check out this story featured on Today Explained!The Banished By Bargain project is a great resource to learn more about the Trump administration’s third-country deportations.Produced by John Fecile and Caya, edited by Nancy Lopez, original music by Renzo Gorrio.Season 16 - Episode 59 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices