THE INTERSECTION

Update: BURNING MAN confronts GLOBAL ISSUES Sep 05, 2023

As the media portrays 2023's Burning Man as a hellscape, THE INTERSECTION at Burning Man revists the work of a group of Burners at the 2019 event. They felt that the overwhelmingly white community wasn't living up to its self-proclaimed principle of Radical Inclusion. Find out what has changed and what hasn't. And, as you are bombarded with online click bait about 70,000 people being stranded in the desert, I encourage you to listen to the nine-episode season of THE INTERSECTION at Burning Man. You’ll hear the stories of an insanely creative, giving, conscious, and unconventional community.

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Go to THE INTERSECTION.FM to learn more about the series. To learn more about Erin Douglas, founder of @blackburnerproject and the lead artist of Black! Asé, check out the project's website. For all things Favianna Rodriguez, head to Favianna's website.

The photo that accompanies this episode was taken by Erin Douglas. a.k.a. @aphotochick

S03 E09 - BLACK LIVES MATTER meets BLACK ROCK CITY Sep 04, 2020

One of the principles guiding Burning Man is "Radical Inclusion." Basically, all are welcome. But, the temporary city that Burners build in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert has never been racially diverse. Just 1% of Black Rock City self-identifies as Black. In this episode of THE INTERSECTION at Burning Man, we explore why there's been a disconnect between racial and radical inclusion, and what some Burners, like Oakland Activist and Artist Favianna Rodriguez, are doing to change that.

This episode was edited by Lisa Morehouse. And engineered for your listening pleasure by Gabe Grabin with music from Erik Pearson and Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Jenee Darden, Jonathan Davis and Jessie Weiner. And of course to the folks at Que Viva and the Burning Man Project.

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Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

S03 E08 - PRESENT meets PAST at Burning Man Sep 01, 2020

Burning Man is known for a lot of things: The art. The parties. The wooden man that’s set on ablaze every year. But most Burners don’t know much about the history of the land or its original inhabitants: the Pyramid Lake Paiutes In this episode of THE INTERSECTION, reporter Lucy Kang explores the Piautes and their relationship to Burning Man.

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You can support the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe through Comfort & Joy's fundraising campaign on Facebook. ---

This episode is a co-prodction of KALW and KPFA. It was edited by David Boyer and engineered by Gabe Grabin with theme music from Erik Pearson. Songs from the album Circle Dance Songs of the Paiute and Shoshone by Judy Trejo ARE courtesy of Canyon Records. "Sweet Betsy From Pike" was performed by Zelmer Ward and Vester Whitworth.

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Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

S03 E07 - REVELRY meets REVERENCE at Burning Man Aug 31, 2020

Deep in the Black Rock Desert, way beyond the theme camps and the effigy that gives Burning Man its name, there’s another elaborate wooden structure: it blends art and architecture, inside and out. And, arguably, it’s the sacred and spiritual center of the event.Burners simply call it “The Temple.” “Grief” is perhaps the most apparent emotion expressed and experienced here. That specific grief that comes with losing a loved one and the more diffuse grief that can come with simply being alive on this planet at this moment.

Why is there such attachment to a temporary structure that’s little more than wood and nails? Reporter Jonathan Davis went in search of the answer.

S03 E06 - DESERT meets DEFAULT at Burning Man Feb 05, 2020

Burning Man is known for its massive, Instagram-friendly art installations that are a stark contrast to the beige, desert backdrop. There are also many smaller projects, labors of love that can easily get lost. In this installment, THE INTERSECTION discovers one of them. To the naked eye, it looks like an old phone on a dusty table. Curious folks at Burning Man pick up the receiver. What awaits them on the other end is totally unexpected.

Thr project is The Phone Experiment™; it's the creation of David Cooper, a coder-slash- comedian who lives in San Francisco. He was kind enough to give us access to more than 24-hours of recorded conversations.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editors: Ben Trefny, Lisa Morehouse, Gabe Grabin Engineer: Gabe Grabin Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Jonathan Davis

Special thanks to the Pigmalions, Versed, BMIR and all the peeps who shared a moment and/or a story.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

VIDEO / S03 E04 - WILL meets WAY at Burning Man Jan 23, 2020

What's it like to be in a wheelchair or have mobility issues on the playa? Photojournalist Morgan Lieberman spent the week with Rat Lady and Mobility Camp. And if you haven't listened to the full episode, consider this a teaser.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

S03 E05 - PARTY meets PRAYER at Burning Man Jan 08, 2020

Burning Man is pagan at its core with a hell-ish aesthetic. It's understandable that many evangelical leaders condemn the event. But why do so many devout Christians attend each year? And what do they do once they're there? We meet the priests and apostles of Religous AF camp, who are on a mission to help other Burners heal their spiritual wounds.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editor: Ben Trefny Engineer: Gabe Grabin Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Jonathan Davis

Special thanks to the Pigmalions, Versed, BMIR and all the peeps who shared a moment and/or a story.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

VIDEO / S03 E02 - ART meets MOTION at Burning Man Dec 25, 2019

From our family to yours: a bonus video that adds visuals to the Episode 02 about a family of first-time art-car makers at Burning Man. Turns out, the ups and downs of Eileen the Pearl Peacock were photo-documented by one of the makers — Robin Damore — who is also a portrait artist. Enjoy! And if you haven't listened to the full episode, consider this a teaser.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

S03 E04 - WILL meets WAY at Burning Man Dec 11, 2019

Burning Man is guided by the so-called "10 Princples," one of which is radical inclusion. What does that mean for people with disabilities? Especially at an event that spans seven-square miles of cracked desert, and the most common forms of transit are biking and walking. We meet a Burner with limited vision and a camp for people with mobility issues.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editor: Lisa Morehouse Engineer: Gabe Grabin Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Jonathan Davis

Special thanks to the Pigmalions, Versed, BMIR and all the peeps who shared a moment and/or a story.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

S03 E03 - CHAOS meets CONTROL at Burning Man Nov 27, 2019

1996 was a turning point for Burning Man. It was also the last year co-founder John Law attended. Two people were run over in their tents. And another person died in a head-on collision right before the gates opened. The next year, organizers tried to tame the chaos with a bunch of new rules and a grid of streets. It was too much of a compromise for Law. So, he walked away. We talked about that and more at his office in Tribune Tower in Oakland.

Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM // Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION

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Producer: David Boyer Engineer: Gabe Grabin Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Jonathan Davis Tracking Guru: Jenee Darden

Special thanks to the Pigmalions, Versed, BMIR and all the peeps who shared a moment and/or a story.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

S03 E02 - ART meets MOTION at Burning Man Nov 13, 2019

We begin where art meets motion. Burning Man hasn’t officially started but there’s plenty going on: Camps are being set up, art is being erected and a family of first-time art car makers is hustling to finish up their vehicle. But they can’t actually drive it until it’s approved by the DMV. As in the Department of Mutant Vehicles.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editor: Lisa Morehouse Engineer: Gabe Grabin Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Jonathan Davis Tracking Guru: Jenee Darden

Special thanks to the Pigmalions, Versed, BMIR and all the peeps who shared a moment and/or a story.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

S03 E01 - PAVEMENT meets PLAYA at Burning Man Oct 30, 2019

Host David Boyer has been going to Burning Man since 1996. This time, he's heading back with a mission: to capture the event before it's over or loses all connection to its origins. In this episode, we enter the temporary city and are welcomed by a man in a He-Man™ merkin — the first many of kooks and creatives, activists and artists we'll meet this season.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editor: Lisa Morehouse Engineer: Gabe Grabin, Tarek Fouda and David Boyer Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Jonathan Davis Tracking Guru: Jenee Darden

Special thanks to the Pigmalions, Versed, BMIR and all the peeps who shared a moment and/or a story.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

PROLOGUE - S03 - BURNING MAN meets THE INTERSECTION Oct 11, 2019

The city is temporary and the intersections are conceptual. We are heading to Burning Man — deep in the Nevada desert.

Are you ready for a new season of THE INTERSECTION? NStarting October 28, we'll meet a desert filled with artists and activists, creatives and kooks. New episodes every Monday. In the meantime, subscribe: goo.gl/k1uP8S

Or learn more about the podcast: www.theintersection.fm

Photo by Tagine & Tonic

S02 E08 - The Future of Googleville Mar 12, 2018

What will Googleville look like in 2030? And why did it take almost a decade for Mountain View's city council to decide? In the season finale, we explore how a city crafts a plan for the future while dealing with a housing shortage, a transportation crisis—and the demands of one of the powerful companies in the world. Ever wonder how local governments work? Go on, press play.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editor: Ben Trefny Engineer: Chris Hoff and David Boyer Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Lucy Kang Associate Editor: Ashleyanne Krigbaum Launch Guru: Megan Jones

Special thanks to Lisa Morehouse and Lizzie Donahue.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

S02 E07 - You Don't Fight Googzilla Jan 15, 2018

When Google bought the land under the Sports Page Bar, the property tax skyrocked from less than $10K to more than $100K. And, technically, it's the bar owner's responsibity. What happens next just may shape the future of Googleville. In this episode, hear what it's like to negotiate with one of the largest, most powerful companies in the world...when that company also happens to be your landlord.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Engineer: David Boyer Music: Erik Pearson

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

S02 E06 - Is this Mountain View or Googleville? Jan 05, 2018

Google accounts for 1 in 5 jobs and owns more land than anyone else. So, is Mountain View a new version of the old company town? In this episode we talk to locals, experts, journalists and officials about the rise of Google—and what would happen to the town if the company falls.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editor: Ben Trefny Engineer: Chris Hoff and David Boyer Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Lucy Kang Associate Editor: Ashleyanne Krigbaum Launch Guru: Megan Jones

Special thanks to Lisa Morehouse, Heidi Dorow, Diana Greiner, Sam Zalutsky, Ed Boland and Doni Gewirtzman.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

S02 - HOLIDAY SPECIAL 02 - Marlena's at Hayes & Octavia (2013) Dec 26, 2017

We'll head back to Googleville in the New Year. But first, THE INTERSECTION has a gift for you. It's the story of a San Francisco drag bar known for two things: owner Marlena (a.k.a. Gary) and her Christmas display of 1400 Santas. That is, until the bar closed in 2013. We captured the final days as fans and regulars grappled with the end of an era at this drag institution at the corner of Hayes & Octavia in the now upscale Hayes Valley neighborhood. "Marlena's Curtain Call" originally aired on KALW in June 2013.

Donate: paypal.me/THEINTERSECTION // Hear more: www.theintersection.fm // Twitter: @IntersectionFM // Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editor: Ben Trefny Engineer: Chris Hoff and David Boyer

Special thanks to Claire Schoen, who guided a newbie producer through the making of his first audio piece.

S02 - HOLIDAY SPECIAL 01 - A Look Back at 3rd & Jerrold in Bayview Dec 18, 2017

This week, while you're buzzing all over the country, THE INTERSECTION is digging into our archive and presenting the story of a corner that originally aired on KALW in 2014. It's about 3rd & Jerrold in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco. The corner is home to a Black Baptist church, a KFC/Taco Bell, a tutoring non-profit (started by Steve Jobs' widow) and an organic pizza joint. Enjoy the trip back to a simpler time...when change was welcomed by some longtime residents.

Hear more: www.theintersection.fm Twitter: @IntersectionFM Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editor: Ben Trefny Engineer: Chris Hoff and David Boyer Music: Erik Pearson

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW.

S02 E05 - Homeless in Googleville Dec 11, 2017

Home, Sweet...RV? More than 100 Mountain View residents are living in their vehicles. Meet three of them, who are parked just steps away from our corner: a Google engineer in a deluxe RV parked on campus, an older Google shuttle driver in a leaky trailer on the street, and a guy living in a van while he's on the outs with his family. Plus, hear how the city of Mountain View is responding.

Hear more: www.theintersection.fm Twitter: @IntersectionFM Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer Editor: Ben Trefny Engineer: Chris Hoff and David Boyer Music: Erik Pearson Associate Producer: Lucy Kang Associate Editor: Ashleyanne Krigbaum Launch Guru: Megan Jones

Special thanks to Lisa Morehouse, Alex Brown, Jessie Weiner, Above & Beyoncé, and the folks of Sullivan & Company.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

S02 E04 - The Sea Also Rises...in Googleville Dec 06, 2017

Global warming may have some hyper-local consequences at our intersection. Journalist Kevin Stark writes about the impact of climate change on the San Francisco Bay, especially low-lying areas in Silicon Valley that are being developed as land becomes scarcer and more valuable. He explains why Google’s plan to develop North Bayshore may be risky in the long-term, as well as what the city and developers should be considering now—before they put a shovel in the ground.

Hear more: www.theintersection.fm Twitter: @intersectionfm Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer / Engineer: David Boyer

Music: Erik Pearson

Launch Guru: Megan Jones

Special thanks to Michael Stoll, Noah Arroyo and the San Francisco Public Press.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

S02 E03 - Don't Call it a Trailer Park Nov 28, 2017

It's Googleville's only housing. And it's a mobile home park built 50 years ago. Here, Googlers live alongside their blue-collar neighbors, new immigrants and seniors on fixed incomes. But when rent increases and a greedy owner threaten their quirky utopia, the residents of Santiago Villa Mobile Home Park band together and take action.

Hear more: www.theintersection.fm Twitter: @intersectionfm Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer

Editor: Ben Trefny

Engineer: Chris Hoff and David Boyer

Music: Erik Pearson

Associate Producer: Lucy Kang

Associate Editor: Ashleyanne Krigbaum

Launch Guru: Megan Jones

Special thanks to Alex Brown, Bee Hanson, Lisa Morehouse and the folks of Sullivan & Company.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

S02 - VIDEO - Tour THE INTERSECTION Nov 28, 2017

We're trying something a little different this week: In addition to a new episode, we've created a video tour of the neighborhood around North Shoreline Boulevard and Space Park Way. And it's all done using Google Maps.

Give a look and a listen.

And let us know what you think on Twitter at @intersectionfm or Facebook fb.com/IntersectionFM

S02 E02 - Before it was Googleville Nov 19, 2017

a.k.a. The twisted history of this corner.

Before it was Silicon Valley, this area was known as the Valley of Heart's Delight. The farms eventually gave way to nondescript office parks. And on this corner, the office park will soon be replaced by Google's answer to Apple's spaceship headquarters. In this episode, you'll hear all about the history of this intersection from the days of the California Gold Rush to the arrival of Google. You'll tour a 150-year-old mansion (Google bike shop now occupies the spot), you'll meet a woman who grew up here in the '50s and '60s, and you'll hear from the city managers and planners who reimagined it and eventually struck a town-altering deal with Google. This may be your last chance to connect with the past...before it's all but erased.

Hear more: www.theintersection.fm Twitter: @intersectionfm Facebook: fb.com/IntersectionFM

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Producer: David Boyer

Editor: Ben Trefny

Engineer: Chris Hoff and David Boyer

Music: Erik Pearson

Associate Producer: Lucy Kang

Associate Editor: Ashleyanne Krigbaum

Launch Guru: Megan Jones

Special thanks to Mountain View historians Candace Bowers and Nick Perry, as well as Lisa Morehouse, Lizzie Donahue and Jessie Weiner.

Produced with the technical and emotional support of KALW, and the financial support of SF Arts Commission and California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH.

S02 E01- Getting to Googleville Nov 06, 2017

We're spending this season at North Shoreline Boulevard and Space Park Way in the middle of Google's HQ in Mountain View. But first we have to get there. Over the course of this season, we'll break down how history, culture, money and politics come together—and apart—at this one dot on the map.

Want to know more? Go to www.theintersection.fm

Produced by David Boyer with KALW. Editor: Ben Trefny / Engineer: Chris Hoff and David Boyer / Music: Erik Pearson

PREVIEW - S02 - Welcome to Googleville Oct 11, 2017

Googleville awaits. This season, we're heading to a corner in the middle of Google's headquarters in Silicon Valley: North Shoreline Blvd & Space Park Way. Starting November 7, we'll connect the dots between the past, present and future of this intersection.

In the meantime, subscribe: goo.gl/k1uP8S

Or learn more about the podcast: www.theintersection.fm

SUMMER SPECIAL - Haight & Ashbury (1967) Jun 30, 2017

Many assume the Summer of Love was the pinnacle of the Hippie movement. But the reality is a lot more complicated. KALW and THE INTERSECTION’s David Boyer dug into the archives of the 1960s and the memories of folks who were there. The goal: To separate the history and myths around the Summer of Love and it’s supposed epicenter, the corner of Haight & Ashbury. www.theintersection.fm

S01 E06 - Coda - Magic Wand Feb 25, 2016

"What would you do with a magic wand on this corner?" In the last of episode of the season, we ask folks passing through Golden Gate Ave and Leavenworth in SF's Tenderloin to imagine what can be... Want to hear more? Subscribe to the podcast at http://apple.co/1R6qNXL

S01 E05 - Change Feb 19, 2016

The G word. Gentrification. This week, we look at change on the corner of Golden Gate Avenue and Leavenworth Street in San Francisco's Tenderloin. And we hear why the Tenderloin will never be the next Mission. Want to hear more? Subscribe to the podcast at http://apple.co/1R6qNXL

S01 - Sound Portrait - Carolynn Feb 11, 2016

Meet Carolynn, a 69-year-old, who is just one of the more than 4000 senior citizens living in the Tenderloin. We're met a lot of amazing people at the corner of Golden Gate and Leavenworth. Before we release the last two episodes of the season, we want to introduce you to some more of them in these bite-size SoundPortraits. Want to hear more from THE INTERSECTION? Subscribe to the podcast at http://apple.co/1R6qNXL

S01 E04 - Drugs Feb 04, 2016

There's an open-air drug market on the corner. This episode of THE INTERSECTION looks at it from many different perspectives: the dealers, the police, the neighbors, the addicts. Find out why the dealers are there and how the community responds to the drug dealing on their doorsteps. It's another complex look at a complicated situation at Golden Gate Ave and Leavenworth in SF's Tenderloin. Want to hear more? Subscribe to the podcast at http://apple.co/1R6qNXL

S01 E03 - Labor Jan 28, 2016

"It's the home of the American Dream...right here on the corner of Golden Gate and Leavenworth." The hospitality union has been here for 40 years. And in the poorest neighborhood in San Francisco, UNITE HERE remains a sign of hope and possibility for the Tenderloin's new immigrants and working poor. Want to hear more? Subscribe to the podcast at http://apple.co/1R6qNXL

S01 E02 - Family Jan 21, 2016

Most people don't think of kids when they think of San Francisco's Tenderloin. But there are more than 3000 children in the neighborhood. This episode of THE INTERSECTION explores what it's like to grow up here and to raise kids. You'll meet the Pirring family and their daughter Britney, who goes to school at De Marillac Academy, just steps from the corner. Want to hear more? Subscribe to the podcast at http://apple.co/1R6qNXL

S01 E01 - Home Jan 14, 2016

Welcome to THE INTERSECTION and to the corner of Golden Gate Ave and Leavenworth St in the Tenderloin. While the neighborhood has the highest density of kids and seniors in San Francisco, it's associated more with its many homeless residents. We'll hear from a woman who sleeps in a tent—and cooks—on the sidewalks. And another woman who found a home in an innovative supportive housing project just steps away from the corner. Want to hear more? Subscribe to the podcast at http://apple.co/1R6qNXL

PREVIEW - S01 - The Tenderloin Dec 09, 2015

Check out a 3-minute teaser for THE INTERSECTION — a new podcast from David Boyer and KALW. The podcast launches Thursday, January 14. But you can subscribe now on iTunes at http://apple.co/1R6qNXL

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