The conversation around systemic racism continues.

Mike Stephen discusses the need to address systemic racism in our society with Sharlyn Grace, executive director of the Chicago Community Bond Fund, and Aislinn Pulley, co-executive director of the Chicago Torture Justice Center and founder of the Chicago chapter of Black Lives Matter. After that we learn the Secret History of successful video game composer Michael Salvatori.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin explore ways to work towards racial equity in our society. The local quarantine music this week comes from DJ Taz Rashid. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen’s son, Joey, is fascinated with the CTA’s “Ride the Rails” videos.

Mike Stephen discusses the racial disparity of COVID-19 with Duaa Eldeib of ProPublica Illinois, learns about the impact of the pandemic on the state’s environmental policy with Jen Walling of the Illinois Environmental Council, and chats about the pandemic’s effects on small business and self-employed workers with Dan Cooper of the Metropolitan Planning Council. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Producer Collin gives us his review of Alinea’s take out experience. The local quarantine music this week comes from Sugar Still. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen takes us into The Green Lady bar in Chicago.

Mike Stephen chugs along on the Winter Tavern Tour and drops by The Green Lady in West Lakeview to learn its history, discusses the possibility of Illinois loosening restrictions on wine sales, and explores efforts for more transparency when it comes to police accountability.  All this plus Attic Salt brings us the local tunes! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen discusses the possible impact of Mayor Lightfoot on Chicago.

Mike Stephen discusses the Black Chicago perspective of Mayor Lightfoot with Tiffany Walden of The Triibe, listens to a journalist’s experience visiting a dispensary, and learns the Secret History of Chicago Blues harpist George “Wild Child” Butler.  This week the local music comes from Lou Schmidt. Also: let us know where we should go for the upcoming OTL Winter Tavern Tour! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged