OTL: Episode #488- Express train to O’Hare?, The Secret History of Chicago saxman Eddie Shaw, Preparing students through industrial tech class

Mike Stephen talks with:   Midwest High Speed Rail Association executive director Richard Harnish about a potential express train to O’Hare and beyond;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about The Wolfgang saxophonist Eddie Shaw for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   Hampshire High School industrial technology teacher Mike Jakubowski about preparing students for real world.   Meanwhile, we try to figure out if we still have a MySpace page while also discussing Pizza Pizzazz, frozen pizzas, and questionable Rogers Park establishments.   This week’s local music is provided by the Poison Boys.   OTL host Mike Stephen III encourages his son Mike Stephen IV to consider a career in industrial technology with a toy hammer.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #486- Chicago Gay Hockey, Coding While Black, The Secret History of local Bluesman Luther Allison

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Gay Hockey Association board members Andrew Sobotka and Brian Hull before a game at Johnny’s IceHouse West;   Coding While Black founder and president Dominic M. Liddell about the need for diversity in the tech community; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about unclassifiable guitar hero Luther Allison for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we wonder if Chicago’s plastic bag ban is working.   This week’s local music is provided by Glamour Hotline.   OTL host Mike Stephen checks out the scene before strapping on his skates with the Chicago Gay Hockey Association.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #480- Local criminal justice stories of importance, The Secret History of guitarist Snake Boy Johnson, Clearing up common Chicago parking confusion

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke about criminal justice and some of the other important issues he wrote about in 2015;   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about Luther “Snake Boy” Johnson for this week’s “Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and   The Expired Meter blogger The Parking Ticket Geek about where you can and can’t park in the city in the winter months.   Meanwhile, “Santa Claus” calls in and nearly derails the show!   This week’s local music is provided by The Fource.   OTL host Mike Stephen III introduces his son Mike Stephen IV to his old friend and radio show guest Santa Claus.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #479- The importance of CTU’s vote to strike, Jefferson Park Forward, The Secret History of local folker Bob Gibson

Mike Stephen talks with:   In These Times associate editor and Strike for America: Chicago Teachers Against Austerity author Micah Utrecht about the importance of the Chicago Teachers Union strike;   Jefferson Park Forward founder Ryan Richter about the future of Chicago’s northwest side; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about folk hero Bob Gibson for this week’s edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we discuss Chicago the band entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame via a controversial fan vote.   This week’s local music is provided by Vamplifier.   OTL host Mike Stephen always dresses a little nicer around the holidays. Nice shirt!   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.