Crime is on the rise on the CTA. (Photo Credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses increase in crime on the CTA with Chicago Reader columnist and Streetsblog Chicago co-editor John Greenfield, learns about the Anixter Center’s After 22 program that helps youth with developmental disabilities from vice president of growth and organization, Dina Donahue-Chase, and has a conversation about the connection between the war in Ukraine and preserving democracy at home with Benedictine University political science professor Dr. Joel Ostrow. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

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BUILD Chicago’s Mobile Mental Health Bus. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio).

Mike Stephen learns about BUILD Chicago’s new Mobile Mental Health Bus with therapist David Rodriguez, discusses changes at the Acorn Theater and airs an interview he did there in 2013, and discovers the Secret History of blues singer Little Al Thomas. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

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This week we explore Black organizing in Illinois pre-Civil War. (Used with permission from Northwestern University. All photos in the public domain.)

Mike Stephen discusses a new online exhibit that examines the role of the Black community in pre-Civil War Illinois with Northwestern University history professor and project director Kate Masur. Check out her book called Until Justice Be Done: America’s First Civil Rights Movement, from the Revolution to Reconstruction. Then, we hear from local tai chi teacher Arlene Faulk to learn her remarkable story of how she fought back against multiple sclerosis. She recounts her journey in the book Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

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Visit your local bar! (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen gets an update on how the hospitality industry is doing during this stage of the pandemic and discusses Chicago Tavern Week with Mr. Chicago Bars, discusses teacher demoralization with Kenwood Academy teacher Dave Stieber, and learns the Secret History of nonagenarian blues bassist Bob Stroger. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

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