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
Fairfield Fruit Gleaning / Sights and Sounds: Miko Marks
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…
- Crosscurrents
#NotOneMoreGirl Campaign / Oakland Songwriter Emily Brown / A Swing And A Hit
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…
- Crosscurrents
The Spiritual Edge / From Uncuffed: Grief And Suicide
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…
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What Works: Umoja Health / Preparing For Wildfire Season
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…
- Crosscurrents
California Drought Preparation / Elisa Camahort Page / New Arrivals
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…
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What Works Ep. 1: Mother Brown's
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…
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Stories During Wartime (Special)
What does it mean to live through war, in wartime? People across nations and generations experience war from very different perspectives, as veterans, civilian…
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Healing Through Dialogue / California-Country-Soul
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…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: The Trials of Re-Entry
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…
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A Practical Guide To Disaster #throwback
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.
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Golden Gate Harmonica
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…
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Alameda Activists Honor Mario Gonzalez / California's Police Use Of Force Law
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…
- Crosscurrents
'Humanity Is Key' Mural / Uncuffed: Re-Entry
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…
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Looking Back at tbh / Berkeley Rapper Rexx Life Raj / New Arrivals
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…
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Rollerskating Is Back ... For Some / SF Critical Mass / New Arrivals
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…
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What Mother's Day Means To Incarcerated Men / SF Official Songs
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…
- Crosscurrents
Moving Into The Yellow Tier / D.K. Dailey's Dystopian Sci-Fi Is Set In SF
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…
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Calling On Ancient Maya Wisdom To Heal Guatemalan Widows
Twenty five years after Guatemala's civil war ended, human rights leader Rosalina Tuyuc is promoting healing for her people based ancient Maya wisdom.
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Rethinking Food Waste / Memories Of Home
Over one million Bay Area residents are estimated to struggle with food insecurity. Today, we talk to author and homeless advocate LaRayia Gaston about her…
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Understanding What Happened To Mario Gonzalez / The Anniversary Of The Armenian Genocide
This year marks the first time that a U.S. president has ever acknowledged the Armenian genocide. Today, we’ll hear from one Armenian American about what it…
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Art And Spirit Inspire Regina Evans' Mission To Rescue Sex Trafficked Youth
California reports more cases of human tracking than any state. In Oakland, most sex trafficking victims are Black girls under the age 18. Regina Evans is an…
- Crosscurrents
Encinal High's Student-Run Radio / SF Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin / New Arrivals
With students back in school, an East Bay high school radio station is returning to the airwaves. Today, we catch up with some of their on-air personalities…
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Revisiting The Frisco Five Hunger Strike Five Years Later
Today, we're looking back at a powerful act of civil disobedience that changed the makeup of the San Francisco Police Department. Then, after Minneapolis…
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The Fight To Save Mills College / Uncuffed: Pandemic Playlist / Oakland Author Brad Balukjian
We hear from Mills College President Elizabeth Hillman about the recently announced plans to close the historic institution. Then, from our team at Uncuffed -…
- Crosscurrents
SF Film Fest / Tongan-American Singer Aisea Taimani / New Arrivals: Roberto Lovato
The San Francisco Film Festival is streaming online this year, showing films from around the globe. We talk to the Suzannah Mirghani, the director of a short…
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Pills And Productivity / New Arrivals Special
What happens when the thing that helps us cope in dangerous times becomes dangerous itself? Today, we're bringing you a story about the downside of…
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Getting Your COVID Vaccine
Some Bay Area counties have already opened up appointments for residents over 16 to get a COVID-19 vaccine. By Thursday, everyone over 16 in the state will be…
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Richmond's Underground Pandemic Dining Scene / Pandemic Playlists From Uncuffed / New Arrivals: Danielle Fuentes Morgan
Unemployment during the pandemic led some people to turn to home cooking for income. Today, we’re taking a tour of Richmond’s underground dining scene. Then…
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San Francisco Schools Reopening / Blues Guitarist Chris Cain
San Francisco public school students begin returning to campuses next week, against a backdrop of a contentious conversation about equity. Today, we’re taking…
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Vaccine Access / Vis Valley Peace Organizers / Queer Representation In Pro Wrestling
Many Bay Area counties have at least partially vaccinated more than half of eligible residents, but there are still barriers to reaching the most vulnerable…
- Crosscurrents
Zoom Fatigue / Immersive Van Gogh / Oakland Artist Amara Tabor-Smith
Millions of us are video conferencing more than we ever have before. What does that mean for our psychological health? Today, we explore "Zoom fatigue." Then…
- Crosscurrents
Mural Honors Women Of The Black Panthers / People's Kitchen Collective Awarded New Grant
Oakland resident Jil Vest was walking past the protest murals downtown when she got an idea. Today, we’re looking at a mural that honors the women of the Black…
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Santa Rita Jail Population Rise / Honoring Theater Maker Margo Hall / New Arrivals: Dallas Woodburn
The number of people held at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County has been rising since last May. Today, we're looking into why. Then, we meet a playwright who…
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Lake Merritt: Duck Couples, Wildlife Dwellings, And Drum Circles
Today, we meet the beloved duck couple at Lake Merritt that gave some Oaklanders hope and community during the pandemic. Then, we hear about the history of the…
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According To Need: Chapter 5 (excerpt)
Today, we’ll hear what it’s like to find permanent supportive housing, after a decade of experiencing homelessness, in another excerpt from the 99% Invisible…
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According To Need (excerpt) / New Arrivals: Berkeley Noir
In California, there are thousands of people living in roadside tent encampments. Today, we meet a woman in Alameda County who gets a chance at permanent…
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Day By Day: One Year Later
A year ago our lives were turned upside down when the pandemic and lockdown hit the Bay Area. Today, it's a new episode of Day By Day. We reflect on the past…
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Day By Day: Snapshots From The First 100 Days Of The Pandemic
The Bay Area’s shelter-in-place order was first announced one year ago today. We’re looking back at the first 100 days into the pandemic in snapshots from the…
- Crosscurrents
Day By Day: Looking Back At The Early Days Of The Pandemic
It's been almost a year since Bay Area officials first announced the shelter-at-home order. Today, we’re looking back at audio diaries from those first few…
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According To Need: Chapter 4 (excerpt) / New Arrivals: Travel Stories
In Alameda County, when people are seeking permanent shelter, they have to apply to get into a Coordinated Entry System — it's basically a waitlist. Today…
- Crosscurrents
Just Keep Singing / Examining Recent Anti-Asian Attacks
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- Crosscurrents
Mental Health Response Teams / Youth Political Engagement
As Oakland’s City Council explores putting the fire department in charge of mental health calls, one group has established their own mental health response…
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The Fight For People's Park / Poet Arisa White
The battle for People’s Park in Berkeley has been going on for more than 50 years. Today, we’ll hear about how it all started. Then, poet Arisa White writes…
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According To Need, Chapter 3 (excerpt)
It wasn’t that long ago that people who didn't have housing and were seen as unable to take care of themselves were held against their will. But, back in the…
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Where Is East Oakland? / The Black Panthers Legacy
When you ask its residents how they define the boundaries of East Oakland, the answer vary —and they’re about more than just geography. Today, we’re exploring…
- Crosscurrents
Remote Teaching In San Francisco / Using Dance To Express The Deaf Experience
San Francisco’s school board has a plan to reopen, nearly one year after schools first shut down. Today, we’ll hear what it’s like for teachers who had to go…
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According To Need (excerpt) / Theater Director Michael French
Today we’re going behind the scenes with the operators who pick up the phone when people call seeking housing or shelter in Alameda County in another story…
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Vaccination Update / Making 'Throughline'
California has ramped up its vaccinations and is averaging about a million doses a week, but community advocates worry speed could bypass equity. And, we hear…
- Crosscurrents
The Progressive Prosecutor Pt 5 / Glassblower Jason McDonald
San Francisco's police union fires back after District Attorney Chesa Boudin charges several police officers. And one family impacted by police violence…
- Crosscurrents
According To Need, Chapter 1 (excerpt)
In Oakland, when someone has nowhere to turn for shelter, they can call 211. But for many, that means being added to a list ... and waiting. Today, it’s a…
- Crosscurrents
Dyslexia In Public Schools / New Arrivals
An African American woman from Oakland fights for educational justice for her grandkids. Today, an award-winning documentary, on why students are falling…
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The Progressive Prosecutor Pt. 4 / Uncuffed
Chesa Boudin’s first year as San Francisco’s District Attorney ended in controversy. Today, in the latest installment of The Progressive Prosecutor, we hear…
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How The San Francisco/Marin Food Bank Is Meeting Rising Demand
Food banks have had to get creative to reach a growing number of people in need during the pandemic. Today we meet a woman who helps run outdoor pop-up…
- Crosscurrents
Vaccine Trials / Vaccine Hesitancy Outreach / Art Studio Connects People With Disabilities
Today, we hear from a Bay Area nurse who’s working on a local COVID-19 vaccine trial. Then, Bay Area pastors are helping with vaccine outreach. And, we go to…
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Uncuffed: Letters From The Outside
The COVID-19 outbreak in prisons across California is still taking an incredible toll. We hear from people writing letters to reach their incarcerated loved…
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The Progressive Prosecutor Pt. 3 / The Power Of Drag
The pandemic plus advocates, organizers, and a determined district attorney all made it possible to shut down an unsafe San Francisco jail. But it also created…
- Crosscurrents
@Work Playing Music Live / Tommy Guerrero / Single During COVID-19
When live music venues closed for safety reasons, touring musicians lost their social and professional networks. Today, we meet Zach Moses Ostroff who is…
- Crosscurrents
@Work As A Contact Tracer / Oakland Writer Aiden Thomas / New Arrivals
When city services shut their doors last March, many employees were assigned new jobs to help fight the pandemic. Today, we meet a San Francisco librarian…
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Newsom's Priorities / Bay Area Authors Nominated For National Awards
In the first half of his term as California’s governor, Gavin Newsom has faced historic challenges. Today, it's a special presentation from CapRadio News…
- Crosscurrents
The Progressive Prosecutor Pt. 2 / SF Musician Tom Heyman
Today, we look at the history of the San Francisco District Attorney's office. It's the next story in our series The Progressive Prosecutor. Then, we ask…