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.
San Francisco’s public transit is still recovering, but a better future might be just a few stops down the line. Today, a conversation with the director of the SFMTA. Then, we’ll hear about how running a marathon inside prison can be life changing. And, we’ll tour Northern California’s biggest city with the guy who ran every road in town. Plus a reading from San Francisco author, Ann Jacobus.
In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, park managers are considering replanting sequoias in wilderness to restore the groves after severe fires they say humans caused. But some environmentalists say this goes against the very definition of wilderness. The debate raises questions about how we think about wilderness in a changing planet.
Today, we meet a group of punks bring life saving supplies to the community, even as funding comes and goes. We bring you part two in our new series, "In Harm's Way: Workers Battle the Overdose Crisis." Then, we learn why a South Asian designer dresses as California flowers. And, we hear a reading from Berkeley author, Linda Joy Myers.
Recently, more than a hundred people were arrested at San Francisco’s unsanctioned skate exhibit, the Dolores Park Hill Bomb. Today, we follow that story with a conversation about police action in the Mission district. Then, we meet a local skating legend who finds rhythm on the skateboard and on the bass. And, a reading from San Anselmo author Nina Schuyler.
Today, we meet a Palestinian photographer who uses her art to help change the narrative about her home, and why it matters to see the world through the eyes of a refugee. Then, we meet a man who’s dedicated his life to recording the sounds of California... and beyond. And, we'll hear a reading from a San Francisco author.
In today's show, learn about the art and science of clean kicks. We meet Oakland resident Austin Brown, who's found his true passion as the Hood Cobbler. Then, we talk to actor Josh Kornbluth to learn about a show that asks if empathy can bridge the divisions in our society. And, we head to the mountains for a reading from a San Francisco author.
On today's episode, a new series premieres. ‘In Harm’s Way: Workers Battle the Overdose Crisis’ reports on how the closure of San Francisco's Tenderloin Linkage Center impacted those it served. Then, former first responder Christy Warren reads from her new memoir, 'Flash Point.' And, we talk about litter with the city's street cleaning bureau.
In today's show, we join a Sunday ritual focused on clean streets and good beats. Get down... and a little dirty at Manny's Disco Cleanup. Then, a story about an artist inspired to beautify East Bay streets using a surprising medium. And, we learn about the litter problem in Dolores Park and what it takes to keep the iconic landmark clean and safe for residents.
Today, we meet marketer-turned-civic-activist Vincent Yuen. He's on a mission to make San Francisco more beautiful... and to stop people from littering its streets. Then, we learn about how neighbors on Bayview's Quesada Street planted seeds of beauty and community on their block. And, we hear a reading from local poet Judy Wells.
In today's episode, we learn about how drones can provide a new perspective on the things we see everyday. Meet the San Francisco residents using these machines to help clean up their streets. Then, a pastor in Oakland fights back against a developer with plans to build a coal export terminal in the city. And, a reading from a local author.
In today's episode, we learn about an underground threat to Bay Area cities and beyond. A new study warning about groundwater rise and why our current mitigation methods may not be enough. Then, we hear about a business thats shaking up the wedding industry and redefining tradition for a new generation of couples. And, a reading from a local author.
Today, we hear singer-songwriter Madison McFerrin talk about her San Francisco roots, musical influences, and journey. Then, we hear from another musical family — father and son psychedelic rock duo Lester and Dylan Chambers talk about their bond, struggles and the power of music. And, we hear a reading from a Bay Area poet.
Today, we hear a new story from Uncuffed about a born athlete who was destined for football greatness... until a serious injury changed his path. Then, an interview about the Antioch Police Department facing allegations of corruption, police brutality, and racism. And, we learn about an early effort to bring restorative justice to an East Bay high school.
For Pride month KALW has been airing stories that explore and celebrate the Bay Area’s queer culture. But today, we’re going back a few decades to a more difficult time when AIDS was destroying the community. We hear the story of one baker who became an unexpected caregiver during this time, and brought relief to those who were suffering.
In today's episode, we explore the healing art of storytelling. First, we take a trip to the theater to learn about how Oakland day laborers are taking their stories to the stage, as a way to find freedom and belonging. Then, we hear a new piece from Uncuffed. It's a story about two life long lovers, and how even prison couldn’t keep them apart.
Last week KALW took home three awards from the Public Media Journalists Association. Today we’re re-airing one of those stories — a winner in the Student Narrative Podcast category. It's the story on the “Clean Girl Movement.” We unpack its problems, and get the dirty truth. And, a reading from local author Ginny Kubitz Moyer.
Today, we meet the Oakland parents who fought to keep their neighborhood school from closing last year — the story behind the Parker Community School. Then, we hear how a letter-writing campaign saved a beloved science fiction series. And, we’ll listen to a reading from Oakland author Rita Chang-Eppig.
Today, we hear about how San Francisco’s Drag Queens are taking their show to a different kind of stage — local libraries. We take you behind the scenes of Drag Story Hour. Then, we speak with an illustrator who is reimagining queer icons as superheroes. And, we learn about what it takes to clean up after Pride weekend.
Today, we explore the story behind a sound that serves as a national symbol for LGBTQ+ resistance. Dive into the history of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Then, we’ll visit a space in Oakland where queer people of color are getting radically fit. And, professional wrestler Bambina talks about queer representation inside the ring.
The Uncuffed Playlist is the newest prison training program from KALW. It is the first music radio show in the state to be hosted by incarcerated people and available to the public. Participants in this program make an hour-long playlist of their favorite songs and tell stories about how those songs have shaped their lives.Listen to shows from the Uncuffed Playlist on Spotify..
Today, we hear from Black women whose children were killed — often because of failures in our law-enforcement system. We bring you powerful conversations from the Kehinde Wiley exhibit "An Archaeology of Silence" — currently at the de Young museum. Then, we learn about a new Bayview farmer’s market featuring Black owned businesses.
Today, we are taking you Masumoto’s Family Farm is well known — their produce stocks the shelves of popular Bay Area grocers, like San Francisco’s Bi Rite Market and Berkeley Bowl. Less known is the family history of the third generation farmer David Mas Masumoto. And, we hear a reading from Woodland author Reyna Grande.
Today, we hear how the nation’s first cannabis equity program has failed some East Bay businesses, and we learn how the City of Oakland might be able to help. Then, we explore how much it costs to launch a cannabis venture in the Bay Area, anyway. Plus, listen to local music from the Oakland band Van Goat.
Today, we take a trip to East Bay's Codornices Creek. We learn about the different reasons why people are drawn to it and what it takes to restore and maintain an urban waterway. Then, we learn why the Golden Gate chapter of the Audubon Society is dropping the Audubon name. And, we’ll listen to a reading from San Francisco author Lynne Twist.
Today's show is about finding ourselves and our people. First, we speak with a trans-aerialist who explains how his art allows him to connect to his body. It's a conversation about movement, freedom and creativity. Then, we take a class that gets queer bodies moving. And, we hear from a queer country singer.
In Oakland, there's one group that's helping young people of color tell diverse stories. Today, we hear how some teens are getting hands-on experience making movies. Then, we learn how rap can get kids hooked on school. And, we get an update on San Francisco’s reparations task force. Plus we hear readings from local writers.
For some eight years now, 34 Black women from the Bay Area have gathered monthly around a big dining room table in Oakland. Together, they use art to address issues plaguing their community. Today, we bring you part two of their story, House Full of Black Women, from our friends at the Kitchen sisters. Plus, we have readings from local poets.
For some eight years now, 34 Black women from the Bay Area — artists, scholars, midwives, nurses, an architect, an ice cream maker, a theater director, musicians, educators, a choreographer, donut maker, sex trafficking abolitionists and survivors have gathered monthly around a big dining room table in Oakland, California. They use theater, dance and ritual to address issues plaguing their community.
In this episode, we are going to visit a place that hosts community forums and debates on everything from political candidates to the city's trash can design. Come with us as we head over to San Francisco's Mission district to visit Manny's, a space for civic gathering in this special episode from our friends — the Kitchen Sisters.
This episode is all about sound and music from around the Bay. First, we'll hear from the conductor and music director of the Berkeley Symphony and learn about how he found his calling. Then, we’re going across the Bay to a half century old San Francisco establishment that is experimenting with the way people experience sound.
