Sandwiches rule!

Mike Stephen explores how restaurants are turning to sandwiches to survive with Nick Kindelsperger of the Chicago Tribune, learns about the City of Chicago budget process with City Bureau reporting residents Kelly Garcia and Corli Jay, and discovers the Secret History of local R&B band The Lovelites. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and ponder an OTL paywall experience. The local pandemic tunez come from Motel Breakfast. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged

The Love Fridge lends a helping hand in Chicago neighborhoods.

Mike Stephen learns how The Love Fridge works to combat hunger during a pandemic with co-lead organizer Lisa Armstrong, discusses Ballot Z’s mission of getting young people involved civically with founder Gretchen Coleman, and learns the Secret History of local 1960s funk and soul band The Artistics. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the good advocacy highlighted in this week’s show as well as Mike’s admission of standing in line overnight to see Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones back in 2002. The local pandemic tunez come from OHMME. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged

Pizza is so delicious.

Mike Stephen discusses the state of to-go pizza slices in Chicago with Chicago Tribune food & dining reporter Nick Kindelsperger, learns about a great literacy & art organization called Brown Books and Paint Brushes with CEO Candice Washington, and gets an update on empowering youth in Austin with Adam Alonso of BUILD. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and ponder if we are eating too much pizza during the pandemic. The local pandemic tunez come from Photo Curio. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen enjoys a delicious seafood buffet while at a wedding in Cleveland.

Mike Stephen learns about the fate of buffets in the wake of the pandemic with the Washington Post’s Tim Carman, discusses La Casa Norte’s important work to empower the homeless with community engagement coordinator Rebecca Sumner Burgos, and chats about the new Mellow Chicago Bike Map in the Chicago Reader with columnist John Greenfield. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin decompress after a seemingly unending week while Collin offers Mike a wedding anniversary tip. The local phase four music comes from The Mekons. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged