An ecologist in Maine fears she will be criticized because she "communicates with animals." Then a tiny, collared Dove told her he could read her mind. And – a man in Alaska hears a rumor about the elusive blue bear. He never gave it much thought until a friend convinced him to search for one. We're wrapping up the FEVER series this week! Tune in. 

STORIES

When Doves Cry

An ecologist in Maine fears she must be crazy because she communicates with animals. Then a tiny, collared Dove told her he could read her mind. 

Thank you Sara and Lily B for sharing your story with us!

Produced by Anna Sussman, edited by John Fecile, original score by Nicholas Marks. 

The Blue Bear

Lynn Schooler grew up in Alaska hearing rumor after rumor about the elusive blue bear. He never gave it much thought until a friend convinced him they go out searching for one. What Lynn ended up finding was, of course, something much different.

Thanks Lynn for sharing your story with Snap! For more on Lynn Schooler's work check out his Facebook page.

Produced by Nancy Lopez, sound design by Renzo Gorrio and Davey Kim.

Season 17 - Episode 9

From puppy love to stolen moments to the thrill of the chase... their relationship made headlines.

A huge thank you to Toby Dorr for sharing her story with Snap!

Toby is an author, speaker and criminal justice reform advocate. She’s also the founder of the Fierce Grace Movement, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting women impacted by incarceration  through storytelling and mentorship. 

There's so much that we were not able to share about Toby’s experience... to find out more, check out Toby’s memoir “Living With Conviction” 

Produced by Bo Walsh, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Nicholas Marks.

Season 17 - Episode 8

Could you choose a lover for the love of your life? Our Fever Series continues with more stories from the heart -- of the heart.

STORIES 

Loves Actually

A Colorado couple explore uncharted territory when their idyllic marriage gets hit with a curve ball.

Thank you to Mil and Jan Markle for sitting down with Snap, opening up your hearts and sharing your story!

Produced by Regina Bediako, edited by Anna Sussman, original score by Renzo Gorrio.

Love Rivals

After a whirlwind romance, Brian and Vanessa get married and move to Kinshasa. Everything is going well until she shows up.

Thank you Vanessa Woods for sharing your story! 

Produced by Mira Burt-Wintonick, Cristal Duhaime and Jodie Taylor. This story comes to us from CBC's Love Me. Listen to more Love Me on any podcast platform.

 Season 17 - Episode 7

Your eyes may deceive you, your ears can betray you, but when it comes to love the nose knows. Plus - a reflection on life’s sliding doors and how we can never truly know all the versions of the people we love. 

This week on Snap, we kick off our FEVER series! Four weeks full of love stories that are not your typical romances... We love you Snap Nation! Catch the Fever.

STORIES

Smell Ya Later

After Laura’s husband gets a fatal diagnosis, he promises to contact her from beyond the grave. But how will she know it’s really him?

This supernatural story comes to us from our evil twin podcast, Spooked. Spooked drops weekly, listen on any podcast platform! 

Thank you, Laura Packer, for sharing this special story. Laura’s a storyteller in Minneapolis. Learn more about Laura at her website.

Produced by Anne Ford, original score by Leon Morimoto.

My Dead Mother’s Italian Lover 

Not long after Peter’s mother Mara dies, a stranger messages him on Facebook. His name is Francesco and he says that before she met Peter’s dad, Mara was the love of his life. Francesco starts sending Peter poetry and links to love songs, describing his romance with Peter’s mom in more and more detail. And the woman in his stories is nothing like the mother Peter knew. So Peter reaches out to Francesco for a phone call. A reflection on life’s sliding doors and how we can never truly know all the versions of the people we love. 

This story comes to us from Love Me, from CBC. It was produced by Peter Lang-Stanton, Cristal Duhaime and Mira Burt-Wintonick. 

Sound design by Cristal Duhaime. Mix engineered by Michelle MACK-lem . Featuring original music by David Drury. 

To hear more stories about the messiness of human connection, check out Love Me wherever you get your podcasts. 

Season 17 - Episode 6 

Adizah Eghan noticed an interesting trend on social media: everyone seemed to be living it up in Tulum, Mexico. Some were flocking there to have a good time, while others were seeking something much deeper: they wanted to escape racism and seek refuge with like-minded people. Adizah traveled to Mexico to experience the vibes of Tulum for herself — and also dig into why Black people are seeking refuge in a small fishing town south of Cancun.

This piece comes to us from our friends at VICE News Reports. VICE has so many amazing stories, make sure you check out their podcast!

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

Special thanks to Nubia Younge, Patricia Talley, and all those in Tulum!

This episode was produced by Adizah Eghan and edited by Kate Osborn and James T. Green with help from Annie Aviles and Stephanie Kariuki. The original score is by Kyle Murdock.

Snap Classic - Season 17 – Episode 5

An Iranian American professor is on a date in the hills outside Tehran. She hears the thunder of galloping, and what comes over the crest will ignite an unbridled passion in her -  defining her future and explaining her past. Plus, an urban legend about a chicken that turns out to be true.

This is our final week of the Tooth & Claw series -- stay tuned next month for our collection of love stories in February... Fever. Do not miss it.

No Reins

An Iranian American professor is on a date in the hills outside Tehran. She hears the thunder of galloping, and what comes over the crest will ignite an unbridled passion in her -  defining her future and explaining her past.

This story contains state brutality and sexual situations, sensitive listeners please be advised.

Thank you Pardis for speaking with Snap! Check out her book --Book of Queens -- all about her time on horseback in Iran. 

Produced by Anna Sussman, original score by Dirk Schwarzhoff. 

Headless Chicken

Some schoolyard stories are true, and so are some urban legends.

This story contains descriptions of a chicken without a head, please take care while listening.

For more information about Mike The Headless Chicken, including Fruita, Colorado’s annual Mike The Headless Chicken Festival, check out miketheheadlesschicken.org

Produced by Joe Rosenberg, original score by Renzo Gorrio with additional instrumentation by Andrew Vickers.

Season 17 - Episode 4

What if your sister -- the one your parents raised you with, the one that shared your toys -- what if she didn’t just have different hair, or a slightly different nose, but was an entirely different species altogether? Hannah Friedman experiences the Law of the Jungle firsthand in the (dis)comfort of her family home. 

STORIES

Monkey Sister

A huge thank you to Hannah Friedman and her parents Alison Pascoe & Dean Friedman for sharing their story with Snap!

Hannah is a tv and film writer, producer and composer based in Los Angeles. To find out more about her life growing up with Amelia the monkey, check out  Hannah’s memoir “Everything Sucks” 

Produced by Bo Walsh, edited by Regina Bediako, original score by Renzo Gorrio. Photo by Robin Schwartz.

The Gift Horse 

Tim Snyder thought he knew horses. He’d been around horses his entire life. Then he was introduced to a disabled horse that completely changed his life.

Thanks Tim for sharing your story! Check out Tim's book "The Ghost Horse"

Produced by Anna Sussman, sound design by Renzo Gorrio.

Season 17 - Episode 3

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.

STORIES

Just Another Day for Big Clifford Ray

A 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 Ducot

Plan B

Snap 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 Barber

Snap Classic - Season 17 – Episode 2

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

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

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.

STORIES

The Christmas Tree Mafia

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. 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 Siberia

Mike 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