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
The History Of Sausal Creek / Russian River Salmon
First up, the historical significance behind a special creek in East Oakland. Then, we’ll drop into the Russian River, counting salmon.
- Crosscurrents
Tech Training In East Oakland / Shakespeare In Prisons
First up, tech training centers in Oakland are empowering their students and the community around them. Then, stories from people making theater inside prison…
- Crosscurrents
Closing the acheivement gap / 'Black enough' / St. John Coltrane Church
First up, we meet State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and ask him about his goals. Then, a drag queen struggles with authentic blackness…
- Crosscurrents
Asylum Seekers / Black Muslim Women
First up, a San Francisco judge is hearing a case today that could block one of Trump’s most aggressive attacks on asylum seekers. And, Muslim American women…
- Crosscurrents
Facial Recognition Technology / The Nod / Bay Area Henna Artist
First up, why Oakland became the third city in the country to ban facial recognition software from policing. Then, we explore why and when black people nod to…
- Crosscurrents
W. Kamau Bell / Ghost prophecy
First up, comedian W. Kamau Bell explains why sometimes he has felt 'not black enough.’ And, in a story from Solano State Prison, a grandmother’s ghost gives a…
- Crosscurrents
The Port Chicago 50: An Oral History
Seventy-five years ago, today, on July 17th, 1944, two Liberty ships anchored at the Port Chicago Munitions Case near San Francisco, exploded. 390 men were…
- Crosscurrents
California wildfire plan / Hurricane Maria aftermath / Bay Area Beats
First up, just before legislators go on summer break, California gets a new wildfire plan. Then, an East Bay author tells the story of the aftermath of Puerto…
- Crosscurrents
ICE deportation / Forgiving a mother
First up, the ICE raids may not have happened last weekend, but migrant and refugee families still live in fear. We meet a Cambodian family who spent months…
- Crosscurrents
Oakland Home Depot homeless encampment / BOUNCE / Aunt Charlie's Lounge
First, we explore tensions between a homeless encampment and a home depot in East Oakland. Then, homegrown national sportswriter Marcus Thompson discusses what…
- Crosscurrents
The Town That Refuses To Die
Allensworth is a tiny town a couple of hours north of Los Angeles in California’s Central Valley. It’s in Tulare County, one of the poorest counties in the…
- Crosscurrents
Cooking, culture, and connection
First, we visit a restaurant in conservative rural California that relies on Bay Area diners. Then, we get a taste of some authentic Uyghur Chinese food. And…
- Crosscurrents
California 'use-of-force' bill / Using music to escape prison / Earthquake preparedness
First up, families of people killed by police weigh in on a bill that would change standards around the deadly use-of-force. Then, we hear how one prisoner is…
- Crosscurrents
Warriors Oakland-based philanthropy / Neglecting the Bay / Audiograph: Tugs of war
First up, the Golden State Warriors are moving to San Francisco — should Oakland nonprofits be concerned the Dubs will take their donations with them? Then, a…
- Crosscurrents
High school mental health / Tony Lindsay of Santana / Pride trash aftermath
First up, Chinese-American youth change San Francisco policy about mental health services at high schools. Then, the band Santana celebrates the 20th…
- Crosscurrents
SF court fights Trump administration / Eritrean cuisine reimagined / Stigmatized Vietnam vets
Coming up, a San Francisco-based federal court argues with the Trump Administration over its treatment of migrant children. Then, an Eritrean life coach tries…
- Crosscurrents
Audiograph: Songs of LGBTQ protest / "Gay Chorus Deep South" / Trans drag performers
First, we’ll hear a Bay Area signature sound that sings the song of LGBTQ resistance, then news on the SF Gay Men's Chorus tour of the South, and finally, a…
- Crosscurrents
Trans woman dies in ICE detention / An honest look at Junípero Serra / BOUNCE: Warriors final words
First, we’ll hear about a San Francisco-based law firm’s 20 million dollar response to a trans woman’s death in ICE detention, followed by the contested…
- Crosscurrents
Transgender queer pioneer / Revisiting a legendary drag bar
Today, we’ll hear from a transgender queer pioneer who was on the frontline of the riot that helped spark the modern gay rights movement 53 years ago. Then…
- Crosscurrents
Released from jail into the night / Music in prison
First up, a woman’s death shortly after being released from jail sparks demands for change. Then, stories of musicians behind bars: pianist Maimon Pony and…
- Crosscurrents
Sex ed for johns / Bay Area Beats: Lydia Pense / Audiograph: Drag Queen Story Hour
First up, johns arrested for soliciting prostitutes sit down for an unusual kind of sex ed. Then, catch up with singer Lydia Pense on her long-lasting legacy…
- Crosscurrents
California's clean drinking water problem / BOUNCE: Murals
First up, one million Californians don’t have clean drinking water and the state has finally reached an agreement to fund a solution. Then, the Golden State…
- Crosscurrents
An iconic gay bar changes its business model to survive gentrification
The Stud, a gay bar and performance space in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, turned 50 in 2016. But, it was also in the news that year for…
- Crosscurrents
Death doulas / The next generation of Oakland poets / Corgi Con
First, a different kind of doula — a death doula — wants to give agency to people at the end of their lives. Then, an Oakland spoken word artist helps young…
- Crosscurrents
BOUNCE: The Warriors leave BART / Off-season basketball
First up, the Warriors are moving to a stadium without a BART stop. So how are fans gonna get to the game? Then, the final series is almost over, and we’ll…
- Crosscurrents
Non-verbal autism / Bay Area Beats: SOL Development
First up, we meet a young man who was called low-functioning for half his life. He had no voice. Then, he got one. Then, an Oakland music collective is…
- Crosscurrents
Affordable insulin / Buying produce with WIC vouchers / Supermax prison
Today: meet the people trying to make insulin open source for diabetics. Then, if you live in East Oakland, where can you get fresh produce with a WIC voucher?…
- Crosscurrents
Santa Clara sanctuary policy / 'Border People' mixes journalism with theater / Oakland dance party
Today: we head to Santa Clara County, where officials are grappling with what a recent murder may mean for their immigration policy. Then, a San Francisco…
- Crosscurrents
BOUNCE - Meet Stephen Curry's barber / 'Tales of the City' in a new San Francisco
Today: The Golden State Warriors last series in Oakland starts tonight! We’re taking a behind-the-scenes look at the team by heading to the barbershop. A new…
- Crosscurrents
California Democrats State Convention / Oscar Grant's father reacts to new police report
Today: California hosted its annual democratic convention over the weekend. We’ll hear a report and see who stole the show. And, Oscar Grant’s father reacts to…
- Crosscurrents
The future of tech in sex ed / Reclaiming indigenous traditions / Seeking silence
Coming up, we’re looking to the future of sex ed, and, of course, it involves tech. Then, a local Filipinx artist on how the trauma of colonization drove her…
- Crosscurrents
BOUNCE: Getting ready for the Finals / A history of sex education
Today: California has been leading the way in health education — but it wasn't always this progressive. Then, the Golden State Warriors head to their fifth NBA…
- Crosscurrents
Desalination controversy / LGBTQ Asian American experiences / Twin Peaks lore
First up, get deep in a water battle on the Monterey Peninsula. Then, a photographer tells the stories of queer and trans Asian Americans, one snapshot at a…
- Crosscurrents
BOUNCE: Homegrown Warriors / Poetry-inspired murals
First, from our original podcast Bounce, as the Golden State Warriors go into their fifth straight NBA Finals we meet a homegrown player who made it big with…
- Crosscurrents
The farmworkers union founded by Caesar Chavez is shrinking
Workers on one of the largest fruit farms in the country voted to leave the United Farm Workers union, but the union claims there was meddling in the election…
- Crosscurrents
The Stoop: What's In Your Blood?
Thin nose, high cheekbones, kinky hair, what you got in your blood? Your blood won’t lie, but does it determine your identity? In a special presentation, an…
- Crosscurrents
Latino workers are more likely to die on the job / Diversity in comics / Kinetic Steam Works
First up, Oakland day laborers talk about the dangers they face on the job. Then, meet the Marvel writer who created a comic book character to reflect her…
- Crosscurrents
BOUNCE: Bakesale Betty goes with the Warriors / What is 'authentic' food?
First up, how the Warriors are planning on retaining some of the flavor of Oakland when they move to San Francisco next year. Then, we talk about 'authentic'…
- Crosscurrents
Hit-and-run in Oakland / Poet James Cagney on loss and love / An ancient king in San Francisco
First up, after a 6-year old and his mother were killed in a hit-and-run, East Oakland residents demand a traffic light. Then, Oakland poet James Cagney on…
- Crosscurrents
Wild turkey in a prison yard / Lockdowns / Life after San Quentin
First up, what happens when a wild turkey lands on a prison yard. Then, what it’s like to be stuck in a prison cell for nearly a year — a firsthand perspective…
- Crosscurrents
Addressing behavior issues early / Remembering the students of Jonestown
First up, a new program is addresses behavior issues early so students don’t wind up with a special ed designation. Then, two teachers pay tribute to their…
- Crosscurrents
BOUNCE: East Oakland businesses / San Quentin Warriors
First up, a new episode of our podcast BOUNCE: the Warriors’ Last Season in Oakland. We’ll visit the businesses around Oracle Arena to see how the team’s move…
- Crosscurrents
Cannabis equity in Oakland / Disability lawyer Haben Girma is a Campion for Change
First up, we’ll hear an update about how Oakland’s cannabis equity program is playing out. Then, a celebrated deafblind lawyer from Oakland fights popular…
- Crosscurrents
Bay Area roads / Vaccination controversy / 'Uncuffed' from Solano State Prison
Coming up, how did the Bay Area get the worst roads in the country? Then, we dive into the vaccination debate. And, a prisoner is brought back to life, by a…
- Crosscurrents
Nonprofit disrupts SF real estate / Bay Area Book Festival / Morse Code
First up, a non-profit in the Mission helps low-income families by digging into real estate. Then, this weekend is the Bay Area Book Festival and we meet the…
- Crosscurrents
Charter school reform / BOUNCE: Meet the Warriors biggest fan
First up, is it time for charter school reform? Then, the Warriors are rolling through the playoffs, now. But they’re leaving Oakland after the season. How…
- Crosscurrents
PG&E wildfire liability / West Coast's biggest gun show / Writing about trauma
Coming up, your gas bill may be going up next year — we’ll get an update on PG&E and wildfires. Then, we go to the West Coast's biggest gun show in Daly City…
- Crosscurrents
The Facebook train? / Feminist art / Crocheting in prison
On today's show: Why Facebook wants to help build a train across the Bay. Then, a new exhibit showcases the righteous rage of feminist art. And, we’ll hear how…
- Crosscurrents
San Francisco Navigation Center / Blending traditions in Japanese theater / Soundbox symphonies
On today's show: San Francisco approves a plan to build its largest homeless navigation center on the Embarcadero waterfront against vehement neighborhood…
- Crosscurrents
BOUNCE: From wilderness to superteam
From KALW's new podcast Bounce, it's the story of half-a-century of the trials and tribulations of the Golden State Warrior through the eyes of a longtime fan.
- Crosscurrents
Inside the hunt for a wildfire arsonist
Hundreds of California’s wildfires are set on purpose, and the arsonists who start them are rarely caught. This is how CAL Fire caught one of them.
- Crosscurrents
'Super bloom' / Replica of San Francisco in libraries / Lucca Ravioli closes its doors
Coming up, an explosion of flowers! We’re digging into the recent “super bloom” craze. Then, a replica of the City from the 1930s comes out of hiding. And…
- Crosscurrents
BOUNCE: The underground economy / Community and storytelling
On today's show: Meet the people always trying to get your attention on your way to and from Warriors games. It's a look at the underground economy in episode…
- Crosscurrents
LGBTQ refugees make new homes in San Francisco
On today's show: We hear how a gay, Syrian refugee made his way to the Bay Area. Then, a new film shares his story and other LGBTQ refugees struggling to make…
- Crosscurrents
Juvenile hall / Tax filing in Estonia / Smoking cannabis to avoid crime
Today's show: Why some kids do better in school inside juvenile hall. Then, it’s tax day, and today we’re finding out how filing works in another country. And…
- Crosscurrents
SESTA-FOSTA / Vietnamese folk music meets San Francisco ballet
Today's show: Why the crackdown on trafficking online has sex workers feeling unsafe, and silenced. Then, San Francisco’s Alonzo King LINES Ballet and the…
- Crosscurrents
BOUNCE: A new series from KALW
Coming up, the Golden State Warriors are wrapping up their final regular season in Oakland. It’s beautiful. It’s bittersweet. And we’ve got lots of stories to…
- Crosscurrents
Bridging a Mayan language gap in courts / Bay Area Beats: Y-Axes
On today's show: A young man helps his Mayan community speak their truth in Bay Area courts. Then, a band whose upbeat pop music contains hidden sci-fi…
- Crosscurrents
Gig Workers Rising / Invisible algorithms / Prisoner faces deportation
Today's show: What do the Lyft and Uber IPOs mean for drivers? Then, a look behind-the-scenes at how tech is shaping our lives in ways we can’t always see…