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.
A UC Berkeley study ranked Oakland in the top 20 most segregated cities in the U.S. Today, we hear how that affects quality of life for marginalized groups. Then, producer Chris Keys talks about his mindful method to making music. And, San Francisco poet Josiah Luis Alderete reads from his new poetry collection.
In the latest episode from our podcast What Works: Grassroots Solutions Around the Bay Area, we meet Nevida Butler, who has been working with the Ecumenical Hunger Program in East Palo Alto for four decades.
Oakland has appointed its first-ever poet laureate. Today, we meet Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, also known as WordSlanger. Then, we dive into the watery past of Orinda. And, a new cookbook explores San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Today, we’re going to a half century old San Francisco establishment that uses sound for healing. Then, from Solano State Prison, we hear about one man’s struggle against the stereotypes of mental illness. And, San Francisco author Jenny Bitner reads from a new novel.
Today, we hear about conflict of interest case against Richmond Mayor Tom Butt. Then, the story behind the construction of one of the Bay Area’s most unusual bridges. And, Berkeley author Bonnie Tsui reads from her new children’s book.
Today, we're going to Richmond in the latest episode from our series "What Works: Grassroots Solutions Around The Bay Area." We'll hear about a garden project that's bringing nourishment to a community that lives in a food desert, and we'll visit bicycle program that helps kids get their own wheels. And, in an episode from our pocket-sized podcast New Arrivals, we get a reading from a new cookbook.
Today, we meet a scientist studying the epic tale of California wildlife facing big wildfires. Then, how did Marin County get its name? And, a young singer from Oakland writes about healing after heartbreak.
As fire season bears down on Sonoma County, some communities are practicing evacuations. Today, we hear about wildfire drills. Then, a former L.A. gang member who told his story to the world, has passed away. And, we’ll get a mini-reading from Oakland author Gabriela Garcia’s new novel. Plus, today's local music features Oakland artist Heather Normandale. She’s performing with Paul Sounder this Saturday at the Empress Vintage in Berkeley.
Today, Fairfield City Councilmember Doris Panduro talks about what it's like connecting directly with the people of her city in the latest episode in the series What Works: Grassroots Solutions around the Bay Area. Then, local author Gary Kamiya icon explores a big question in his latest collection of stories.
First, we meet a group of South Bay Bikers with a message and a mission. Then, Berkeley screenwriter Malcolm Spellman talks about his hit Marvel series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”
Today we bring you the story of an indigenous Alaskan leader who is fighting to stop oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Then, a latin dance duo is creating more space on the dance floor for queer artists. And, how can you learn to be a father, from inside prison, to a child whose voice you’ve never even heard?
First, Alameda youth host a debate for candidates running for District 18 Assemblymember. Then, we hear about a case in Santa Clara County that tackles the issue of caste discrimination. And, we’ll hear an excerpt from a new anthology by Tureeda Mikell.
From the What Works Series, people in Solano County are turning to their neighbor’s fruit trees to help address food insecurity. Then, country singer Miko Marks talks about the lack of diversity in country music.
Activists and artists partner with BART to stop gender-based violence on trains and make TRAIN rides safer for girls. Today, we’ll hear about the #NotOneMoreGirl campaign. Then, Oakland songwriter Emily Brown, ponders the intersection of music and poetry. And, we learn how to improve our swing with former big league ball player Terry Whitfield.
Today, we look at a new podcast that looks at religion from new angles. We talk to executive editor of The Spiritual Edge Judy Silber and listen to a story from the latest episode. Then, from the producers of Uncuffed at Solano State Prison, we hear about the pain of losing a sibling to suicide.
At Umoja Health in Oakland, health care workers treat patients like family. Today, an episode of our new podcast What Works: Grassroots Solutions Around the Bay Area. And, we’ll hear how people are preparing for this year’s wildfire season, even as places are still recovering from last year.
Is California prepared for another looming crisis? We’ll get an update on this year’s extreme drought. Then, writer Elisa Camahort Page tells us what she thinks about the state of the tech industry today. And, Palo Alto author Irvin D. Yalom reads from his new memoir.
When COVID-19 forced a long-standing San Francisco soup kitchen outside, they decided to bring the food to people who needed it. Today, we get the story behind Mother Brown’s “Free Groceries Program” as part of a new series that explores local solutions to some of the pandemic’s biggest problems.It’s What Works: Grassroots Solutions Around The Bay.
What does it mean to live through war, in wartime? People across nations and generations experience war from very different perspectives, as veterans, civilian war survivors, conscientious objectors. Today, for Memorial Day we’re bringing you those voices in the 2008 KALW documentary, Stories During Wartime.
Today, we're revisiting a remarkable story how communication can help us heal. Then, the band The Well Known Strangers talk about how the highs and lows of 2020 inspired their new EP.
Once you’re out of prison, what’s it like to be outside in the world? Today, in a special episode from Uncuffed, we learn from returned citizens. And, we’ll hear from the men inside about their hopes, concerns and expectations for their release back into society.
Today, we're revisiting the original documentary A Practical Guide To Disaster. We reflect on the 1906 earthquake to help us prepare for the next Big One.
To add to the list of strange things that happened in the year 2020: a weird humming coming from the Golden Gate Bridge. We hear how it started, and what’s being done about it. Then, we take a look at how the bridge has fared in its many blockbuster roles. And, we find out how tough it actually is. We’re spending today on the bridge.
In Alameda, activists gather to honor the life of Mario Gonzalez and call for a change in policing. We hear the latest on the city's response to the death of Mario Gonzales Then, we look at California's new law to regulate police use of deadly force.
Just off Highway 101 at the Octavia Boulevard exit in San Francisco, there’s a mural that introduces Bay Area residents to Palestinian culture. Today, we meet the artist behind the work. Then, from the Uncuffed team, we hear how re-entering the outside world after years in prison can be difficult to navigate, and even scary.
KALW is turning 80 this year! It's the perfect time to dig into our archives to bring you some of our favorite stories. Today, we’re revisiting an episode from our podcast tbh, looking at how prejudice has impacted the education of Black students — and what’s being done about it. Then we’ll hear from Berkeley rapper and singer Rexx Life Raj, who shares how he uses his music as a journal. Plus, Cambell author Ehsaneh Sadr reads from her new novel.
Rollerskating is "back" in style. Today, we meet a man who is welcoming people into the skating community. Then, we hear about the roots of a longstanding San Francisco bicycling tradition. Plus, from our podcast New Arrivals, San Francisco author Chris Colin reads a bedtime story for adults.
In a new story from the producers of Uncuffed, we hear how a mother’s love and support can bring strength and endure even through years of incarceration. Then, we look back at the surprising history of San Francisco’s official song … or, rather, songs. Plus, from our podcast New Arrivals, San Francisco author Ron Nyren reads from his new novel about a family who survived the 1906 earthquake.
San Francisco is officially in the Yellow Tier for COVID-19 restrictions and it has had one of the highest uptake of vaccines of any major city in the country. Today, we hear what to expect in this next phase. Then, author D.K. Dailey talks about why she didn’t let rejection from publishers stop her from writing sci-fi.
Twenty five years after Guatemala's civil war ended, human rights leader Rosalina Tuyuc is promoting healing for her people based ancient Maya wisdom.
