OTL: Episode #501- Sister Donna Quinn on her life of activism, Run Domestic Violence Out of Town, Dina Bach performs live

Mike Stephen talks with:   activist nun Donna Quinn about fighting for gender equality as detailed in her new book Chicago Catholic Women: Its Role in Founding the Catholic Women’s Movement;   Run Domestic Violence Out of Town marathon campaign coordinator Bethany Gomillion Thompson about how running the Chicago Marathon can benefit the fight against domestic violence; and   local singer-songwriter Dina Bach, who provided the soundtrack for the show! Check out her new EP Kiss Me Like That.   Meanwhile, we discuss Melissa’s Pal Crépes… the city’s first officially licensed food cart!   Local musician Dina Bach previewed her new EP Kiss Me Like That all throughout OTL #501. Fortunately, OTL host Mike Stephen is only posing here.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #499- Protecting high school journalists, Oak Park’s newest theater productions, The Mini Maker Faire preview

Mike Stephen talks with:   Illinois Journalism Education Association board member Stan Zoller about Illinois House Bill 5902 (aka the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act) and how the proposed law would give some legal protections to high school students;   Surging Film & Theatrics artistic director Billy Surges about the Oak Park theater company’s 2016 season (featuring walk-ons by Tracers actors Patrick McGrath and Tony Calkins); and   Chicago Northside Mini Maker Faire founder Christina Pei about the fifth annual celebration of DIY and all the amazing and innovative stuff we create.   Meanwhile, we play yet another voicemail from #1 OTL (and Lou Manfredini) fan Mrs. Stephen!   This week’s local music is provided music provided by THEDEADWOODS.   OTL host Mike Stephen and multimedia star Lou Manfredini go way back! [pictured in the old WGN Radio newsroom circa 2004]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #497- Chicago Pen Show preview, Bad Poetry Night, Rebooting tap dance

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Pen Show partner Paul Conterato about their mutual love of pens and the popularity of writing utensils;   Chicago Writers Conference founder Mare Swallow about what to expect from this year’s spectacular Bad Poetry Night event; and   jorsTAP Chicago artistic director and founder Kendra Jorstad about pushing the creative barriers in tap dancing and their new show Abstraction.   Meanwhile, we discuss Mike’s experience speaking at the NISPA (Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association) Conference yesterday.   This week’s local music is provided music provided by Ryland Foxx.   Future OTL host Mike Stephen proudly displays a small portion of his vast pen and mechanical pencil collection. [circa 1989 or 1990]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #496- Secret History of Detroit Junior, Where Can I Protest?, The Owls Seem What They Are Not perform live

Mike Stephen talks with:   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about R&B-influenced pianist Detroit Junior for this week’s “Post-Winter Blues” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music;   Scrappers Film Group journalism producer Yana Kunichoff about Where Can I Protest?, the fourth episode of the “Rights Lab” web series that’s screening at Comfort Station; and   experimental rock band The Owls Seem What They Are Not (featuring OTL #463 musical guest Reade Wildman), who hung out live for the hour! Check out their new record Whirl Around The Whirr Rider Riding A Whale Down A Waterfall.   Meanwhile, we discuss the questionable legality of a political sign at a busy Chicago intersection.   Local band The Owls Seem What They Are Not (Webb Dieter, Nolan Marchi, Reade Widman, Jackie Tangg) now share a special bond with Mike Stephen after rocking the soundtrack for OTL #496.   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.   Webb Dieter, Jackie Tangg, Nolan Marchi (pictured in window reflection), and Reade Widman of The Owls Seem What They Are Not jam a tune from their new Whirl Around The Whirr Rider Riding A Whale Down a Waterfall record on an early Chicago Saturday morning.