KALW

Crosscurrents

Society EN ↓ 2925 episodes

Crosscurrents is KALW Public Radio's award-winning news magazine, broadcasting in the Bay Area Mondays through Thursdays on 91.7 FM. We make joyful, informative stories that engage people across the economic, social, and cultural divides in our community.

Author

KALW

Category

Society

Podcast website

www.kalw.org

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Tech Training In East Oakland / Shakespeare In Prisons 30.07.2019

First up, tech training centers in Oakland are empowering their students and the community around them. Then, stories from people making theater inside prison — and, a former prisoner making theater on the outside.

Closing the acheivement gap / 'Black enough' / St. John Coltrane Church 26.07.2019

First up, we meet State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and ask him about his goals. Then, a drag queen struggles with authentic blackness in the drag scene. And, an Audiograph celebrating the 50th anniversary of the St. John Coltrane Church.

Asylum Seekers / Black Muslim Women 25.07.2019

First up, a San Francisco judge is hearing a case today that could block one of Trump’s most aggressive attacks on asylum seekers. And, Muslim American women have to face Islamophobia, but when you’re also black, it’s even more complicated.

Facial Recognition Technology / The Nod / Bay Area Henna Artist 23.07.2019

First up, why Oakland became the third city in the country to ban facial recognition software from policing. Then, we explore why and when black people nod to each other on the street. And, a henna artist takes a modern approach to an ancient art form.

W. Kamau Bell / Ghost prophecy 23.07.2019

First up, comedian W. Kamau Bell explains why sometimes he has felt 'not black enough.’ And, in a story from Solano State Prison, a grandmother’s ghost gives a chilling prophecy.

The Port Chicago 50: An Oral History 17.07.2019

Seventy-five years ago, today, on July 17th, 1944, two Liberty ships anchored at the Port Chicago Munitions Case near San Francisco, exploded. 390 men were injured. 320 men died. It was the worst homefront disaster of World War II.

California wildfire plan / Hurricane Maria aftermath / Bay Area Beats 16.07.2019

First up, just before legislators go on summer break, California gets a new wildfire plan. Then, an East Bay author tells the story of the aftermath of Puerto Rico’s Hurricane Maria. And, we hear from the lead singer of an Oakland group that mixes hip-hop and punk.

ICE deportation / Forgiving a mother 16.07.2019

First up, the ICE raids may not have happened last weekend, but migrant and refugee families still live in fear. We meet a Cambodian family who spent months fighting a loved one’s deportation. Then, the story of a man who learns to forgive his mother, from Solano State Prison.

Oakland Home Depot homeless encampment / BOUNCE / Aunt Charlie's Lounge 12.07.2019

First, we explore tensions between a homeless encampment and a home depot in East Oakland. Then, homegrown national sportswriter Marcus Thompson discusses what it was like to cover the Warriors' last season in Oakland. And, we’re heading to the Tenderloin for this week’s Audiograph.

The Town That Refuses To Die 10.07.2019

Allensworth is a tiny town a couple of hours north of Los Angeles in California’s Central Valley. It’s in Tulare County, one of the poorest counties in the state. And it was the very first all-black community in California, founded in the early 1900s. Today, it’s home to about 500 people — but they don’t have water that’s safe to drink.

Cooking, culture, and connection 09.07.2019

First, we visit a restaurant in conservative rural California that relies on Bay Area diners. Then, we get a taste of some authentic Uyghur Chinese food. And, a mother and daughter bond over their love of food in the StoryCorps booth.

California 'use-of-force' bill / Using music to escape prison / Earthquake preparedness 09.07.2019

First up, families of people killed by police weigh in on a bill that would change standards around the deadly use-of-force. Then, we hear how one prisoner is able to make his escape, in a new story from Uncuffed, at Solano State Prison. And, Southern California earthquakes have the Bay Area thinking about how to prepare for the Big One. Are you ready?

Warriors Oakland-based philanthropy / Neglecting the Bay / Audiograph: Tugs of war 03.07.2019

First up, the Golden State Warriors are moving to San Francisco — should Oakland nonprofits be concerned the Dubs will take their donations with them? Then, a commission with the mission to protect the Bay has neglected it. And, an annual event that marries joy to danger — it's tug of war between Bolinas and Stinson Beach.

High school mental health / Tony Lindsay of Santana / Pride trash aftermath 03.07.2019

First up, Chinese-American youth change San Francisco policy about mental health services at high schools. Then, the band Santana celebrates the 20th anniversary of their album Supernatural- former lead singer Tony Lindsay tells us what it’s like to be a part of music history, and finally, a look into the trashy aftermath of the Pride Parade.

SF court fights Trump administration / Eritrean cuisine reimagined / Stigmatized Vietnam vets 02.07.2019

Coming up, a San Francisco-based federal court argues with the Trump Administration over its treatment of migrant children. Then, an Eritrean life coach tries to reimagine traditional foods. And, we hear the experience of Vietnam vets who have been charged with a crime.

Audiograph: Songs of LGBTQ protest / "Gay Chorus Deep South" / Trans drag performers 28.06.2019

First, we’ll hear a Bay Area signature sound that sings the song of LGBTQ resistance, then news on the SF Gay Men's Chorus tour of the South, and finally, a drag performer tells us how trans performers are othered in the art of drag.

Trans woman dies in ICE detention / An honest look at Junípero Serra / BOUNCE: Warriors final words 27.06.2019

First, we’ll hear about a San Francisco-based law firm’s 20 million dollar response to a trans woman’s death in ICE detention, followed by the contested sainthood of Junípero Serra, and finally a new episode of Bounce: Warriors' final words after a season gone awry.

Transgender queer pioneer / Revisiting a legendary drag bar 26.06.2019

Today, we’ll hear from a transgender queer pioneer who was on the frontline of the riot that helped spark the modern gay rights movement 53 years ago. Then, we’ll revisit a legendary drag bar in San Francisco that was home to many in the queer community until it closed.

Released from jail into the night / Music in prison 25.06.2019

First up, a woman’s death shortly after being released from jail sparks demands for change. Then, stories of musicians behind bars: pianist Maimon Pony and guitarist 'Maserati E.'

Sex ed for johns / Bay Area Beats: Lydia Pense / Audiograph: Drag Queen Story Hour 21.06.2019

First up, johns arrested for soliciting prostitutes sit down for an unusual kind of sex ed. Then, catch up with singer Lydia Pense on her long-lasting legacy in the Bay Area. And, it’s storytime with a twist at Drag Queen Story Hour.

California's clean drinking water problem / BOUNCE: Murals 20.06.2019

First up, one million Californians don’t have clean drinking water and the state has finally reached an agreement to fund a solution. Then, the Golden State Warriors lost the NBA Finals last week, and now they’re on to an uncertain offseason. We’ll reflect with the latest episode of Bounce: the Warriors’ Last Season in Oakland.

An iconic gay bar changes its business model to survive gentrification 19.06.2019

The Stud, a gay bar and performance space in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood, turned 50 in 2016. But, it was also in the news that year for another reason: The owner was calling it quits after a new landlord upped the rent by nearly $6000 — from $3800 a month to $9500.

Death doulas / The next generation of Oakland poets / Corgi Con 14.06.2019

First, a different kind of doula — a death doula — wants to give agency to people at the end of their lives. Then, an Oakland spoken word artist helps young writers become published poets. And, in this week's Audiograph, we head to Ocean Beach to hang out with some playful pups.

BOUNCE: The Warriors leave BART / Off-season basketball 13.06.2019

First up, the Warriors are moving to a stadium without a BART stop. So how are fans gonna get to the game? Then, the final series is almost over, and we’ll find out how fans can get their basketball fix in the off-season.

Non-verbal autism / Bay Area Beats: SOL Development 11.06.2019

First up, we meet a young man who was called low-functioning for half his life. He had no voice. Then, he got one. Then, an Oakland music collective is spreading activism and hope through song. Mixtaping the revolution, today on Crosscurrents.

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