We meet the new editor in chief of the Chicago Reader. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to Sarah Conway, the new editor in chief of the Chicago Reader, about the future of the paper, discusses Chicago Public Schools student educational attainment post-graduation with the To&Through Project director of data and research Alexandra Usher, and gets the lowdown on new Holiday music from local guitarist Kevin Brown. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

We learn about ways to help those less fortunate in Chicago during this Holiday season. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about a local initiative called Home for the Holidays that helps those less fortunate this Holiday season from founder Chef Ora Thompson, gets a preview of a local King Crimson tribute band show from band leader Eric Butler, and discovers the Secret History of local actor and musician Charles E. Gerber. AND…come out to Fitzgerald’s at 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn on Saturday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m. for the Outside the Loop 1,000th episode taping! It’s a FREE event, but you need to RSVP using this link. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Mike Stephen discusses the state of local news in 2025 with Medill professor Tim Franklin and then dives into the Secret History of the 1970s Chicago horn rock band Aura. AND…come out to Fitzgerald’s at 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn on Saturday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m. for the Outside the Loop 1,000th episode taping! It’s a FREE event, but you need to RSVP using this link. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.