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
Uncuffed My Mixtape: If This World Were Mine
A new Valentine's Day Uncuffed My Mixtape, where Eric Allen shares his favorite song: "If this world were mine," by Cheryl Lynn and Luther Vandross
- Crosscurrents
Bay Poets: 'Should've Kissed You' by poet Thomas Dunn
What’s Valentine's Day without a little poetry… and a little regret? Here’s Thomas Dunn reading his poem, ‘Should’ve Kissed You.”You can hear more from local…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Music to Connect us, Protect us, and Move us Forward
Today, the legacy and relevance of the Asian American Jazz Movement, through A musician and composer whose work is entwined with her community’s past. Then, a…
- Crosscurrents
Erika Oba plays music with her ancestors
The Asian American jazz movement has roots in 1970s San Francisco. It was a dynamic time. The term “Asian American” was first being used, as people were…
- Crosscurrents
Brass beats in the streets
Music can be a tool for cultural expression and social change. For this story, we’re going out in the streets to meet a band that provides a soundtrack for Bay…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: A foster dad and a lesson in forgiveness
When Uncuffed producer Rahim Bradshaw was just a kid, he was sent to live with a foster family. While he secretly enjoyed their comforts, he struggled to trust…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Tiny Chef, Childcare, and World Bluegrass
Today, "The Tiny Chef" is coming to the California Academy of Sciences! Then, we get some context for San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie's recently announced new…
- Crosscurrents
Sights + Sounds: 'Tiny Chef, Big Impact' at the California Academy of Sciences
A six-and-a-half inch, green, animated creature has captured the hearts of children and adults. He’s known as the Tiny Chef. He’s also beloved for the way he…
- Crosscurrents
State of the Bay: Free Childcare in SF
As Bay Area families enjoy the Tiny Chef exhibit, many are also thinking about some serious daily family life matters - like childcare. As part of his new…
- Crosscurrents
On Repeat: Peter Thompson
Now, a segment from On Repeat, a mini-pod for music discovery. It’s hosted by Tshego Letsoalo, KALW’s Music Editorial Director. In it Tshego talks with KALW…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Making World Music in Berkeley
Today we hear instruments from all over the world from a little shop in Berkeley. Then, why Oakland’s police remain under federal oversight after more than two…
- Crosscurrents
Travel the world through this one instrument shop in Berkeley
If you have ever walked into Lark in the Morning you might have heard the Sound of Danboo... The store is a combination museum for rare, international…
- Crosscurrents
Oakland tries again to move OPD away from 20 years of federal oversight
Oakland’s Police Department has been under federal oversight since 2003. The city is arguing that most of the reforms have been accomplished and the OPD was…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: In prison, the promise of a church offers hope
Uncuffed producer Michael Callahan shares how he found hope and refuge in a prison church, just days after he arrived at the institution.
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Fighting for Power, Information, and Autonomy
Many young people in the Bay Area say their city councils just don’t hear them- and they have a lot to say. Today, we hear from the youth. Then, when living…
- Crosscurrents
Youth Council member on what matters to young people in Palo Alto
16-year-old Charlie Zeitlin is Legislation Subcommittee Vice-Chair of the Palo Alto Youth Council. KALW News Editor Sunni Khalid spoke to him about what…
- Crosscurrents
Sidewalk Stories: How do unhoused people stay informed?
This week's Sidewalk Stories dives into how unhoused people get information — from news and history to the time and weather.
- Crosscurrents
Sights + Sounds: Indie film 'Still Life'
The indie film "Still Life" takes viewers back to teen life in 1999: corded phones, reading profiles of Claire Danes in Seventeen magazine and Y2K hysteria…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Inspiring Performances from Around The Bay
Today, we meet a performer who’s bringing loud, colorful and all-over-the-place shows to San Francisco’s drag scene. Tito Soto is all about the spectacle…
- Crosscurrents
The show must go on: Tito Soto and SF's iconic Oasis drag club
The day after Christmas, stage performers, cabaretists, and dancers got some really good news. The beloved San Francisco nightclub Oasis was slated to close on…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed My Mixtape: The Bare Necessities
Uncuffed producer Jeremy Strain shares why a favorite childhood song still speaks to him, decades later.
- Crosscurrents
Sights + Sounds: San Francisco Symphony's 'SoundBox: Dream Awake'
Violinist Alexi Kenney is curating the San Francisco Symphony event called “SoundBox: Dream Awake.” It’s not your typical classical concert. It actually takes…
- Crosscurrents
Bay Poets: 'ripgut' by poet Mukethe Kawinzi
February is Black History Month. So before we go, a poem. Here’s Mukethe Kawinzi reading their piece, ‘'ripgut.' You can hear more Bay Area poets here.
- Crosscurrents
Lyrical Love from the Iranian Diaspora
Today, an Iranian singer and composer chooses between obedience or exile. The award winning songs of Mahsa Vahdat. Then, a south bay artist who’s keeping…
- Crosscurrents
Singing gave her courage
Mahsa Vahdat decided to sing, despite the Iranian government’s ban on solo female performance. Then she had to make a choice: obedience or exile.
- Crosscurrents
'Brief Islands' by Justin Ebrahemi
Justin Ebrahemi is KALW’s Communication Manager… and he’s also a poet! Here he shares a piece about dancing with modern Persian identity called "Brief Islands."
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Roots, Resilience, and Celebration in the Filipino Diaspora
Tattooing is a form of storytelling. Today, an artist honors his lineage by integrating Filipino traditions into his contemporary practice. Then, using dance…
- Crosscurrents
Preserving SOMA's Filipino culture, one tattoo at a time
The Bay Area is home to one of the most concentrated Filipino communities in the nation. Their history in the Bay Area goes back more than 100 years, but many…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Honoring the Rich and Difficult History of Japanese Americans
Today, we meet Japanese American farmers who were incarcerated during World War Two...and resisted. Then, an art exhibit connects the history of San Jose’s…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Power to the People, Through Public Art
Today, we meet an artist who's been screen printing protest posters for more than forty years. Then, an Oakland mural honoring the women of the Black Panther…
- Crosscurrents
Printing — and reprinting — resistance
The Bay Area has a long history of activism and protest that lives on today. And when you walk our sidewalks, you still might come across a flyer on a…
- Crosscurrents
Bay Poets: 'Stick-Up' by poet Carlos quinteros iii
Protest and activism can take many forms. Today, it takes the shape of a poem. Here’s Carlos quinteros iii reading his poem ‘Stick-up.’ And you can find more…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: The Music in Our Souls
Today, Destiny Mohammad talks about her new album and why she calls herself a sound sculptress. And, KALW’s Dore Stein shares some favorite songs by Middle…
- Crosscurrents
On Repeat: Dore Stein
Now, we hear a segment from On Repeat, a mini-pod for music discovery. It’s hosted by Tshego Letsoalo, KALW’s Music Editorial Director. In this episode from…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: The Past, Present, and Visions of the Future
Today, we're holding on to the past with a San Francisco teenager who’s capturing the stories of the elders in her community. Then, a local author reads from…
- Crosscurrents
The San Francisco teenager capturing our elders’ stories
For the last eight years, 19-year-old Kate Quach has been volunteering at a senior center in San Francisco. In that time, Kate has made a lot of friends among…
- Crosscurrents
New Arrivals: Khan Wong book combines speculative, historical fiction
Khan Wong, lives in San Francisco. His novel, “Down in the Sea of Angels” follows a Bay Area woman who discovers she has a special, and surprising, gift. New…
- Crosscurrents
The Bay Agenda: ICE & the Bay Area - Your Legal Rights
Immigration enforcement continues to impact communities across the Bay Area. To help folks get reliable information about their rights, KALW recently hosted a…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Savoring Life
Today, we visit a Santa Clara county Chinese restaurant that has become an institution. It's Chef Chu’s on the final episode of California Foodways! Then, a…
- Crosscurrents
California Foodways: Chef Chu’s
For more than 10 years, Lisa Morehouse traveled to every county in the state, finding stories about food, agriculture, and the people that make both possible…
- Crosscurrents
Bay Poets: 'How to Salt' by poet Brennan Defrisco
Let’s add a dash of poetic flavor to your morning. Here’s Oakland Poet, Brennan DeFrisco, reading his piece, ‘How to Salt.’ You can find more Bay Area poets…
- Crosscurrents
On Repeat: Marcus Rosario
Now, we hear a segment from On Repeat, a mini-pod for music discovery. It’s hosted by Tshego Letsoalo, KALW’s Music Editorial Director. In this episode from…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Faith, Activism, and the Effort to Stop AI
Today, a spiritual quest led one man to deeply question the future of Artificial Intelligence. Then, honoring a long lost friend, through a name. And…
- Crosscurrents
Finding faith in the fight against artificial super intelligence
Hall, also known as Yakko, is the leader of the activist group Stop AI. KALW’s Arlen Levy spoke with him about his faith and the fight against artificial super…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed: Why I named my son after my long lost best friend
Uncuffed producer Fonuamana Fuahala shares this new story about the lasting legacy of friendship, and how we honor the childhood relationships that shape our…
- Crosscurrents
Sights + Sounds: Justin Katz and Mike Gaines of SF's Edwardian Ball
The late, great author and illustrator Edward Gorey was the creator of eerie and magical stories. Stories that revolved around goth and monster elements. And…
- Crosscurrents
Bay Area BBQ and Soul Food
Today, we meet Richmond’s "Minister of Food:" Charles Evans at CJs BBQ and Fish. Then, a San Francisco chef who’s bringing a taste of Texas to the Bay Area.
- Crosscurrents
California Foodways: Richmond’s “Minister of Food” serves Southern BBQ, California-style
On a corner in Richmond, California, there’s a business that has celebrated the city’s Black history and Southern roots for 30 years: CJ’s BBQ & Fish. Born and…
- Crosscurrents
Home cooking comes full circle in the Fillmore
Like a lot of people in San Francisco, Fernay McPherson’s family came here from somewhere else. Her mother and grandmother moved to the Fillmore District in…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: When Fans are the MVPs
Today, we meet a group of fans trying to save their college football team, through the power of social media. Then, we go on a road-trip to explore the borders…
- Crosscurrents
Meet Cal football’s most unlikely fandom
A group of die-hard fans are out to save Cal football with the power of memes. KALW’S Jordan Karnes went to a game to find them.
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Song, Stars, and Community Building
Today, finding human connection through song. Then, Star Parties give Bay Area earthlings a rare glimpse into outer space. And, one woman's most meaningful…
- Crosscurrents
Uncuffed My Mixtape: "Son's Gonna Rise," by Citizen Cope
Haena Worthing, an Uncuffed producer at the California Institution for Women, remembers the day her daughter was born.
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: Rising Waters and Sweet Melodies
Three years after a major flood, residents are still recovering… Today, a story on seeking accountability. Then, how some unhoused people stay warm in the…
- Crosscurrents
Looking back in a flood’s aftermath
A 2022 New Year’s Eve flood at the Coliseum Connections housing development in Oakland left lasting effects on the residents that it displaced. Reporter E…
- Crosscurrents
Sights + Sounds: Jazz and funk musician Brian Culbertson talks new album 'Day Trip'
Jazz and funk musician Brian Culbertson first made waves in the smooth jazz scene when he was just a college student. Twenty-nine albums and 41 Billboard…
- Crosscurrents
SHOW: The Bay's Hyper-Local Food Markets
While most of Oakland sleeps, one place is alive with activity… and fresh produce. Today, we exploring Oakland’s Produce Market. Then, we’ll learn how to catch…
- Crosscurrents
California Foodways: While the Bay Area sleeps, the Oakland Produce Market bustles with life
Look in your fridge right now: maybe you have apples, lettuce, some herbs? As Californians, we have a sense of where those foods are grown. But produce, it…
- Crosscurrents
Foraging for fish in our own backyard
If you head out on a Ferry from Oakland’s Jack London Square over the Bay, to San Francisco… there’s another special place where you can get fresh food…
- Crosscurrents
Pushing for Course Change
The Oakland school board’s student directors are making their voices heard…but what about their votes? Then, a new story from Uncuffed about breaking the…