Outside the Loop RADIO
Local Music
Outside 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. Show co-founder Andy Hermann has returned to produce Phase III of OTL Radio. http://outsidetheloopradio.com
Location:
United States
Description:
Outside 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. Show co-founder Andy Hermann has returned to produce Phase III of OTL Radio. http://outsidetheloopradio.com
Twitter:
@outsidetheloop
Language:
English
Contact:
Outside the Loop WGN Radio 435 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611
Episodes
OTL #894: Preserving Illinois Black Panther history, The Bronzeville Trail in the works
12/2/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:39:20
OTL #893: The state of local news, The Secret History of the Joy Poppers
11/25/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:36:24
OTL #892: The future of nuclear power in Illinois, Work permits for immigrants
11/18/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:32:34
OTL #891: Clean air in local venues, A special Liquid Soul upcoming performance, The Secret History of Max Load
11/11/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:39:19
OTL #890: School desegregation efforts, Local burrito controversy, Selling off public land in Chicago
11/4/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:39:02
OTL #889: Media literacy in Illinois, WHPK-FM tries to stay afloat, The Secret History of Mitty Collier
10/28/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:43:04
OTL #888: Film art therapy, Pierce Crask’s new music, Revisiting the Italian beef sandwich
10/21/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:37:16
OTL #887: Humanity united by hope, Myths about Illinois’ population debunked, The Secret History of The Rooks
10/14/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:41:00
OTL #886: Sustainability for the future, Restorative practices in school discipline, Sideshow Villains new music
10/7/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:42:58
OTL #885: Why teachers are leaving, Is One Fair Wage really fair?, The Secret History of The Same
9/30/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:44:12
OTL #884: The state of Chicago bars, The Common Pantry continues after five decades, Ron Lazzeretti’s new music
9/23/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:36:56
OTL #883: Chicago’s most conservative wards, Youth mental health, The Secret History of The Brighter Side of Darkness
9/16/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:38:28
OTL #882: Latinos in the suburbs, The Invest In Kids controversy, Matt Tiegler’s new music
9/9/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:36:26
OTL #881: The first Green Dining Hub in Illinois, Inspired By You Fest, The Secret History of Marshall Vente
9/2/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:38:05
OTL #880: A teacher of the year talks education, Music Graphics Chicago, An update on Chicago TIF Districts
8/26/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:47:54
OTL #879: The politics of a backroom land deal, The Secret History of Garland Green
8/19/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:35:40
OTL #878: Women in Vinyl, Chicago Rents, The Chicago Honey Co-Op
8/12/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:36:30
OTL #877: Is Illinois prepared for climate change?, Problems in the state cannabis industry, The Secret History of Society’s Children
8/5/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:39:59
OTL #876: Punishment in schools, The Pickwick Theater’s next chapter, True Star Media inspires youth
7/29/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:35:21
OTL #875: The new paid time off ordinance, Chicago as a cycling city, The Secret History of Peter Brown
7/22/2023
Mike 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.
Duration:00:39:24