Crosscurrents

In this episode of Uncuffed, we hear how one of the many struggles of parenting from inside prison is the constant fear that your children may follow in your footsteps. Children of incarcerated parents are more likely to get in trouble at school, lack stable housing, and end up involved in the criminal legal system themselves.

When it comes to riding horses, there is usually a high financial bar to clear. Today, we meet a woman working to put more people in the saddle. Then, a musical questions whether life was better pre-Covid. And, we’ll hear a reading from Berkeley author Vivian Pisano. And today's local music features Oakland's Luis Peralta.

Today, we meet a group of people protesting for racial inclusion at Burning Man. Turns out, that's not so easy. It’s an episode of The Intersection at Burning Man.

Burning Man is returning to the Black Rock Desert. Some burners travel long distances to make it to the Playa, but for others, the festival comes to them. What do the participants know about the land’s original inhabitants? Today, we go to the desert to find where the past meets the present.

Burning Man is back this year. And we’re going into that world today, by taking you inside its spiritual center. We’ll show you how the Temple came to be, and the deep emotion it stirs in its visitors.

Burning Man is back this year. So today, we are going to where the highway meets the desert. We’re going to The Playa to meet all kinds of interesting characters. Then, we’ll hear from a transgender pioneer of the modern gay rights movement.

Today, the former host of Mythbusters and Bay Area local Adam Savage talks about building a career around special- effects design. Then, we go to West Oakland to meet tinkerers and makers who keep old industrial machines from losing their steam. Also for Transgender History Month, we hear a story about identity. And for todays local music we feature Tiffany Austin.

Today, we visit a pop-up museum dedicated to San Francisco’s Cliff House and take a look back at the iconic attractions at Land’s End. Then, a third-generation Japanese woman uses art to tell her family’s story of incarceration during World War II. Followed by a reading from Palo Alto author Joanna Ho. And, today's local music features "Thank You Come Again."

Today, we hear how surprise letters during the pandemic changed everything for a family divided. How getting mail helped with the isolation of lockdowns in prison. The power of the written word - on an all new episode of Uncuffed.

Today, we learn how a historic theater in Oakland gets a new lease on life through cannabis. We take a trip to Ivy Hill Cannabis. Then, an author opens up about the adventures and mistakes of her youth. And, we hear a reading about the history of stand-up comedy in the Bay Area from Oakland author Nina G. And todays local music features San Francisco's Cindy.

Today, we take a stroll through the neighborhood of rock and roll icon Jerry Garcia. Get ready for a long, strange trip. Then, we hear from professional wrestler Bambina on queer representation inside the ring. Also, we listen to a reading from Sacramento author Shelley Blanton-Stroud. And todays local music features Healing Potpourri.

Today, we hear how Emeryville is building an affordable housing project for two underserved social groups, senior citizens and foster youth. Then, we listen as a Bay Area photographer’s recounts his experience covering the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis. Followed by a reading from San Francisco author, Ingrid Rojas Contreras. And, today's local music features John R. Burr.

Today, we hear how one San Francisco woman uses fashion to express her love for Disney and bring joy to others, we are Disney bound. Then, we’ll head to Japantown to check out an anime & cosplay festival. And, we listen to a reading from San Francisco author Judith Berlowitz.

Today, we hear about an exhibit featuring garments by renowned Chinese designer Guo Pei. When East meets West and fashion meets fantasy. Then, we’ll visit a restaurant in conservative rural California that relies on Bay Area diners. And, we’ll listen to a reading from a San Francisco author Kirstin Chen.

Last week, San Francisco became the first major American city to declare a public health emergency for monkeypox, evoking fears of a previous epidemic from almost 40 years ago. Today, we speak with an expert on infectious disease about reducing the spread of monkeypox in the Bay Area. Then, we hear the history behind the United Farm Workers, the rise of the union founded by Cesar Chavez and its fa...

In June 2020, San Quentin had one of the biggest COVID-19 outbreaks in a California prison. 2,000 incarcerated people were infected, and 29 died. Two cellmates recount what it was like during that devastating time.

Today, we take a peek into Maya Songbird’s world in Oakland’s very own Magic Shop. Join us as we step through a portal on Peralta St. Then, we find out why gamers are still devoted to a nearly 30 year old fantasy game. And, we’ll hear a reading from San Francisco author Kimberly Unger.

Today, we hear how the Morcom Rose Garden in Oakland saw a huge uptick in visitors during the pandemic. We'll meet the volunteers who maintained the garden despite the difficulties of the past two years. Then, we hear about the first American theater company devoted to the Middle East. And, we listen to a reading from Oakland author Alec Scott.

Today, we meet the Oakland parents fighting to keep their neighborhood school open. Class remains in session at Parker Community School. Then, we hear from Reveal’s Melissa Lewis, about how for the unhoused, encounters with the police are often problematic. And, we listen to a reading from Stanford Medical School professor, Dr. Anna Lembke.

At San Quentin, Nate McKinney got what he's been dreaming about for decades: parole. Nate and the hosts of the KALW podcast Uncuffed talk about what it’s like to spend your life hoping to be free. Their conversation first aired in November and earlier this summer, it took first place as the Best Interview Podcast, in the 2022 Public Media Journalism Awards. So to celebrate, we’re giving it another...

Today, we hear how San Francisco artist Huib Peterson connects his neighbors through his crocheted creations. We explore the science of happiness and helping. Then, we get a deeper understanding about the psychological link between them. And, we hear a reading from Santa Rosa author Heather Chavez.

Today we learn how an endangered species of salmon is finally getting help after 80 years. The fight of the Winnemem Wintu people to return salmon to their homelands. Then we hear how a fire at an encampment in West Oakland brought firefighters to the scene for the 90th time in a year. And, we’ll hear a reading from a San Bruno author.

The California Gold Rush petered out in the mid 1800s, but it never quite ended. Today, we meet modern-day gold miners in a story from our series @WORK. Then, ballet dancer Roberto Vega Ortiz creates a space for male and non binary artists to perform en pointe. And, we hear a reading from a local author's memoir.

California is losing its underwater kelp forests. In this special documentary from KPFA, we learn why this is happening, and meet the scientists working to change the tide.

Today, we ask how can people better understand each other in a charged political environment? We'll hear about new research on the matter from UC Berkeley. Then, the actress and comedian Luenell tells us about the career dream she’s working to make reality. Her journey from Oakland to Hollywood. And, we'll hear from three local authors as they read from their books of nonfiction.