Crosscurrents

Today, we meet a Berryessa Flea Market vendor who is helping her family keep their business. Then, we hear from a Bay Area drag queen who created and hosts an all-Black drag show. And, a family conversation about the value of a traditional dance heritage. Plus, our local music segment features San Francisco's Top Secret Robot Alliance. They are playing at Bottom Of The Hill on Friday, March 3.

Every Thursday, we're bringing you episodes from the newest season of KALW's The Spiritual Edge. In episode 3, we go to Shasta Dam and learn the history behind its construction. Then, we hear from Chief Caleen Sisk about how the federal proposal to raise the dam opens old wounds for the Winnemem Wintu and further threatens their survival.

Today, Valerie Bachelor, who went from protester to member of the Oakland Unified school board, gives us an update on Oakland school closures. Then, we hear how the legend of the Emperor Norton lives on in San Francisco. And our local music segment features the band "Fake Fruits" who are playing at The Rickshaw stop this Thursday.

In today's episode, we learn that sometimes fixing our pet's behavior means we need to look at our own behavior first. Then, how a violinist brings joy to people’s lives. Plus, a Berkeley author shares tips from her new book. And, today's local music features Oakland's Madeline Kenney, who is playing at Bottom Of The Hill in SF this Thursday.

In today's episode, we hear how some folktales and stories are handed down generation to generation. KALW's Hana Baba wants to write a folktale book retelling these stories. However, there is a lot questions she has about how to do this right. In this excerpt from "The Stoop" podcast we explore what it means to be the next in line to preserve your family’s stories.

Every Thursday, we bring you episodes from the newest season of KALW's The Spiritual Edge. It's called "A Prayer For Salmon" and it's about the Winnemem Wintu and their fight to protect their sacred sites. In Chapter 2, we hear how a federal plan to expand the reservoir behind Shatsa Dam would flood their land.

In this episode, we hear how collecting recyclables can be tough work and for those depending on its income it becomes a matter of survival. Then, a conversation with Oakland poet James Cagney gets deeply personal and vulnerable. Plus, readings from East Bay authors. Today's local music features the Oakland band The Helltones.

Norway's progressive prison system is wildly different from anything in the United States and it serves as a model for folks trying to make a change here in California. In this episode, the Uncuffed team is heading to a Norwegian prison with horses, a marathon, and little cottages — unlike anything they have ever seen before.

Today, we meet Phillip Feemster who bought Clement Nursery. Then, poet Adrienne Danyelle Oliver shares how she navigates this society in a Black, female body. And, we’re going to Oakland barbershop Megah Browns where author Robert Liu-Trujillo took his son to get his first flat top.

Today, we're bringing you the first episode of KALW's The Spiritual Edge's new season "A Prayer For Salmon." In a peaceful protest, the Winnemem Wintu call out the U.S. government for its refusal to acknowledge the destruction caused by Shasta Dam.

In this episode, we visit a new spa in the bay area in an unexpected place. The story of turning bathhouse dreams into reality. Then, the Oakland Police are involved in another scandal and it’s one that has a familiar ring to it. And, we hear about a short story collection on the problems you face when you become middle-aged.

When you’re serving time in prison, crossing difficult milestones can be different. In today's episode, we hear some of the ways incarcerated people cope and give back. We’re bringing you stories from KALW’s series Uncuffed, made by people inside San Quentin and Solano State Prison.

For many immigrants, there’s a question constantly at the back of their minds- where is home? In this episode, we explore the concept of home for members of a diaspora. Then, we hear from a group in Silicon Valley who wants to encourage investment in Africa. And, we meet a Bay Area screenwriter and producer who set her hit audio drama in West Oakland.

An Oaklander who grew up in his family’s corner store is now thinking about selling the family business. Today, we hear a new story from our series At Work. Then, two Bay Area creators share their thoughts on the film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” And, we listen to readings from East Bay authors.

Role playing can help prepare bystanders who witness hate crimes. Today, we’re sitting in on intervention training session. Then, we head to Oakland to meet Tilden naturalist Trent Pearce for a walk around Jewel Lake. And, Oakland actor Don Reed talks about his new show and how he wants it to inspire people while making them laugh.

When you hear about prison and criminal justice reform in California these days, you’ll hear about things like reducing overcrowding, dismantling the death penalty, changing the Three Strikes sentencing law. And you’ll also hear about Norway. Norwegian prisons are unique –– everything from their design and architecture to the length of sentences, to how guards are trained to treat incarcerated peo...

In today's episode, we hear how increased homicide rates in Oakland has changed the way death care workers handle funerals. We meet a pastor and a funeral assistant. Then, a local entrepreneur has been tracking the layoffs across the tech industry for three years. Plus readings from Bay Area authors.

Today, we hear how work for abortion doulas has increased and intensified. Navigating the political landscape of a post Roe v Wade world. Then, we learn why self-love is important. However, getting there can be hard if you grew up feeling like you were nobody’s child. And, a reading from Oakland author Edward Gunawan.

Today, we’ll meet an environmental safety consultant who years ago walked away from a job with a legendary Motown trio. We hear how he stepped off the stage and into toxic waste management. Then, we learn about the intense pressure to excel at elite Silicon Valley high schools. And, we listen to a reading from a book co-written by Lawrence Downs and singer Linda Ronstadt.

Today we're re-airing an episode from the podcast Uncuffed and their team at Solano State prison. We are going to hear about the joys and challenges of going back into the free world.

A 2022 California law is trying to to fight climate change by reduce food waste. Today, we meet the people working to turn our trash into a solution. Then, we’ll hear how San Francisco is planning to capture and divert rainwater. And, a reading from Mill Valley author Paola Gianturco.

Today, we travel outside the Bay to meet an 87-year-old rodeo star. It’s another story from the series “The Other California.” Then, San Francisco author Gus D’Angelo reads from his new children’s book on National Parks. Plus we have local music from the Oakland Samba Revue.

San Joaquin Valley’s town of Woodlake doesn’t have a stoplight, but it does have a 13-acre botanical garden. We learn how that garden grows food and community. Then, we delve into why the city embraced cannabis businesses ahead of other towns in the valley. It’s another look into the lesser known side of our state, an episode from "The Other California."

When producer Alice Daniels moved to the San Joaquin Valley she wasn’t happy about it, but she found there was more to it than she thought. We go along with her as she explores the San Joaquin Valley in the series, "The Other California." Plus, we’ll hear from San Francisco artist George McCalman. He’ll read from his new book of illustrations.

Today, a conversation about the life of Martin Luther King Jr with the one man chosen to publish his papers. Professor Dr. Clayborn Carson takes us beyond the famous speeches to understand the man behind the civil rights movement, and his real dream that America has yet to fulfill.