OPRF history teachers Mike Soffer and Mike Stephen pose for a picture after discussing the new course on the Holocaust that the school will offer students next year.

Mike Stephen learns about a new high school class on the Holocaust and genocide at Oak Park & River Forest High School, discusses the community importance of the Green Line, and discovers the Secret History of local funk band Pieces of Peace.  This week’s local music is brought to you by Catho. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses the Young Feminist Conference with Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer as well as other local topics on Outside the Loop.

Mike Stephen previews the Young Feminist Conference with Cause the Effect Chicago’s founder Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, learns about another conference aimed at connecting journalists and their communities called the People-Powered Publishing Conference, and discovers the Secret History of 60s frat-rockers 4 Taus.  This week’s local music is brought to you by Jason Valley. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses a new life for shuttered schools.

Mike Stephen learns about a project to give new life to shuttered Chicago schools called Creative Grounds, discusses the impact of local community organizing, and gets the Secret History of the late jazz drummer Alvin Fielder.  This week’s local music is brought to you by The Artist Formerly Known as Vince. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Rev. Bonnie Perry and Mike Stephen at All Saints Episcopal Church in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood.

Mike Stephen chats the outgoing rector of Ravenswood’s All Saints Episcopal Church and bishop-elect of The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, Rev. Bonnie Perry, about community-building and a life of service and then discovers the Secret History of 70s local country-rockers Possum River.  This week’s local music is brought to you by Alex Ellsworth. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.