This week we discuss efforts to bridge the political divide. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about the Crossroads America project from college students Lucas Kult-Banout and Ezekiel Wells, explores the state of climate media with Mike Fourcher, and chats about local food trends in 2023 and into 2024 with Mike Gebert, the editor of Fooditor. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

We explore Google’s impact on local journalism. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to Justin Kerr, publisher of the McKinley Park News, and learns why that local news outlet severed ties with Google and then chats with local music historian Steve Krakow about his recent musical journey to Belfast. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

This week we learn about the push for media literacy in Illinois. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about the push for media literacy education in Illinois with Michael Spikes, co-founder of the Illinois Media Literacy Coalition, discusses the future of the University of Chicago’s radio station, WHPK-FM, with program director Alex Tao, and discovers the Secret History of local soul and gospel singer Mitty Collier. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.