Are food delivery apps ruining restaurants?

Mike Stephen discusses the impact of food delivery apps on local restaurants with Phillip Foss, co-owner of EL Ideas and Boxcar Barbecue, previews the FOIAFest with Chicago Headline Club president Madhu Krishnamurthy, and learns the Secret History of local blues shufflers The Aces. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on using food delivery apps. The local pandemic tunez come from Harry James Brenner. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Is our democracy healthy?

Mike Stephen discusses the health of our democracy in the wake of recent events with Dr. Joel Ostrow, professor of political science and an expert in the rise and fall of democracies.  Then we learn about the life of the late Alejandro Morales, a beloved local musician who recently passed away, from OTL contributor Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave). And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin encourage us, the people, to get our act together when it comes to supporting our democracy. The local pandemic tunez come from Moss Grows. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

The border of Chicago and Oak Park.

Mike Stephen discusses why the geography of Chicago stopped growing with Chicago Magazine contributor Ted McClelland, learns about efforts to save local performance venues with CIVL board member and venue owner Billy Helmkamp, and uncovers the history of 1930s bluesman Kokomo Arnold. The local pandemic tunez come from Alpha Colors. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen learns about the fight against pollution on the southeast side of Chicago with Peggy Salazar of the Southeast Environmental Task Force, gets the skinny on The Fooditor 33, a new local food guidebook that’s adapted for the pandemic, with author Mike Gebert, and discovers the Secret History of avant-garde musician Frank Garvey. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and give each other Christmas gifts. The local pandemic tunez come from Derek Clegg. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page or RSS feed.