Making Contact

Karinda Dobbins: Black and Blue

On today’s episode, we speak with Bay-Area-based comedian, writer, and actor Karinda Dobbins about the release of her debut comedy album, Black & Blue. In Black & Blue, Karinda shares personal stories, finding humor in the most ordinary moments of her daily life, including her girlfriend’s arbitrary policy on household pests, the changes hipsters have … Continued


Making Contact

The Healing Project: An Abolitionist Story (encore)

Composer, pianist, and vocalist Samora Pinderhughes tells us about The Healing Project, a fundamentally abolitionist project, that explores the structures of systemic racism and the prison industrial complex. This story first aired February 2023. The Healing Project takes action towards abolition with forms such as musical songs, films, community gatherings, live performances, an exhibition, and … Continued


Making Contact

Family Matters: What Helps Black Trans Kids Thrive

Kids are coming out as LGBTQ+ younger than ever, making their identities more politicized than ever before. Hateful political rhetoric and discriminatory laws are likely contributing to the poor mental health documented among LGBTQ+ kids. In an effort to combat these struggles, researchers are studying what works to keep kids healthy, happy, and alive. In … Continued


Making Contact

Family Matters: How Communities Support Trans Kids in Conservative States

In 2023, Kirin Clawson’s endocrinologist placed a puberty-blocking implant in her arm, a medical intervention that is associated with improved mental health for many trans kids with gender dysphoria. In February, Indiana joined several other conservative states banning this treatment for minors. In the first of a two-part series, we hear from the Clawson family … Continued