Outside the Loop RADIO

Mike Stephen sits down with Lake Forest High School history teacher Michael Soffer to discuss his new book Our Nazi: An American Suburb’s Encounter with Evil, which tells the story of how a WWII Nazi ended up as a high school custodian in suburban Chicago.

Mike Stephen talks to Dr. Jamila Taylor, president and CEO of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, about their upcoming Chicago conference, learns about the new Transferable Skills Podcast from its creator and host Noah Mishkin, and previews the Surabhi Ensemble’s gig at Navy Pier with guitarist Carlo Basile.

Mike Stephen learns about the Smartphones On Hold initiative with co-founders Kelly Kribs and Gideon Bob, discusses the latest issues in local journalism with McKinley Park News publisher Justin Kerr, and discovers the Secret History of experimental jazz trombone player George E. Lewis.

Mike Stephen learns about the disappearance of downtown newspaper racks from Brian Hieggelke, editor and publisher of Newcity and the chair of the Chicago Newsracks Task Force, and then talks to Illinois Humanities executive director Gabrielle Lyon and author Ayana Contreras to get a preview of an event that celebrates local fashion history called Chicago Style.

Mike Stephen discusses a new report about Illinois' air pollution with Julian Reif, professor at the University of Illinois, discovers saxman Billy Harper’s story, and learns about the good work of the Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition with executive director Dora Dantzler-Wright.

Mike Stephen visits with Prentice Butler, executive director of a local organization that provides a bridge to success for Chicago families called The Neighborhood Bridge, gets the lowdown on local musician Maxx McGathey’s new music, and discusses the legacy of the Uptown People’s Law Center with retiring executive director Alan Mills.

Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch senior reporter Alejandra Cancino about how some Chicago renters are trapped in unsafe buildings while forced to pay rising rents and then dives into the Secret History of local folk legend Fred Holstein.

Mike Stephen talks to community organizer Tom Tresser about his new book on the history of No Games Chicago and then talks to Maria Jose Luna, doctoral candidate in the clinical psychology program at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, about a new study that examines the inequities in mental health services for justice-involved youth.

Mike Stephen learns about efforts to preserve Illinois wetlands from Jennifer Bamberg, investigative reporter at Investigate Midwest, gets into Red Spot Rhythm Section’s new music with band founder Josh Siegal, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago blues drummer William Warren.

Mike Stephen learns about Chicago City Council action regarding additional dwelling units from Cityscape Chicago founder and CEO Steven Vance, discusses the money flowing through the upcoming Chicago School Board election with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea, and chats with La Case Norte executive director Jose Munoz about Hope for Homes Day: a day of giving to help end homelessness.