Crosscurrents

Today, we're revisiting the original documentary A Practical Guide To Disaster. We reflect on the 1906 earthquake to help us prepare for the next Big One.

To add to the list of strange things that happened in the year 2020: a weird humming coming from the Golden Gate Bridge. We hear how it started, and what’s being done about it. Then, we take a look at how the bridge has fared in its many blockbuster roles. And, we find out how tough it actually is. We’re spending today on the bridge.

In Alameda, activists gather to honor the life of Mario Gonzalez and call for a change in policing. We hear the latest on the city's response to the death of Mario Gonzales Then, we look at California's new law to regulate police use of deadly force.

Just off Highway 101 at the Octavia Boulevard exit in San Francisco, there’s a mural that introduces Bay Area residents to Palestinian culture. Today, we meet the artist behind the work. Then, from the Uncuffed team, we hear how re-entering the outside world after years in prison can be difficult to navigate, and even scary.

KALW is turning 80 this year! It's the perfect time to dig into our archives to bring you some of our favorite stories. Today, we’re revisiting an episode from our podcast tbh, looking at how prejudice has impacted the education of Black students — and what’s being done about it. Then we’ll hear from Berkeley rapper and singer Rexx Life Raj, who shares how he uses his music as a journal. Plus, Cambell author Ehsaneh Sadr reads from her new novel.

Rollerskating is "back" in style. Today, we meet a man who is welcoming people into the skating community. Then, we hear about the roots of a longstanding San Francisco bicycling tradition. Plus, from our podcast New Arrivals, San Francisco author Chris Colin reads a bedtime story for adults.

In a new story from the producers of Uncuffed, we hear how a mother’s love and support can bring strength and endure even through years of incarceration. Then, we look back at the surprising history of San Francisco’s official song … or, rather, songs. Plus, from our podcast New Arrivals, San Francisco author Ron Nyren reads from his new novel about a family who survived the 1906 earthquake.

San Francisco is officially in the Yellow Tier for COVID-19 restrictions and it has had one of the highest uptake of vaccines of any major city in the country. Today, we hear what to expect in this next phase. Then, author D.K. Dailey talks about why she didn’t let rejection from publishers stop her from writing sci-fi.

Twenty five years after Guatemala's civil war ended, human rights leader Rosalina Tuyuc is promoting healing for her people based ancient Maya wisdom.

Over one million Bay Area residents are estimated to struggle with food insecurity. Today, we talk to author and homeless advocate LaRayia Gaston about her efforts to divert healthy food away from the trash. Then, award-winning poet Safia Elhillo, who is a child of immigrants, writes about longing for a place she will never see.Today's show is all about books.

This year marks the first time that a U.S. president has ever acknowledged the Armenian genocide. Today, we’ll hear from one Armenian American about what it was like to grow up with that legacy. And, we take a deeper look at the death of Mario Gonzalez, who was killed by police officers in Alameda.

California reports more cases of human tracking than any state. In Oakland, most sex trafficking victims are Black girls under the age 18. Today, we meet Regina Evans, an activist and artist using her creative gifts to call attention to this crisis and rescue girls.

California reports more cases of human tracking than any state. In Oakland, most sex trafficking victims are Black girls under the age 18. Regina Evans is an activist and artist using her creative gifts to call attention to this crisis and rescue girls.

With students back in school, an East Bay high school radio station is returning to the airwaves. Today, we catch up with some of their on-air personalities. Then, San Francisco Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin talks about becoming a publisher. And, Valerie Miner’s short stories take us across oceans.

Today, we're looking back at a powerful act of civil disobedience that changed the makeup of the San Francisco Police Department. Then, after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted for the murder of George Floyd, many felt relief, but there’s also ongoing grief. How can you start healing when you're living in a continuous cycle of trauma?