OTL: Episode #550- Capitalism and misogyny, Chicago Pen Show preview, The Secret History of Poor Richard

Mike Stephen talks with:   writer and cultural critic Anne Elizabeth Moore about the effects of capitalism and misogyny on women as detailed in her latest book Body Horror: Capitalism, Fear, Misogyny, Jokes;   Chicago Pen Show owner Paul Conterato for a preview of the oldest writing utensil exhibition in the country; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about jingle-writing prog rockers Poor Richard for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we discuss how to support Independent Bookstore Day today and why there aren’t more gender-neutral restrooms in Chicago.   This week’s local music is provided by Minor Moon.   OTL host Mike Stephen holds a copy of Anne Elizabeth Moore’s latest book Body Horror: Capitalism, Fear, Misogyny, Jokes.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #548- The Secret History of Eddie Hoh, Local teens raising awareness for LGBTQ issues

Mike Stephen talks with:   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about in-demand session drummer Eddie Hoh for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   Ev, Ben, Will, and Connor, members of Oak Park and River Forest High School‘s gay-straight alliance student group A Place for All, about working for LGBTQ equality and their upcoming “Loud & Proud” fundraiser for the ACLU.   Meanwhile, we discuss whether frozen pizzas are best prepared in the microwave, the oven, or the Pizza Pizzazz.   This week’s local music is provided by Split Single.   Outside the Loop meets A Place for All [l-r] Connor, Ev, Ben, OTL host Mike Stephen, Will   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #546- Closing the IL gender pay gap, Future of the Great Lakes, The Secret History of Big Smokey Smothers

Mike Stephen talks with:   Women Employed policy director Melissa Josephs about Equal Pay Day, the Illinois Equal Pay Act, and preventing employers from asking about salary histories;   Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Dan Egan about protecting our region’s greatest natural resource, as detailed in his book The Death and Life of the Great Lakes; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about rhythm guitarist and ice cream vendor Otis “Big Smokey” Smothers for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we compare Chicago’s population density to other major cities.   This week’s local music is provided by Moon Bros..   OTL host Mike Stephen knows which stack of papers is his due to WGN Radio super engineer Bob Ferguson’s helpful note.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #544- IL’s crumbling infrastructure, The Secret History of Forest City Joe, We All Live Here

Mike Stephen talks with:   Darren Olson, co-chair of the Infrastructure Report Card Committee for the Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), about the state of Illinois’ roads and bridges;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Muddy Waters-endorsed harmonica player Forest City Joe for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   Rich Alapack, founder of we all live here, about his social startup that works on community-based art projects with local schools.   Meanwhile, Mike announces that his family is growing!   This week’s local music is provided by Capital Soirée.   OTL host Mike Stephen stands outside of the Pulaski International School of Chicago in Bucktown in front of an inspiring “we all live here” installation.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.