OTL: Episode #481- Inside Uptown’s Shake Rattle & Read, Quitting social media cold turkey, Re-visiting Batavia’s Beardsgaard Barbers

Mike Stephen talks with:   Shake Rattle & Read owner Ric Addy about closing shop after 50 years in Uptown;   artist/author Dmitry Samarov about quitting social media cold turkey; and   Beardsgaard Barbers co-owners Natalie and Tyler Anderson about cutting hair in Batavia (from OTL #416, our first show on WGN Radio).   Meanwhile, HAPPY NEW YEAR!   This week’s local music is provided by City Mouth.   OTL host Mike Stephen in the Shake Rattle & Read basement   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #480- Local criminal justice stories of importance, The Secret History of guitarist Snake Boy Johnson, Clearing up common Chicago parking confusion

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke about criminal justice and some of the other important issues he wrote about in 2015;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Luther “Snake Boy” Johnson for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   The Expired Meter blogger The Parking Ticket Geek about where you can and can’t park in the city in the winter months.   Meanwhile, “Santa Claus” calls in and nearly derails the show!   This week’s local music is provided by The Fource.   OTL host Mike Stephen III introduces his son Mike Stephen IV to his old friend and radio show guest Santa Claus.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #479- The importance of CTU’s vote to strike, Jefferson Park Forward, The Secret History of local folker Bob Gibson

Mike Stephen talks with:   In These Times associate editor and Strike for America: Chicago Teachers Against Austerity author Micah Utrecht about the importance of the Chicago Teachers Union strike;   Jefferson Park Forward founder Ryan Richter about the future of Chicago’s northwest side; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about folk hero Bob Gibson for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we discuss Chicago the band entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame via a controversial fan vote.   This week’s local music is provided by Vamplifier.   OTL host Mike Stephen always dresses a little nicer around the holidays. Nice shirt!   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #475- Combating suburban homelessness, Chicago Book Expo preview, Recycling in Chicago the right way

Mike Stephen talks with:   Loaves & Fishes Community Services President & CEO Megan Selck about how her organization is combating suburban homelessness;   Chicago Book Expo co-organizer John Wilson about the literary event of the year that’s happening at Columbia College; and   DNAinfo Chicago reporter/producer Patty Wetli about figuring out the right way to recycle in Chicago.   Meanwhile, Mike reviews Chicago’s rules about how long you have to clear off your sidewalk after a snowfall.   This week’s local music is provided by Common Allies.   OTL host Mike Stephen celebrates the first snow of 2015 before being a good citizen and shoveling the sidewalk.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.