A look at the inside of the new Chicago Mobile Maker Space. Photo by Tom Harris.

Mike Stephen gets an update on the Chicago Mobile Makers with founder Maya Bird-Murphy, talks to Dr. Donald Wuebbles of the University of Illinois about the effects of local air pollution during a pandemic, and discovers the Secret History of 1960s garage-rockers Byzantine Empire.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin give their takeaways from the show. The local phase four music comes from OTL contributor Steve Krakow’s band, Plastic Crimewave Syndicate! To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

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Mike Stephen and his son Joey celebrate the 4th of July early on Saturday morning.

Mike Stephen learns about the effort to protect voting rights in IL with Ami Gandhi of the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, discusses the increase in fireworks in Chicagoland with Bob Chiarito of Block Club Chicago, and discovers the Secret History of blues diva Holle Thee Maxwell.   And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin talk about the importance of getting away from it all during this summer. The local phase four music this week comes from Jen Lem. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

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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.

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The conversation around systemic racism continues.

Mike Stephen discusses the need to address systemic racism in our society with Sharlyn Grace, executive director of the Chicago Community Bond Fund, and Aislinn Pulley, co-executive director of the Chicago Torture Justice Center and founder of the Chicago chapter of Black Lives Matter. After that we learn the Secret History of successful video game composer Michael Salvatori.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin explore ways to work towards racial equity in our society. The local quarantine music this week comes from DJ Taz Rashid. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

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