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

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 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.