Electric transportation. (Photo courtesy of Collin Seaman/WGN Radio).

Mike Stephen discusses Illinois’ grade for electric transportation with Bryan Howard of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, learns about the importance of local architectural journalism with architectural historian Elizabeth Blasius, and talks to Colleen Smith, deputy director of the Illinois Environmental Council, about a proposed ordinance aimed at curbing air pollution in Chicago. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin stress the need for immediate environmental protections, wonder if Mars will be a vacation destination in the future, and say some prayers for The Tamale Guy. The local music this week comes from Motel Breakfast. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 9 months ago Tagged

Mike Stephen enjoys a delicious seafood buffet while at a wedding in Cleveland.

Mike Stephen learns about the fate of buffets in the wake of the pandemic with the Washington Post’s Tim Carman, discusses La Casa Norte’s important work to empower the homeless with community engagement coordinator Rebecca Sumner Burgos, and chats about the new Mellow Chicago Bike Map in the Chicago Reader with columnist John Greenfield. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin decompress after a seemingly unending week while Collin offers Mike a wedding anniversary tip. The local phase four music comes from The Mekons. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 1 year ago Tagged

Mike Stephen discusses the impact of the return of the 157 bus to the North Lawndale Community with Rochelle Jackson of the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council, learns how Black business owners on the West Side are looking to the community for support instead of elected leaders with Vee Harrison of The Triibe, and explores the possibility of meaningful police reform in Chicago with Tracy Siska of the Chicago Justice Project.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin give their takeaways from the show and ponder the glory of a salad bar. The local phase four music this week comes from Flake Michigan. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 1 year ago Tagged

Mike Stephen at the Austin Blue Line stop.

Mike Stephen learns about the CTA Fails multimedia empire, discusses the pandemic’s impact on the local food scene with Mike Gebert, editor of Fooditor, and explores the Secret History of local 60s garage-rockers The Jokers. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin recap the show.   The local quarantine music this week comes from the Chicago Underground Quartet. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 2 years ago Tagged