OTL: Episode #300- Art on (The El) Track, OTL’s 300th show, Lake Claremont Press covers Chicago

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “30o is the new 50” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen celebrates the 300th episode of the show, learns about turning the El into an art gallery, airs a clip from Robert McChesney, and talks to the founder of Lake Claremont Press.   Tristan Hummel— Founder of Art on Track On September 22nd, a 6-car CTA El train will become a mobile art gallery.  We get a preview of the event this week.  You can check out the event’s Kickstarter page HERE. Robert McChesney – Media reformer, professor of communication at U of I, founder of FreePress Since this is OTL’s 300th show, we take a look back at Mike’s first interview on the program.  It’s a discussion about localism in our media.     Sharon Woodhouse–  Founder of Lake Claremont Press This local press has been publishing books on Chicago-specific topics since 1994.  They have a great body of work and we hear about the origins of this fantastic press. OTL #300 local music provided by Hollows…  

OTL: Episode #299- Getting around with Uber Chicago, Mike’s first Phish experience, Bucktown Tree & Garden Walk Preview

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “Phishy” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about a new transportation service in Chicago, recaps his first Phish experience, and previews the Bucktown Tree and Garden Walk.   Max Crowley— Community Manager of Uber Chicago Uber is your new on-demand private driver that can take you around the city.  We learn how this service works. Mike’s First Phish Concert – Last week Mike attended his first Phish concert.  He brought along his audio recorder and talked to some of the Phish phaithful before the show.   The Phish crowd at Alpine Valley   Sam Marts– Bucktown Tree & Garden Walk co-chair This fun event is happening July 14-15.  We get a preview this week. OTL #299 local music provided by Taught Abroad…  

OTL: Episode #298-Chicago as a creative hub

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “bad week for the air conditioning to fail” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Since Mike Stephen had to deal with the breakdown of the OTL Bunker air conditioning unit, we hear a rebroadcast of a roundtable discussion from last April… The topic of this roundtable ishow to make Chicago a creative hub. Mike welcomes: Nik Rokop– Director of the IIT Knapp Entrepreneurship Center Erika Pfleger–  Asst. Director of the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School John Bosher– Producer, Beverly Ridge Pictures L to R: John Bosher, Erika Pfleger, and Nik Rokop The Roundtable is portable!  If you have an idea where we should record the next one or what we should talk about, let the OTL Staff know!      

OTL: Episode #297- Mick Dumke on new pot law, Near North Side, The Second Rate City?

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “smoke ’em if ya’ got ’em” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks new Chicago pot laws, learns about the Near North Unity Program, and explores whether or not Chicago is in decline.   Mick Dumke— Senior writer at the Chicago Reader Recently, Mayor Emanuel announced his support for a plan that would lessen the consequences of getting caught with small amounts of marijuana.  We get the latest on this from Mick. Photo courtesy of ChicagoReader.com Abu Ansari – Content manager of connectnearnorth.org Randall Blakey- Facilitator of the Near North Unity Program The Near North neighborhood has gone through many changes over the years.  We learn about efforts to bring that community closer together through local social programs and technology.     Aaron Renn– Urban analyst and publisher of The Urbanophile Aaron wrote an article called “The Second Rate City?” where he argues that our city could be in decline.  He discusses his thoughts on this topic this week. OTL #297 local music provided by Soft Jolts…