Outside the Loop RADIO
231 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsOutside the Loop RADIO is Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine. Founded as a podcast in September 2006 and picked up for broadcast by Chicago Sound Alliance WLUW 88.7-FM in March 2007, "OTL" now airs on Chicago's Very Own 50,000-watt heritage powerhouse station WGN Radio 720-AM.
Storyteller and urbanologist Mike Stephen hosts this weekly program featuring fun segments and interviews with local newsmakers, artists, musicians, and others doing cool stuff around the greater Chicago area. The show covers topics stories that don't always get mainstream media attention... and it's all presented with a strong and independent Chicago slant.
http://outsidetheloopradio.com
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Episodes
OTL #914: Women Employed fighting for workplace equity, Arionne Nettles’ new book on Black culture in Chicago
April 20, 2024 12:35 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBMike Stephen discusses the gender pay gap and efforts to combat it with Ibie Hart, director of business development at Women Employed, and then chats with local journalist Arionne Nettles about her new book entitled We Are the Culture: Black Chicago's Influence on Everything.
OTL #913: Unsafe water in Illinois prisons, The work of the Uptown People's Law Center, The Secret History of E. Parker McDougal
April 13, 2024 13:35 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MBMike Stephen learns about the deteriorating conditions inside Illinois prisons from Alan Mills, executive director of the Uptown People's Law Center, and then discovers the Secret History of Chicago tenor sax player E. Parker McDougal.
OTL #912: Paid Chicago school board members?, HelloBaby’s great work, Mark Lofgren’s new music
April 06, 2024 11:00 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBMike Stephen discusses the possibility of paying Chicago school board members with Becky Vevea, bureau chief of Chalkbeat Chicago, learns about the important work of HelloBaby on the South Side from founder and executive director Debbie Frisch, and chats with local musician Mark Lofgren about his new album.
OTL #911: Vacant land near local transit, Preserving local history, The Secret History of Hip Linkchain
March 30, 2024 12:46 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBMike Stephen learns about the significance of vacant land near local transit hubs from Geoff Smith, executive director of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University, discusses the historical significance of Stateville Correctional Center with Leila Wills, executive director of the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party, and discovers the Secret History of local blues guitar powerhouse Hip Linkchain.
OTL #910: The future of journalism, Share Our Spare helping families in Chicago and beyond
March 23, 2024 11:00 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBMike Stephen discusses the future of journalism at the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference with Jason Block, multimedia communications teacher at Prospect High School, and learns about the important work of the Chicago-based organization called Share Our Spare. This organization helps families in need and executive director Alex Goodfellow discusses their efforts.
OTL #909: A new music venue in Forest Park, Dolph Chaney’s new music, The Secret History of Shanta Nurullah
March 16, 2024 11:00 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBMike Stephen explores Robert's Westside, a new music venue in Forest Park, and talks to venue founder Donnie Biggins, learns about local musician Dolph Chaney’s new music, and discovers the Secret History of local sitar player Shanta Nurullah.
OTL #908: From prison to Ph.D, The challenges of keeping community media afloat
March 09, 2024 12:00 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBMike Stephen learns about the incredible story of Dr. Stanley Andrisse, endocrinologist and assistant professor at the Howard University College of Medicine, who was formerly incarcerated and is now a scientist and executive director of From Prison Cells to Ph.D and then discusses the challenges of local community media with Justin Kerr, publisher of the McKinley Park News.
OTL #907: Public money for local sports stadiums?, Cosmic Bull’s new music, The Secret History of Dusty Brown
March 02, 2024 13:04 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MBMike Stephen discusses the civic issues around local sports teams using public money to build stadiums with civic educator Tom Tresser, chats with Mark Vickery, the frontman of Cosmic Bull, about that project's new music, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago Blues harmonica player Dusty Brown.
OTL #906: The city council on foreign affairs, The 50 most powerful Chicagoans, The Flamenco Quartet Project
February 24, 2024 12:00 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBMike Stephen discusses the history of the Chicago City Council getting involved in foreign affairs with Chicago Magazine contributing editor Ted McClelland, dives into the list of the most powerful Chicagoans, and learns about the local Flamenco Quartet Project from Wendy Clinard, founder and director of Clinard Dance.
OTL #905: Chicago history through signs, The Illinois child tax credit, The Secret History of Kent Rose
February 17, 2024 12:00 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBMike Stephen discusses the importance of signs in Chicago history with Kelsey McClellan, co-owner of Heart & Bone Signs and co-founder of the Chicago Sign Museum, learns about the Illinois child tax credit proposal from State Senator Mike Simmons (7th), and discovers the Secret History of local country musician Kent Rose.
Studying our water, Who is working from home?, Second Glance Productions inclusivity
February 10, 2024 15:56 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MBMike Stephen learns about the latest efforts in studying our local water systems from David Lampert, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology, discusses a new report about who is working from home these days with the report's co-author David Merriman, and chats about inclusivity in the media with Second Glance Productions founder Anthony Williams.
OTL #903: A local journalism crisis, Electric vehicle challenges in Chicago, The Secret History of Bernard Reed
February 03, 2024 12:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBMike Stephen discusses the local journalism crisis with Illinois Local Journalism Task Force member Mark Jacob, learns about the lack of electric vehicle infrastructure in certain areas of Chicago with Little Village Environmental Justice Organization Transportation Justice Program Manager Jose Miguel Acosta Cordova, and discovers the Secret History of local blues bass virtuoso Bernard Reed.
OTL #902: Quality of life in Illinois prisons, The Big Read, Jared Rabin’s new music
January 27, 2024 18:32 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBMike Stephen explores the quality of life in Illinois prisons with Jennifer Vollen-Katz, the executive director of the John Howard Association, talks with Illinois Humanities executive director Gabrielle Lyon about the new initiative called The Big Read, and chats with local musician Jared Rabin about his new music.
OTL #901: City land and a local housing crisis, The Secret History of Mezz Mezzrow
January 20, 2024 12:00 - 41 minutes - 28.7 MBMike Stephen discusses the vast city ownership of vacant land during Chicago’s housing crisis with Block Club Chicago reporter and investigative editor Mick Dumke and discovers the Secret History of prewar jazz clarinet player Mezz Mezzrow.
OTL #900: Bridging the political divide, The state of climate media, Local food in the new year
January 13, 2024 16:32 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBMike Stephen learns about the Crossroads America project from college students Lucas Kult-Banout and Ezekiel Wells, explores the state of climate media with Mike Fourcher, and chats about local food trends in 2023 and into 2024 with Mike Gebert, the editor of Fooditor.
OTL #899: School choice in Chicago, The Secret History of Johnny Drummer
January 06, 2024 12:00 - 38 minutes - 26.8 MBMike Stephen discusses the future of school choice in Chicago with Reema Amin, reporter at Chalkbeat Chicago, and then learns the Secret History of local bluesman Johnny Drummer.
OTL #898: The Neighborhood Business Roundtable
December 30, 2023 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBMike Stephen sits down with four local business owners at Janik’s Cafe in Wicker Park to discuss the challenges of 2023 and how to make 2024 a better year. The panel features Katie Coleman of Mulberry & Me, Scott Weiner of The Fifty/50, Mario Ponce of Takito Kitchen, and Felipa Janik of Janik's.
OTL #897: Local youth climate advocacy, New music from Radio Free Honduras, The Secret History of The Lost Generation
December 23, 2023 12:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBMike Stephen talks to Oak Park & River Forest High School seniors Kate Wallace and Katie Stabb about their recent experience at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, chats with musician Dan Abu-Absi about new music from Chicago’s Radio Free Honduras, and discovers the Secret History of the 1970s soul group The Lost Generation.
OTL #896: Decaying public housing, A new Holiday short film, New music from Skip Class & The Dropouts
December 16, 2023 12:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBMike Stephen discusses the decaying properties of the Chicago Housing Authority with Block Club Chicago investigative editor Mick Dumke, talks to write Kevin Jakubowski, a Batavia native, about writing a new Holiday short film directed by Bryce Dallas-Howard called The Note, and gets the lowdown on Skip Class & The Dropouts' new music from lead singer Danny Jacobson.
OTL #895: Google and local journalism, A special international Secret History of Chicago Music
December 09, 2023 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBMike Stephen talks to Justin Kerr, publisher of the McKinley Park News, and learns why that local news outlet severed ties with Google and then chats with local music historian Steve Krakow about his recent journey to Belfast.
OTL #894: Preserving Illinois Black Panther history, The Bronzeville Trail in the works
December 02, 2023 12:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBMike Stephen learns about efforts to preserve the history of the Illinois Black Panther Party with Leila Wills, executive director of the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party, and gets a preview of the upcoming Bronzeville Trail on the South Side of Chicago from John Adams, executive director of the Bronzeville Trail Task Force, Inc.
OTL #893: The state of local news, The Secret History of the Joy Poppers
November 25, 2023 12:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBMike Stephen explores The State of Local News 2023 report with Tim Franklin, director of the Medill Local News Initiative, and discovers the Secret History of the 1990s power pop band the Joy Poppers.
OTL #892: The future of nuclear power in Illinois, Work permits for immigrants
November 18, 2023 12:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBMike Stephen discusses efforts to overturn the ban on building new nuclear reactors in Illinois with David Kraft, director of the Nuclear Energy Information Service, and learns about the push to issue work permits for all immigrants from Roberto Valdez, midwest director of policy at The Hispanic Federation and member of the Illinois Latino Agenda.
OTL #891: Clean air in local venues, A special Liquid Soul upcoming performance, The Secret History of Max Load
November 11, 2023 12:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBMike Stephen chats with Emily Dupree, founder of Clean Air Club, about the push to purify air in local venues, talks to Ron Haynes, the trombone player from Liquid Soul, about a wonderful upcoming performance, and discovers the Secret History of 1970s Illinois punk-rockers Max Load.
OTL #890: School desegregation efforts, Local burrito controversy, Selling off public land in Chicago
November 04, 2023 11:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBMike Stephen talks to Kalyn Belsha, senior national education reporter at Chalkbeat, about a new influx of money for local school desegregation, goes deep into a controversy around Chicagoland burritos with Chicago Tribune food critic Nick Kindelsperger, and gets an update on the City of Chicago leasing land to the Chicago Fire soccer team from Block Club Chicago investigative editor Mick Dumke.
OTL #889: Media literacy in Illinois, WHPK-FM tries to stay afloat, The Secret History of Mitty Collier
October 28, 2023 11:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBMike Stephen learns about the push for media literacy education in Illinois with Michael Spikes, co-founder of the Illinois Media Literacy Coalition, discusses the future of the University of Chicago’s radio station, WHPK-FM, with program director Alex Tao, and discovers the Secret History of local soul and gospel singer Mitty Collier.
OTL #888: Film art therapy, Pierce Crask’s new music, Revisiting the Italian beef sandwich
October 21, 2023 11:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBMike Stephen talks to Crista Noel of the Women's All Points Bulletin and learns about a new film that brings attention to the issue of law enforcement abuse of women called Poetiq Justiz, chats about making music with local singer-songwriter Pierce Crask and revisits the joys of the Italian beef sandwich.
OTL #887: Humanity united by hope, Myths about Illinois’ population debunked, The Secret History of The Rooks
October 14, 2023 11:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBMike Stephen discusses shared humanity with Rabbi Ari Hart of the Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue, learns about a new study that debunks myths about Illinois’ population from Frank Manzo of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, and discovers the Secret History of the 1960s local garage-rockers The Rooks.
OTL #886: Sustainability for the future, Restorative practices in school discipline, Sideshow Villains new music
October 07, 2023 11:00 - 42 minutes - 29.7 MBMike Stephen learns about the great work of building a sustainable community with Gary Cuneen, founder & executive director of Seven Generations Ahead, discusses the effectiveness of restorative practices in schools with Anjali Adukia of the University of Chicago and Ben Feigenberg of the University of Illinois at Chicago, the authors of a new report on this topic, and gets the lowdown on the Sideshow Villains new music and previews their upcoming live show with band leader Dante Ingram.
OTL #885: Why teachers are leaving, Is One Fair Wage really fair?, The Secret History of The Same
September 30, 2023 11:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBMike Stephen talks to director Haley Breese about her new documentary called Failure to Fail that focuses on teachers leaving their profession, discusses a critique of Chicago's One Fair Wage law with food writer Michael Nagrant, and discovers the Secret History of the 1960s girl group The Same.
OTL #884: The state of Chicago bars, The Common Pantry continues after five decades, Ron Lazzeretti’s new music
September 23, 2023 11:00 - 36 minutes - 25.5 MBMike Stephen gets an update on the state of Chicago bars and taverns with Mr. Chicago Bars, learns about the incredible work of the Common Pantry from executive director Maureen O'Conor, and chats with local musician Ron Lazzeretti about his new music and upcoming record release show.
OTL #883: Chicago’s most conservative wards, Youth mental health, The Secret History of The Brighter Side of Darkness
September 16, 2023 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MBMike Stephen gets a profile of Chicago’s most conservative wards with Ted McClelland, contributing editor of Chicago Magazine, discusses new initiatives for youth mental health in Illinois with State Senator Mike Simmons, and discovers the Secret History of 1970s R&B group The Brighter Side of Darkness.
OTL #882: Latinos in the suburbs, The Invest In Kids controversy, Matt Tiegler’s new music
September 09, 2023 14:34 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBMike Stephen discusses a new report that explores the Latino experience in the Chicago suburbs with Sylvia Puente of the Latino Policy Forum, chats with Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Samantha Smylie about the controversy around the Invest In Kids program, and talks to local musician Matt Ziegler about his new music.
OTL #881: The first Green Dining Hub in Illinois, Inspired By You Fest, The Secret History of Marshall Vente
September 02, 2023 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBMike Stephen learns about the first Green Dining Hub in Illinois with Takeout 25 founder Ravi Parakkat, previews the Inspired By You Fest with the owner of Muse Coffee Studio, George Davis, Jr., and uncovers the Secret History of local pianist Marshall Vente.
OTL #880: A teacher of the year talks education, Music Graphics Chicago, An update on Chicago TIF Districts
August 26, 2023 11:00 - 47 minutes - 33 MBMike Stephen sits down with Dr. Tyrone Williams, the Gilder Lehrman Illinois History Teacher of the Year and history teacher at Oak Park and River Forest High School, learns about supplying musicians with cool merch from Deb Sonzo and Jamie Riani, co-owners of Music Graphics Chicago, and gets an update on TIF districts in Chicago from Tom Tresser of the TIF Illumination Project.
OTL #879: The politics of a backroom land deal, The Secret History of Garland Green
August 19, 2023 11:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBMike Stephen gets an update on the backroom deal that sold off public housing land in Chicago with Block Club Chicago's Mick Dumke and then discovers the Secret History of 1960s local soul singer Garland Green.
OTL #878: Women in Vinyl, Chicago Rents, The Chicago Honey Co-Op
August 12, 2023 11:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBMike Stephen learns about the empowering work of Women in Vinyl with founder Jenn D'Eugenio, discusses the work of the Chicago Rents initiative with program manager Erik Czaja, and, in an OTL Rewind, reminds us of the importance of bees in our ecosystem.
OTL #877: Is Illinois prepared for climate change?, Problems in the state cannabis industry, The Secret History of Society’s Children
August 05, 2023 11:00 - 39 minutes - 27.6 MBMike Stephen explores whether or not Illinois is prepared for the impacts of climate change with Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, chats with solutions reporter at the Illinois Answers Project, Alex Nitkin, about the problems with the state’s cannabis industry, and discovers the Secret History of 1960s local garage band Society’s Children.
OTL #876: Punishment in schools, The Pickwick Theater’s next chapter, True Star Media inspires youth
July 29, 2023 11:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBMike Stephen talks to Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Samantha Smylie about Chicago Public Schools' compliance with a state law dealing with punishment in schools, learns about the next chapter of the historic Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge from Mike Jeffers, founder of Chicago Jazz Magazine and venue & programming consultant, and gets the lowdown on a local organization that empowers youth with media and storytelling skills called True Star Media from production team member Christopher Lockridge.
OTL #875: The new paid time off ordinance, Chicago as a cycling city, The Secret History of Peter Brown
July 22, 2023 11:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBMike Stephen discusses the impact of the proposed paid time off ordinance in Chicago with Christina Warden, director of policy and programs at Women Employed, and Shep Searl, organizer with Starbucks Workers United, explores a new report that ranks Chicago low in bikeability with Rebecca Davies, city ratings program director at PeopleForBikes, and discovers the Secret History of local disco musician Peter Brown.
OTL #874: The Unvarnished history of housing discrimination, The Chris Greene Quartet brings the local jazz
July 15, 2023 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBMike Stephen talks to Donna Sack, vice president and chief program officer of the Naper Settlement, about a new project called Unvarnished that documents the impacts of housing discrimination and then chats with local jazz saxman Chris Greene about his upcoming gig and his band’s music.
OTL #844: Environmental justice in Chicago, The first Green Dining District in IL, The Secret History of Jo Ann Garrett
December 17, 2022 12:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBMike Stephen learns how pollution is impacting McKinley Park from Anthony Moser, board president of Neighbors for Environmental Justice, discusses the creation of the first Green Dining District in Illinois with Ravi Parakkat, Oak Park trustee and founder of Takeout 25, and discovers the Secret History of 1960s soul singer Jo Ann Garrett.
OTL #843: We Will Chicago: The people’s plan?, Marty Perez on music photography, Good news for Steep Theatre
December 10, 2022 12:00 - 40 minutes - 28.3 MBMike Stephen discusses the “We Will Chicago” plan and its criticisms with City Bureau reporters Jerrel Floyd and India Daniels, talks to local photographer Marty Perez about his 40 years of music photography and his new book called Kill a Punk For Rock & Roll: 1976-2019 Photographs, and chats with Peter Moore, artistic director at Steep Theatre, about that theater company's new grant from the City of Chicago.
OTL #842: Illinois’ first capital: Kaskaskia, The Secret History of Witchslayer
December 03, 2022 12:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MBMike Stephen learns about the fascinating history of Kaskaskia, IL, from Illinois Humanities' Matt Meacham and then dives into the story of the 1980s-era metal band Witchslayer.
OTL #841: What happened at The Hideout?, Bourbon County Stout 2022
November 26, 2022 12:00 - 39 minutes - 27.3 MBMike Stephen talks to local journalist and Streetsblog Chicago editor John Greenfield about his controversial article about the firing of a Hideout employee and then gets a preview of this year’s Goose Island Bourbon Co. Stout line from Josh Noel of the Chicago Tribune.
OTL #840: City Council won’t discuss homelessness, New music from Curious Grace & Black Rabbit, The Secret History of Walter “Li’l Wally” Jagiello
November 19, 2022 12:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MBMike Stephen gives an update on the Chicago City Council’s inaction when it comes to fighting homelessness, gets the lowdown on new music from Chicago’s Curious Grace & Black Rabbit, and discovers the amazing Secret History of local polka legend Walter “Li’l Wally” Jagiello.
OTL #839: Demolition’s impact on Chicago, Rep. Margaret Croke on the state of politics, FORTS! is back at The Filament Theatre
November 12, 2022 15:27 - 40 minutes - 28.3 MBMike Stephen talks to sociologist David Schalliol about the societal impact of demolishing buildings in Chicago, discusses the state of politics in Springfield during this polarized time with State Rep. Margaret Croke (D-12th), and plays audio of his experience at the immersive FORTS! experience at the Filament Theatre in Portage Park.
OTL #838: Illinois Tutoring Initiative, Pemon Rami on creativity & activism, The Secret History of Clifford Jordan
November 05, 2022 11:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBMike Stephen talks to Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Samantha Smylie and learns how Illinois is turning to tutors to help students , chats with legendary Chicagoan Pemon Rami about creativity and activism, and discovers the Secret History of saxman Clifford Jordan.
OTL #837: Media literacy education, Workers’ rights in Illinois, Nice Motor’s new music
October 29, 2022 11:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBtional Association of Media Literacy Education, chats with Don Villar, secretary-treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Labor, about the proposed Workers’ Rights Amendment, and chats with Brian Webb of the local band Nice Motor about their new music.
OTL #836: Chicago’s public housing saga, The Secret History of Odell Brown
October 22, 2022 14:08 - 35 minutes - 24.5 MBMike Stephen gets an update on the state of public housing in Chicago from ProPublica's Mick Dumke and then discovers the Secret History of organist Odell Brown.