Mike Stephen discusses the decaying properties of the Chicago Housing Authority with Block Club Chicago investigative editor Mick Dumke, talks to write Kevin Jakubowski, a Batavia native, about writing a new Holiday short film directed by Bryce Dallas-Howard called The Note, and gets the lowdown on Skip Class & The Dropouts' new music from lead singer Danny Jacobson.

Mike Stephen talks to Justin Kerr, publisher of the McKinley Park News, and learns why that local news outlet severed ties with Google and then chats with local music historian Steve Krakow about his recent journey to Belfast.

Mike Stephen learns about efforts to preserve the history of the Illinois Black Panther Party with Leila Wills, executive director of the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party, and gets a preview of the upcoming Bronzeville Trail on the South Side of Chicago from John Adams, executive director of the Bronzeville Trail Task Force, Inc.

Mike Stephen explores The State of Local News 2023 report with Tim Franklin, director of the Medill Local News Initiative, and discovers the Secret History of the 1990s power pop band the Joy Poppers.

Mike Stephen discusses efforts to overturn the ban on building new nuclear reactors in Illinois with David Kraft, director of the Nuclear Energy Information Service, and learns about the push to issue work permits for all immigrants from Roberto Valdez, midwest director of policy at The Hispanic Federation and member of the Illinois Latino Agenda.

Mike Stephen chats with Emily Dupree, founder of Clean Air Club, about the push to purify air in local venues, talks to Ron Haynes, the trombone player from Liquid Soul, about a wonderful upcoming performance, and discovers the Secret History of 1970s Illinois punk-rockers Max Load.

Mike Stephen talks to Kalyn Belsha, senior national education reporter at Chalkbeat, about a new influx of money for local school desegregation, goes deep into a controversy around Chicagoland burritos with Chicago Tribune food critic Nick Kindelsperger, and gets an update on the City of Chicago leasing land to the Chicago Fire soccer team from Block Club Chicago investigative editor Mick Dumke.

Mike Stephen learns about the push for media literacy education in Illinois with Michael Spikes, co-founder of the Illinois Media Literacy Coalition, discusses the future of the University of Chicago’s radio station, WHPK-FM, with program director Alex Tao, and discovers the Secret History of local soul and gospel singer Mitty Collier.

Mike Stephen talks to Crista Noel of the Women's All Points Bulletin and learns about a new film that brings attention to the issue of law enforcement abuse of women called Poetiq Justiz, chats about making music with local singer-songwriter Pierce Crask and revisits the joys of the Italian beef sandwich.

Mike Stephen discusses shared humanity with Rabbi Ari Hart of the Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue, learns about a new study that debunks myths about Illinois’ population from Frank Manzo of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, and discovers the Secret History of the 1960s local garage-rockers The Rooks.