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
Finding Home: Survival, a criminal legal system, and a long climb home
Today, a mom shares her story about how her struggle to pay for childcare led to her family losing their home. And how having a crime on her record made it…
- Crosscurrents
What is RSV? / Families Finding Home / New Arrivals: David Meltzer
It's cold and flu season and in the Bay Area, doctors are seeing a rise in respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. Today, we hear from a UCSF infectious disease…
- Crosscurrents
Bay Area Faults / Shaking Skyscrapers / Hey Area: Earthquake Questions
Today, San Francisco structural engineers tell us how to improve the city’s readiness for a major earthquake. And we hear from a UC Berkeley seismology expert…
- Crosscurrents
@Work: Fly Bay Area / Searching For The Sacred Black Feminine / New Arrivals: Ian Mitroff
Today, we buckle up and hit the skies with the Oakland Flyers flight training school. We learn what it takes to become a pilot in the Bay Area. Then…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: I'm Somebody's Hero
Growing up, Uncuffed Producer Thanh Tran never truly felt like he had a home. He was raised in the foster care system, was in and out of juvenile hall as a…
- Crosscurrents
Black Folks And Nature / Outdoor Afro Founder Rue Mapp / New Arrivals: Caroline M. Mar
Today, we take a closer look at this perception that black people aren’t into nature. We challenge stereotypes about who is and who isn’t ‘outdoorsy’ with…
- Crosscurrents
Actress Ashley Jaye / Black Mental Health / New Arrivals: Jack Gedney
Today, an actress gets personal, exploring the complexities of mental health on stage. Then, we hear about the stigma some Black people face when they seek…
- Crosscurrents
Election Fraud Claims / Coalition On Homelessness Lawsuit / Mental Health When Living On The Street
Today, we hear how reports indicate that San Francisco’s unhoused population is on the decline. But advocates say the city’s response leaves many worse off. We…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: When A Mother's Love Becomes Violent
As a child, Francisco Magaña was afraid of his mother. She would beat him, and he’s carried that pain with him for his entire life. But despite that, he…
- Crosscurrents
The Haunting Of The USS Hornet / The Ghosts of Port Costa / From Mortuary To Music Venue
It's Halloween and we are getting spooky! First, we’ll board an aircraft carrier in Alameda that many say is haunted. Then, we’ll visit Port Costa, a small…
- Crosscurrents
The Spiritual Edge: A Mental Health Counselor In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo Creates New Rituals For Grief
COVID-19 stopped people around the world from gathering for over a year. There’s a lot of talk about the toll this has taken on our collective mental health…
- Crosscurrents
The Spiritual Edge: He started a movement to #StopAAPIHate
Anti-Asian hate crime increased by more than three hundred percent last year, compared to the year before. In response, Russell Jeung helped found the group…
- Crosscurrents
Deaf Culture And Live Entertainment Accessibility / Black Horror
Today, we learn about a new documentary which explores the lack of access deaf people have to live entertainment. We listen to a conversation with filmmaker…
- Crosscurrents
tbh: The Stolen Year / New Arrivals: Kim Kralowec
Quarantine pushed some students to rethink their grades and their education. We’ll hear what it was like for students who say the school district overlooked…
- Crosscurrents
Censorship In American Public Schools And Libraries / Summer Reading List: Banned Books / Remembering Toni Morrison
Banning literature is not new, and it’s made a comeback. Today, we’ll talk about book banning with Stanford education researcher Jennifer Wolf. Then, we'll…
- Crosscurrents
Honoring The Women of the Black Panther Party / West Oakland House Mural / New Arrivals: Greg Sarris
Today, we learn that the majority of people in the Black Panther Party are women, and they’re finally getting more recognition for their contribution to the…
- Crosscurrents
Meet Your Local Poll Workers / 'Poetry Flash' Editor Joyce Jenkins Spotlights Poetry And Nature / New Arrivals: David Parker
The Midterm Elections are coming up quickly. While all Californians receive mail-in ballots, polling places will still be open. Today, we’ll hear from the…
- Crosscurrents
tbh: Minions In The Movies / San Leandro City Manager Speaks On Retaining Police
On this episode of Crosscurrents, we hear from recent Oakland School for the Arts graduate and Minions superfan Elizabeth Truong. She brings us along with her…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: Celebrating Love Behind Prison Walls
Today, we joyfully request the honor of your presence at an extra special wedding. Our Uncuffed producer, Edmond Richardson is marrying the love of his life…
- Crosscurrents
Brittany Luse / Cow Palace Rodeo / New Books On Identity & Connection
Cultural critic Brittany Luse talks about the excitement and challenges of her new, big job. We hear from the new host of NPR’s It’s Been A Minute. Then, we’re…
- Crosscurrents
tbh: Is There A Perfect Black Girl? / Gary Whitta's New Sci-Fi Audio Drama
During the pandemic, high schoolers were away from stuck at home and spent countless hours in front of screens. For many teenagers, the images they see online…
- Crosscurrents
The Stoop: Watermelon
Food has been historically used as a tool of discrimination against Black communities, whether it's in minstrel shows, commercials, or cartoons with images of…
- Crosscurrents
America's Next Great Author / New Arrivals On Nature / Illustrator Jessica Fong
Today, we hear about a new kind of reality show for writers. Then, readings from three local authors show the breadth of nature books. And, an illustrator…
- Crosscurrents
How Oakland Saved Star Trek / New Arrivals: Meron Hadero / San Francisco Teachers Raise
Today, we learn how a letter-writing campaign saved a beloved science fiction series. The story of how two Oakland fans saved Star Trek.Then, we hear a reading…
- Crosscurrents
tbh: The Dirty Truth About The 'Clean Girl' Aesthetic
The “clean girl aesthetic” is part lifestyle, part looks but it isn’t attainable for everyone. Elise Muchowski takes a look into algorithms and how they…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: My Enemy Saved My Life
Death is a normal part of life in prison, but it’s rare that someone can live to tell the tale. Wilbert Stoneham dropped to the floor one day after a cardiac…
- Crosscurrents
Psychedelic Therapy / An Illustrated Black History
Today, we take a trip into the world of psychedelic assisted therapy. Plant medicine and mental health. Then, a new book by artist George McCalman features…
- Crosscurrents
A People's Budget For Oakland / Exploring Sausal Creek / New Arrivals: Joshua Peralta
What if Oakland residents had a direct say in how their city spent money? We hear from a community organizer working to bring about a "People's Budget." Then…
- Crosscurrents
Zimbabwean author Munashe Kaseke / BART Tracks / New Arrivals: Rob Volpe
Today, we speak with author Munashe Kaseke, who writes stories about Zimbabwean immigrant women. She says her goal is that each story makes you look at your…
- Crosscurrents
tbh: LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity in Health Classes / California's Sex Ed History
For many teens across the nation, the sex ed curriculum doesn't yet reflect an inclusive perspective of sexuality and gender. Especially for those with a…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: Aging And Compassion In Prison
California's prison population is aging — between 2000 and 2017, and the share of incarcerated people over 50 more than quintupled. For those with long or life…
- Crosscurrents
Aztec Dancers / Rethinking Philanthropy / New Arrivals: Mike Trigg
Today, we learn how Aztec Dancers play a major role in San Francisco’s Mission District. We look at the commitment they make and their history. Then, we hear…
- Crosscurrents
Rebel Kings Of Oakland / Will The A's Stay Or Go? / Why Doesn't BART Go To Marin? / New Arrivals: Meleah Ekstrand
Today, we join the Rebel Kings of Oakland, a group of drag kings who have been incubating new drag performers for over a decade, one of the oldest gay bars in…
- Crosscurrents
tbh: Celebrating The Freedom Of Queer Identity / Midnight Train
Today, we debut the newest season of KALW's series tbh, the podcast for, by and about teenagers. In this episode they share their perspectives on gender…
- Crosscurrents
On Her Own At Seventeen / New Arrivals: Margo Candela
Today, we meet a 17-year-old Oakland high school student who’s living on her own. We’ll hear how she gets by with help from some key adults at her school…
- Crosscurrents
Athletic Activism / Flower Piano / New Arrivals: Monica Wesolowska
Today, we learn how 50 years before Colin Kaepernick took a knee to protest racial injustice, Oakland's Bill Russell took a stand against Jim Crow. We’ll hear…
- Crosscurrents
tbh: Is It Us, Or Is It The Video Games? / Afterlife Of A Beached Whale
Today we hear what high schoolers think about video game addiction. Finding the line between a hobby and an obsession. Then, we'll learn what happens after a…
- Crosscurrents
Stanford Chaplain / Black Food Summit
Today, we meet someone who handles high-stakes situations with grace and a level head. We spend an afternoon with Reverend Anannda Barclay. Then, we talk Black…
- Crosscurrents
KALW Day
Today marks 81 years of KALW broadcasting to the Bay Area. It’s our station's birthday, so we decided to invite some old friends. There’s a party in the News…
- Crosscurrents
Anjali Rimi / Transgender Drag Queen / Story Corp: Bethany Snyder and Kristian Maul
Today, we hear the story of transgender immigrant and organizer Anjali Rimi, who says moving to San Francisco was life changing. Then, a drag performer tells…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: Fatherhood From Inside Prison
In this episode of Uncuffed, we hear how one of the many struggles of parenting from inside prison is the constant fear that your children may follow in your…
- Crosscurrents
Skyline Ranch / Velina Brown / New Arrivals: Vivian Pisano
When it comes to riding horses, there is usually a high financial bar to clear. Today, we meet a woman working to put more people in the saddle. Then, a…
- Crosscurrents
The Intersection at Burning Man: BLACK LIVES MATTER meets BLACK ROCK CITY
Today, we meet a group of people protesting for racial inclusion at Burning Man. Turns out, that's not so easy. It’s an episode of The Intersection at Burning…
- Crosscurrents
The Intersection At Burning Man: PAST Meets PRESENT
Burning Man is returning to the Black Rock Desert. Some burners travel long distances to make it to the Playa, but for others, the festival comes to them. What…
- Crosscurrents
The Intersection At Burning Man: REVELRY Meets REVERANCE
Burning Man is back this year. And we’re going into that world today, by taking you inside its spiritual center. We’ll show you how the Temple came to be, and…
- Crosscurrents
The Intersection at Burning Man: PAVEMENT meets PLAYA / Transgender Pioneer
Burning Man is back this year. So today, we are going to where the highway meets the desert. We’re going to The Playa to meet all kinds of interesting…
- Crosscurrents
Special Effects Designer Adam Savage / Kinetic Steam Works / Growing Up Transgender
Today, the former host of Mythbusters and Bay Area local Adam Savage talks about building a career around special- effects design. Then, we go to West Oakland…
- Crosscurrents
The Naiad Cove Exhibit / Artist Ellen Bepp / New Arrivals: Joanna Ho
Today, we visit a pop-up museum dedicated to San Francisco’s Cliff House and take a look back at the iconic attractions at Land’s End. Then, a third-generation…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: Surprise Letters During Lockdown
Today, we hear how surprise letters during the pandemic changed everything for a family divided. How getting mail helped with the isolation of lockdowns in…
- Crosscurrents
New Life For Old Parkway / Ruth Crossman / New Arrivals: Nina G
Today, we learn how a historic theater in Oakland gets a new lease on life through cannabis. We take a trip to Ivy Hill Cannabis. Then, an author opens up…
- Crosscurrents
Jerry Garcia Day / Transgender Wrestler / New Arrivals: Shelley Blanton-Stroud
Today, we take a stroll through the neighborhood of rock and roll icon Jerry Garcia. Get ready for a long, strange trip. Then, we hear from professional…
- Crosscurrents
Emeryville's Affordable Housing / Photographer Kori Suzuki / New Arrivals: Ingrid Rojas Contreras
Today, we hear how Emeryville is building an affordable housing project for two underserved social groups, senior citizens and foster youth. Then, we listen as…
- Crosscurrents
Disneybounding / Cosplaying / New Arrivals: Judith Berlowitz
Today, we hear how one San Francisco woman uses fashion to express her love for Disney and bring joy to others, we are Disney bound. Then, we’ll head to…
- Crosscurrents
Couture Fantasy / California Foodways: Rosebud Cafe / New Arrivals: Kirstin Chen
Today, we hear about an exhibit featuring garments by renowned Chinese designer Guo Pei. When East meets West and fashion meets fantasy. Then, we’ll visit a…
- Crosscurrents
Declaration Of Emergency / Cesar Chavez's Hope And Struggle / New Arrivals: Barbara Graham
Last week, San Francisco became the first major American city to declare a public health emergency for monkeypox, evoking fears of a previous epidemic from…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: COVID-19 Strikes At San Quentin
In June 2020, San Quentin had one of the biggest COVID-19 outbreaks in a California prison. 2,000 incarcerated people were infected, and 29 died. Two cellmates…
- Crosscurrents
The Magic Of Maya Songbird / Magic: The Gathering / New Arrivals: Kimberly Unger
Today, we take a peek into Maya Songbird’s world in Oakland’s very own Magic Shop. Join us as we step through a portal on Peralta St. Then, we find out why…
- Crosscurrents
Oakland's Morcom Rose Garden / Golden Thread Theatre Company / New Arrivals: Alec Scott
Today, we hear how the Morcom Rose Garden in Oakland saw a huge uptick in visitors during the pandemic. We'll meet the volunteers who maintained the garden…
- Crosscurrents
Parker Community School / Policing The Unhoused / New Arrivals: Dr. Anna Lembke
Today, we meet the Oakland parents fighting to keep their neighborhood school open. Class remains in session at Parker Community School. Then, we hear from…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: Suitable for parole
At San Quentin, Nate McKinney got what he's been dreaming about for decades: parole. Nate and the hosts of the KALW podcast Uncuffed talk about what it’s like…
