Crosscurrents

Today, we hear how dancing can be an act of remembrance. We sit down and have a conversation with San Francisco Carnaval Queen Mayela Carrasco. Then, we’ll go to Oakland and meet a dancer who doesn’t hear the music he dances to — he feels it. And, we listen to the story of a man who survived a prison riot by dancing.

Today, we hear how music can be a way to navigate identity, war and peace. What it means to be making music on the hyphen line with artist Meklit. Then, how a 13th century instrument from West Africa brings peace to 21st century hearts in the Bay Area. And, why it matters to sing for your homeland — even when it’s being devastated by war.

In this episode, we visit Richmond and hear about its rich music legacy. And we'll meet some dedicated locals who are remembering those golden years. And, they're also determined to keep the Blues in town and its history alive. Then, we meet a local rhythm and blues legend — Sugar Pie DeSanto — and learn how she got her start in the Fillmore District.

Today, we remember a Bay Area legend with an avalanche of lifetime achievement awards. Chris Strachwitz was a music archivist and a song catcher, dedicated to recording the traditional, regional, down home music of America. He died this month at the age of 91. To honor his memory today, we bring you a story from our friends at the Kitchen Sisters.

In this episode, we learn about a comic book artist who fought for women in the industry and made Wonder Women herstory. Then, we’ll meet a spiritual group based on Superman. And, we hear the story of a young boy with a unicorn obsession. Plus a reading from Los Altos author Ellen Barker. With local music from Pure Hex.

How can lawyers provide equal representation to all? Today, we hear about how one lawyer practices cultural competence in a legal system that often lacks it. Then, we listen to a conversation on how disabled doctors and medical students are working to help their colleagues understand disability. Plus, readings from Bay Area writers. With local music from Periscope.

Uncuffed is KALW’s prison radio training program where people in California prisons tell their stories. We’ve been leading classes in audio storytelling inside San Quentin State prison for over a decade. Today, we introduce you to the newest cohort of students in this program and hear some of their favorite and most meaningful songs.

What is like when your love for your land sets you apart? Today, we hear from the son of the Chief of the Winnemem Wintu. Then, we go behind the scenes of our podcast about them — “A Prayer for Salmon.” We talk with host Judy Silber about what it was like to report the story of the tribe over 5 years ago. And, we hear a reading from a Bay Area poet.

Twelve years ago East Palo Alto youth dreamt of an art center of their own — today, it's a reality. We’ll hear what happens when kids get a say in how to shape their neighborhood. Then, we learn how a teacher brought more diversity to her meditation center. And, we'll ask whether California is ready to charge into an electric future?

Today, we hear why teachers in the Oakland Unified School District are currently on strike. We have a conversation with two Oakland Technical High School teachers and hear what they think about it. Then, we visit a corner store in Oakland and learn about how the goods they stock — and their customers — have been impacted by the war in Ukraine.

We had a large amount of precipitation this year in California. Now, the winter snow is melting... and it may be bringing more than just water to the Bay Area. We'll learn why melting Sierra snow is more than just a flood hazard. Then, we hear about a children’s book on Black mermaids. Plus, a reading from Vallejo’s former Poet Laureate, D.L. Lang.

In the Winnemem Wintu’s fight to preserve their way of life, some people helped along the way. Today, we hear from some of those allies who are helping them restore salmon to their native waters. Then, how a writer from the South Bay who grew up watching Star Wars also wrote for the franchise. And, we’ll hear a reading from Oakland authors.

Today, we hear from a school in Milpitas that is talking to kids and parents about violence happening thousands of miles away. How Bay Area families are feeling about the war in Sudan. Then, how a new program in schools is helping students deal with racial trauma. And, the stigma Black people may face when they seek mental health care.

Chess has been around for centuries, however getting new players interested is a big issue. Today, we challenge a Bay Area Chess Master and hear about the future of the game. Then, we’ll check out another classic game — 19th-century baseball. And, we discover a game that isn’t from another era, but a whole other world entirely.

Before Cesar Chavez marched for workers rights, he took his first steps into activism in the Bay Area. In this episode, we trace the local roots of a labor icon. Then, we explore the tumultuous history of the union he founded. And, a Berkeley activist reflects on his life and career. With local music from band, Decant.

In this episode, we hear how a Coast Miwok family is advocating for the native people of Tomales Bay, and we learn about how their personal journey has become part of a broader movement. Then, we re-visit the story of the Winnemem Wintu people and their work to restore salmon to their native waters. We also hear from the allies who are helping them along the way.

In today's episode, we hear what it takes to dance for the Golden State Warriors. Then, three reporters race across the Bay Area — from Oakland to Stanford — by bike, BART and car to answer the question: which commute is best? And, we have a conversation about the changes and murky future of Bay Area’s public transport system.

Over the weekend Bay Area residents protested the current violence in Sudan. We hear the local Sudanese community's reactions to deadly clashes ravaging their home country. Then, after being attacked, one man faces a tough choice. Change his path or seek revenge. And, we go inside San Quentin Prison for a celebration of peace.

Today, we hear about stylish prosthetic legs and what creating fashion for people with disabilities means for them. The story of one company who is connecting function and style. Then, we speak with San Francisco writer Lyzette Wanzer who edited an anthology about Black women's experience with their hair. Plus, local music from the Bay Area band Pure Hex.

Every Thursday, we're bringing you episodes from the newest season of KALW's The Spiritual Edge. It's about the Winnemem Wintu and their fight to protect their sacred sites. Today, the Winnemem Wintu people reach an important milestone and continue their fight to protect the water as a way to ensure their future.

Where does Dub Nation end and Kings territory begin? In this episode, we go on a road-trip to explore the borders of basketball fandom. Then, we bring you a conversation that explores the feeling of awe and we learn what it does for our bodies and minds. And, a San Francisco artist shares what motivates him to create his crocheted creations.

Today, in a new story from our Uncuffed team, we hear the story of how one man had to live in a homemade treehouse for a year and a half — when he was only eleven-years-old. Then, we’ll meet a woman who helps people with disabilities experience the places they love. And, it's national poetry month so we bring you two readings from Bay Area Poets.

Today, we kick off San Francisco Climate Week with a story about Pacifica’s cliffs. They're crumbling fast and we hear what that means for the people who call it home. As the sea rises, the city is faced with a growing threat. But for some, the solution is scarier than the problem itself. Plus — a Vallejo author reads from her book about Black joy in nature.

Every Thursday, we're bringing you episodes from the newest season of KALW's The Spiritual Edge. It's about the Winnemem Wintu and their fight to protect their sacred sites. Today, we hear episode nine of The Spiritual Edge's newest season. In this segment, the Winnemem Wintu people board a plane bound for Christchurch, New Zealand.

In this episode, we visit a library in Richmond that lends out tools so its residents don’t have to buy them. We bring you a story about borrowing tools and building community. Then, we find out what it means to be San Francisco's Poet Laureate. And, we get to two-stepping and line-dancing at the Sundance Saloon. Plus, a reading from Bay Area author Louise Nayer.