Is “We Will Chicago” the people’s plan? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the “We Will Chicago” plan and its criticisms with City Bureau reporters Jerrel Floyd and India Daniels, talks to local photographer Marty Perez about his 40 years of music photography and his new book called Kill a Punk For Rock & Roll: 1976-2019 Photographs, and chats with Peter Moore, artistic director at Steep Theatre, about that theater company’s new grant from the City of Chicago. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

What is the impact of demolishing buildings in Chicago? (Photo credit: David Schalliol. Used with permission.)

Mike Stephen talks to sociologist David Schalliol about the societal impact of demolishing buildings in Chicago, discusses the state of politics in Springfield during this polarized time with State Rep. Margaret Croke (D-12th), and plays audio of his experience at the immersive FORTS! experience at the Filament Theatre in Portage Park. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

This week we discuss diversity in the local theater scene. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about Perceptions Theatre’s work to include more diverse voices in the local theater community from founder and artistic director Myesha Tiara and then discovers the Secret History of 1970s & 80s postpunk rockers Stations. o subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Mike Stephen visits the Oak Park River Forest Museum to learn about the legacy of the Fair Housing Ordinance in Oak Park, discusses the impact of shifting wealth in Chicago households with Geoff Smith of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University, and gets a peek into the Halloween-themed theater show called The Walls of Harrow House.  The local music this week comes from the Alpine Subs. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.