OTL: Episode #475- Combating suburban homelessness, Chicago Book Expo preview, Recycling in Chicago the right way

Mike Stephen talks with:   Loaves & Fishes Community Services President & CEO Megan Selck about how her organization is combating suburban homelessness;   Chicago Book Expo co-organizer John Wilson about the literary event of the year that’s happening at Columbia College; and   DNAinfo Chicago reporter/producer Patty Wetli about figuring out the right way to recycle in Chicago.   Meanwhile, Mike reviews Chicago’s rules about how long you have to clear off your sidewalk after a snowfall.   This week’s local music is provided by Common Allies.   OTL host Mike Stephen celebrates the first snow of 2015 before being a good citizen and shoveling the sidewalk.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #465- The future of affordable housing in Chicago, Petcoke’s presence on the South Side, Chicago’s best novels by neighborhood

Mike Stephen talks with:   CityLab staff writer Brentin Mock about the future of affordable housing in Chicago;   Southeast Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke member Jim Kinney about how a toxic byproduct of petroleum processing is affecting city residents; and   Local author/lecturer/screenwriter Adam Morgan about the “Best Chicago Novels by Neighborhood” (via Gapers Block).   This week’s local music is provided by Low Swans.   OTL host Mike Stephen practices for the show each week in a studio much like this one in a top-secret underground bunker.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #419- Chicago storyteller Jack Zimmerman, Local Star Trek hardcore music, Mike Loves Tacos

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “Chicago stories” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen talks tacos, visits with acclaimed local storyteller and author Jack Zimmerman, and debuts a new hardcore metal song about Star Trek: The Next Generation.   Jack Zimmerman– Chicago author and storyteller One of the most unique storytellers in Chicago drops by the studio to chat about his life, his work, and his new book: Cooked. Jack Zimmerman and Mike Stephen in the WGN Allstate Showcase Studio    Collin Seaman & T.J. Martin– Band members of TNG Take Star Trek: The Next Generation and add hardcore metal.  The result is TNG.  We go on-location to Backhouse Productions in Glendale Heights, IL and get a behind the scenes look at the latest song: “Up the Long Ladder.”  Check out the behind-the-scenes making of the song HERE.  T.J. Martin, Mike Stephen, and Collin Seaman lay down sweet vocals on TNG’s “Up the Long Ladder.”   Mike Loves Tacos– He really does. The latest edition of this Chicago-centric taco series is online HERE.  Mike wakes up his guest John Berka to reflect on his time eating tacos on camera at El Asadero in Lincoln Square (2213 W. Montrose). John Berka and Mike Stephen eat tacos at El Asadero in Lincoln Square.     OTL #419 local music provided by The Artist Formerly Known As Vince…

OTL: Episode #387- Louder Than a Bomb poetry slam, Mayor Emanuel needs to hear from the kids, Story Club 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 “Louder Than a Bomb” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen visits the Louder Than a Bomb 2014 Semi-Finals at The Metro, airs a pointed critique of Mayor Emanuel from high school students, and learns about Story Club Chicago.   Louder Than a Bomb– An amazing teen poetry slam We go inside the LTAB poetry slam semi-finals that took place last weekend and hear the voices of the incredible youth that made it happen.   A message for Mayor Emanuel – From some high school students in Englewood Students from Englewood perform a group poem that talks directly to the mayor about their neighborhood vs. the other Chicago.     Students from Englewood performing at Metro   Dana Norris– Founder of Story Club Story Club is a nonfiction storytelling show that aims to mix the spontaneity of an open mic with the experience of live theater.  Also, check out the new Story Club Magazine.     OTL #387 local music provided by Organ Wolf…