OTL: Episode #568- Radio Harbor Country, African Arts Fest, The Secret History of The Front Lines

Mike Stephen talks with:   Dave Reppetto of the low power FM station WRHC in Harbor County Michigan, in our debut of a new segment entitled “Low Power to the People;”   Julian Roberts, a member of the Africa International House Board of Directors, about the 28th annual African Festival of the Arts; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about ’80s pop punk rockers The Front Lines for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Don’t forget our Outside the Loop Listener Survey. We really appreciate your time and consideration!   This week’s local music is provided by Monobody. TASTY!   OTL host Mike Stephen admires Radio Harbor Country in Three Oaks, Michigan in 2013.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #566- Rust Belt Chicago, The importance of high school libraries, The Secret History of Ritz

Mike Stephen talks with:   Belt Magazine senior editor Martha Bayne about collecting stories for the new book Rust Belt Chicago: An Anthology;   Hinsdale South High School librarian Ellen Lawrence about the importance of libraries in high schools; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about arena-ready rockers Ritz for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we present the Outside the Loop Listener Survey. We’d love your feedback!   This week’s local music is provided by Kerosene Stars.   OTL host Mike Stephen reviews the Outside the Loop Listener Survey.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #565- Improving public schools, Affordable housing near The 606, Fritz Kaegi runs for Assessor

Mike Stephen talks with:   Generation All associate program officer Misuzu Schexnider about their plan for improving neighborhood high schools and the new Chicago Public Schools app;   Logan Square Neighborhood Association former president Lissette Castañeda about the fight for affordable housing in areas by The 606 park system; and   Cook County Assessor candidate Fritz Kaegi about his vision for transparent and competent assessments for everybody.   Meanwhile, we discuss how the Chicago Triathlon is introducing a one-mile Underwear Run along the lakefront this year!   This week’s local music is provided by Ratboys.   OTL host Mike Stephen III, son Mike Stephen IV, and wife Jenny Stephen I enjoy The 606 park system. [circa summer 2015]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #563- A local movement to end ride sharing apps, Mick Dumke on the state of investigative journalism

Mike Stephen talks with:   artist/playwright/actor Mr. Bohemian about his Rethink the Pink campaign against ride-sharing services; and   reporter Mick Dumke about his new gig at ProPublica Illinois, why journalism is now more necessary than ever, and on what stories he’s currently working.   Meanwhile, in reaction to the Trump administration’s latest moves against the LGBT community, we play an excerpt from OTL #548 featuring a member of Oak Park and River Forest High School‘s gay-straight alliance student group.   This week’s local music is provided by Cheer-Accident.   The conversation between OTL host Mike Stephen and Chicago Reader senior writer Mick Dumke continues after the show!   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.