Crosscurrents

Today, we take a trip to East Bay's Codornices Creek. We learn about the different reasons why people are drawn to it and what it takes to restore and maintain an urban waterway. Then, we learn why the Golden Gate chapter of the Audubon Society is dropping the Audubon name. And, we’ll listen to a reading from San Francisco author Lynne Twist.

Today's show is about finding ourselves and our people. First, we speak with a trans-aerialist who explains how his art allows him to connect to his body. It's a conversation about movement, freedom and creativity. Then, we take a class that gets queer bodies moving. And, we hear from a queer country singer.

In Oakland, there's one group that's helping young people of color tell diverse stories. Today, we hear how some teens are getting hands-on experience making movies. Then, we learn how rap can get kids hooked on school. And, we get an update on San Francisco’s reparations task force. Plus we hear readings from local writers.

For some eight years now, 34 Black women from the Bay Area have gathered monthly around a big dining room table in Oakland. Together, they use art to address issues plaguing their community. Today, we bring you part two of their story, House Full of Black Women, from our friends at the Kitchen sisters. Plus, we have readings from local poets.

For some eight years now, 34 Black women from the Bay Area — artists, scholars, midwives, nurses, an architect, an ice cream maker, a theater director, musicians, educators, a choreographer, donut maker, sex trafficking abolitionists and survivors have gathered monthly around a big dining room table in Oakland, California. They use theater, dance and ritual to address issues plaguing their communi...

In this episode, we are going to visit a place that hosts community forums and debates on everything from political candidates to the city's trash can design. Come with us as we head over to San Francisco's Mission district to visit Manny's, a space for civic gathering in this special episode from our friends — the Kitchen Sisters.

This episode is all about sound and music from around the Bay. First, we'll hear from the conductor and music director of the Berkeley Symphony and learn about how he found his calling. Then, we’re going across the Bay to a half century old San Francisco establishment that is experimenting with the way people experience sound.

The KALW family is full of award winning journalists and we are proud to announce that this year our very own editor Lisa Morehouse has been nominated for the James Beard Broadcast Media award for food reporting. To mark the special occasion, we are bringing you a show with two of the stories which earned her the nomination.

Just one year after getting out of prison, an Uncuffed producer reflects on his freedom. Since getting out, he’s started teaching audio storytelling to other folks who were previously incarcerated. Today, we’ll hear some stories that came out of this class. Plus, we hear from three local writers about making a difference.

Today, we talk to a Richmond-based pop-punk artist about their creative process how they make energetic sound. Then, we learn the story behind the UC Berkeley students who are fighting for an anthropology library on campus. And, we meet a veteran who cares for other vets at the end of their lives in a piece from Storycorps.

In today's episode, we unravel the story behind a puzzling and peculiar sound. The Hum is a mysterious low pitch noise that is only heard by 2% of people worldwide. It's annoyed residents in San Francisco's Sunset District. So, in this story, we get to the bottom of this strange global phenomenon.

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.