This week we discuss the power of poetry in our culture. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the power of poetry with Poetry Out Loud Illinois champion, Yohanna Endashaw, as well as Susan Dickson of the Illinois Arts Council Agency and Sheila Walk of the Springfield Area Arts Council, gets the lowdown on new music from The Artist Formally Known As Vince, and discovers the Secret History of the talented bass player Cleveland Eaton. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

This week we explore the history of country music in Chicago. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks with Mark Guarino, the author of a new book called Country and Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival about the history of country music in Chicago and then reconnects with former Outside the Loop producer, Andy Hermann, about his new gig as a public radio producer and host at Nebraska Public Media. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

The Education Justice Project educates those who are incarcerated. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen chats with Rebecca Ginsburg, director of the Education Justice Project, about the impact of providing higher education opportunities for those who are incarcerated in Illinois and then talks with Frank Orrall, founder of Poi Dog Pondering, about nearly 40 years of making music and the band’s new album.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.