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Crosscurrents

Crosscurrents is KALW Public Radio's award-winning news magazine, broadcasting in the Bay Area Mondays through Thursdays on 91.7 FM. We make joyful, informative stories that engage people across the economic, social, and cultural divides in our community.

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Episodes

La Maison Bleue / Who Is The Most Influential Latino In The Bay Area?

In today's episode, we go to a blue house in San Francisco that attracts crowds of French people. It's a new story in our series Culture Keepers, celebrating Bay Area communities. Then, we get an unexpected answer to a question about the most influential Latino in the Bay Area from our collaborative reporting series, Hey Area.

Sep 18, 202323 min

DIY Punk Culture / Pacific Athletic Conference Collapse

In this episode, we rock out with a Bay Area band who takes public performance and the idea of moving to music to a whole new level. Today, we’re checking out the DIY punk scene. Then, we hear why 10 out the 12 members left college footballs' Pacific Athletic Conference. What led to the PAC-12's sudden demise?

Sep 14, 202323 min

Keeping History Alive and Ringing / Actor Wayne Harris's 'Train Stories'

Today, we climb into the bell tower at Holy Trinity Cathedral to meet a bell ringer who's been cultivating his craft since childhood and is passing it on to the next generation. Then, we meet Wayne Harris, who wrote and stars in the play "Train Stories," about three African-American men on a train ride, figuring out their place in a 1948 America.

Sep 13, 202325 min

Uncuffed: To My Children / The Future Of Anchor Steam

Today, two formerly incarcerated mothers reflect on how their children keep them strong. Then, we hear how becoming a teacher led one person to finally feel seen. Stories from Uncuffed’s re-entry class. And, we get an update on the possible resurrection of San Francisco's Anchor Brewing Company.

Sep 12, 202327 min

Oakland's Snail Bar / The Stud / Imprisoned Pianist

In this episode, we meet an East Bay chef who goes beyond shopping at the farmer’s market. We hear how he works to connect food, urban diners and nature. Then, we’ll go back in time to visit San Francisco’s oldest gay bar before it closed its doors. And, we hear how piano playing can create a future for those in prison.

Sep 11, 202327 min

The Stoop: Reclaiming Blackness / 40 Years Of Creativity Explored

In this episode, we travel thousands of miles to hear how Bay Area movements like the Black Panthers influenced activists in Australia. It's an award-winning episode from The Stoop podcast. Then, we bring it back to San Francisco to visit a place where creativity has reigned supreme for four decades.

Sep 07, 202327 min

San Quentin Film Maker / The Stoop: Within These Walls

Today, we begin with a new story from Uncuffed. We'll meet an incarcerated media-maker who shares how a program at San Quentin rekindled his creative spark from childhood. Then, a 2023 Gracie award-winning Stoop episode explores the secrets of Black history that a building can hold within its walls.

Sep 06, 202327 min

Poet Sarah Fathima Mohammed / The Stoop: Pious And Pleasured / New Arrivals

In this episode we speak with nationally recognized poet, Sarah Fathima Mohammed. She shares how the women in her life inspire her work and how she found her voice through poetry. Then, in an excerpt from The Stoop podcast, we hear from a wellness educator who says female sexual pleasure is a neglected part of Muslim teachings. And, a reading from Cloverdale author Vince Montague.

Sep 05, 202327 min

KALW Day: 82 Years on the Air

Tomorrow our station turns 82 years old — happy birthday KALW! We’re one of the oldest FM stations in the country and the very first one west of the Mississippi. So, we're going to take a moment to look back at what we've accomplished and look forward to where we want to go from here.

Aug 31, 202331 min

Disability System Accountability / Investigative Journalism / Disco Tour

In this episode, we hear how a new state bill can bring more accountability to California’s developmental disability system. Then, one of San Quentin’s award-winning reporters talks about his investigative journalism career. And, a walking tour honors a San Francisco queer and disco icon. Plus we get an update on new COVID-19 variants.

Aug 30, 202331 min

tbh: Activating Teen Voters / New Arrivals: Anita Gail Jones

Gen Z is known for being one of the most politically active generations, but their turnout at the polls still lags behind previous generations. What’s behind the low numbers? We hear it directly from teenagers in an episode from the KALW original podcast, tbh. Then, Novato author Anita Gail Jones reads from her latest novel.

Aug 24, 202327 min

tbh: Climate Apocalypse Fatigue / New Arrivals: Jane Kuo

Climate change is scary and it's even scarier for teenagers who feel like it’s up to their generation to fix it. In an episode from the KALW original podcast tbh, teenagers tackle climate anxiety and action. Then, a reading from San Carlos author Jane Kuo. Plus, our local music segment spotlights Decant. They’re playing at Berkeley Art Gallery this Friday.

Aug 23, 202327 min

tbh: Losing A Classmate To Fentanyl / Activism From Grief

In this episode, we hear how students honored the life of a classmate who died from a fentanyl overdose. A story of student journalism making an impact in the fourth episode from the new season of our podcast, tbh. Then, we hear how the family of a man who was killed by police in 2017 carries on his legacy.

Aug 22, 202327 min

tbh: Wellness Centers / How Texas Is Approaching Homelessness

Today, we meet recent Independence High School graduate, Jamareion Adrow. He was guided through high school with the help of his school's wellness center. Now, he's advocating for better resources and encouraging his peers to do the same. Then, we hear how California officials have been visiting Texas to get advice on how to deal with homelessness.

Aug 21, 202327 min

tbh: AI, Art, & Jobs

In the second episode of tbh, we explore the effect of AI on creative fields. In the wake of new technologies, how are visual artists feeling about how AI can or should be used? Listen to tbh to hear Santa Clara High School senior, Theodore Nguyen, tell his story.

Aug 17, 202325 min

tbh: Is ChatGPT A Toy? A Tool? A Threat? Or Something Else?

In the first episode of tbh's new season, we hear from Berkeley High school junior, Miriam Reichenberg. She is thinking a lot about how students are engaging with ChatGPT and also returning to older forms of technology in hopes of sparking their creativity. We'll get to hear what Gen Z thanks about the future of AI and what it means for them.

Aug 16, 202327 min

Reckoning With Our Past / A Journey To Live Freely

In this episode, we hear from people who have returned home from prison. It’s three stories from our Uncuffed re-entry class about how reckoning with the past can make you proud of who you are today. Then, in honor of Transgender history month, a conversation with Anjali Rimi about being transgender and an immigrant, and finding community in San Francisco.

Aug 15, 202327 min

Repair and Dispossession / San Francisco's Reparations Roadmap

In the conversation around reparations for African Americans, housing is a key element. In this episode, we hear about a new state proposal to address housing through a number of policies, including tax relief and affordable housing for formerly segregated neighborhoods. Then, we dig into the recommendations submitted by San Francisco's reparations task force.

Aug 14, 202327 min

The Stoop: The Glamorous Life

In recent years, U.S. TV studios that make reality shows have started making them in Africa. Shows like "The Real Housewives" of Lagos, Durban, and Nairobi, and "Young Famous and African." In this award-winning episode of The Stoop, a podcast hosted by Hana Baba and Leila Day, we hear why Hana, who is African, went from being excited to feeling like something was off.

Aug 10, 202327 min

San Francisco's Windmills / Albion Castle / Claudia Hagadus Long

Today, we hear the story of San Francisco’s twin windmills from our podcst, The Golden Gate Parkcast. Then, we learn about a former cop who bought a castle in the city. And, a reading from Calistoga author Claudia Hagadus Long. And, our local music segment features Berkeley band, Jones Carwash. They are playing at Bottom Of The hill on August 11.

Aug 09, 202325 min

Love on the Outside / Author Cecilia Rabess / Bison Paddock

Today, in two stories from Uncuffed, we hear how getting back into the dating world after incarceration can be challenging. Then, San Francisco author Cecelia Rabess reads from her book about an unlikely romance. And, we meet Golden Gate Park’s hairiest denizens.

Aug 08, 202325 min

Professionalism at San Quentin / Mindfulness for Kids / Golden Gate Parkcast

First up, we hear how a San Quentin Prison media maker learned to become a leader in a new story from Uncuffed. Then, we meet a former actor who brings mindfulness practice to classrooms. And, we go to the next stop on our Golden Gate Parkcast tour. Plus, today's local music features KALW host Tarik Ansari’s San Francisco-based band Electric Ex.

Aug 07, 202327 min

In Harm's Way Pt. 4 / San Francisco's Songs / Casting Pools

Today, we hear how students preparing for careers in addiction support also learn how to take care of themselves. Then, we discover the surprising history behind why San Francisco's has two official songs. And, we go to a place where amateurs and pros learn to cast a line. Plus, our local music segment features Marin group Ray and Paul Holmberg.

Aug 03, 202327 min

Shakespeare Garden / Rose Garden / Spreckels Lake

Today, we take a tour on our Golden Gate Parkcast. We begin by exploring a place of quiet, relaxation, and literature. Then, we head on over to one of the best-smelling gardens in San Francisco. And finally, we get the wind in our sails at Spreckels Lake. Plus, our featured local music today is Canyon from San Francisco. They're playing at Baltic Kiss in Richmond this Saturday.

Aug 02, 202327 min

A Mother's Hustle / Golden Gate Park Band / High School Band Practice

In today's show, two men share how they grew up watching their mother’s hustle. We’ll hear about their childhoods and what they want for their own kids in this new story from Uncuffed. Then, San Francisco author Jilanne Hoffmann reads from her new environmental children’s book. And, we’ll listen to the stories and music of two Bay Area bands.

Aug 01, 202327 min

Field Of Dreams / Music Without Borders / Lindy In The Park

In today's show, we hear a new story from the Uncuffed team. It's about how reconnecting with a sport changed a person's life. Then, we have a conversation with a bilingual musician, who uses her craft to erase borders. Plus, we put our dancing shoes on and head to Golden Gate Park. With local music from Oakland's Hook-Ups.

Jul 31, 202327 min

In Harm's Way Pt. 3 / Nairobi Williese Barnes / Tunnel Jazz

Today, we hear how providers fighting the high rate of drug overdoses in San Francisco are facing staffing shortages. It’s the third installment of the new series 'In Harm's Way: Workers Battle the Overdose Crisis.' Then, a conversation with Oakland’s new Youth Poet Laureate. And, we find a jazz scene in an unlikely place.

Jul 27, 202327 min

Asian Underworlds / Conservatory Of Flowers / New Arrivals

Today, we hear about a San Francisco exhibit that explores how hell is perceived and represented in Asian cultures. It's a conversation on the art of Asian underworlds. Then, we start our tour of San Francisco’s largest public park. The first stop? The Conservatory Of Flowers. And, we listen to a reading from San Francisco author Sarah Ladipo Manyika.

Jul 26, 202325 min
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