Mike Stephen welcomes local Hip-Hop artist and DJ Epik1 into the studio to perform live, discusses why Illinois has a good track record of electing African-American politicians with Edward McCelland of Chicago Magazine, and gets an update on our efforts to learn more about Mars from Mark Benson, our local solar system ambassador.  AND producer emeritus Andy Hermann makes a surprise visit to the show! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen welcomes local raconteur Jack Zimmerman into the studio to preview a great local storytelling event, checks in with 33rd Ward aldermanic candidate Katie Sieracki on how her campaign is shaping up, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago 80s pop-rockers The Service with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by Dramaglider. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses some of the problems with Chicago’s recycling program with Madison Hopkins of the Better Government Association, talks to the new editor-in-chief of the Chicago Reader Anne Elizabeth Moore about what’s in store for the future of the paper, and discovers the Secret History of the local 1970s Bluegrass band Wildwood Pickers with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by The Bombats. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen learns about Illinois’ efforts to combat climate change with the executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, gets the lowdown on a story about Chicago with the creator of a new podcast called The City, and discovers the Secret History of legendary Chicago Bluesman Otis Rush with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by Scamlines. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.