Crosscurrents

In today's show, we join a Sunday ritual focused on clean streets and good beats. Get down... and a little dirty at Manny's Disco Cleanup. Then, a story about an artist inspired to beautify East Bay streets using a surprising medium. And, we learn about the litter problem in Dolores Park and what it takes to keep the iconic landmark clean and safe for residents.

Today, we meet marketer-turned-civic-activist Vincent Yuen. He's on a mission to make San Francisco more beautiful... and to stop people from littering its streets. Then, we learn about how neighbors on Bayview's Quesada Street planted seeds of beauty and community on their block. And, we hear a reading from local poet Judy Wells.

In today's episode, we learn about how drones can provide a new perspective on the things we see everyday. Meet the San Francisco residents using these machines to help clean up their streets. Then, a pastor in Oakland fights back against a developer with plans to build a coal export terminal in the city. And, a reading from a local author.

In today's episode, we learn about an underground threat to Bay Area cities and beyond. A new study warning about groundwater rise and why our current mitigation methods may not be enough. Then, we hear about a business thats shaking up the wedding industry and redefining tradition for a new generation of couples. And, a reading from a local author.

Today, we hear singer-songwriter Madison McFerrin talk about her San Francisco roots, musical influences, and journey. Then, we hear from another musical family — father and son psychedelic rock duo Lester and Dylan Chambers talk about their bond, struggles and the power of music. And, we hear a reading from a Bay Area poet.

Today, we hear a new story from Uncuffed about a born athlete who was destined for football greatness... until a serious injury changed his path. Then, an interview about the Antioch Police Department facing allegations of corruption, police brutality, and racism. And, we learn about an early effort to bring restorative justice to an East Bay high school.

For Pride month KALW has been airing stories that explore and celebrate the Bay Area’s queer culture. But today, we’re going back a few decades to a more difficult time when AIDS was destroying the community. We hear the story of one baker who became an unexpected caregiver during this time, and brought relief to those who were suffering.

In today's episode, we explore the healing art of storytelling. First, we take a trip to the theater to learn about how Oakland day laborers are taking their stories to the stage, as a way to find freedom and belonging. Then, we hear a new piece from Uncuffed. It's a story about two life long lovers, and how even prison couldn’t keep them apart.

Last week KALW took home three awards from the Public Media Journalists Association. Today we’re re-airing one of those stories — a winner in the Student Narrative Podcast category. It's the story on the “Clean Girl Movement.” We unpack its problems, and get the dirty truth. And, a reading from local author Ginny Kubitz Moyer.

Today, we meet the Oakland parents who fought to keep their neighborhood school from closing last year — the story behind the Parker Community School. Then, we hear how a letter-writing campaign saved a beloved science fiction series. And, we’ll listen to a reading from Oakland author Rita Chang-Eppig.

Today, we hear about how San Francisco’s Drag Queens are taking their show to a different kind of stage — local libraries. We take you behind the scenes of Drag Story Hour. Then, we speak with an illustrator who is reimagining queer icons as superheroes. And, we learn about what it takes to clean up after Pride weekend.

Today, we explore the story behind a sound that serves as a national symbol for LGBTQ+ resistance. Dive into the history of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Then, we’ll visit a space in Oakland where queer people of color are getting radically fit. And, professional wrestler Bambina talks about queer representation inside the ring.

The Uncuffed Playlist is the newest prison training program from KALW. It is the first music radio show in the state to be hosted by incarcerated people and available to the public. Participants in this program make an hour-long playlist of their favorite songs and tell stories about how those songs have shaped their lives.

Today, we hear from Black women whose children were killed — often because of failures in our law-enforcement system. We bring you powerful conversations from the Kehinde Wiley exhibit "An Archaeology of Silence" — currently at the de Young museum. Then, we learn about a new Bayview farmer’s market featuring Black owned businesses.

Today, we are taking you to a stone fruit farm in the Central Valley. Masumoto’s Family Farm is well known —their produce stocks the shelves of popular Bay Area grocers, like San Francisco’s Bi Rite Market and Berkeley Bowl. Less known is the family history of the third generation farmer David Mas Masumoto. And, we hear a reading from Woodland author Reyna Grande.