Crosscurrents

Today, we hear how a San Francisco man watching the Ukraine refugees crisis flew to Romania, stood at the border and literally passed out cash to refugees. Then, we hear about segregation in Bay Area high schools. And, Oakland author Carolyn Arnold reads from her memoir about dating after 50.

Today, we hear how you can stage an opera without a concert hall. We meet a local opera composer who pivoted from live performance to animation because of the pandemic. Then, we learn how Bay Area comedians help others find comedy relief when it comes to living with mental health issues.

Today, we visit a bookstore that’s founded on a mission to serve the community. Then, from our team at Uncuffed, we’ll hear about the powerful and inspirational songs incarcerated producers turned to during the first year of the pandemic. And, a reading from author Zara Stone.

Ukrainians are following the ongoing war closely, especially those with family back home. Like Dr Victoria Malko, professor of history at CSU Fresno. She gives her analysis of the ongoing crisis and talks about her personal connection as a Ukrainian. Then, we’ll hear about the powerful and inspirational songs our incarcerated producers turned to during the first year of lockdown.

We examine the impacts of COVID and gentrification at one church in Berkeley. Then, Oakland writer Aiden Thomas makes history as a trans author with his groundbreaking paranormal novel. And Bay Area author and artist Michelle Rial reads from her illustrated book about looking for answers for things that don’t change.

Today, we talk to Marlene Sanchez the new head of the Ella Baker Center. She experienced incarceration before she was 15. Today, she heads one of the leading legal justice organizations in the Bay. Then, we go to one of the best places to escape the city without actually leaving the city. And, Oakland artist Marina Luz talks about her new book.

An East San Jose farm park is creating a more sustainable food system — one produce box at a time. Today, we'll hear about Veggielution. Then, we talk to Sights and Sounds host Jenee Darden about a new series she's got cookin’. And, a San Francisco author reads from her book, "Secret California."

Today, we hear from Oaklander Jenah Keeby, the great-great-great-great-great granddaughter of Ossa Keeby, a survivor of the last slave ship, the Clotilda. Then, Oakland poet Ericson Amaya reads from his poem "Thoughts on Black/Brown Unity." And, Daly City singer Francisco Martin tells us about his surprising journey to fame.

How did Islam first arrive on the North American continent? In this bonus episode from KALW's The Spiritual Edge Becoming Muslim series, host Hana Baba dives into the history of Islam in America with Dr. Edward E. Curtis IV, a scholar of Muslim American, African American and Arab American history and life.

Today, we hear about a disturbing social practice that is part of our history — the story of colorism in Black communities. Then, Berkeley screenwriter Malcolm Spellman talks about his series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” And, we hear a reading from Bay Area poet Asantewaa Boykin.

Today, we hear about the beginnings of what we now know as Black History Month. We learn how it all began and why it’s relevant today. Then, singer and songwriter Martin Luther McCoy tells us why he doesn't stick to one genre of music. And, we listen to a reading from Oakland poet Karla Brundage.

Today we're sharing a series that won the award for best ongoing coverage in radio and audio in 2021 from the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. It's called The Progressive Prosecutor and it's about San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin's first year in office. It was described by the judges as an invaluable resource as voters try to understand the upcomi...

Today, we hear how Chesa Boudin's parents played a big part in shaping his journey from the public defender's office to the top prosecutor's seat. A story from our award winning series, 'The Progressive Prosecutor.' Then, a reading from Oakland poet James Cagney.

Last week, the City of San Francisco issued an apology to its Chinese communities for historical injustices, but is an apology enough? We hear from the head of the Chinese Historical Society of America Justin Hoover. Then, a designer talks about the joys she gets from creating and selling corsets. And, we’re answering a question from a listener that’s just right for Valentine’s Day. Then, we hear...

Today, we discuss the superstitions we hold and the wives tales we believe in. We’ll explore the history of folk beliefs handed down to generations of Black people. Then, we talk to a San Francisco drag performer vying for the crown on this season’s RuPaul’s Drag Race. And, we hear a reading from Oakland poet Landon Smith.

Today, we’re bringing you part two of the winner of the Northern California’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalist’s award for best audio story for explanatory journalism in 2021. A documentary about how the criminal justice system has become the primary way the United States deals with mental illness.

In part one of a two-part investigation into how the country’s jails have become our default mental health treatment centers, we go to Santa Rita jail in Alameda County, one of the largest and deadliest jails in California.

Today, we answer one of our most popular listener questions in our Hey Area series, “where is the boundary of East Oakland?" Then, we’ll remember the life and music of Bay Area soul legend, Freddie Hughes. And, we listen as San Francisco scientist and poet Jenny Qi reads from her debut book.

Today, we go back to the '60s and hear how young Black people embraced a sense of freedom at that time. Then, we talk to Stanford historian Dr. Clayborne Carson. Next, we answer a listener's question about the Bay Area's history. And, we hear from San Francisco author Shanna Farrell as she reads from her book.

Today, we hear about thousands of San Franciscans that live with untreated hepatitis C and how a mobile van is breaking down barriers to provide treatment. Then, we learn about another Bay Area mobile health team that brings medication to people with addiction and living on the streets. Then, we answer a listener’s question about Redwood City’s slogan. And, we’ll hear a reading from Oakland author...

Today, we hear how single payer healthcare for California is on the table again, but a strong opposition warns of a high price tag and big tax hikes. Then, we explore the mind of the crow, our urban neighbor. And, we hear from a man devoted to protecting the elusive gray fox and other animals that live along the bay.

Today, we learn about a victory in the fight to save Cantonese language classes at City College of San Francisco. But is it enough? Then, we talk to the producers of the Edwardian Ball about the festival’s legacy and fashion. And, we hear author Justin Barker read from his memoir, Bear Boy.

Over the last two years we’ve brought you stories about Covid-19, but today we’re reaching into our archives and going back a few decades, when the Bay Area and the world faced another public health crisis, AIDS. The federal government was slow to respond to that epidemic and the community had to step-in to take care of each other. We’re going to meet Meridy Volz, she provided relief to people who...

Today, Berkeley filmmaker Morgan Schmidt-Feng tells us about his latest documentary, “Anton: Circling Home.” It follows an 80-year-old New York artist and his love for pigeons. Then, we’ll learn about pigeons themselves, the often misunderstood urban animal. And, we’ll hear a reading from San Francisco author Shruti Swamy.

Today, we hear how how one group says we should be measuring our progress as a state. Then, we talk about how Black people are diagnosed with autism later than other groups. And, Petaluma cheese monger Rory Stamp reads from his new book.