Mike Stephen celebrates pride during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mike Stephen discusses the Pride Month celebrations this year and the significance of the recent LGBTQ civil rights Supreme Court decision with Tracy Baim, learns about the comeback of Chicago breweries and bars with Chicago Tribune reporter Josh Noel, and discovers the Secret History of 70s horn-rockers Chase. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin remind all of us to keep wearing masks during the pandemic and reflect on the recent street closure initiative in Chicago. The local quarantine music this week comes from Paddle Fish. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged

While in Italy, Mike Stephen is amazed at the 13 course appetizer in front of him.

Mike Stephen learns about the Culinary Historians of Chicago, gets an update on how The Lantern Haus in Forest Park is surviving the pandemic, and discusses sustainable living during this unique time in our history with the executive director of Plant Chicago. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin decide that local political candidates can’t put ketchup on their hot dogs. The local quarantine music this week comes from Jonas Weir. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen views the beautiful Son of Juice hazy IPA from Maplewood Brewing in Chicago.

Mike Stephen discusses how COVID-19 impacts prisons with the executive director of the John Howard Association of Illinois, learns how local breweries are navigating the pandemic with Josh Noel of the Chicago Tribune, and chats about the impact of a pandemic on our local transportation with John Greenfield, editor of Streetsblog Chicago. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin discuss the choice of whether or not to use grocery delivery services during this time.  The local quarantine music this week comes from Red Cent. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen (center) from his home studio talks to teachers Dave Narter and Paula Di Dominico about the Teachers Teachwell podcast.

Mike Stephen talks about the impact of the recent pandemic on educational practices with the hosts of the Teachwell Teachers podcast, discusses whether our tech infrastructure is ready for our work from home scenarios with the co-owner of TMC Squared, and learns the Secret History of local blues guitarist Lurrie Bell. Also, this week we have a special guest in the OTL Wrap Party segment: Producer Collin’s wife, Katie Aquino! She’s a local educator and we continue the conversation on the impact of COVID-19 on our education system.   The local music this week comes from The Kynd.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged