Mike Stephen learns about Illinois’ efforts to combat climate change with the executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, gets the lowdown on a story about Chicago with the creator of a new podcast called The City, and discovers the Secret History of legendary Chicago Bluesman Otis Rush with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by Scamlines. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen explores why diner coffee can be so bad with Chicago Tribune food reporter Nick Kindelsperger, learns how Deborah’s Place assists homeless women in Chicago, and gets the lowdown on how open data can make Chicago a better place with Eric Sherman, creator of the Logan Square Chi Hack Night.  The local music this week brought to you by Swatches. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen kicks off a local music-themed show by giving some love to the new show Instagram page, learns the Secret History of folk-rocker Megon McDonough with the great Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave), discusses the important work of Girls Rock Chicago, and welcomes the local band Photo-Curio into the studio to rock out on the air. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses the possibility of enacting a moratorium on the expansion of expressways in Chicagoland with Ron Burke of the Active Transportation Alliance, previews a community-building event called the CivicLab Harambee with Tom Tresser, and learns the Secret History of Evanston activist folk singer Kristin Lems.  The local music this week flows from J P J. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.