Crosscurrents

Today, how Bluegrass took root in the Bay Area. It's a day at the Berkeley Bluegrass Festival. Then, we hear the music of riding the rails. And, the story of a cat in space ... that may or may not eat pizza.

Today, we remember the baseball icon Willie Mays in the next episode of Foul Ball. Then, a dream comes true for one of our KALW DJ’s at Stern Grove. And, a Berkeley author’s new book of speculative fiction.

It’s no surprise that San Francisco holds the title of having the most same-sex couples in the U.S. But, do you know who the first couple to get married in the city was? Phyllis Lyon and her partner Del Martin. They were both well-known activists. For this Pride Month, we're revisiting a story from reporter Evan Roberts about Phyllis’s final days, and the community that came together to take care...

Can you use poetry to shift perspectives around environmental justice? We'll have a conversation with the Berkeley Ecology Center’s first ‘poet-in-residence.’ Then, a disability activist uses their performances to encourage others with disabilities. And, we hear about a band that’s always switching things up.

Today, we bid goodbye to Berkeley’s go-to party supply store. Then, we visit an intervention class aimed at disrupting harassment. And, the story of the original rainbow flag in the Castro.

Today, we hear San Francisco Mayor London Breed's case for re-election. Then, it’s the next episode from Foul Ball. And, a reading from Berkeley author Sheryl Kaskowitz.

Personal preference is a growing driver of voter apathy. Today, how youth mentorship in Oakland can push back. Then, a molecular biologist is bringing African dance and music to schools. And a reading from Berkeley author Sheryl Kaskowitz.

The Public Media Journalists Association just announced their 2024 winners. We are thrilled to announce KALW won 3 of those awards. In honor of that, we bring you the first place winner for Interview Podcast, Division B. It’s Uncuffed’s episode “Hole In The Heart.” And, Bay Poet, Jenny Qi.

In this episode, a San Francisco chef explores what “home cooking” really means. We get a taste of Texas in the Bay. Then, we meet an artist who positions our consumer society against the fossils that fuel it. And, San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin centers housing in his campaign for mayor.

Today, how two young men are working to keep public transit alive. Then, we meet someone who creates languages for major fantasy films and shows. And, we hear from pioneering journalist Tasneem Raja on the importance of local news outlets today.

There’s a new cohort of journalists learning how to make radio in California prisons. In this episode we get to know them more through their favorite songs. Today, we meet this year’s Uncuffed class at San Quentin.

For Pride Month, we meet two people who are fighting homophobia in the Black community. We are celebrating those who live at the intersection of Blackness and Queerness. What it means to be Black, Queer and Free, its a story from the Stoop podcast.

Calls for universities to divest from Israel echo a time 40-years-ago when students made similar demands to boycott South Africa for apartheid. Today, we explore similarities and differences. Then, why Gen Z is under performing at the polls.

Climate change is scary. And it's even scarier for teenagers who feel like it’s up to their generation to fix it. Today, climate anxiety and action, it’s another episode from our podcast by, about and for teenagers, tbh. Then, a reading from San Francisco author Caroline Paul.

Oakland’s Parker elementary school is closed down, but now the building is home to something new. Today we hear about the second life of a closed school. Then, what do teenagers think about artificial intelligence? We find out in a story from our podcast, tbh.

For many high schoolers in the Bay, school lets out this week. Summer’s about to start and at KALW that means we’ll be welcoming a new class of teenagers to produce the next season of tbh. Today, we want to revisit one of those stories from last year, it’s about the intersection of AI and art.

College campus protests are turning away from traditional media and relying on student journalists from their schools. Today, how a new generation of organizers is redefining “good journalism.” Then, a conversation with psychologist Helen Hsu, the author of the “Healing Trauma Workbook for Asian Americans.”

From dance classes to dental programs, nonprofits are using familiar settings to bring mental health support to Chinese American seniors. Early intervention is helping elders and their families recognize and address mental health issues. Then, we’ll hear from Oakland author Grace Loh Prasad about her new book.

Language barriers are among many things that keep Pacific Islander communities from getting the support they need. Today, how grassroots groups are finding solutions to the isolation and depression that seniors in AAPI communities experience. Then, Bay Area comedians help others find comedy relief when it comes to living with mental health issues.

Oakland-raised Paralympic rower Charley Nordin overcame personal tragedy and earned a silver medal at the Tokyo Games. He brought a message of social justice to the podium.

The Hum is a mysterious low pitch noise that is only heard by 2% of people worldwide. In San Francisco's Sunset District, it annoyed one resident so much, he moved. In this story, we get to the bottom of this strange global phenomenon.

Gatore Mukarhinda has been drumming for as long as he can remember. He shares his musical journey — and plays us a song he wrote. Then, Jeneé Darden talks to Oakland filmmaker Ben Mulholland about what lurks beneath the surface of Lake Merritt. And, a reading from Mary Ladd, from a chronicle of long COVID.

Today, San Francisco District 11 supervisor Ahsha Safai on his bid for mayor. Then, comedian Eric Newton on leaving his cushy tech to perform in a burlesque parody of Star Wars. And, a reading from Fairfax author Sommer Schafer.

Advisors, parents, and students react to possible school closures in San Francisco. Baruch Porras-Hernandez is a triple-threat artist. And, an intimate story about a widow, a daughter, and a friend.

We learn about decarbonized Bay Area homes. Musician Alex Jordan tells stories about his musical roots. And we take a pedicab ride down the Embarcadero.