OTL: Episode #571- The future of journalism, Digital maps and local art, Chicago Book Expo preview

Mike Stephen talks with:   OTL’s very first guest Bob McChesney, Professor of Communication at the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana, about the erosion of journalism;   Local artist Carla Fisher-Schwartz, whose installation True North is featured at the SUB-MISSION exhibition space in Chicago through October 21st; and   John Wilson, local author and co-organizer of the 2017 Chicago Book EXPO.   Meanwhile, Mike celebrates 11 years of Outside the Loop!   This week’s local music is provided by Ethereal Groove, Inc.. Mike Stephen receives his 11 year anniversary gift wrapped in diaper coupons. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #469- U of C’s impact on the neighborhood, Chicago International Map Fest preview, An education at Hot Dog University

Mike Stephen talks with:   South Side Weekly contributor/photographer Juliet Eldred about her “Outside That System and Hence Unspeakable” project that looks at the relationship between the University of Chicago and the Hyde Park neighborhood;   Chicago International Map Fair founder Sammy Berk about the upcoming (Oct 23-25) festivities at the Loyola University Museum of Art; and   Hot Dog University PHD (Professor of Hot Dogs!) Mark Reitman about how you can learn to run your own hot dog cart or stand.   Meanwhile, we congratulate the Chicago Transit Authority for winning a national award for its courtesy campaign!   This week’s local music is provided by Cannonball.   OTL host Mike Stephen is excited to bite into his post-show hot dog. This week’s comes from Mickey’s in Oak Park.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #426- Reuse everything at The WasteShed, Tripnary travel app, The best Chicago coffee map

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “coffee is for closers” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen visits The WasteShed in Humboldt Park and learns about reusing every day items, gets the lowdown on a new personalized travel app designed in Chicago, and discusses the most comprehensive Chicago coffee map.   Eleanor Ray– Director of The WasteShed Tucked away in Humboldt Park, The WasteShed is a place where you can find every day items for reuse.  We go inside this unique shop. The WasteShed at 914 N. California in Chicago   Varun Goel and Abhishek Ghuwalewala– Creators of the Tripnary app This iPhone app, developed in Chicago, creates a personalized world-wide travel bucket list for you.  We get the lowdown.   The Tripnary app   Tanveer Ali–  Data reporter for DNA Info Chicago We learn about the most comprehensive online Chicago coffee map and why it was created.  This map is a useful resource for all Chicagoans…as is the most comprehensive Chicago late-night bar map!  The most comprehensive online Chicago coffee map   OTL #426 local music provided by Exit Ghost…

OTL: Episode #410- A look at IL unions, Riding the perimeter of Metra, Innovation at Fulton Fest

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “are you on the clock?” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen discusses the economic impact of government unions in Illinois, talks to the guy who biked the entire perimeter of the Metra rail lines, and previews Fulton Fest.   Paul Kersey– Director of Labor Policy at the Illinois Policy Institute How much are Illinois government unions costing taxpayers?  We explore the impact of these unions on our state’s economic future.       John Greenfield– Editor of Streetsblog Chicago Recently John biked the entire perimeter of Metra’s rail lines in order to better understand our region.  He also wrote an article about it.  We find out what he learned from his 4-day trek.     John’s bike route around the Metra lines.     Liz Valentine– Co-organizer of Fulton Fest We get a preview of this festival that showcases the Nearwest Side’s innovation.  It takes place Friday, August 22, from 2-7pm on Fulton between Damen and Hoyne.           OTL #410 local music provided by The Lemons…