Crosscurrents

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.

For many immigrants, there’s a question constantly at the back of their minds- where is home? In this episode, we explore the concept of home for members of a diaspora. Then, we hear from a group in Silicon Valley who wants to encourage investment in Africa. And, we meet a Bay Area screenwriter and producer who set her hit audio drama in West Oakland.

An Oaklander who grew up in his family’s corner store is now thinking about selling the family business. Today, we hear a new story from our series At Work. Then, two Bay Area creators share their thoughts on the film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” And, we listen to readings from East Bay authors.

Role playing can help prepare bystanders who witness hate crimes. Today, we’re sitting in on intervention training session. Then, we head to Oakland to meet Tilden naturalist Trent Pearce for a walk around Jewel Lake. And, Oakland actor Don Reed talks about his new show and how he wants it to inspire people while making them laugh.

When you hear about prison and criminal justice reform in California these days, you’ll hear about things like reducing overcrowding, dismantling the death penalty, changing the Three Strikes sentencing law. And you’ll also hear about Norway. Norwegian prisons are unique –– everything from their design and architecture to the length of sentences, to how guards are trained to treat incarcerated people. It’s one of the reasons why California officials are looking to Norway as an example for change. There was even a recent assembly bill dubbed the “Norway Prison Bill,” which would have created a job training program modeled after prisons in Norway. So, when some of the Uncuffed team got the opportunity to travel to Norway to see how prisons work over there, they wanted to share what they learned.

In today's episode, we hear how increased homicide rates in Oakland has changed the way death care workers handle funerals. We meet a pastor and a funeral assistant. Then, a local entrepreneur has been tracking the layoffs across the tech industry for three years. Plus readings from Bay Area authors.

Today, we hear how work for abortion doulas has increased and intensified. Navigating the political landscape of a post Roe v Wade world. Then, we learn why self-love is important. However, getting there can be hard if you grew up feeling like you were nobody’s child. And, a reading from Oakland author Edward Gunawan.

Today, we’ll meet an environmental safety consultant who years ago walked away from a job with a legendary Motown trio. We hear how he stepped off the stage and into toxic waste management. Then, we learn about the intense pressure to excel at elite Silicon Valley high schools. And, we listen to a reading from a book co-written by Lawrence Downs and singer Linda Ronstadt.