Voting is cool!

Mike Stephen learns about what it’s like to get out the vote with Janelle Rau-Clauson, chats about NewCity’s special “Best of Chicago” issue with guest co-editor Scoop Jackson, and gets some tips on enjoying winter during a pandemic from the Chicago Reader‘s John Greenfield. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and Mike makes plans to visit Collin’s house to see his fire table. The local pandemic tunez come from Blue Spring. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Sandwiches rule!

Mike Stephen explores how restaurants are turning to sandwiches to survive with Nick Kindelsperger of the Chicago Tribune, learns about the City of Chicago budget process with City Bureau reporting residents Kelly Garcia and Corli Jay, and discovers the Secret History of local R&B band The Lovelites. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and ponder an OTL paywall experience. The local pandemic tunez come from Motel Breakfast. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

The Love Fridge lends a helping hand in Chicago neighborhoods.

Mike Stephen learns how The Love Fridge works to combat hunger during a pandemic with co-lead organizer Lisa Armstrong, discusses Ballot Z’s mission of getting young people involved civically with founder Gretchen Coleman, and learns the Secret History of local 1960s funk and soul band The Artistics. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the good advocacy highlighted in this week’s show as well as Mike’s admission of standing in line overnight to see Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones back in 2002. The local pandemic tunez come from OHMME. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Inside Chicago’s Epiphany Center for the Arts.

Mike Stephen learns about efforts to bring back live music in Chicago with Mike Jeffers of the Epiphany Center for the Arts, learns about a new book on LGBTQ history called Our Gay History in Fifty States from author Zaylore Stout, and discovers the Secret History of the band The Chicago Loop. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and Collin reminds us that he is a slow-working artist. The local pandemic tunez come from Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.