OTL: Episode #487- O’Hare’s runway allocation, The history of Chicago’s water intake cribs, How to save the Sun-Times

Mike Stephen talks with:   Fair Allocation in Runways (FAiR) Coalition leadership team member Helen Rosenberg about the ongoing fight with Mayor Rahm Emanuel over O’Hare noise pollution;   Chicago History Museum senior curator Libby Mahoney about the background of Chicago’s water intake cribs in Lake Michigan; and   Newcity editor/publisher Brian Hieggelke about how to keep Chicago a two-newspaper town with his plan to save the Sun-Times.   Meanwhile, we get fired up about a RedEye columnist defending the fact that she’s never voted.   This week’s local music is provided by Badwater Sound.   OTL host Mike Stephen takes great pleasure in contributing to the O’Hare noise pollution over OTL producer Andy Hermann’s neighborhood.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #461- The new Cabrini Green documentary, Mick Dumke on Chicago politics, Making food carts legal in the city

Mike Stephen talks with:   Filmmaker Ronit Bezalel about her 20-years-in-the-making documentary 70 Acres in Chicago: Cabrini Green;   Chicago Reader senior writer Mick Dumke about his new job at the Chicago Sun-Times, House Speaker Michael Madigan’s not-so-public schedule, and Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of a marijuana decriminalization law; and   Illinois Policy Institute managing editor Hilary Gowins about her Crain’s Chicago Business op-ed on legalizing Chicago food carts (see also NoCronies.com).   This week’s local music is provided by Mystery Crash.   OTL host Mike Stephen reflects on the fantastic question he just asked a guest.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #395- Old-school local biz with The Distance, Mike’s Mom leaves another voicemail, Self-Loved Actor Workshop

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 “love yourself” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about a new online magazine profiling well-established businesses, listens to another awesome voicemail from his mom, and previews the Self-Loved Actor Workshop.   Wailin Wong– Editor and writer of The Distance We learn about this new online publication that profiles local businesses that have been around for at least 25 years.     Mrs. Stephen– Mike’s Mom Since Mother’s Day is this weekend, Mike plays a voicemail him mom left him recently.  Note: it’s tough to pull a fast one on your mom.     Mom wouldn’t call you if she didn’t love you.   Ryan David Heywood– Local actor and creator of The Self-Loved Actor Workshop Rejection is part of being an actor, but that rejection can build up over time and be a source of pain.  We learn about this local workshop that helps actors learn to appreciate themselves.         OTL #395 local music provided by Videotape…  

OTL: Episode #380- Local booze & baseball, Biggest pothole contest, The City Life Supplement returns

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 “knowledge pothole” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks local booze and baseball, learns about the Bridgeport Citizens Group’s pothole contest, and previews The City Life Supplement podcast’s third season.   Josh Noel– Reporter for the Chicago Tribune Recently Josh worked on a project that documents the oral history of Wrigley Field.  We learn about that and hear about Josh’s latest reporting on the state of Malort. Mike Stephen hanging out outside of Wrigley Field before sipping Malort.       Dan Pugh – Director of the Bridgeport Citizens Group This time of year we see some pretty nasty potholes on our streets.  The Bridgeport Citizens Group is holding a contest to see who can find the biggest pothole.  We get the details.         Matt Lyle– Head writer and host of The City Life Supplement podcast This live show that’s also distributed as a podcast is described as a metropolitan “A Prairie Home Companion” and it’s all about life in Chicago.  You can attend the next performance at The Holiday Club on January 25th.     OTL #380 local music provided by Brother George…