Crosscurrents - podcast cover

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.

Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Foul Ball / Motherhood And Adoption / Uncuffed Mixtape

Today, home-grown A's pitching ace, Dave Stewart, reflects on the team’s last season in Oakland. It’s the next episode from our series Foul Ball.Then, stories of motherhood through adoption. And, Uncuffed producer Juan Moreno Haines talks about one of his favorite songs.

May 09, 202427 min

Dependence: a story of motherhood and addiction

In honor of Mother’s Day we bring you a different story of motherhood. From the audio documentary Dependance, a personal account of one parent’s experience with substance abuse.

May 08, 202427 min

Without A Voice Part 2

Last week, KALW’s investigative series “Without a Voice” won a Webby Award. It looks into allegations of abuse at one of the most carefully regulated group homes in the state. In the second episode, a home administrator for people with disabilities comes forward alleging resident abuse.

May 02, 202427 min

Without A Voice Part 1

Last week, KALW’s investigative series “Without a Voice” won a Webby Award. It looks into allegations of abuse at one of the most carefully regulated group homes in the state. In this episode, Chris takes us inside a family’s struggle about their daughter’s mistreatment.

May 01, 202427 min

A Mother's Departure / Intersections: Dance / Aztec Dancing

Today, a story about withstanding loss and learning how to forgive from our team at Uncuffed. Then, we hear how the dance floor can become a canvas for self-expression. Plus, the major role Aztec Dancers play in San Francisco’s Mission District communities.

Apr 30, 202427 min

Cultural Competency In Law / Disco Cleanup / KALW's New Beat Reporters

How does a lawyer provide equal representation to all? Today, we meet someone practicing cultural competence in a legal system that often lacks it. Then, we join a Sunday ritual focused on clean streets and good beats. And, we meet Crosscurrent’s new beat reporters.

Apr 29, 202427 min

Uncuffed: A Prison From Another Planet

If you talk about prison reform in California these days, you might hear about reducing overcrowding, dismantling the death penalty and changing sentencing law. You also might hear Norwegian prisons. Today, we bring you the Uncuffed episode from Norway which just won a Silver award under the category of social issues for the 2024 New York Festival Radio Awards.

Apr 23, 202427 min

People's Park / Foul Ball

People's Park closed in January so that UC Berkeley could build a student dorm. In this episode we find out if this the end of the park or just another chapter in its story. Then, how the departure of Oakland's last major league baseball team has prompted a lot of finger pointing. It’s the next episode from Foul Ball.

Apr 18, 202427 min

Esther's Orbit Room / On Repeat

In this episode, we hear how one music venue in West Oakland holds the neighborhood's history and its future. We take a stroll down 7th street, and visit Esther’s Orbit Room. Then, we talk about the global rise of African dance music with Tshego Lets-oalo of KALW’s music show On Repeat.

Apr 17, 202427 min

Uncuffed: Prison Jobs

In California prisons, people have to work. They get jobs in the kitchen, cleaning up on the yard or stacking milk crates in a factory. And the implication are of that work is complicated. In today's episode, we hear about real jobs and prison pay in a new episode from Uncuffed.

Apr 16, 202427 min

School Principals / Burton High Lunch / Remembering Trina Robbins

Many San Francisco principals are working hard to set the right tone for their schools. Today, we learn the work of a Principal. Then, we keep it close to home and visit the Burton High School cafeteria. And, we remember a San Francisco comic legend.

Apr 15, 202427 min

Teen Vaping / Video Game Addiction / Asian American Representation

Today we feature stories from SFUSD students. We hear why vaping is exploding in popularity among teens. Then we learn, how videogames are left one high schooler feeling disconnected from his friends. And, why media representation matters to young people.

Apr 11, 202427 min

The Spiritual Edge: A History of Islam in America

Tomorrow, Muslim’s around the world will be celebrating Eid ul Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. Eid is observed with prayers, friend and family visits, big social gatherings, food fairs and festivals. So — when did Islam first show up in the US?

Apr 09, 202425 min

Pleeay / Pinoy Power / Remembering Heklina

In this episode, we meet a four-person multimedia band that’s doing dance differently. A conversation with the band Pleeay about their genre of “gutter pop.” Then, an exhibit in San Francisco celebrates six decades of Filipino artists, culture and history. And, we honor the San Francisco icon, Heklina.

Apr 08, 202427 min

Foul Ball / The Last Mermaid / New Arrivals

In this episode, we follow the Oakland A’s last season in the Bay Area. We bring you the first episode of our new series, "Foul Ball." Then, a Pacifica comic book artist imagines a mermaid living in a post-apocalyptic Bay Area. And, we hear a reading from a San Francisco author about calming down.

Apr 04, 202425 min

The Far Country / Angel Island / China Camp

Today, we learn about a play that portrays the historical hardship and heart of Bay Area Chinese immigrants. Then, we’ll learn the secret that unlocked a new life for the historic immigration station at Angel Island. And, we visit China Camp state park where the past and the present live side by side.

Apr 03, 202427 min

San Pippo / Emotional Support Sea Lion / Google Brain

Today, we bring you a very special episode of Crosscurrents. First, we hear how the coastal town of San Pippo sees climate change as a glass half full. Then, we bring you practical advice on combating airline anxiety. And, we have conversation with the very first user of the new Google Brain.

Apr 01, 202425 min

City Of Refuge / Chocolate History / DJ King Most

In this episode, we hear how an Oakland pastor turns the tables on homophobia in the Church. We hear the good word at the City of Refuge. Then, we learn about the Bay Area’s long history of chocolate connoisseurs. And, we get to know one of KALW’s DJs, Patrick King Most.

Mar 28, 202427 min

Public Glass / SFUSD Superintedent Matt Wayne / New Arrivals

In today's episode, we hear how one studio is working to make glass blowing more approachable. Then, an update from Superintendent Matt Wayne on San Francisco’s Unified School District. And, El Cerrito author Maya Ealey reads from her new book.

Mar 27, 202425 min

Uncuffed: Stories From Re-Entry

Today, we hear from the first ever Uncuffed audio storytelling class for recently returned residents. A dozen formerly incarcerated individuals learned how to interview each other and created their own stories and their own friendships.

Mar 26, 202427 min

The Kitchen Sisters: Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Yesterday was Lawrence Ferlinghetti Day in San Francisco. Ferlinghetti is considered the spiritual godfather of the Beat movement. Today, we’re bringing you a documentary about the former San Francisco poet laureate that was produced by Jim McKee of Earwax Productions in partnership with the Kitchen Sisters.

Mar 25, 202425 min

SF Public Press: Prop E / Just Like A Woman / Bay Poets

Earlier this month, San Francisco voters passed changes to Police Department policies and procedures by passing Prop E. Today, we learn how it works and what comes next. Then, we hear about an annual concert celebrating women who make music. And, a reading from the next generation of poets.

Mar 21, 202427 min

Artists As First Responders / Being Black In Humboldt

Today, we go to a 14-hour marathon event of learning, performance, and solidarity. We learn what it means to make art that meets the moment. Then, we hear what it’s like to be Black in Humboldt county. In this episode we bring you stories from the KALW Audio Academy's past and present cohort.

Mar 20, 202421 min

Aquatic Park / Uncuffed: Reflections From A Life On The Run

San Francisco's Aquatic Park is an urban park, a recreational escape and a historical record. Today, we hear how competing interests are shaping the park's future. Then, one man reflects on how he avoided incarceration by fleeing the state and building a new life across the country.

Mar 19, 202420 min

Boxer Andre Ward / San Francisco's fentanyl crisis / New Arrivals

In this episode, a personal conversation with Bay Area boxing legend Andre Ward. We step outside the ring and hear about his struggles and victories in the personal fights of his life. Then, an update on how San Francisco is handling a surge in drug overdoses. And a reading from local author Lisa Hamilton.

Mar 18, 202424 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android