Mike Stephen discusses the importance of a healthy local nonprofit arts community with Vickie Lakes-Battle of IFF and Vanessa Sanchez of Villapalooza and then chats with Danita Patterson, founder of Destiny Outreach, about a new program aimed at guiding Chicago’s youth towards careers in the entertainment industry. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

How can we bridge the wealth gap in Chicago? (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about efforts to bridge the wealth gap and to provide worker dignity at the local level from Julian Posada, President & CEO of LiftUp Chicago, and then discusses supporting the important work of local nonprofits with Jessica Nepomiachi, Director of Special Projects for the Real Estate Solutions Team at IFF. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #571- The future of journalism, Digital maps and local art, Chicago Book Expo preview

Mike Stephen talks with:   OTL’s very first guest Bob McChesney, Professor of Communication at the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana, about the erosion of journalism;   Local artist Carla Fisher-Schwartz, whose installation True North is featured at the SUB-MISSION exhibition space in Chicago through October 21st; and   John Wilson, local author and co-organizer of the 2017 Chicago Book EXPO.   Meanwhile, Mike celebrates 11 years of Outside the Loop!   This week’s local music is provided by Ethereal Groove, Inc.. Mike Stephen receives his 11 year anniversary gift wrapped in diaper coupons. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #553- CPD’s Strategic Subject List, The Chicago Picasso, Urban Nerd Herd

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke about why the Chicago Police Department has created a secret “Strategic Subject List” of possible violent criminals;   art historian Patricia Balton Stratton about her new book The Chicago Picasso: A Point of Departure; and   Urban Nerd Herd founder Amanda McCarthy about hiking for pleasure and mental health.   Meanwhile, we discuss how Mike jammed on some indie rock at the Navy Pier McDonald’s!   This week’s local music is provided by Post Animal.   Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke and OTL host Mike Stephen rep the city and solve the world’s problems during their post-show breakfast meeting.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.