Crosscurrents

Today we hear about how residents are preparing to pass a tougher version of the naturalization civics test. Then, a grandmother writes a children’s book with her grandson, and he has an idea for the main characters. Plus, preserving memories when family comes together.

For lawful residents yearning to become naturalized citizenships, learning U.S. history and civics is one of the barriers to passing a ten question exam and it just got harder. 

Here’s Al Robles reading an excerpt from his poem, “Cold Mountain in Chinatown,” which he performed at the Poetry Center at San Francisco State on November 10th, 1976. 

Author Stephanie Wildman’s children's books have centered around three characters Flor, Roberto and Luis who are adventurous siblings. But her latest book Story Power is different- she  co-wrote it with her nine-year-old grandson Simon Wildman Chung.

Thanksgiving week makes us feel… Different things. About history, about family, about memory...

Back in 2018 reporter Margaret Katcher brought a recorder to her holiday table. But when she turned it on, she found herself wondering about her impulse to document the moment…

Today, we’ll get an update on housing, and more, from District 3 City supervisor Danny Sauter. Then, a woman in prison wrestles with what to do, after hearing her brother has been shot. And, acclaimed Oakland author Caro de Robertis is the keeper of an oral history collection of personal stories from trans and gender nonconforming elders of color.

A a story from Uncuffed and the California Institution for Women about a woman in prison who hears that her brother has been shot and wrestles with what to do.

Caro De Robertis is an author based in Oakland, and a creative writing professor at San Francisco State. They’re mostly known for their magical works of fiction. But for their most recent project, they wanted to focus on the true stories of queer elders of color. The book is “So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color.” 

Today, an excerpt from the award winning episode of The Stoop, ‘This ain't Texas, it's Africa.’ 

The work of disability advocacy just lost one of its strongest voices. Today, we remember Alice Wong. Then, we’ll hear a story about navigating the pain and stigma of losing loved ones to suicide.

San Francisco disability justice activist, writer, and MacArthur ‘Genius’ Grant recipient, Alice Wong, died last week at the age of 51. We honor her and her lasting impact with this tribute. 

In this story, we hear from Palo Alto loss survivors as they navigate the complicated emotions around a loved one’s death and what it means for them to keep going.

A “tree army” from the 1930s helped build today’s Tilden and other East Bay regional parks. The program’s impact can still be felt today. Then, a story about how a friend can help you see, and change, yourself. It's a new story from California Institution for Women. Plus, a poem!

In this third episode of The Public Works series, reporter Sheryl Kaskowitz makes some surprising discoveries about the history of the East Bay Regional Park District. In the 1930s, the federal government’s Civilian Conservation Corps left its mark on the landscape, and their work continues in a different form today.

A story from Uncuffed producer Daphnye Luster at the California Institution for Women about how a friend can help you see yourself and change yourself.

This is Lorenz Mazon Dumuk reading his poem, “Everyday I become an Egg.” 

Today, we’re bringing you an excerpt from The Stoop episode, ‘Bury Me Whole." It recently won The Northern California chapter of Society of Professional Journalists for Long Form Storytelling. 

It's the story of one woman’s incredible loss, and her struggle deciding whether or not to donate her son’s organs. And it's a conversation about Black communities and the stigma around organ donation. 

San Francisco has to build more housing… but where will it happen? And how? A panel of experts weighs in on the ongoing debate. Then, back in March, a Russian bathhouse in San Francisco went public with a controversial policy. It's an award winning story about trans inclusion… and exclusion.

KALW recently hosted a Town Hall conversation about proposed changes to San Francisco's zoning plans. It took place at our live event space in Downtown San Francisco, and was cohosted by KALW Executive Producer Ben Trefny and SF Public Press Executive Director Lila LaHood.

The Northern California chapter of Society of Professional Journalists recently announced their 2025 award winners… KALW took home four awards! Today, we’re bringing you a story that won an award for explanatory journalism.

March was a particularly tense time for trans folks in San Francisco. Two local bathhouses — Imperial Spa in the Fillmore district, and Archimedes Banya in Hunters Point — were accused of enforcing anti-trans policies. 

After facing backlash online and potential protests, Imperial Spa quickly reversed their policy. But at Banya, it was a little more complicated. 

Today, it's the Art of Manga! Then, a woman shares the unglamorous reality of prison. Plus, we visit The Universal Funk Opera!

There’s a huge exhibit at the deYoung Museum right now, called “The Art of Manga.” With more than 600 drawings, this is the first major exhibition in North America. 

Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere is a professor of Japanese art and culture and curated the exhibit. She spoke with KALW’s Sights and Sounds Show host Jenee Darden about the history of the art form, and how it's been used in social and political movements.

A story from Uncuffed producer Haena Worthing at the California Institution for Women about a shift in her perception of what makes something "pretty."

André E. Preston has never been defined by one art form, hobby, or passion. His interests range from music to comic books to outer space. He’s the creator of a graphic novel series and accompanying live performance called “The Universal Funk Opera.” 

The show is on at Neck of The Woods Saturday November 15, 2025!

Today, a story about leaving this world… and coming back. Then, a new film about a daughter learning to accept her gay father. And, why unhoused people use “street names.” 

An Uncuffed story from the California Institution for Women about leaving this world and coming back. 

In the new film, “Fairyland,” a poet moves across the country to San Francisco, with his young daughter in the 1970’s. In their new community, the father, Steve Abbott, lives openly as a gay man.  The film explores his relationship with his daughter, Alysia, as she tries to make sense of it all. 

“Fairyland” is based on the memoir Alysia wrote in 2013. KALW’s Sights and Sounds host Jenee Darden spoke with filmmaker Andrew Durham. Here’s an excerpt from their conversation.

Here's SF’s poet laureate Jenny Lim reading her piece “Time traveler, For Bob Kaufman and John Coltrane.”

The Northern California chapter of Society of Professional Journalists recently announced their 2025 award winners… KALW took home four awards! So next we’re bringing you an episode from Sidewalk Stories, which won a Public Service award.  

The series Sidewalk Stories, is a collaboration between Crosscurrents and the East Bay’s Street Spirit newspaper/ where we hear from unhoused people about how they survive and build a life outside. And in this piece, we hear about “street names."

The California Zephyr is an iconic trainline between the Bay Area and Colorado. Today, the railroad's surprising impact on food and civil rights in the state. All aboard for an episode of California Foodways.

Today, we celebrate the legacy and work of StoryCorps. And we play you some of our favorite conversations recorded right here, in the Bay Area.

Today, how a Bay Area town remembers Humphrey the Humpback, forty years on from his 1985 dramatic visit to the Bay Delta.

On October 10, 1985, a humpback whale dubbed “Humphrey” got lost and swam nearly 70 miles inland, inspiring one of the largest and most publicized whale rescues in U.S. history.

Today, we get lost… and find our way on San Francisco’s Crosstown trail. Then, a story about a mother in prison and a daughter who wishes for her to come home. 

Today we’re bringing you a story that recently won the Society of Professional Journalists - Nor Cal award for best feature story - small division! 

The San Francisco Crosstown Trail offers up a lot of those opportunities for charm and whimsy. It’s a 17 mile walk from Candlestick Point to Land’s End.

A story from Uncuffed and the California Institution for Women about a mother in prison and a daughter who wishes for her to come home.

"Noises Off," by English playwright Michael Frayn, debuted over 40 years ago, and is still cracking audiences up. And now, there’s a new production of the play at San Francisco Playhouse. Actor Joe Ayers plays the arrogant, but clumsy leading actor Garry Lejeune.

Today, we explore what's at stake when people mourn online. Then, Death Doula's give agency to people at the end of their lives.

When loved ones die we find ways to hold on — through photos and keepsakes. Now, things like AI memorial platforms and companion chatbots offer digitized connection with the dead. With these technologies becoming more common, what does it mean to grieve with a chatbot instead of each other?

This story is about a different kind of doula – an end of life doula. Their role is to provide emotional support to dying people and their families. In 2019 Reporter Annie Berman joined Mimi Burrows and her son, Peter, as they met with a death doula. In the process, she learned more about what it means to live – and die – well.