Crosscurrents Podcast

On today's show: The story behind the wild bird noises you might be hearing at Lake Merritt in Oakland. Then, a kite’s eye view of the Bay Area’s vibrant salt ponds and marshes. And, the sounds of a sea life sanctuary.

What does love look like when your partner might not ‘get it’? We’ll hear from three interracial couples on how they talk about race and racism, and how sometimes, with kids in the mix, those conversations can be even harder. 

On today's show: Local teenagers connect for the first time to their parents’ homeland — through protest. Then, a Berkeley coffee shop dedicated to helping resettle refugees. And, from San Quentin Radio, a story about a prison chef who turns chow hall meals into magic. 

On today's show: Parents of murdered girls react to the halt of capital punishment in California. Then, two men condemned to life in prison ask why some get mercy and others don’t. And, a Berkeley researcher follows black men in the Fillmore district trying to abandon criminal life.

Coming up, we meet a Cambodian man grappling with his deportation. Then, a San Quentin inmate reflects on police-community relations in Cambodia. And, we go inside a government building where routine maintenance has gotten mired in controversy.

On today's show: A bus that’s used for more than transportation. Then, an Oakland educator writes a book that follows her unaccompanied migrant students. And, an annual concert celebrating Bay Area women musicians.

On today's show: The story behind one of the Bay Area’s most distinctive sounds. Then, How did Muni’s oldest streetcar survive the chopping block? And, untold stories from queer history at the Oakland Museum of California.

On today's show: we head out into the Santa Cruz Mountains to meet the owner of the Bigfoot Discovery Museum. Then, an agnostic inmate turns to prayer, after being sentenced to death.

Coming up, the world’s largest conference for game developers is in town. But some women don’t feel safe at the nighttime parties. Then, we’ll meet the voice behind one of the catchiest songs to ever come out of the Bay. 

On today's show: Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the godfather of the Beat Generation, is celebrating his centennial. We’ll hear from San Francisco’s first poet laureate and people he inspired. Then, we’ll meet the current United States Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith, who grew up in Fairfield. And, poetry from Solano State Prison. We’re celebrating the beauty of language.

On today's show: Remembering Stephon Clark one year after he was fatally shot by Sacramento police. Then, choreographer Alleluia Panis uses dance to tell the story of 20th-century Filipino migration to San Francisco. And, we ask a prisoner, if he could have any superpower, what would it be?

Coming up, do Uber and Lyft drivers discriminate against black passengers? Then, getting across the Bay on the last BART of the night. And, we’ll get in harmony with the founder of this weekend’s WeSing Vocal Festival 

On today's show: San Francisco Unified School District celebrates the achievement of its African American students. Then, musician Jules Indelicato shares what it’s like to sing a song with toxic lyrics for three days straight.

On today's show: Hop on a bus with some Bay Area lawyers driving around to help people become citizens. Then, learn about the radical history of South Asians in the Bay Area. And, meet a San Francisco artist who’s using clothing as his canvas.

On today's show: With workplace activism spiking, we’ll break down last year’s historic Marriott strike to understand, what does it take to win? And, yoga is an equalizer at Solano State Prison.

On today's show: we meet a woman who spends her commute looking for dead animals to track where they get hit by cars. Then, we’ll visit a place that collects critters and puts them on display. And, an Oakland singer-songwriter honors her ancestors with new sonic styles.

On today's show: the strike is over at the Oakland Unified School District, but the struggle to improve Oakland public schools continues. Then, a letter-writing process that’s helping people prepare for death, say goodbye, and grieve after a loved one has passed.

On today's show: Bay Area counties are expecting millions of dollars from a lawsuit about lead paint, but getting that money may not be easy. Then, meet Hayward’s newest city council member — an Afghan American millennial woman who is already making waves. And, we go through the looking glass with a theater artist who is adding a modern take to classic fairy tales.

 On today's show: Public defenders and community leaders gather to remember and mourn Jeff Adachi. Then, two stories from our series Uncuffed — a man who feels trapped between two worlds: American urban culture and ancient Polynesian tradition, and a musician changes his tune after a visit from his sister.

On today's show: People in the Bay Area have been bugging out about a possible monarch butterfly extinction. Then, an Oakland novelist confronts modern issues using horror-fiction. And, a musical show that gives misfits a sense of sanctuary.

Coming up, local businesses react to San Francisco’s new flavored tobacco ban. Then, we remember San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi with his longtime friend and colleague Matt Gonzalez. And, a local skating legend finds rhythm on the skateboard and on the bass.

On today's show: a Buddhist teacher brings diversity to a meditation center in Oakland. Then, a place for women to heal… and twerk. And, a Bay View about the challenges of being dual-identity: techie and first-gener.

On today's show, a recap of the My Brother's Keeper conference, where a former president speaks to young men of color in Oakland. Then, we’ll meet a woman who left the business world to tell the story of one of the greatest artworks in San Francisco. Plus, more questions answered from listeners like you!

Coming up, El Nino is back! How is all this rain affecting our water supply? Then, there’s an apex predator among us in San Francisco. And, we’ll continue finding answers to your questions, like, "Why are there so many sand dollars on Ocean Beach?"

Coming up, a play about a man who spent more than half a century in prison. Then, dealing with depression . . . and getting the wrong pills. And, we’ll get bite-sized answers to questions you asked. Like, "what's the oldest streetcar in San Francisco?"

Coming up, a story about the little things that bring romance to life and what happens when you let love grow. Then, we’ll hear from the Oakland Jazz harpist whose unlikely path to music was a thing of Destiny.

Coming up, the story of how a defiant radio station is operating in a repressive country: Inside Turkey’s first and only listener-supported station. Then, we’ll talk to an Oakland cartoonist who’s telling stories from her daily life through comics.

Today, a look inside the battle lines being drawn over whether police should release misconduct records. Then, the Sundance Film Festival was abuzz about “The Last Black Man in San Francisco.” Hear from the moviemakers.  And a young singer/songwriter makes waves in the jazz scene.

On today's show, repairs have begun at San Francisco’s Transbay Transit Center, but we don’t know when it will re-open. Then, an East Oakland mom takes her kids to an event in Marin. And, a man who’s been in prison for 28 years finds out if he got parole.

Today, we hear about a possible teachers strike at Oakland Unified along with some painful school closures.  Then, the story of a great grandmother, who lives her best life by helping others eat healthy. And, Audiograph will give us a taste of Vietnam at a South Bay mall.