Crosscurrents

Some people's bodies feel like they've been weathered by storms they never experienced firsthand. Today, we discuss the science behind generational trauma in an excerpt from The Stoop podcast.

Sometimes, unconditional love can lead us to think we can do no wrong. Today, a story about taking advantage of a grandmother's love. Plus, we hear how one local artist is celebrating the Golden State Valkyries. And, our transportation reporter launches a new series on Bay Area transit.

Introducing a new series on Crosscurrents where we round up what's happening in transportation news in the Bay Area

Taylor Smalls is a painter who uses knives to create large, beautiful, bold and colorful images of Black women. The Valkyries commissioned her to create a few pieces, including one for this past Juneteenth. 

A new story from Uncuffed and the California Institution for Women about how we don't always appreciate unconditional love when we have it. And how that can lead us to think we can do no wrong.

While incarcerated, one man relied on music to ground himself. Today, the power of lyrical therapy. Then, how a Bay Area couple is celebrating ten years of publishing books by international writers. And, three Oakland writers share their poetry.

At 21-years-old, Armstrong was sentenced to life in prison, a moment he now says may have saved his life. In this segment from Bay Area Beats, we hear how music kept him grounded through grief, loss, and isolation.

Berkeley's Transit Books is an independent, nonprofit publisher celebrating 10 years of publishing works by international authors. And some of their books have led to major awards, including a Nobel Prize. Adam and Ashley Nelson Levy are the founders of Transit Books. They spoke with KALW's Jenee Darden.

We bring you poetry readings from three Oakland writers.

Oakland elementary school students are connecting creativity and Latino cultures through Mexican tin art. Then, we hear about a San Francisco walking tour designed around the city's first Black millionaire. And, a KALW DJ Patrick King Most shares how he curates his music line up.

Oakland elementary school students are connecting creativity and Latino cultures through Mexican tin art called "repujados."

We hear about a new San Francisco walking tour that covers the improbable life of William Leidesdorff, America's first black millionaire.

Tshego Letsoalo is KALW's Music Editorial Director. Her series, On Repeat is a mini-pod for music discovery. In this episode, we hear from KALW's Tuesday night DJ Patrick King Most. 

Today, we from A group of immigrant women who are turning to cultural knowledge to research mental health practices. Then, an excerpt from KALW's townhall on the future of public media. And, a reading from an Oakland author.

A group of immigrant women are turning to cultural knowledge to research mental health practices. In this story, the group “Somos Remedios” shares what they have learned.

A live broadcast town hall conversation about the local and national implications of a devastating federal funding cut to public broadcasting.

Kat Crosswell is based in Oakland. Her novel is about a Black family living in  Chicago in the 1970s. It's called, “Pieces of Eight: A Harper Family Mixtape.” It came out earlier this year. 

The silver screen will be shining at this year's Oakland International Film Festival. Today, a conversation with the festival's co-founder David Roach. Then, a reflection on parenting, perfection and discipline. And, a Berkeley author's book on how the government tried to save the country, one song at a time.

The silver screen will be shining at this year's Oakland International Film Festival. Today, a conversation with the festival's co-founder David Roach. 

By Patricia Bellows, a new story from Uncuffed about breaking away from a sheltered life at home and learning the hard way that some discipline can work.

Sheryl Kaskowitz's latest book is about a secret government folk music program that was part of FDR New Deal during the Great Depression.

What if your mom played basketball from high school, to college, and then for the WNBA. And what if as their kid, basketball wasn't really your thing? That is reporter Audy McAfee's story. She dug into her mother's basketball history and found out what an O.G. baller she was. 

A Bay Area program is helping fearful flyers get back into the sky. Today, a young woman confronts her fear of flying. Then, poetry that soars above the ground.

Over 25 million Americans share a fear of flying. One program in the Bay Area is helping nervous flyers get into the sky.

The Berkeley Rose Garden is a beautiful place, but did you know it was built during FDR's “New Deal” in the ‘30s? Things built through this program are still all around us today — if you know where to look. Then, a new documentary about the people who study a mammal we don't often see. The Bay Area animals and infrastructure hiding in plain sight.

The New Deal was created more than 90 years ago to help the U.S. recover from the Great Depression. This first episode of "The Public Works" a series from reporter Sheryl Kaskowitz, looks at how the New Deal has shaped public space in the Bay Area and remains part of our everyday lives.

Little Brown Bats are facing a disease that is pushing them to extinction. Filmmaker Kristin Tièche followed a group of female scientists working to save brown bats, in her new documentary "The Invisible Mammal." 

Today we're going on a special tour of San Francisco. We'll visit four unique spots that have a lot of history, and staying power. Each of these legacy institutions were featured in Alec Scott's 2023 book, “Oldest San Francisco.” And they were reported last fall by KALW's Audio Academy.

Monday, September 1st 1941 KALW began broadcasting regularly to the Bay Area. So today we're taking a look back — and talking about where we are going. It's KALW's birthday and you're all invited!

Today, we go inside the intense world of Major League Table Tennis, with a four-time Olympian who's remembering why she loves the game. Then, the band Oakland Rising brings uplifting music to the Kennedy Center. And, some readings from Bay Area authors.

Major League Table Tennis is opening its third season this September 5th at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. And one decorated Bay Area athlete is helping lead the charge for the sport to be taken seriously. 

Naima, August Lee Stevens, and B DeVeaux, are the young singers and songwriters who make up the trio Oakland Rising. Their music lifts people's spirits, through their positive lyrics and beautiful voices. And they remind us of one of Oakland's precious treasures: its culture. 

Here are some readings from our series New Arrivals, a pocket-sized book tour with Bay Area authors. Today we're featuring local fiction writers: Nina Skylar, Ellen Barker, and Brittany Newell.

Karaoke enthusiasts are building community in niche spaces. Then, the debate around SF's neighborhood rezoning proposal. And, the social justice legacy of Bay Area Filipinos.

Earlier this year, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie unveiled his “Family Zoning” proposal. The plan would rezone certain neighborhoods to allow for increased density - including more commercial properties and additional housing. KALW's State of the Bay recently dug into the plan with Lori Brooke, who is the co-founder of Neighborhoods United SF. A group that opposes the plan. And Laura Foote, Founder and Executive Director of YIMBY Action, who supports it. 

San Francisco's Filipino community has a long history of leading and participating in social justice movements. Now, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is honoring this history in the exhibit "MAKIBAKA: A Living Legacy." Trisha Lagaso Goldberg is the exhibit's co-curator. 

Karaoke enthusiasts in the Bay Area are curating venues where music lovers release their feelings in supportive spaces.

Today it's all about Bay Area sports announcers. First, we meet Sophia Jones, the Golden State Valkyries emerging radio star. Then, we remember an iconic sports announcer. 

In the world of Bay Area sports announcers, Bill King is legendary. His heyday overlapped with Oakland's professional teams. This story first aired in 2017. The Raiders were still playing football, the Warriors were still playing basketball, and the A's were still playing baseball in Oakland. Here's KALW's Executive Producer, Ben Trefny, with this old favorite.

Maybe you've heard the phrase save the bees? Well turns out, which bees need saving is kind of a big deal. Today, how we can help save California's native bees. Then, a Bay Area DJ brings his love for R&B to the Chase Center. And, a reading from our Bay Poets series.

California is home to 1,600 native bees, and yet we are more likely to hear about their non-native counterpart: the honey bee. But gardeners and researchers alike are trying to get the word out about native bees.

The Chase Center has been a fun spot this summer, and that's not just because of the Valkyries. Every Thursday there's been a music-fueled party happening outside of the arena. It's called “Thrive at Five.” Bay Area DJ Anthony Midas has been spinning records there all summer. He spoke with KALW's Jenee Darden about the weekly event and his love for R&B music.