This week we take a look at housing instability in the wake of the pandemic. (Photo Credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the pandemic’s affect on housing instability with Michelle Layser of the University of Illinois, talks to the John Howard Association of Illinois‘ Jennifer Vollen-Katz about how prisons are beginning to open up to more oversight, and finds out how Burning Bush Brewery has survived the pandemic so far from owner Brent Raska. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin recap the show, offer some takeaways, and offer words of encouragement for one another’s March Madness brackets. The local music this week comes from Cranes & Mirrors. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 4 years ago Tagged

What is the future of Chicago bars after the pandemic?

Mike Stephen discusses the future of bars and taverns in Chicago with @ChicagoBars, talks to local journalist Alison Flowers about the new Chicago Police Torture Archive, and discovers the Secret History of 20th century bluesman Johnny Shines. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin recap the show and remember that Valentine’s Day is this weekend. The local pandemic tunez come from Beach Bunny. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Posted 4 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen and Steve Rhodes chat about journalism at the WLUW-FM studios back in 2007.

Mike Stephen gets the story on the Beachwood Reporter hiatus from editor & publisher Steve Rhodes (pictured above with Mike in the WLUW-FM studios in 2007), discusses the push to end money bail in Illinois with Sharone Mitchell, the director of the Illinois Justice Project, and learns about the possibility of Chicago privatizing its recycling collection with Cole Rosengren of Waste Dive. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin tip their hats to the aforementioned Mr. Rhodes and decide which NFL franchise they’d like to own (besides the Bears and the 49ers). The local pandemic tunez come from Hospital Bracelet. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Posted 4 years ago Tagged

Coach houses are going to be all the rage!

Mike Stephen learns about a new city ordinance legalizing coach houses with Chicago Cityscape founder & CEO Steven Vance, discusses the impact of COVID-19 in state prisons with Illinois Prison Project executive director Jennifer Soble, and explores the pandemic’s impact on housing with Geoff Smith of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and offer some takeaways. The local pandemic tunez come from Phillip Otto. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Posted 4 years ago Tagged