Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine
Mike Stephen discusses the Injustice Watch 2026 Judicial Primary Election Guide with senior reporter Dan Hinkel and then previews a George Harrison tribute show featuring a wonderful lineup of talented local musicians with Ellis Clark, the lead singer of the band The Social Act. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.
Mike Stephen hosts his 1,000th episode of Outside the Loop at Fitzgerald’s Nightclub! Guests include: –Will Duncan and Jess King, owners of Fitzgerald’s –Dominic Pacyga, professor emeritus of history at Columbia College Chicago and author of Clout City –Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave), local musician and author of The Secret History of Chicago Music –Holley Brandchaft-White and Genia Yovankin, founders of SHFT Behavioral Health -Surprise guest: Andy “The Count” Hermann, co-founder and former producer of Outside the Loop and current producer at Nebraska Public Media Plus, live music from AJ Rosales! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.
Mike Stephen learns about the effort to end politically drawn voting maps in Illinois from Chicago Magazine writer Ted McClelland, discusses the slowdown in overturning wrongful convictions in Cook County with Injustice Watch reporter Dan Hinkel, and highlights the important work of Share Our Spare in supporting young children and families with interim executive director Jesseca Rhymes. Also, help out Chicago street vendors! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.
Mike Stephen learns about a new way to explore Illinois finances through the Fiscal Futures Data Hub with UIC professor David Merriman, gets an update on the 100K Project, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago avant-garde jazz musician Henry Threadgill. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.