OTL: Episode #559- Life After Hate, Inside a street vendor kitchen, Dream Version plays live

Mike Stephen talks with:   Life After Hate executive director and co-founder Sammy Rangel about his organization and what happens now that the Trump administration eliminated their grant;   Street Vendors Association of Chicago vice president Vicky Lugo about a new North Lawndale-based shared kitchen; and   local band Dream Version to the studio to play live for the hour and to talk about their new record Fight Fair.   Meanwhile, we discuss the new public participation rules for Chicago City Council meetings.   Local band Dream Version rocked the soundtrack for OTL #559! [L-R] Eric Brummitt, Alec Jensen, OTL host Mike Stephen (in the Brat Stop t-shirt!), Michael Kunik   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 #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.

OTL: Episode #552- The Secret History of Boyce Brown, Migratory birds in Chicago, Local saxophonist Chris Greene

Mike Stephen talks with:   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about hot jazz saxophonist Boyce Brown for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music;   U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Chicago field supervisor Louise Clemency about celebrating International Migratory Bird Day Celebration at LaBagh Woods next Saturday; and   local musician Chris Greene to the studio to play a selection from the Chris Greene Quartet‘s new album Boundary Issues.   Meanwhile, we wish everyone a Happy Mother’s Day by playing a classic voicemail from #1 OTL fan Mrs. Stephen!   Local musician Chris Greene stopped by OTL #552 to play a live a capella saxophone selection from the Chris Greene Quartet‘s new record Boundary Issues.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.