Snap Judgment

Mark Betancourt, a seasoned story producer, shares the gripping tale of a middle-school theater's dramatic journey from safe space to controversy. As Lee and Parker navigate the chaos of a homophobic backlash, the adults react with fervor while the kids strive to find their voices. Mike McGee, an acclaimed spoken-word artist, complements the theme with a powerful storytelling piece reflecting on secrets and identity in school. Together, they explore the complexities of growing up amid societal tensions.

Taylor Bruck, the Ulster County Clerk, takes center stage in a heated legal battle over abortion rights. He recalls the moment he defied a Texas Attorney General's judgment against a doctor prescribing abortion medication, invoking New York's shield law for protection. Bruck shares the emotional weight of his role, the impact of the shield law on reproductive health, and the personal strain of navigating such contentious legal waters. His story reveals the intertwined fates of local governance and national legal controversies.

This week on Snap Judgment… it's the tough jobs, the rough jobs, the roll up your sleeves and get it done jobs. When the oddest man in town is arrested for murder, only one lawyer steps up to represent him. Plus misadventures under the Not-So-Big Top.STORIESThe Writing Is On The WallWhen the scariest man in town is arrested for murder, only one lawyer volunteers to represent him...Produced by Joe Rosenberg, sound design by Renzo Gorrio. Artwork by Teo Ducot.Corrections: In a previous version, McCracken Poston is referred to as both a state senator and state representative.  He was a state representative, not a state senator.  Also, Virginia Ridley is described as having last been seen in public in 1980, 17 years before the events described in this story.  In fact it was in 1970, 27 years before.The Indiana Bust-OutHow does a well-mannered math kid become a first-class hustler? Through the ancient carnie tradition of "The Indiana Bust-Out."Check out Pete’s book -- Eyeing the Flash: The Making of a Carnival Con ArtistProduced by Davey Kim, sound design by Leon Morimoto and Davey Kim. Season 16 - Episode 42 - Classic Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The group from Union Point moves into their new homes on the tiny plot of land near Lake Merritt. They run their own security and decide who comes into their space. But then, on a Monday morning in March, we hear devastating news…A fire burns through the plot of land on E12th. Is this the end of the experiment, or will the group keep building?This episode contains strong language & graphic imagery. Please take care while listening. Thank you to the entire cast from A Tiny Plot for sharing your story with us.Hosted and produced by Shaina Shealy. Edited by Anna Sussman, original music by Renzo Gorrio, engineering by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Director of Production: Marisa Dodge. Executive Producers: Glynn Washington and Mark Ristich. Artwork: Teo Ducot.Special thanks: Jen Chien, Catherine Winter, the City of Oakland, Sweetie at the Travel Inn, Ryan Finnegan, Will Craft, JP Dobrin, Thomas Brouns, Sukey Lewis, Alistair Boone, The Street Spirit, KQED legal, and Ott House Audio.Episode 5 of 5. You can listen to the entire series now!  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Mama D, President Matt, and the rest of the group are finally seeing their experiment in co-governance take shape. They built their security sheds and saw their tiny homes for the first time. But when Nino Parker stepped onto the sidewalk in a neck brace, on crutches, it was clear that the group was about to face a whole new level of chaos.  This episode contains strong language & graphic imagery. Please take care while listening. Thank you to the entire cast from A Tiny Plot for sharing your story with us.A Tiny Plot is a new 5-part series from KQED’s Snap Studios, hosted and produced by Shaina Shealy. Edited by Anna Sussman, original music by Renzo Gorrio, engineering by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Director of Production: Marisa Dodge. Executive Producers: Glynn Washington and Mark Ristich. Artwork: Teo Ducot.Special thanks: Jen Chien, Catherine Winter, the City of Oakland, Sweetie at the Travel Inn, Ryan Finnegan, Will Craft, JP Dobrin, Thomas Brouns, Sukey Lewis, Alistair Boone, The Street Spirit, KQED legal, and Ott House Audio.Episode 4 of 5. Listen on any podcast platform, right here on Snap Judgment!  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Mama D faces a pivotal choice that could shape the future of her community's housing dream. As she leads a group grappling with the challenges of homelessness, their struggles reveal deep emotional ties and resilience. The innovative use of tiny homes emerges as a potential solution, juxtaposed against the complexities of traditional shelters. Meanwhile, tensions rise within the encampment, highlighting racial disparities and the urgent need for systemic change. The vibrant storytelling captures both the hope and hurdles faced by those seeking a new beginning.

Mama D, a resident of Union Point Park, advocates for a unique housing solution that empowers the homeless community. She shares the tensions following a hard-won handshake agreement with city officials that quickly unravels. The community faces unexpected evictions and complex negotiations with public safety issues while trying to establish a new living environment. Mama D's emotional insights highlight the struggles of maintaining agency in housing decisions, emphasizing the bond of unity amidst trauma and uncertainty.

Using broken refrigerators, mattresses and dishwashers, residents of Union Point Park barricade their tent-city. And they fight for an extraordinary idea: their own plot of land from the city, where they could live in community and set their own rules, on their own terms.A Tiny Plot is a new 5-part series from KQED’s Snap Studios. Host and Reporter Shaina Shealy takes listeners inside an encampment in Oakland for an against-all-odds story about scarcity, community, and the complexity of building something new from the margins of a broken system. What happens when people who’ve been shut out of a system that has failed them decide to take the lead? Disaster, and unexpected beauty. This episode contains strong language & graphic imagery. Please take care while listening. Huge love & thanks to the entire cast from A Tiny Plot for sharing your worlds with us.Hosted and produced by Shaina Shealy. Edited by Anna Sussman, original music by Renzo Gorrio, engineering by Pat Mesiti-Miller. Director of Production: Marisa Dodge. Executive Producers: Glynn Washington and Mark Ristich. Artwork: Teo Ducot.Special thanks: Jen Chien, Catherine Winter, the City of Oakland, Sweetie at the Travel Inn, Ryan Finnegan, Will Craft, JP Dobrin, Thomas Brouns, Sukey Lewis, Alistair Boone, The Street Spirit, KQED legal, and Ott House Audio.Episode 1 of 5. Episodes drop on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Listen on any podcast platform, right here on Snap Judgment!  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It's barricades vs. bobcats, tents vs. tiny homes and a team of people fighting to stay together. Listen to a radical experiment in freedom that puts an entire city under the microscope…"A Tiny Plot” is a new series from KQED’s Snap Studios. Producer Shaina Shealy embedded with a group of people in an encampment in Oakland at a park called Union Point. They were ordered to disperse, running out of time, but they were bound together by an extraordinary new idea: their own living space where they can set their own rules. Over five episodes, we learn the story of Mama D, Papa Eddie, President Matt and more. They invite listeners in to witness high-stakes decisions, devastating failures and wild successes.Episode 1 drops August 21, 2025. Episodes will drop on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Listen right here on Snap Judgment. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

300 people spend a week on a plane with Rihanna to attend seven concerts, in seven countries, over seven days. And when morale is low among a group of paratroopers, their Sergeant takes them on an unexpected trip. STORIESDiamonds in the SkyFans and journalists embark on a seven-show tour with Rihanna… in seven countries, over seven days, on a Boeing 777, to celebrate her seventh album in seven years. Did we mention this happened seven years ago?This story contains explicit language. Sensitive listeners please be advised. Special thanks to Kristen Gwynne, Lawrence Bull, and Elizabeth Nakano.Produced by John Fecile, original score by Renzo Gorrio.Acid JumpWhen morale is low among a group of paratroopers, their Sergeant takes them on an unexpected trip. Check out Ray’s podcast, “What’s Ray Saying?” and follow him on Twitter @WhatsRaySaying!Produced by Adizah Eghan, original score by Leon Morimoto.Season 16 - Episode 35 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices