Crosscurrents

The Valkyries first season has come to a close. And if you are still looking for a similar energy and vibe to tap into and cheer for, then you can catch a Bay FC game. The team was launched last year with one of the largest institutional investments ever made in a women’s professional sports franchise. 

Today, a conversation with the executive director of San Francisco’s Dance Mission Theater about the loss of federal funding. Then, an Oakland film tackles the challenges parents face when caring for kids with disabilities. And, we learn about the lost art of steam power.

Today, a conversation with the executive director of San Francisco’s Dance Mission Theater about the loss of federal funding. 

An Oakland film tackles the challenges parents face when caring for kids with disabilities. 

In this Audiograph , we go to a warehouse tucked away behind a metal scrap yard. Kinetic Steam Works is an industrial workspace for people to tinker with old machines in West Oakland. 

Some people’s bodies feel like they’ve been weathered by storms they never experienced firsthand. Today, we discuss the science behind generational trauma in an excerpt from The Stoop podcast.

Sometimes, unconditional love can lead us to think we can do no wrong. Today, a story about taking advantage of a grandmother’s love. Plus, we hear how one local artist is celebrating the Golden State Valkyries. And, our transportation reporter launches a new series on Bay Area transit.

Introducing a new series on Crosscurrents where we round up what’s happening in transportation news in the Bay Area

Taylor Smalls is a painter who uses knives to create large, beautiful, bold and colorful images of Black women. The Valkyries commissioned her to create a few pieces, including one for this past Juneteenth. 

A new story from Uncuffed and the California Institution for Women about how we don’t always appreciate unconditional love when we have it. And how that can lead us to think we can do no wrong.

While incarcerated, one man relied on music to ground himself. Today, the power of lyrical therapy. Then, how a Bay Area couple is celebrating ten years of publishing books by international writers. And, three Oakland writers share their poetry.

At 21-years-old, Armstrong was sentenced to life in prison, a moment he now says may have saved his life. In this segment from Bay Area Beats, we hear how music kept him grounded through grief, loss, and isolation.

Berkeley’s Transit Books is an independent, nonprofit publisher celebrating 10 years of publishing works by international authors. And some of their books have led to major awards, including a Nobel Prize. Adam and Ashley Nelson Levy are the founders of Transit Books. They spoke with KALW’s Jenee Darden.

We bring you poetry readings from three Oakland writers.

Oakland elementary school students are connecting creativity and Latino cultures through Mexican tin art. Then, we hear about a San Francisco walking tour designed around the city’s first Black millionaire. And, a KALW DJ Patrick King Most shares how he curates his music line up.

Oakland elementary school students are connecting creativity and Latino cultures through Mexican tin art called "repujados."

We hear about a new San Francisco walking tour that covers the improbable life of William Leidesdorff, America’s first black millionaire.

Tshego Letsoalo is KALW’s Music Editorial Director. Her series, On Repeat is a mini-pod for music discovery. In this episode, we hear from KALW’s Tuesday night DJ Patrick King Most. 

Today, we from A group of immigrant women who are turning to cultural knowledge to research mental health practices. Then, an excerpt from KALW’s townhall on the future of public media. And, a reading from an Oakland author.

A group of immigrant women are turning to cultural knowledge to research mental health practices. In this story, the group “Somos Remedios” shares what they have learned.

A live broadcast town hall conversation about the local and national implications of a devastating federal funding cut to public broadcasting.

Kat Crosswell is based in Oakland. Her novel is about a Black family living in  Chicago in the 1970s. It’s called, “Pieces of Eight: A Harper Family Mixtape.” It came out earlier this year. 

The silver screen will be shining at this year’s Oakland International Film Festival. Today, a conversation with the festival’s co-founder David Roach. Then, a reflection on parenting, perfection and discipline. And, a Berkeley author’s book on how the government tried to save the country, one song at a time.

The silver screen will be shining at this year’s Oakland International Film Festival. Today, a conversation with the festival’s co-founder David Roach. 

By Patricia Bellows, a new story from Uncuffed about breaking away from a sheltered life at home and learning the hard way that some discipline can work.