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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

Looking Back; Envisioning Trans Futures

Today, we meet a retired librarian and author who brings Oakland history to her writing. Dorothy Lazard talks about her childhood memoir. Then, it’s a challenging time to to envision Trans futures- but folks are pushing forward. And, back in The Town: an Oakland-grown singer-songwriter returns to her roots. It’s a homecoming! Dorothy Lazard, retired Oakland Librarian, talks about memoir at Books Inc. Bay Agenda: Envisioning Trans Futures Singer-songwriter, Satya, speaks with KALW DJ Wonway Posib...

Mar 03, 202527 min

Berkeley Encampment Sweeps / Book It: 'Call Her Freedom'

The City of Berkeley got money from the state to get encampment residents off the street. Today we look at how special funding is changing one city’s approach to an encampment closure.Then, a local writer tells a fictionalized version of the troubled history of Kashmir. We meet the author of the new book ‘Call Her Freedom.’ How state funding is influencing the closure of one Berkeley encampment Book It: 'Call Her Freedom'...

Feb 27, 202527 min

Rollin' To The Groove

Today, we meet the "Godfather of Skate" at his place of worship. We're going to the Church of 8 Wheels. Then, a flavorful play pushes back on the racial stigmas of MSG. And, catching a vibe with Maria Yates in an episode from our music podcast, "On Repeat." Rolligion: The next generation of The Church of 8 Wheels ‘Exotic Deadly’ play uses comedy to challenge stereotypes of MSG On Repeat: Maria Yates...

Feb 26, 202527 min

Sanctuary Cities Past And Present

The new administration has introduced the harshest immigration policies in decades. Today, we hear about the history of the Sanctuary movement, and how the Bay Area is responding to federal pressures. Bay Area Sanctuary Cities Under Trump's Second Term Fighting fear and finding power...

Feb 25, 202527 min

A Call For Change, Bay Agenda & State Of The Bay: Immigration

For perpetrators of domestic violence it can be hard to ask for help. Today, we hear about a unique approach to stopping hurt at the source. Then, immigration advocacy is adapting to rapidly changing policies. We’ll hear how Bay Area organizations are responding. Willing to change: Working with perpetrators of domestic violence Bay Agenda: Immigration & Human Rights SOTB: Immigration Realities in the Bay Bay Poets: 'Heaven sent–' by Angel Dominguez...

Feb 24, 202527 min

Malcolm X: A Fateful Friendship & Inspiring A Sense Of Freedom In Prison

Malcolm X was often called a polarizing figure. But to one Egyptian diplomat, he was a friend. Today, we hear about the friendship which helped lead to the late leader’s spiritual and political transformation. Then, we’ll hear the story of how one man was inspired by Malcolm X while in prison. Malcolm X and Tahseen Bashir: A Fateful Friendship The Spiritual Edge: Freedom in prison...

Feb 20, 202527 min

Uncuffed: Catching Up On 30 Years Of Life

After 30 years in prison… What happens when you finally get out? There's a lot of celebration, and also a lot of serious catching up to do. And in that catching up, having to consider who you should turn to if something goes wrong? Uncuffed: Season 4, Ep. 2 - Catching Up

Feb 19, 202527 min

Youth Power Listening Party, Bayview Swim Lessons, On Repeat

Bay Area youth are digging in to their civic communities. We hear what they’re doing to make the their world a better place. Then, the universal childhood with a local Poet. And, how free swim lessons are pushing back on stereotypes. Bay Agenda: Youth power listening party Bay Poets: 'I imitate you' by Tongo Eisen-Martin Free swim lessons help Bayview kids find their sea legs On Repeat: Damien Minor...

Feb 18, 202527 min

NBA All-Star Artist & Book It: Coit Tower's Controversial Murals

For the first time in 25 years, The NBA’s All-Star game is back in the Bay! Today, we explore how the Bay Area is celebrating basketball’s most exhilarating players. Then, how one of our beloved local monuments was controversial before it was even built. The politics and battles around the Coit Tower murals. The Art Of The Game: Bay Area creatives celebrate basketball’s brightest Book It: Coit Tower's controversial murals...

Feb 13, 202527 min

Warrior Serpent & An Esther's Orbit Room Revival

Today, we visit the intersection of arts, culture, and sports, in San Francisco. The year of the snake meets the NBA All Star Game with a new sculpture. Then, one music venue in West Oakland holds the neighborhood's history… and its future. It's a visit to Esther’s Orbit Room. 'Warrior Serpent' celebrates Chinese New Year and the NBA All Star Game Esther’s Orbit Room builds on its history as a Black cultural hub in West Oakland...

Feb 12, 202527 min

'Living The Shuffle' & 'Dear San Francisco'

Robert Townsend’s show highlights his evolution as an artist. It’s all about ‘Living the Shuffle.’ Then, we go to a show that’s a love letter to the City by the Bay. It's life and love, on center stage. Robert Townsend gets funny and personal in one-man show A love letter to San Francisco at Club Fugazi...

Feb 11, 202527 min

Electric Caltrain, Bay Agenda: Climate Action, New Arrivals, On Repeat

Diesel trains are becoming more and more obsolete. So today we'll hear about Caltrain’s journey into the future with a fully electric fleet. Then, what does climate activism look like in an uncertain environment? And, the winding but promising story of the Klamath Basin. And to take us out, we'll hear an episode of On Repeat. Caltrain jumps into the future, from diesel trains to electrification Bay Agenda: Climate action in an uncertain environment New edition of Stephen Most book tracks Klamath...

Feb 10, 202527 min

SF Mime Troupe, Sidewalk Stories, SF Black History

Today, how the San Francisco Mime Troupe has been ‘speaking’ truth to power for 65 years. Then, how some unhoused people stay warm and dry in the rain. And, we explore the history of black communities in San Francisco. And an episode of On Repeat with Emmanuel Nado, one of the hosts of Africa Mix. Never silent, always revolutionary Sidewalk Stories: How do unhoused people stay dry when it's raining? A brief history of Black San Francisco On Repeat: Emmanuel Nado, "The guitar calls and the banjo ...

Feb 06, 202527 min

Black History Month History, Bay Poets: Durag, Uncuffed: Day One

Today, we learn how Black History Month began, and why it's still relevant. Then, the powerful poetry of Ashia Ajani. And, a new season of Uncuffed starts with a view from the outside. The story of Black History Month Bay Poets: 'Durag' by poet Ashia Ajani Season 4, Ep. 1 - Day One...

Feb 05, 202525 min

SF's Bag & Tag Policy, Beyond The Fog Radio, On Repeat

In encampment sweeps unhoused people can lose vital medications and documents. We hear about San Francisco’s Bag & Tag policy. Then, former Representative Barbara Lee reflects on her career so far. And, the music that makes one Emo radio guy - dance. San Francisco's 'bag & tag' policy for homeless encampment sweeps Beyond the Fog Radio: Barbara Lee reflects On Repeat: Wonway Posibul, "Emo radio guys dance too"...

Feb 04, 202525 min

Future Of journalism & The Still Life Cafe

Journalism continues to change with the times. But what’s next? Today, first amendment experts explore the dangers and opportunities of journalism in a second Trump term. Then, a tiny mountain town that’s a major foodie destination. Slowing down at The Still Life Cafe. And, we add a dash of poetic flavor. Bay Agenda: The future of journalism California Foodways: Owens Valley town of Independence home to destination restaurant How to Salt' by poet Brennan Defrisco...

Feb 03, 202527 min

Comedic 'Good Medicine' & The Art And Science Of Listening

An Oakland comic is making space on stage for Indigenous comedians. So today, we're prescribing laughter as 'Good Medicine.' Then, the many ways and reasons we’ve evolved to listen. "Good Medicine" is Jackie Keliiaa's stand up showcase, featuring Indigenous comics The art and science of listening...

Jan 30, 202527 min

Bay Area’s Rich Chinese American History & Chinese American Beauty Queens

We are getting ready to ring in the new year of the Snake, but first… A look back. Today, lesser known histories of the Bay’s Chinese American community. Then, a unique San Francisco tradition embedded in local Lunar New Year celebrations: The Miss Chinatown USA pageant. The national legacy of Chinese American communities The making of a Chinese American beauty queen...

Jan 28, 202527 min

Fentanyl State Of Emergency, School Lunch Plastic, On Repeat

In his first days in office, San Francisco’s new mayor has already rocked the boat. We take a look at Daniel Lurie’s approach to the fentanyl epidemic. Then, we meet the students who are taking a stand against plastic waste, one lunch at a time. And, we go genre exploring with one of our DJ’s with an episode of On Repeat, our mini-pod for music discovery. SF Mayor Lurie's 'fentanyl state of emergency' Sorting out plastic waste at a San Francisco school On Repeat: Eryka: No cucaracha energy...

Jan 27, 202527 min

Oakland's Section 8, a Cheese Temple, and an Uncuffed Preview

For the first time in a long time, applications are open for Oakland’s Section 8 housing. We're chasing the “white whale” of rental assistance. Then, cheese making inspired by classical music. And, we’ll get a little preview of what’s to come with our newest season of Uncuffed. Oakland's Section 8 waitlist open for the first time in 14 years California Foodways: In the North Bay, a temple for cheese is inspired by classical music Uncuffed Season 4 Preview: Back With New Stories!...

Jan 23, 202527 min

Happy Forgetting: Risking Lives

Today, we’re going back in time to 1964, to what would later be known as The Freedom Summer. Back then, the Mississippi Summer Project was a secret plan to try and force change in America.

Jan 22, 202527 min

Finding The Wisdom

Today, we hear how people are turning towards the wisdom of their ancestors in times of climate injustice. Mapping Indigenous identities and knowledge for the next generation.

Jan 15, 202527 min

Preserving Sudanese Music / Alkaio Thiele

Today, we meet a young Oakland woman from Sudan is digitizing old music cassettes for a new diaspora generation. Then, we meet a Castro Valley teen that’s living his acting dream.

Jan 14, 202527 min

The Work Of Remembering

Today, what it takes to preserve the truth and meaning of Native American histories. We visit the memories of home, and hear about efforts to restore an Indigenous homeland.

Jan 08, 202525 min
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