Crosscurrents

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 specialist about whether we should be worried and what we can do to limit the spread of RSV. Then, we meet a family experiencing homelessness. Plus, a reading from a new poetry collection by the late San Francisco poet David Meltzer.

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 about what Bay Area fault is most likely to cause the next quake - for him, it’s close to home. Plus, have you ever heard of earthquake weather? Is it a real thing?

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, theologian Christena Cleveland takes us on the spiritual journey from the Bay Area to France that inspired her book, “God is a Black Woman.” And, we hear a reading from Berkeley author Ian Mitroff. Plus, local music from Megan Slankard.

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 teenager. And then, shortly after his 18th birthday, he went to prison. Just over a decade later, he got what he had been working toward for years, his freedom. On this episode of Uncuffed from the team at San Quentin State Prison — Thanh's jou...

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 Outdoor Afro founder Rue Mapp. Then, we hear about Mapp’s new book, a collection of stories about Black people enjoying nature. And, a reading from San Francisco poet Caroline M Mar.

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 mental health care. Plus, a reading from Novato author Jack Gedney.

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 listen to an interview with the executive director of San Francisco’s Coalition on Homelessness. And, we hear first hand about the difficulties of being unhoused. Plus, we get an update on election fraud claims and how they have risen since...

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 managed to forgive her.

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 town with a ghostly reputation. And, we’ll hear about the morbid history of The Chapel, a music venue in the Mission. And today's local music is from the San Francisco artists Aftrylyfe and T-Blood.

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. Especially for people who are grieving and can’t access comforting rituals. Years ago in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 38-year old Noe Kasali helped survivors of the Ebola epidemic grieve their losses. When they weren’t allowed to att...

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 ‘Stop A-A-P-I Hate’ to raise awareness and empathy around the violence. An award-winning story from The Spiritual Edge.

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 Cat Brewer. Then, it’s that time again- Halloween brings the scary movies out. We’ll take a deep look into one film genre- Black horror.

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 mental health consequences of the pandemic. And we'll hear from San Francisco author Kim Kralowec. With Buzzed Lightbeer as today's local music.

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 hear from students about their thoughts on book censorship in school. And, we’ll listen to readers talk about how one author- whose work is frequently challenged - changed their lives, Toni Morrison.

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 movement. Then, we revisit a story about a mural in West Oakland that also pays tribute to women members of the Party. And, we hear a reading from a Santa Rosa-born and raised author on what it means to be connected to one’s home.

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 people on the frontlines of elections — poll workers and officials who make sure voting in San Francisco runs smoothly. Then, we speak with Poetry Flash editor Joyce Jenkins, lead organizer of the Watershed Environmental Poetry Festival. And, we...

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 and her family on their recent trip to watch Minions: The Rise of Gru at the movies as she explores how theaters have changed during the pandemic. Then, San Leandro City Manager Fran Robustelli speaks on a new financial incentive helping the...

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. And you’ll bear witness to his marriage in an unlikely place --- San Quentin State Prison. It’s a place where people don’t often have reason to celebrate…but as you’re about to hear, love can clearly make it through the walls. You don’t need...

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 going to the Cow Palace to check out one of their signature events. And, three local authors read from their new releases

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 make them feel worse about how we look. In the latest episode of the KALW original podcast tbh, a high school student reflects on expectations for Black girls. Then, we hear about a San Francisco writer’s sci-fi audio drama of human versus a...

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 characters in Blackface eating watermelon or fried chicken. Today, in an episode from The Stoop podcast, we unpack the history of food shaming and hear how people are trying to fight it head on.

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 talks about her artwork on the DC Comics’ “Poison Ivy” series.

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 from Oakland author Meron Hadero. And, San Francisco's public school teachers are due to receive their first salary increase in four years.

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 control the trends we see online.

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 arrest. He awoke to realize he was being brought back to life by a guard who was once his nemesis. In the newest episode of Uncuffed, we hear how a near-death experience can change your perspective on everything, including someone you despise...