Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:35:28 +0000 Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:35:28 +0000 Libsyn RSSgen 1.0 http://outsidetheloopradio.com en http://outsidetheloopradio.com Outside the Loop RADIO is Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine. Founded as a podcast in September 2006 and picked up for broadcast by Chicago Sound Alliance WLUW 88.7-FM in March 2007, "OTL" now airs on Chicago's Very Own 50,000-watt heritage powerhouse station WGN Radio 720-AM. Storyteller and urbanologist Mike Stephen hosts this weekly program featuring fun segments and interviews with local newsmakers, artists, musicians, and others doing cool stuff around the greater Chicago area. The show covers topics stories that don't always get mainstream media attention... and it's all presented with a strong and independent Chicago slant. http://outsidetheloopradio.com https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/5/6/7/8/56783662879f9f66/OTL_Logo-1400_x1400-iTunes.jpg Albert James Productions no Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine episodic no Outside the Loop RADIO is Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine. Founded as a podcast in September 2006 and picked up for broadcast by Chicago Sound Alliance WLUW 88.7-FM in March 2007, "OTL" now airs on Chicago's Very Own 50,000-watt heritage poweinfo@outsidetheloopradio.comAlbert James Productions OTL #1,025: Eating at every restaurant in the Loop, Challenges for Chicago street vendors, Addressing the affordable housing crisis Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:30:00 +0000 Mike Stephen talks with local food journalist Nick Kindelsperger about his quest to eat at every restaurant in the Loop, learns about the challenges Chicago street vendors face from Maria Orozco, development manager for the Street Vendors Association of Chicago, and discusses an approach to addressing the affordable housing crisis with Illinois Answers Project investigative reporter Alex Nitkin.

]]> Mike Stephen talks with local food journalist Nick Kindelsperger about his quest to eat at every restaurant in the Loop, learns about the challenges Chicago street vendors face from Maria Orozco, development manager for the Street Vendors Association of Chicago, and discusses an approach to addressing the affordable housing crisis with Illinois Answers Project investigative reporter Alex Nitkin.

]]> 45:23 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen talks with local food journalist Nick Kindelsperger about his quest to eat at every restaurant in the Loop, learns about the challenges Chicago street vendors face from Maria Orozco, development manager for the Street Vendors Association of Chicago, and discusses an approach to addressing the affordable housing crisis with Illinois Answers Project investigative reporter Alex Nitkin.Mike Stephen talks with local food journalist Nick Kindelsperger about his quest to eat at every restaurant in the Loop, learns about the challenges Chicago street vendors face from Maria Orozco, development manager for the Street Vendors Association of Chicago, and discusses an approach to addressing the affordable housing crisis with Illinois Answers Project investigative reporter Alex Nitkin. OTL #1,024: Schlitz ends, but Chicago brewing history lives on Sat, 30 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen revisits a few previous segments from the show that explore the relationship between brewing, distilling, bar culture, and Chicago history.

]]> Mike Stephen revisits a few previous segments from the show that explore the relationship between brewing, distilling, bar culture, and Chicago history.

]]> 43:33 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen revisits a few previous segments from the show that explore the relationship between brewing, distilling, bar culture, and Chicago history.Mike Stephen revisits a few previous segments from the show that explore the relationship between brewing, distilling, bar culture, and Chicago history. OTL #1,023: The history of Chicagoland through bricks, The South Side speaks out against a microelectronics park Sat, 23 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen learns how bricks tell the history of Chicagoland with Will Quam, author of the new book Fire and Clay: How Bricks Reveal the Hidden History of Chicago, and then chats with Akele Spencer, a resident of the South Side and member of Southside Together, about his opposition to a new microelectronics park being built in his community.

]]> Mike Stephen learns how bricks tell the history of Chicagoland with Will Quam, author of the new book Fire and Clay: How Bricks Reveal the Hidden History of Chicago, and then chats with Akele Spencer, a resident of the South Side and member of Southside Together, about his opposition to a new microelectronics park being built in his community.

]]> 38:19 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen learns how bricks tell the history of Chicagoland with Will Quam, author of the new book Fire and Clay: How Bricks Reveal the Hidden History of Chicago, and then chats with Akele Spencer, a resident of the South Side and member of Southside Together, about his opposition to a new microelectronics park being built in his community.Mike Stephen learns how bricks tell the history of Chicagoland with Will Quam, author of the new book Fire and Clay: How Bricks Reveal the Hidden History of Chicago, and then chats with Akele Spencer, a resident of the South Side and member of Southside Together, about his opposition to a new microelectronics park being built in his community. OTL #1,022: Can grocery stores survive food assistance cuts?, Timeless Gifts, The Secret History of Luther Johnson Sat, 16 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen discusses the potential impact of food assistance cuts on Illinois grocery stores with Capitol News Illinois reporting intern Jenna Schweikert, learns how the local organization Timeless Gifts brings music education to youth from founder Joan Collaso, and discovers the secret history of local blues guitarist Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson.

]]> Mike Stephen discusses the potential impact of food assistance cuts on Illinois grocery stores with Capitol News Illinois reporting intern Jenna Schweikert, learns how the local organization Timeless Gifts brings music education to youth from founder Joan Collaso, and discovers the secret history of local blues guitarist Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson.

]]> 35:32 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen discusses the potential impact of food assistance cuts on Illinois grocery stores with Capitol News Illinois reporting intern Jenna Schweikert, learns how the local organization Timeless Gifts brings music education to youth from founder Joan Collaso, and discovers the secret history of local blues guitarist Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson.Mike Stephen discusses the potential impact of food assistance cuts on Illinois grocery stores with Capitol News Illinois reporting intern Jenna Schweikert, learns how the local organization Timeless Gifts brings music education to youth from founder Joan Collaso, and discovers the secret history of local blues guitarist Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson. OTL #1,021: Civic miseducation in CPS, Denying innocence in Cook County Sat, 09 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen explores the controversy of Chicago Public Schools using public money to take students to a protest with Nick Kryczka, assistant professor of secondary education for social studies at the College of Education at National Louis University, and then chats with Injustice Watch senior reporter Dan Hinkel about how difficult it is to clear a wrongful conviction in Cook County.

]]> Mike Stephen explores the controversy of Chicago Public Schools using public money to take students to a protest with Nick Kryczka, assistant professor of secondary education for social studies at the College of Education at National Louis University, and then chats with Injustice Watch senior reporter Dan Hinkel about how difficult it is to clear a wrongful conviction in Cook County.

]]> 37:47 false full info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen explores the controversy of Chicago Public Schools using public money to take students to a protest with Nick Kryczka, assistant professor of secondary education for social studies at the College of Education at National Louis University, and then chats with Injustice Watch senior reporter Dan Hinkel about how difficult it is to clear a wrongful conviction in Cook County.Albert James ProductionsMike Stephen explores the controversy of Chicago Public Schools using public money to take students to a protest with Nick Kryczka, assistant professor of secondary education for social studies at the College of Education at National Louis University, and then chats with Injustice Watch senior reporter Dan Hinkel about how difficult it is to clear a wrongful conviction in Cook County. OTL #1,020: Inside the shop of MachMachines Musical Instruments, A local hero in the Ukraine war, The Secret History of Vince Black Sat, 02 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen visits the shop of Mach MachinesMusical Instruments in Oak Park and talks to owner Dave Showalter, chats with Rima Ziuraitis, a Naperville woman who volunteered in the Ukraine War, and discovers the Secret History of guitarist Vince Black.

]]> Mike Stephen visits the shop of Mach MachinesMusical Instruments in Oak Park and talks to owner Dave Showalter, chats with Rima Ziuraitis, a Naperville woman who volunteered in the Ukraine War, and discovers the Secret History of guitarist Vince Black.

]]> 43:45 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen visits the shop of Mach MachinesMusical Instruments in Oak Park and talks to owner Dave Showalter, chats with Rima Ziuraitis, a Naperville woman who volunteered in the Ukraine War, and discovers the Secret History of guitarist Vince Black.Mike Stephen visits the shop of Mach MachinesMusical Instruments in Oak Park and talks to owner Dave Showalter, chats with Rima Ziuraitis, a Naperville woman who volunteered in the Ukraine War, and discovers the Secret History of guitarist Vince Black. OTL #1,019: Using AI to help local restaurants, Goatstock, New music from Todd Kessler Sat, 25 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen talks to Takeout 25 founder Ravi Parakkat about 20fy.ai, an artificial intelligence system that is being used to help local restaurants, gets a preview of Goatstock in Norridge with Music Graphics Chicago co-owners Deb Sonzo and Jamie Riani, and chats with Chicagoan Todd Kessler about his new music.

]]> Mike Stephen talks to Takeout 25 founder Ravi Parakkat about 20fy.ai, an artificial intelligence system that is being used to help local restaurants, gets a preview of Goatstock in Norridge with Music Graphics Chicago co-owners Deb Sonzo and Jamie Riani, and chats with Chicagoan Todd Kessler about his new music.

]]> 39:02 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen talks to Takeout 25 founder Ravi Parakkat about 20fy.ai, an artificial intelligence system that is being used to help local restaurants, gets a preview of Goatstock in Norridge with Music Graphics Chicago co-owners Deb Sonzo and Jamie Riani, and chats with Chicagoan Todd Kessler about his new music.Mike Stephen talks to Takeout 25 founder Ravi Parakkat about 20fy.ai, an artificial intelligence system that is being used to help local restaurants, gets a preview of Goatstock in Norridge with Music Graphics Chicago co-owners Deb Sonzo and Jamie Riani, and chats with Chicagoan Todd Kessler about his new music. OTL #1,018: The next generation of journalists, The Secret History of Eddie Condon Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen visits the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference to discuss the future of journalism with Prospect High School teacher Jason Block and Prospect seniors Tessa Trylovich and Stella Palm and then discovers the Secret History of jazz guitarist Eddie Condon.

]]> Mike Stephen visits the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference to discuss the future of journalism with Prospect High School teacher Jason Block and Prospect seniors Tessa Trylovich and Stella Palm and then discovers the Secret History of jazz guitarist Eddie Condon.

]]> 42:07 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen visits the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference to discuss the future of journalism with Prospect High School teacher Jason Block and Prospect seniors Tessa Trylovich and Stella Palm and then discovers the Secret History of jazz guitarist Eddie Condon.Mike Stephen visits the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference to discuss the future of journalism with Prospect High School teacher Jason Block and Prospect seniors Tessa Trylovich and Stella Palm and then discovers the Secret History of jazz guitarist Eddie Condon. OTL #1,017: Legal aid through our libraries, Debating public money for private schools, Leaders in Transformational Education Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen chats with Roya Samarghandi, chief advocacy and innovation officer at The Chicago Bar Foundation, about a new program that allows residents to get legal aid at their local library, explores the ongoing debate around public money for private schools with Chalkbeat Chicago's Reema Amin, and gets the lowdown on a local organization that helps youth enter the workforce called Leaders in Transformational Education from CEO Candace Thier.

]]> Mike Stephen chats with Roya Samarghandi, chief advocacy and innovation officer at The Chicago Bar Foundation, about a new program that allows residents to get legal aid at their local library, explores the ongoing debate around public money for private schools with Chalkbeat Chicago's Reema Amin, and gets the lowdown on a local organization that helps youth enter the workforce called Leaders in Transformational Education from CEO Candace Thier.

]]> 39:18 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen chats with Roya Samarghandi, chief advocacy and innovation officer at The Chicago Bar Foundation, about a new program that allows residents to get legal aid at their local library, explores the ongoing debate around public money for private schools with Chalkbeat Chicago's Reema Amin, and gets the lowdown on a local organization that helps youth enter the workforce called Leaders in Transformational Education from CEO Candace Thier.Mike Stephen chats with Roya Samarghandi, chief advocacy and innovation officer at The Chicago Bar Foundation, about a new program that allows residents to get legal aid at their local library, explores the ongoing debate around public money for private schools with Chalkbeat Chicago's Reema Amin, and gets the lowdown on a local organization that helps youth enter the workforce called Leaders in Transformational Education from CEO Candace Thier. OTL #1,016: Revisiting Chicago Voyagers, Sam Robinson's new music, The Secret History of Anne Hills Sat, 04 Apr 2026 21:05:00 +0000 Mike Stephen revisits a segment from 2018 about Chicago Voyagers, learns about local trumpeter Sam Robinson's new music, and discovers the Secret History of folk singer Anne Hills.

]]> Mike Stephen revisits a segment from 2018 about Chicago Voyagers, learns about local trumpeter Sam Robinson's new music, and discovers the Secret History of folk singer Anne Hills.

]]> 37:20 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen revisits a segment from 2018 about Chicago Voyagers, learns about local trumpeter Sam Robinson's new music, and discovers the Secret History of folk singer Anne Hills.Mike Stephen revisits a segment from 2018 about Chicago Voyagers, learns about local trumpeter Sam Robinson's new music, and discovers the Secret History of folk singer Anne Hills. OTL #1,015: New ownership of The Hideout, New Sound Cafe opens in Austin, The Chicago Soul Jazz Collective Sat, 28 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen chats with Teri O'Brien, the new owner of The Hideout, visits Andrew and Hannah Follett, the owners of New Sound Cafe in the Austin neighborhood, and talks to saxophonist John Fournier about the new album from the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective.

]]> Mike Stephen chats with Teri O'Brien, the new owner of The Hideout, visits Andrew and Hannah Follett, the owners of New Sound Cafe in the Austin neighborhood, and talks to saxophonist John Fournier about the new album from the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective.

]]> 38:37 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen chats with Teri O'Brien, the new owner of The Hideout, visits Andrew and Hannah Follett, the owners of New Sound Cafe in the Austin neighborhood, and talks to saxophonist John Fournier about the new album from the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective.Mike Stephen chats with Teri O'Brien, the new owner of The Hideout, visits Andrew and Hannah Follett, the owners of New Sound Cafe in the Austin neighborhood, and talks to saxophonist John Fournier about the new album from the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective. OTL #1,014: Peer support in prisons, New music from The Meadowlark Lemons, EdiblEats Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:47:00 +0000 Mike Stephen discusses the success of peer support programs in prisons with John Howard Association executive director Jennifer Vollen-Katz, chats with local musician Chris Neville about new music from Chicago's Meadowlark Lemons, and talks to Darryl Manuel, the director, and Phil Lee, producer, of the film EdiblEats.

]]> Mike Stephen discusses the success of peer support programs in prisons with John Howard Association executive director Jennifer Vollen-Katz, chats with local musician Chris Neville about new music from Chicago's Meadowlark Lemons, and talks to Darryl Manuel, the director, and Phil Lee, producer, of the film EdiblEats.

]]> 41:04 false full info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen discusses the success of peer support programs in prisons with John Howard Association executive director Jennifer Vollen-Katz, chats with local musician Chris Neville about new music from Chicago's Meadowlark Lemons, and talks to Darryl Manuel, the director, and Phil Lee, producer, of the film EdiblEats.Albert James ProductionsMike Stephen discusses the success of peer support programs in prisons with John Howard Association executive director Jennifer Vollen-Katz, chats with local musician Chris Neville about new music from Chicago's Meadowlark Lemons, and talks to Darryl Manuel, the director, and Phil Lee, producer, of the film EdiblEats. OTL #1,013: The next generation of engineers, Revisiting The Levee, The Secret History of Ed Wilkerson Sat, 14 Mar 2026 22:55:00 +0000 Pinpoint Scholars Foundation founder & president Michael Bempah, replays his visit to The Levee bar in the Hermosa neighborhood, and discovers the Secret History of local saxman Ed Wilkerson Jr.]]> Pinpoint Scholars Foundation founder & president Michael Bempah, replays his visit to The Levee bar in the Hermosa neighborhood, and discovers the Secret History of local saxman Ed Wilkerson Jr.]]> 40:52 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen learns about inspiring the next generation of civil engineers from Pinpoint Scholars Foundation founder & president Michael Bempah, replays his visit to The Levee bar in the Hermosa neighborhood, and discovers the Secret History of local saxman Ed Wilkerson Jr.Mike Stephen learns about inspiring the next generation of civil engineers from Pinpoint Scholars Foundation founder & president Michael Bempah, replays his visit to The Levee bar in the Hermosa neighborhood, and discovers the Secret History of local saxman Ed Wilkerson Jr. OTL #1,012: Illinois' population struggles, Project I Am, Rap J's story Sat, 07 Mar 2026 15:41:00 +0000 Mike Stephen discusses the issue of Illinois' struggling population numbers with Chicago Magazine writer Ted McClelland, learns about the local organization called Project I Am from its founder Jahkil Jackson, and then talks to Milwaukee rapper Rap J about his life story and upcoming Chicago performance.

]]> Mike Stephen discusses the issue of Illinois' struggling population numbers with Chicago Magazine writer Ted McClelland, learns about the local organization called Project I Am from its founder Jahkil Jackson, and then talks to Milwaukee rapper Rap J about his life story and upcoming Chicago performance.

]]> 38:01 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen discusses the issue of Illinois' struggling population numbers with Chicago Magazine writer Ted McClelland, learns about the local organization called Project I Am from its founder Jahkil Jackson, and then talks to Milwaukee rapper Rap J about his life story and upcoming Chicago performance.Mike Stephen discusses the issue of Illinois' struggling population numbers with Chicago Magazine writer Ted McClelland, learns about the local organization called Project I Am from its founder Jahkil Jackson, and then talks to Milwaukee rapper Rap J about his life story and upcoming Chicago performance. OTL #1,011: Civics and a new Bears stadium, A veena virtuoso, The Secret History of The Dells Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:20:00 +0000 Mike Stephen discusses the civic implications of a new Bears stadium with civic educator and author Tom Tresser, previews a local world music performance from veena virtuoso Sara Ranganathan, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago's The Dells.

]]> Mike Stephen discusses the civic implications of a new Bears stadium with civic educator and author Tom Tresser, previews a local world music performance from veena virtuoso Sara Ranganathan, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago's The Dells.

]]> 45:07 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen discusses the civic implications of a new Bears stadium with civic educator and author Tom Tresser, previews a local world music performance from veena virtuoso Sara Ranganathan, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago's The Dells.Mike Stephen discusses the civic implications of a new Bears stadium with civic educator and author Tom Tresser, previews a local world music performance from veena virtuoso Sara Ranganathan, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago's The Dells. OTL #1,010: Check your judges in 2026, My Sweet George tribute show Sat, 21 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen discusses the Injustice Watch 2026 Judicial Primary Election Guide with senior reporter Dan Hinkel and then previews a George Harrison tribute show featuring a wonderful lineup of talented local musicians with Ellis Clark, the lead singer of the band The Social Act.

]]> Mike Stephen discusses the Injustice Watch 2026 Judicial Primary Election Guide with senior reporter Dan Hinkel and then previews a George Harrison tribute show featuring a wonderful lineup of talented local musicians with Ellis Clark, the lead singer of the band The Social Act.

]]> 32:53 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen discusses the Injustice Watch 2026 Judicial Primary Election Guide with senior reporter Dan Hinkel and then previews a George Harrison tribute show featuring a wonderful lineup of talented local musicians with Ellis Clark, the lead singer of the band The Social Act.Mike Stephen discusses the Injustice Watch 2026 Judicial Primary Election Guide with senior reporter Dan Hinkel and then previews a George Harrison tribute show featuring a wonderful lineup of talented local musicians with Ellis Clark, the lead singer of the band The Social Act. OTL #1,009: Intonation Music, A new chapter for the Westside NAACP, The Secret History of Elsa Harris and Duke Tumatoe Sat, 14 Feb 2026 16:19:00 +0000 Mike Stephen learns about the work of Intonation Music on the South Side of Chicago from executive director Tonya Howell, chats with Remel Terry, the new president of the Westside branch of the NAACP, and discovers the Secret History of Elsa Harris and Duke Tumatoe.

]]> Mike Stephen learns about the work of Intonation Music on the South Side of Chicago from executive director Tonya Howell, chats with Remel Terry, the new president of the Westside branch of the NAACP, and discovers the Secret History of Elsa Harris and Duke Tumatoe.

]]> 42:04 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen learns about the work of Intonation Music on the South Side of Chicago from executive director Tonya Howell, chats with Remel Terry, the new president of the Westside branch of the NAACP, and discovers the Secret History of Elsa Harris and Duke Tumatoe.Mike Stephen learns about the work of Intonation Music on the South Side of Chicago from executive director Tonya Howell, chats with Remel Terry, the new president of the Westside branch of the NAACP, and discovers the Secret History of Elsa Harris and Duke Tumatoe. OTL #1,008: The history of Chicago dining, A new show from the Sideshow Villains, A Boy and His Dream Sat, 07 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen talks to food journalist Mike Gebert about his new book that chronicles the history of Chicago dining, previews a Valentine's Day show from the Sideshow Villains with band leader Dante Ingram, and discusses the work of the local nonprofit A Boy and His Dream with founder Sunny Akhigbe.

]]> Mike Stephen talks to food journalist Mike Gebert about his new book that chronicles the history of Chicago dining, previews a Valentine's Day show from the Sideshow Villains with band leader Dante Ingram, and discusses the work of the local nonprofit A Boy and His Dream with founder Sunny Akhigbe.

]]> 45:38 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen talks to food journalist Mike Gebert about his new book that chronicles the history of Chicago dining, previews a Valentine's Day show from the Sideshow Villains with band leader Dante Ingram, and discusses the work of the local nonprofit A Boy and His Dream with founder Sunny Akhigbe.Mike Stephen talks to food journalist Mike Gebert about his new book that chronicles the history of Chicago dining, previews a Valentine's Day show from the Sideshow Villains with band leader Dante Ingram, and discusses the work of the local nonprofit A Boy and His Dream with founder Sunny Akhigbe. OTL #1,007: Chicago independent music venues are the backbone of creativity, Revisiting the preservation of local signs Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:06:00 +0000 Mike Stephen talks to Jimalita Tillman and Chris Bauman, co-chairs of the Chicago Independent Venue League, about a new report that shows how important Chicago independent music venues are to the culture and economy of the city and then revisits a segment on preserving local signs.

]]> Mike Stephen talks to Jimalita Tillman and Chris Bauman, co-chairs of the Chicago Independent Venue League, about a new report that shows how important Chicago independent music venues are to the culture and economy of the city and then revisits a segment on preserving local signs.

]]> 42:09 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen talks to Jimalita Tillman and Chris Bauman, co-chairs of the Chicago Independent Venue League, about a new report that shows how important Chicago independent music venues are to the culture and economy of the city and then revisits a segment on preserving local signs.Mike Stephen talks to Jimalita Tillman and Chris Bauman, co-chairs of the Chicago Independent Venue League, about a new report that shows how important Chicago independent music venues are to the culture and economy of the city and then revisits a segment on preserving local signs. OTL #1,006: Borderless Magazine tells the story of immigrants in Chicago, The connection between school attendance and successful students Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen learns about Borderless Magazine's work of telling the immigrant story in Chicago from co-founder and executive director Nissa Rhee and then chats with Meril Antony, senior research analyst at the UChicago Consortium on School Research, about a new report looking at the link between school attendance and successful students.

]]> Mike Stephen learns about Borderless Magazine's work of telling the immigrant story in Chicago from co-founder and executive director Nissa Rhee and then chats with Meril Antony, senior research analyst at the UChicago Consortium on School Research, about a new report looking at the link between school attendance and successful students.

]]> 36:15 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen learns about Borderless Magazine's work of telling the immigrant story in Chicago from co-founder and executive director Nissa Rhee and then chats with Meril Antony, senior research analyst at the UChicago Consortium on School Research, about a new report looking at the link between school attendance and successful students.Mike Stephen learns about Borderless Magazine's work of telling the immigrant story in Chicago from co-founder and executive director Nissa Rhee and then chats with Meril Antony, senior research analyst at the UChicago Consortium on School Research, about a new report looking at the link between school attendance and successful students. OTL #1,005: Funkytown Beer expands, Paying musicians what they're owed, New music from Gina Marie and The Golden Bucks Sat, 17 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen talks to Richard Bloomfield and Zachary Day, the owners of Chicago's Funkytown Beer, about their expansion plans, chats with Robert's Westside owner/operator Donnie Biggins about how that venue properly pays their artists, and chats with Gina Marie DeGregorio about her new music.

]]> Mike Stephen talks to Richard Bloomfield and Zachary Day, the owners of Chicago's Funkytown Beer, about their expansion plans, chats with Robert's Westside owner/operator Donnie Biggins about how that venue properly pays their artists, and chats with Gina Marie DeGregorio about her new music.

]]> 45:49 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen talks to Richard Bloomfield and Zachary Day, the owners of Chicago's Funkytown Beer, about their expansion plans, chats with Robert's Westside owner/operator Donnie Biggins about how that venue properly pays their artists, and chats with Gina Marie DeGregorio about her new music.Mike Stephen talks to Richard Bloomfield and Zachary Day, the owners of Chicago's Funkytown Beer, about their expansion plans, chats with Robert's Westside owner/operator Donnie Biggins about how that venue properly pays their artists, and chats with Gina Marie DeGregorio about her new music. OTL #1,004: Wage theft in Illinois, A look at the state's fiscal health Sat, 10 Jan 2026 16:24:00 +0000 Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch senior investigative reporter Alejandra Cancino to learn how wage theft of workers continues in Illinois and then gets the lowdown on a new report that examines the fiscal health of the state from Civic Federation senior policy advisor Paula Worthington.

]]> Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch senior investigative reporter Alejandra Cancino to learn how wage theft of workers continues in Illinois and then gets the lowdown on a new report that examines the fiscal health of the state from Civic Federation senior policy advisor Paula Worthington.

]]> 39:48 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch senior investigative reporter Alejandra Cancino to learn how wage theft of workers continues in Illinois and then gets the lowdown on a new report that examines the fiscal health of the state from Civic Federation senior policy advisor Paula Worthington.Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch senior investigative reporter Alejandra Cancino to learn how wage theft of workers continues in Illinois and then gets the lowdown on a new report that examines the fiscal health of the state from Civic Federation senior policy advisor Paula Worthington. OTL #1,003: A look back at 2025 Sat, 03 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen takes a look back at some highlights of the show from 2025.  Happy New Year from your friends at Outside the Loop!

]]> Mike Stephen takes a look back at some highlights of the show from 2025. Happy New Year from your friends at Outside the Loop!

]]> 42:05 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen takes a look back at some highlights of the show from 2025.  Happy New Year from your friends at Outside the Loop!Mike Stephen takes a look back at some highlights of the show from 2025.  Happy New Year from your friends at Outside the Loop! OTL #1,002: A college in degree in Illinois can go a long way, The Secret History of Kitty Haywood Sat, 27 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen discusses a new report that shows a college degree is the most promising path to a good job in Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea and then discovers the Secret History of 20th century soul vocalist Kitty Haywood.

]]> Mike Stephen discusses a new report that shows a college degree is the most promising path to a good job in Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea and then discovers the Secret History of 20th century soul vocalist Kitty Haywood.

]]> 38:27 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen discusses a new report that shows a college degree is the most promising path to a good job in Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea and then discovers the Secret History of 20th century soul vocalist Kitty Haywood.Mike Stephen discusses a new report that shows a college degree is the most promising path to a good job in Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea and then discovers the Secret History of 20th century soul vocalist Kitty Haywood. OTL #1,001: Straight Outta Skokie, Creative Cypher's Chicago entertainment ecosystem Sat, 20 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Mike Stephen talks to Al Krockey, the author of a new book about coming of age in the 1960s and 70s in Skokie and Chicago called Straight Outta Skokie, and then learns about the plans Creative Cypher has for building an entertainment ecosystem in Chicago from founder Troy Pryor and interim president Cindy Beasley.

]]> Mike Stephen talks to Al Krockey, the author of a new book about coming of age in the 1960s and 70s in Skokie and Chicago called Straight Outta Skokie, and then learns about the plans Creative Cypher has for building an entertainment ecosystem in Chicago from founder Troy Pryor and interim president Cindy Beasley.

]]> 38:33 false full Mike Stephen info@outsidetheloopradio.com (Albert James Productions)Mike Stephen talks to Al Krockey, the author of a new book about coming of age in the 1960s and 70s in Skokie and Chicago called Straight Outta Skokie, and then learns about the plans Creative Cypher has for building an entertainment ecosystem in Chicago from founder Troy Pryor and interim president Cindy Beasley.Mike Stephen talks to Al Krockey, the author of a new book about coming of age in the 1960s and 70s in Skokie and Chicago called Straight Outta Skokie, and then learns about the plans Creative Cypher has for building an entertainment ecosystem in Chicago from founder Troy Pryor and interim president Cindy Beasley.