OTL: Episode #547- Once Upon a Castle, Chicago Rot is finished, Westside Bee Boyz

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Children’s Museum president Jennifer Farrington about Once Upon a Castle, the new exhibit that seeks to eliminate gender stereotypes;   Chicago Rot director/co-writer Dorian Weinzimmer about finishing his long-awaited locally-produced independent horror film (as featured on OTL #248 in 2011); and   Westside Bee Boyz founder Thad Smith about finding his purpose, selling honey, and running a successful local urban apiary service.   Meanwhile, Mike discusses his dudes’ trip to Portland, Maine.   This week’s local music is provided by Nest.   OTL host Mike Stephen shows off his Westside Bee Boyz honey… which he tried out in his official radio show tea this morning.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #522- Vacant buildings in Chicago, It’s Filmed There, The Secret History of Savage Beliefs

Mike Stephen talks with:   Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce president Brian Nadig about the Vacancy Fraud Investigative Unit Act and how some Chicago landlords are exploiting a tax reduction for vacant buildings;   It’s Filmed There website creator Chas Demster about researching and meticulously documenting television and movie filming locations around Chicago; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about early local hardcore band Savage Beliefs for this week’s “The Fall of Punk” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we share the feel-good story of Toons Bar & Grill recovering its beloved smoker Black Pearl!   This week’s local music is provided by i.e. kokoro.   OTL host Mike Stephen MCs New Year’s Eve from behind the bar at Toons Bar & Grill after chowing on some meat from the legendary Black Pearl smoker. [photo circa 2010-2011]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #461- The new Cabrini Green documentary, Mick Dumke on Chicago politics, Making food carts legal in the city

Mike Stephen talks with:   Filmmaker Ronit Bezalel about her 20-years-in-the-making documentary 70 Acres in Chicago: Cabrini Green;   Chicago Reader senior writer Mick Dumke about his new job at the Chicago Sun-Times, House Speaker Michael Madigan’s not-so-public schedule, and Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of a marijuana decriminalization law; and   Illinois Policy Institute managing editor Hilary Gowins about her Crain’s Chicago Business op-ed on legalizing Chicago food carts (see also NoCronies.com).   This week’s local music is provided by Mystery Crash.   OTL host Mike Stephen reflects on the fantastic question he just asked a guest.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #412- Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition, Losers web series, Crowdsourcing meals for a month finale

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 “green coalition” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition, previews the “Losers” web series, and gets an update from a local who crowdsourced every meal in August.   Eloise Karlatiris– President and CEO of the Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition We learn about this organization that helps Chicago restaurants reduce their environmental footprint.       Fred Pelzer– Creator of the web series Losers This new locally-produced web series deals with those times in our lives when we just don’t make it.  A new episode is released every Wednesday, so check it out!         Kurt Vanderah– Resident of NW Indiana who crowdsourced his meals for August Kurt hasn’t been eating well for a few decades.  He decided enough is enough and he turned to us to help him eat healthier in August.  We find out how it went.         OTL #412 local music provided by The Kuhls…