OTL: Episode #151- The Honeymoon Show

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “let’s hear that again” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen has been sunning himself on the beaches of the Riviera Maya in Mexico for the past week so he brings us some fun stories OTL covered in 2009 as well as a BIG OTL programming announcement. BIG OTL ANNOUNCEMENT… Starting on August 27, Outside the Loop Radio moves to its new time slot: every Thursday morning from 10-11!  We’re very excited about this news and hope you’ll catch the show on the air then and continue to download the podcast! Mike Returns From His Honeymoon – Mike was busy this week eating dinners on the beaches of the Riviera Maya with his wife, Jenny, so he airs some fun stories that ran on OTL this year… OTL Rewind – Once again we bring you Mike’s conversation with the owner of the only American made harmonica factory (that happens to be here in Chicago), and his adventures at the Chicago Swordplay Guild. OTL #151 local music provided by Fair Herald…

OTL: Episode #150- Chicago Crime Scenes Project, Recapping the Rockstar Wedding, and Going Beyond the Pedway

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “take my breath away” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen learns about the Chicago Crime Scenes Project, recaps his recent wedding after-party with rock stars, and talks to the creator of a website that showcases small Chicago businesses. Todd Kendall – Economist and founder of the Chicago Crime Scenes Project This blog is a great resource for learning about how crime has shaped Chicago over the years.  Todd gives us the lowdown on the blog and why he started it. Jenny Stephen – Mike’s wife Mike and Jenny got married last weekend and they had a crazy after-party.  It was so crazy, in fact, that they partied with this band… Tim Jahn – Creator of Beyond the Pedway There are many creative local businesses doing cool things that people probably don’t know about.  Tim’s site aims to showcase some of the best and most innovative small businesses in Chicago. OTL #150 local music provided by Sara Masterson…

OTL: Episode #149- Home Made Poetry, Printers’ Ball, TOC’s The Get, and Literago.org

IT’S THE LOCAL LITERARY-THEMED SHOW… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “literary masterpiece” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen gets poetic on his wedding weekend, chats with an organizer of a local literary party, checks in with a Time Out Chicago writer to see what she’s writing about these days, and learns about a website that is a local literary hub. The OTL Poetry Corner – Mike gets sentimental on his wedding weekend and reads a poem he wrote when he was 12.  It was published in Creation Spirituality magazine in 1993. Fred Sasaki – Associate editor of POETRY Friday, July 31 the Fifth Annual Printers’ Ball takes place in Chicago and it’s quite the literary throw down!  Fred gives us the details about the party and talks about the local literary scene. Jessica Herman – Writer for Time Out Chicago’s “The Get” We catch up with Jessica to see what she’s writing about these days, including taking a peek into some Chicagoans homes. Gretchen Kalwinski – Co-founder of Literago.org If you want to be in the know when it comes to the literary scene in Chicago you need to check out Literago!  We learn more about the site on this week’s show. OTL #149 local music provided by The Blissters…

OTL: Episode #148- Local Biz Roadblocks, Is It OK to Like DMB Now?, Godless In Chicago

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “it’s OK to like Dave Matthews” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen discusses the city’s interference of small business startups and entrepreneurs, chats with a local writer about whether or not it’s ok to enjoy Dave Matthews, and learns what an Illinois atheist activist is blogging about these days. Beth Milnikel – Director of the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School Beth recently wrote an op-ed for the Chicago Tribune arguing that the city stands in the way of small business startups more often than not.  We discuss her views on this issue. Steve Heisler – Assistant City Editor for Decider Chicago and Contributor to The AV Club Recently Steve wrote this blog post that raises the question, “Should we still hate Dave Matthews?” Rob Sherman – Blogger at Godless In Chicago at ChicagoNow.com For an atheist’s POV of local politics and other issues, Rob Sherman’s blog is a popular read.  He chats with us this week about atheism and the local separation of church and state. OTL #148 local music provided by The Smoking Popes…