OTL: Episode #556- The Secret History of Bad Axe, Regional crash report, Boy Meets Robot

Mike Stephen talks with:   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about 1970s rockers Bad Axe for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music;   Active Transportation Alliance advocacy director Jim Merrell about a new report that says fatal car/pedestrian crash rates are higher in the suburbs; and   Mike of Boy Meets Robot to the studio to perform live for the hour and to talk about making funny music with a Game Boy and playing FuMPFeST 2017.   Meanwhile, radio nerd Andy tweets out a photo of an Icelandic AM transmitter, and Mike discovers his t-shirt from The Who’s 1997 world tour has yellowed.   Mike and R.O.B. (obscured by his Game Boy) of Boy Meets Robot stopped by OTL #556 to play some funny JAMZ from their new record The Robots Will Kill Us All.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #555- The future of landlines in IL, Chicago is not broke, Politics and science in our state

Mike Stephen talks with:   AARP Illinois associate state director Julie Vahling about the future of landline telephones in Illinois;   civic educator Tom Tresser about our city’s financial future as detailed in Chicago Is Not Broke: Funding the City We Deserve; and   Illinois Science Council executive director Monica Metzler about how the current political climate impacts the science community in our state.   Meanwhile, we discuss what Chicagoans are drinking!   This week’s local music is provided by The Hacky Turtles.   OTL host Mike Stephen enjoys making points.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #554- The psychology of Chicago violence, The Secret History of Paris Smith, IL Fair Economy

Mike Stephen talks with:   Loyola University professor of Criminal Justice and Psychology Arthur Lurigio about the psychology of violence in Chicago;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about unheralded vibe man Paris Smith for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   Fair Economy Illinois leader Erica Nanton about the March to Springfield movement for a state budget.   Meanwhile, we discuss how Mayor Emanuel is excited that Chicago is a U-Haul destination city!   This week’s local music is provided by Iverson 2.0.   OTL host Mike Stephen wraps up his pre-show vocal exercises in a seventh floor radio studio in the Tribune Tower.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #553- CPD’s Strategic Subject List, The Chicago Picasso, Urban Nerd Herd

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke about why the Chicago Police Department has created a secret “Strategic Subject List” of possible violent criminals;   art historian Patricia Balton Stratton about her new book The Chicago Picasso: A Point of Departure; and   Urban Nerd Herd founder Amanda McCarthy about hiking for pleasure and mental health.   Meanwhile, we discuss how Mike jammed on some indie rock at the Navy Pier McDonald’s!   This week’s local music is provided by Post Animal.   Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke and OTL host Mike Stephen rep the city and solve the world’s problems during their post-show breakfast meeting.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.