Mike Stephen and Steve Rhodes chat about journalism at the WLUW-FM studios back in 2007.

Mike Stephen gets the story on the Beachwood Reporter hiatus from editor & publisher Steve Rhodes (pictured above with Mike in the WLUW-FM studios in 2007), discusses the push to end money bail in Illinois with Sharone Mitchell, the director of the Illinois Justice Project, and learns about the possibility of Chicago privatizing its recycling collection with Cole Rosengren of Waste Dive. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin tip their hats to the aforementioned Mr. Rhodes and decide which NFL franchise they’d like to own (besides the Bears and the 49ers). The local pandemic tunez come from Hospital Bracelet. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [ 52:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (10)

Posted 1 month ago Tagged

Is our democracy healthy?

Mike Stephen discusses the health of our democracy in the wake of recent events with Dr. Joel Ostrow, professor of political science and an expert in the rise and fall of democracies.  Then we learn about the life of the late Alejandro Morales, a beloved local musician who recently passed away, from OTL contributor Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave). And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin encourage us, the people, to get our act together when it comes to supporting our democracy. The local pandemic tunez come from Moss Grows. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [ 45:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (23)

Posted 1 month ago Tagged

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.

Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [ 43:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (24)

Posted 2 months ago Tagged

The border of Chicago and Oak Park.

Mike Stephen discusses why the geography of Chicago stopped growing with Chicago Magazine contributor Ted McClelland, learns about efforts to save local performance venues with CIVL board member and venue owner Billy Helmkamp, and uncovers the history of 1930s bluesman Kokomo Arnold. The local pandemic tunez come from Alpha Colors. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [ 38:38 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (15)

Posted 2 months ago Tagged