Crosscurrents

Today, Destiny Mohammad talks about her new album and why she calls herself a sound sculptress. And, KALW’s Dore Stein shares some favorite songs by Middle Eastern artists.

Now, we hear a segment from On Repeat, a mini-pod for music discovery. It’s hosted by Tshego Letsoalo, KALW’s Music Editorial Director. In this episode from 2024, Tshego talks to KALW’s Dori Stein, the host of Tangents.

Today, we're holding on to the past with a San Francisco teenager who’s capturing the stories of the elders in her community. Then, a local author reads from their novel, about a woman with psychic abilities. And, we hear an excerpt from a live recording of KALW's Your Legal Rights.

For the last eight years, 19-year-old Kate Quach has been volunteering at a senior center in San Francisco. In that time, Kate has made a lot of friends among the elderly residents living there. And she’s captured their stories in two self-published poetry collections. KALW’s Anna Casalme brings us the story.

Khan Wong, lives in San Francisco. His novel, “Down in the Sea of Angels” follows a Bay Area woman who discovers she has a special, and surprising, gift. New Arrivals is produced by Lisa Morehouse. Find many more episodes here!

Immigration enforcement continues to impact communities across the Bay Area. To help folks get reliable information about their rights, KALW recently hosted a live edition of our show, Your Legal Rights. Attorney Jeffrey B. Hayden is the host of Your Legal Rights. He led the community-focused event, which brought together a panel of leading immigration attorneys and scholars. The conversation included Law Professor Bill Hing, along with Attorneys Stanley Radtke and Carla Gomez. You can hear the whole conversation here.

Today, we visit a Santa Clara county Chinese restaurant that has become an institution. It's Chef Chu’s on the final episode of California Foodways! Then, a KALW DJ shares some of his favorite songs. Plus, a poem about a fully seasoned life.

For more than 10 years, Lisa Morehouse traveled to every county in the state, finding stories about food, agriculture, and the people that make both possible. Now, for the 58th county, and the last story in the series–she’s taking us back to Santa Clara County where she grew up, to a restaurant called Chef Chu’s. When the restaurant opened in 1970, it was just a small family business. And the area around it was a pretty sleepy suburb. Now Chef Chu’s is at the heart of Silicon Valley. Listen to all 58 episodes of California Foodways here!

Let’s add a dash of poetic flavor to your morning. Here’s Oakland Poet, Brennan DeFrisco, reading his piece, ‘How to Salt.’ You can find more Bay Area poets here.

Now, we hear a segment from On Repeat, a mini-pod for music discovery. It’s hosted by Tshego Letsoalo, KALW’s Music Editorial Director. In this episode from 2024, Tshego talks to KALW DJ Marcus Rosario about the songs he can't stop listening to.

Today, a spiritual quest led one man to deeply question the future of Artificial Intelligence. Then, honoring a long lost friend, through a name. And, producers of the Edwardian Ball talk about the festival’s legacy.

Hall, also known as Yakko, is the leader of the activist group Stop AI. KALW’s Arlen Levy spoke with him about his faith and the fight against artificial super intelligence.

Uncuffed producer Fonuamana Fuahala shares this new story about the lasting legacy of friendship, and how we honor the childhood relationships that shape our lives.

The late, great author and illustrator Edward Gorey was the creator of eerie and magical stories. Stories that revolved around goth and monster elements. And his tales inspired San Francisco’s annual Edwardian Ball. What started off as a small party more than 25 years ago, has turned into a subculture festival drawing thousands of people from the Bay Area and Beyond. In this interview from 2022, KALW’s Jenee Darden spoke with Edwardian Ball producers Justin Katz and Mike Gaines on the event’s roots and its evolution.

Today, we meet Richmond’s "Minister of Food:" Charles Evans at CJs BBQ and Fish. Then, a San Francisco chef who’s bringing a taste of Texas to the Bay Area.

On a corner in Richmond, California, there’s a business that has celebrated the city’s Black history and Southern roots for 30 years: CJ’s BBQ & Fish. Born and raised in Richmond, with a family that came from Arkansas to work in the shipyards, Charles Evans is at the center of it all. KALW's Senior Editor Lisa Morehouse brings us the story.

Like a lot of people in San Francisco, Fernay McPherson’s family came here from somewhere else. Her mother and grandmother moved to the Fillmore District in the 1960s. They were part of the migration that brought African Americans from the South to cities across the U.S. When those families migrated, their recipes did too. In this story from 2024, reporter Sarah Jesse went to Fernay’s kitchen where she revisits the recipes of her Texas family.

Today, we meet a group of fans trying to save their college basketball team, through the power of social media. Can memes save Cal Football? Then, we go on a road-trip to explore the borders of basketball fandom. And, the origins of a phenomenon known simply as “the Wave.”

A group of die-hard fans are out to save Cal football with the power of memes. KALW’S Jordan Karnes went to a game to find them.

Today, finding human connection through song. Then, Star Parties give Bay Area earthlings a rare glimpse into outer space. And, one woman's most meaningful song.