Crosscurrents

As wildfires become more common, so does their lasting impact on humans. Then, we meet some Filipinx writers who are using art to hold agency over their own narratives. And, we listen to a reading from Alameda poet Paul Corman-Roberts.

Convicted of first-degree murder and sent to Folsom State Prison, Wendell El-Amin James gravitated towards the Muslim prisoners out of a need for protection. But ultimately his conversion restructured his life to one of education and purpose.

LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness are a vulnerable population within an already vulnerable group. Then, as reparations for African Americans inch closer to being a reality, we ask, who should get reparations?

We talk about how twice as many people are living out of their vehicles in the Bay Area than there were two years ago. Then, we visit a non-profit that helps Afghan evacuees resettle in the Bay Area. And, we’ll hear a reading from Nicolette Hahn Niman.

As a student at the at Berkeley in the 1960s, Abdul Raoof Nasir joined the Nation of Islam. In the years that followed, he was forced to make a choice: stay with the Nation or go with one of the groups that splintered away.

The story of when Japan gifted cherry trees to the U.S. And, how those trees became connected to the country’s immigration debate with strange parallels with how we handle pests and pesticides.

We’re going with state agents looking for a pest that could wipe out California’s citrus. Then, we hear from a filmmaker who tells the story of the anti-draft movement during the Vietnam War.

We’re heading to the California border, where state agents patrol for pests that could wipe out the state’s agriculture. Then, what do you do when people pronounce your name wrong?

A Muslim convert feels her access to God was being limited by men. She was searching for a spiritual home, then decided to build one for herself.

California Department of health is doing a big outreach push to get more people vaccinated and boosted. Then, what happens when a wild turkey lands on a prison yard. And, Grant Faulkner, reads from his new collection.

Today, we hear about a study from UC Berkeley that asks Muslims: Is Islamophobia still common 20 years after 9/11? Then, a former San Jose State professor targeted by the FBI decides to spy on himself. And, author Cassandra Hartt reads from her new young adult novel.

Diana Demchenko converted to Islam as a college sophomore. But since she didn’t grow up around the religion, she had to learn what the real Islam is and searched - online, in local mosques, and eventually abroad.

@Work: Post-pandemic rebalance / 'Voyage into afrofuturism' / New Arrivals: K.R. Morrison

After over 20 years of incarceration, Uncuffed producer Nate McKinney is going home. Like other lifers in the system, he could have been incarcerated for life. But recently, the Board of Parole Hearings found him suitable to re-enter society. In today's episode, stories of facing the board — and wishes for a friend heading back into the big wide world. From the podcast Uncuffed:Nate's Going Home

Today, we hear about a new KALW series from The Spiritual Edge, stories of Becoming Muslim. Then, we listen to an African American who converted to Islam, who feels compelled to speak out. And, we hear from travel writer Chaney Kwak as they read from their memoir.

When there’s unrest in their home countries, immigrants here feel the pain from thousands of miles away. We’ll hear about the diaspora trauma of people from Sudan. Then, one Bay Area artist was so determined to perform, she turned a grocery store parking lot into her stage. And, chef and author Alice Waters will read from her new book.

People joke that San Francisco has more dogs than children. But is it true? We talk about the kid census in the City with Chronicle journalist Susie Nielson Then, we examine the emotional connection between dogs and humans.

The wars in Guatemala during the 1980s and 90s killed close to 200-thousand Guatemalans. The conflict wounded many people in body and spirit — among them, Sister Dianna Ortiz, a U.S.-born Catholic missionary who survived torture.

For years, mental health advocates have been vocal about the criminalization of people with mental illnesses. Now activists and government leaders are pushing to create alternatives to law enforcement responding to mental health crises.

The Hum is a mysterious low pitch noise that bothers up to 2% of people worldwide. It’s been annoying residents in San Francisco's Sunset District, where recently there’s been an outbreak of reports.

Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor began by telling the everyday stories of incarcerated men. Then they entered a podcast contest, and everything fell into place. Then, we look back at a Bay Area soul music icon who was almost lost to history.

The Spiritual Edge: Working to stop youth sex trafficking

Afghan refugees are resettling in the Bay Area, how a local non profit is helping despite the challenges. Then, two incarcerated fathers share the pain of watching their sons follow in their own footsteps. And, a Berkeley poet reads from their new collection.

An Oakland race healer is getting folks to have some tough intra-racial conversations. We, listen to some of the voices working to connect Black communities. Then, we hear why a Zambian author turned down a prestigious award. And, an artist creates a 12-foot statue to honor a Native American political prisoner.

It’s been 30 years since the Oakland Firestorm, and we hear from those who lived through it and remember its lessons. We look at the aftermath of one of the most deadly urban wildfires in the United States, and what that means for us today. And, a Berkeley author reads from her new book.