Crosscurrents

The UN says more than 90% of the people in Tigray, Ethiopia need food aid. We hear how Bay Area Ethiopians are trying to raise awareness of what’s happening back home. Then, a solo show looks at white liberals’ reactions to the racial and social justice reckoning that happened in 2020.

Today, we bring you an episode of a podcast that won an award this year for best student project from the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists across all media. It’s the original kalw production made by, for and about teenagers "tbh."

Today is Lawrence Ferlinghetti Day. Ferlinghetti is considered the spiritual godfather of the Beat movement and in 2019, on his 100 birthday, San Francisco honored him by declaring March 24 a day to celebrate his legacy. In this documentary produced by Jim McKee of Earwax Productions in partnership with the Kitchen Sisters, we hear Ferlinghetti and his friend, radio dramatist Erik Bauersfeld.

Today, we learn how billions of plants, animals and microbes hitch a ride into the waters of the San Francisco Bay and disrupt the Bay’s delicate ecosystem. Then, we hear a story about a bird that lives in the Bay and eats our trash. And, we’ll hear a reading from Oakland poet Brian Tierney.

Today, we hear how a shelter director got into his line of work, and the way COVID-19 changed everything. Then, we talk with the award-winning hosts of the prison-based podcast Ear Hustle, Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor.

Today, we hear how a San Francisco man watching the Ukraine refugees crisis flew to Romania, stood at the border and literally passed out cash to refugees. Then, we hear about segregation in Bay Area high schools. And, Oakland author Carolyn Arnold reads from her memoir about dating after 50.

Today, we hear how you can stage an opera without a concert hall. We meet a local opera composer who pivoted from live performance to animation because of the pandemic. Then, we learn how Bay Area comedians help others find comedy relief when it comes to living with mental health issues.

Today, we visit a bookstore that’s founded on a mission to serve the community. Then, from our team at Uncuffed, we’ll hear about the powerful and inspirational songs incarcerated producers turned to during the first year of the pandemic. And, a reading from author Zara Stone.

Ukrainians are following the ongoing war closely, especially those with family back home. Like Dr Victoria Malko, professor of history at CSU Fresno. She gives her analysis of the ongoing crisis and talks about her personal connection as a Ukrainian. Then, we’ll hear about the powerful and inspirational songs our incarcerated producers turned to during the first year of lockdown.

We examine the impacts of COVID and gentrification at one church in Berkeley. Then, Oakland writer Aiden Thomas makes history as a trans author with his groundbreaking paranormal novel. And Bay Area author and artist Michelle Rial reads from her illustrated book about looking for answers for things that don’t change.