Mike Stephen discusses the importance of racial equity work in Chicago with Niketa Brar of Chicago United for Equity and then learns how we can use open data to discover more information about local development projects through Cityscape Chicago with founder and CEO Steven Vance.  ALSO: Let us know about your favorite cozy winter neighborhood bars/taverns here!  The local music this week is powered by Plastic Crimewave Syndicate. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen beams over to Logan Square to geek out about Trek Talk, discusses the readiness of Black Chicago to organize for the upcoming mayoral election with Tiffany Walden of The Triibe, and learns the Secret History of Chicago Bluesman Lil’ Ed Williams.  This week’s local music is brought to you by Twin Talk. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen hosts the annual Outside the Loop Chicago Podcasting Summit to talk about all things new and exciting in the world of local audio storytelling. Joining him for this summit are podcasters Robin Amer of The City, Laura Austin of Always Andersonville, and Shannon Cason of Homemade Stories and The Trouble. Special thanks to Flora for powering this week’s local music. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

Mike Stephen learns how the government shutdown canceled an EPA pollution hearing in East Chicago, previews the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival with artistic director Blair Thomas, and discusses a study analyzing increasing housing prices in Chicago neighborhoods and the impact of those price increases.  The local music this week is brought to you by Noiseferatu.  ALSO: Let us know about your favorite cozy winter neighborhood bars/taverns here! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.