Mike Stephen celebrates pride during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mike Stephen discusses the Pride Month celebrations this year and the significance of the recent LGBTQ civil rights Supreme Court decision with Tracy Baim, learns about the comeback of Chicago breweries and bars with Chicago Tribune reporter Josh Noel, and discovers the Secret History of 70s horn-rockers Chase. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin remind all of us to keep wearing masks during the pandemic and reflect on the recent street closure initiative in Chicago. The local quarantine music this week comes from Paddle Fish. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 5 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen views the beautiful Son of Juice hazy IPA from Maplewood Brewing in Chicago.

Mike Stephen discusses how COVID-19 impacts prisons with the executive director of the John Howard Association of Illinois, learns how local breweries are navigating the pandemic with Josh Noel of the Chicago Tribune, and chats about the impact of a pandemic on our local transportation with John Greenfield, editor of Streetsblog Chicago. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin discuss the choice of whether or not to use grocery delivery services during this time.  The local quarantine music this week comes from Red Cent. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 5 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen at a New Year's party in 2010 and Mike Stephen on the air at WGN Radio in 2019.

Mike Stephen discusses whether 2019 was a good year for local beer with Josh Noel of the Chicago Tribune, learns about the fight against corruption with Susan Garrett of the Center for Illinois Politics, and airs some show clips from the past decade of OTL. The local music this week is brought to us by Ryan Yueill. Happy New Year from your friends at OTL! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 5 years ago Tagged

Mike Stephen hosts the eerie 666th show of Outside the Loop.

Mike Stephen celebrates the creepy 666th episode by learning about the benefits of eating insects, gets the lowdown on the increase in dark lagers brewed locally, and discovers the Secret History of soul singer Barbara Acklin.  This week’s local music is brought to you by Opacia. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Posted 6 years ago Tagged