This week we explore the history of country music in Chicago. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks with Mark Guarino, the author of a new book called Country and Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival about the history of country music in Chicago and then reconnects with former Outside the Loop producer, Andy Hermann, about his new gig as a public radio producer and host at Nebraska Public Media. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

The OTL Podcasting Summit 2021

Mike Stephen welcomes three local podcasters to discuss their shows, the state of local storytelling, and the future of the podcast medium. Corey Leber, co-executive producer of Chicago’s Bravest Stories, Jacoby Cochran, host of City Cast, and Colleen Pellissier, host and creator of Psychonaut, share their thoughts. The local pandemic tunez come from Saint Lou. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

As OTL takes over the air time previously held by The Saturday Morning Show, we give a shout-out to all the farmers who do important work!

Mike Stephen talks to Giselle Rodriguez, the co-founder of the Center for Immigrant Progress, about advocating for immigration reform locally and what life is like as an undocumented immigrant. Then we learn how community radio station WXMR-FM (94.3) serves Marengo, IL, from station president Tim Sebastian. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin offer some takeaways from the show. The local pandemic tunez come from Possum Lungs. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen broadcasts from WLUW-FM, a community radio station at the time, circa 1999.

Mike Stephen learns about the great work of Friedman Place with executive director Alexander Brown, talks to Billy Dave Sherman of the local band The Steak House Mints about the impact of the pandemic on music, and gets the story of WLCB-FM serving northern IL and southern WI with general manager Sean Hauser.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the range of emotions going on during this show and plan a steakhouse visit. The local pandemic tunez come from The Steak House Mints, of course! The above picture features Mike Stephen broadcasting from WLUW-FM, a local community station at the time, circa 1999. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.