This week we explore the history of country music in Chicago. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks with Mark Guarino, the author of a new book called Country and Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival about the history of country music in Chicago and then reconnects with former Outside the Loop producer, Andy Hermann, about his new gig as a public radio producer and host at Nebraska Public Media. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Illinois’ student population decreased since last school year. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the decrease in public school students in Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago’s Samantha Smylie, learns about Black organizing pre-Civil War in Illinois with Northwestern University history professor Kate Masur, and discovers the Secret History of local saxman J.T. Brown. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

A view of Kaskaskia, IL. (Photo credit: Illinois Humanities. Used with permission.)

Mike Stephen learns about the fascinating history of Kaskaskia, IL, from Illinois Humanities’ Matt Meacham and then dives into the story of the 1980s-era metal band Witchslayer. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.