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.

Extreme times call for extreme closeups. Mike Stephen broadcasting from his home studio.

Mike Stephen discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local bars and taverns, chats with the Metropolitan Tenants Organization about the recent halting of evictions in Cook County in the wake of the pandemic, and learns how community radio helps towns during times of uncertainty with WHIW-LP in Harvard, IL.  The local music this week comes from Matt Piet. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses the Clean Energy Jobs Act.

Mike Stephen gets an update on the Clean Energy Jobs Act, checks in with a garage-based community radio station, WIDE-LP, in Madison, WI, and learns the Secret History of 70s local country-rockers The Moondogs.  This week’s local Holiday music is brought to you by El Gato Roboto. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.