We explore a new book about the local nonprofit Takeout 25. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about a new book about the impact of the local nonprofit Takeout 25 called The Takeout 25 Effect: Mobilizing for Positive Change with author Ravi Parakkat, explores a project mapping high concentration of truck traffic in Chicago called the Chicago Truck Data Portal with Jose Acosta Cordova of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, and discovers the Secret History of local fingerpicking guitar master Charlie Schmidt. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 2 years ago Tagged

This week we explore Chicago’s community map. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about the significance of Chicago’s community map and explores the possibility of updating it with Emily Talen, professor of urbanism and director of the Urbanism Lab at the University of Chicago, discusses the importance of literacy on the West Side of the city with founder of The Queen Within, Bridgett McGill, and discovers the Secret History of 1990s psychedelic rockers Plastics Hi-Fi. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 3 years ago Tagged

We explore the issue of unsafe water in Illinois prisons. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about the deteriorating conditions inside Illinois prisons from Alan Mills, executive director of the Uptown People’s Law Center, and then discovers the Secret History of Chicago tenor sax player E. Parker McDougal. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 3 years ago Tagged

Should Chicago school board members be paid for their work? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the possibility of paying Chicago school board members with Becky Vevea, bureau chief of Chalkbeat Chicago, learns about the important work of HelloBaby in the West Woodlawn neighborhood from founder and executive director Debbie Frisch, and chats with local musician Mark Lofgren about his new album. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 3 years ago Tagged