Crosscurrents

Today, we remember a Bay Area legend with an avalanche of lifetime achievement awards. Chris Strachwitz was a music archivist and a song catcher, dedicated to recording the traditional, regional, down home music of America. He died this month at the age of 91. To honor his memory today, we bring you a story from our friends at the Kitchen Sisters.

In this episode, we learn about a comic book artist who fought for women in the industry and made Wonder Women herstory. Then, we’ll meet a spiritual group based on Superman. And, we hear the story of a young boy with a unicorn obsession. Plus a reading from Los Altos author Ellen Barker. With local music from Pure Hex.

How can lawyers provide equal representation to all? Today, we hear about how one lawyer practices cultural competence in a legal system that often lacks it. Then, we listen to a conversation on how disabled doctors and medical students are working to help their colleagues understand disability. Plus, readings from Bay Area writers. With local music from Periscope.

Uncuffed is KALW’s prison radio training program where people in California prisons tell their stories. We’ve been leading classes in audio storytelling inside San Quentin State prison for over a decade. Today, we introduce you to the newest cohort of students in this program and hear some of their favorite and most meaningful songs.

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 issues means we need to look at our own behavior first. It's a new story from our series At Work about a veterinarian using psychiatry to tackle our animals’ bad habits. Then, we hear 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 singer Madeline Kenney, who will be playing in San Francisco’s Bottom Of The Hill 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 of "The Stoop" podcast we explore what it means to be the next in line to preserve your family’s stories.

Every Thursday, we're bringing 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 — at the time the century-old property needed drastic repairs. We hear how he transformed the San Francisco neighborhood business and himself. 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.