Crosscurrents

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.”