How does city council spend its work time? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses an analysis about the substance of Chicago City Hall meetings with Better Government Association policy analyst Geoffrey Cubbage, talks to local musician Joe Rian about his new tunes, and discovers the Secret History of blues and soul singer G.L. Crockett. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Open data allows us to track public transit. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about tracking local public transit with cyberanalyst Brandon McFadden, discusses the impact of gun violence in Chicago communities with Cliff Nellis of the Lawndale Christian Legal Center, and discovers the Secret History of blues guitarist Linsey Alexander. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Illinois’ student population decreased since last school year. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the decrease in public school students in Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago’s Samantha Smylie, learns about Black organizing pre-Civil War in Illinois with Northwestern University history professor Kate Masur, and discovers the Secret History of local saxman J.T. Brown. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

The Chicago Public Library turns 150! (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the impact and significance of the Chicago Public Library over the last 150 years with library commissioner Chris Brown and then discovers the Secret History of local blues vocalist and drummer Ms. Johnnie Mae Dunson. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.