Mike Stephen travels to The Matchbox in West Town to kick off the 2020 OTL Winter Tavern Tour.

Mike Stephen kicks off the Winter Tavern Tour at The Matchbox in West Town, learns about a program that turns young writers into published novelists called Open Books Publishing Academy, and discusses the efforts to recruit more bilingual teachers in the state.  And this week we enjoy local music from Way to Go Radio. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen welcomes the members of the local band Weird Bananas into the studio.

Mike Stephen discusses the changing city policy of keeping impounded vehicles after motorists declare bankruptcy, learns about a new series of Afrofuturism novellas, and welcomes the Weird Bananas into the studio for a live performance of local music. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen sits down with WGN Radio’s Dometi Pongo to talk about his new podcast on African-Americans and voting called Dear Black Voter, learns about the significance of Banned Books Week from Jamie LaRue of the American Library Association, and discovers the Secret History of 60s rockers The Spoils of War with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by Daydream Review. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

It’s a historic day for Mike Stephen as he chats with Craig Pfannkuche of the Chicago and North Western Historical Society about the ambitions of Chicago’s first mayor, author Daniel Kay Hertz about his book The Battle of Lincoln Park, and pays a visit to Steve Krakow (aka Plastic Crimewave) to learn about the Secret History of prog-rockers Mugicians. Local music this week is powered by Aurora L’Orealis. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.