Shows / Crosscurrents
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.
Episodes
- Crosscurrents
Looming School Closures / 'Queer Classics' / New Arrivals: Chas Halpern
Advisors, parents, and students react to possible school closures in San Francisco. Baruch Porras-Hernandez is a triple-threat artist. And, an intimate story…
- Crosscurrents
Electrifying Homes / Musician Alex Jordan / Pedicab Ride / New Arrivals: Alvin Orloff
We learn about decarbonized Bay Area homes. Musician Alex Jordan tells stories about his musical roots. And we take a pedicab ride down the Embarcadero.
- Crosscurrents
Vietnamese Immigrants Care For Parents With Dementia, Amidst Stigma
Many people don’t recognize dementia, and not recognizing it can lead to death. Most caregivers are unprepared to manage dementia in their own family. And, for…
- Crosscurrents
State Of The Bay: Mark Farrell / Diaspora Stories: Chef Maurice Dissels
Candidates running for mayor of San Francisco are ramping up their campaigns. So today, we hear from candidate Mark Farrell a former San Francisco District 2…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
BART's Legacy / Uncuffed: Dreams Deferred / August Lee Stevens
In this episode, we bring you a story from Uncuffed, about what it’s like to chase and lose a big dream. Then, an indie folk artist explores the power of…
- Crosscurrents
Burton High Stories: Stress and Wellness / Depression And Poetry / Pills And Productivity
Today, stories about dealing with stress and anxiety. First up, Sight and Sounds host Jenee Darden shares how support from her mother helped her cope with…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
Dr. Ayodele "WordSlanger" Nzinga / Medicine for Nightmares / New Arrivals
The Kenneth Rainin Foundation just announced this year's fellows. Today, we meet one of them, Dr. Ayodele “WordSlanger” Nzinga. Then, we visit a bookstore…
- Crosscurrents
Lake Merritt's Bonsai Garden / Morcom Rose Garden / Frontline Prophet
In this episode, we head to Oakland to meet some very old and very short trees and the dedicated volunteers who care for them. Then, we stop and smell the…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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.”…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
Oakland's New Chief of Police / Library Evolution / Richmond's Tool Library
Today, we learn about the new chief of the Oakland Police Department. We sit down for a conversation with criminal justice reporter Ali Winston. Then, we hear…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
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…
- Crosscurrents
SF Public Press: Prop F / DJ Marcus Rosario / New Arrivals
San Francisco voters just passed the mayor’s controversial drug screening policy known as Prop F. Today, we get into how it will work, what we know and what we…
- Crosscurrents
Recalling District Attorney Pamela Price / Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu / Bay Poets
A coalition to recall Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price has passed an important milestone. Today, we learn what happens next and how we got here…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: Welcome Home Luis
Today, we follow a beloved Uncuffed producer as he walks out of Solano State Prison. And we hear from the people he left behind as they get used to a reality…
- Crosscurrents
Breaking Fast With Dates / Kitchen Sisters: Romance and Sex Life of the Date
Ramadan is here and Bay Area Muslims have begun their daytime fast from food, drink. For Muslims, the fast is a private act of worship with deep meaning. And…
- Crosscurrents
Afterlife Of A Corpse Flower / Big Data / Hollywood Food Stylist
The California Academy of Sciences’ corpse flower recently bloomed, but what’s next? Today, we bring you a story on corpse flowers and conservation. Then, a…
- Crosscurrents
Dirty White Tesla's Make Me Sad / Women In STEM / New Arrivals
A Bay Area play is taking on the issue of Black displacement. So in today's episode, we hear from the playwright of the new production "Dirty White Teslas Make…
- Crosscurrents
Civic: Making Sense Of Voting On Judges In San Francisco
Today is election day and San Francisco residents are being asked to vote on County Superior Court Judges. But do you know why? We learn how the process works…
- Crosscurrents
Civic: Tying Cash Welfare To Drug Screening
San Francisco Mayor London Breed is asking voters to approve a solution that drug tests people who receive assistance to compel them into treatment.
- Crosscurrents
99% Invisible: The Calendar / History Of The ADA
Today, we explore why February has one extra day this year. It's a special episode all about lost days and leap years from 99% Invisible. Then, how Berkeley…
- Crosscurrents
Meet DJ Eryka / San Francisco Poets / Veteran Journalist Belva Davis
This Black history month, Black folks are witnessing a moment of reclamation of country music. Today, we meet KALW DJ Eryka Vargas, who talks about the diverse…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: Navigating Life Outside Of Prison
In today's episode, a founding Uncuffed producer visits prison again, this time as a free man. Tommy "Shakur" Ross shares stories and advice from almost two…
- Crosscurrents
South San Francisco Mayor / Wandering Stars / The History Of Black History Month
In this episode, one of the Bay Area’s youngest politicians shares his vision for South San Francisco. We spend a day with South City’s newest mayor. Then…
- Crosscurrents
Cruising With Lowriders / Chelu Bike Club / Port Bar Closure
Today, we explore the tight-knit community of lowriders in San Jose. We hear about hydraulic lifts, custom cars, and socio-political implications. Then, we…
- Crosscurrents
Malcolm X / 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…
- Crosscurrents
Sign My Name To Freedom, Betty Reid Soskin's Untold Story / Richmond Blues
Today, we hear from the daughter of Betty Reid Soskin — the iconic 102-year-old park ranger. She shares a story about a different part of her mother's life…
- Crosscurrents
Tech Money And SF Politics / Farmers Behind Barbed-Wire Fences
Today, we discuss how wealthy entrepreneurs are influencing city government through money and social media in a conversation with Mission Local Managing Editor…
- Crosscurrents
The Stoop: Black Love
Today we’re presenting a Valentine’s special from The Stoop podcast. It’s hosted by Leila Day and KALW's own Hana Baba and it’s about Black identity. In this…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: Prison Baseball Offers Support
People in prison are no strangers to stigmas and stereotypes — the outside world often perpetuates ideas about who is incarcerated that are far from reality…
- Crosscurrents
Angel Cruz Park / Clean Homes For Clean Air / New Arrivals: Beverly Parayno
Today, we visit a park in Stockton that is a weekend haven for Hmong and Cambodian food. We meet the vendors and eat family recipes at Angel Cruz Park. Then…
- Crosscurrents
Point In Time Counts / Tommy Orange / San Francisco Black History
Last month, Bay Area communities conducted their biannual Point in Time count. Today, a conversation on how we measure homelessness and the things we miss…
- Crosscurrents
Finding Connection Through Song
The Bay Area is home to a tradition of improvised group singing. In this episode, we find human connection through song. Then, we hear how one local performer…
- Crosscurrents
Dear San Francisco / Honoring Black Men And Boys / Legacy Of The Black Panthers
In this episode, we go to a show at Club Fugazi that’s all about celebrating the City by the Bay. Then, we hear two artists speak about how their work honors…
- Crosscurrents
Prison Environmentalist / Kalimba King / Teen Mental Health
What does it mean to imagine the ocean when you’re barred from seeing it or feeling it? In today's episode we hear about an environmentalist’s fight for the…
- Crosscurrents
The Revolutionary Power Of Black Satire
For centuries, Black people have looked to humor and satire, not just for laughs — but for survival. Today, how satire has played a crucial role in the lives…
- Crosscurrents
Queer Surf Collective / Ocean Beach Surf History / Town Hall: Public Education
Queer surfers are changing the culture of surfing in the bay. In this episode we paddle out with the Queer Surf Collective. Then, we'll hear from some of the…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: Healing or Revenge?
When violence has been normal for so long, it can be difficult to give it up. In this episode of Uncuffed, the Solano team shares stories about the moments…
