Outside the Loop RADIO

Mike Stephen talks with Mark Guarino, the author of a new book called Country and Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival on the history of country music in Chicago and then reconnects with former Outside the Loop producer, Andy Hermann, about his new gig as a public radio producer and host at Nebraska Public Media.

Mike Stephen chats with Rebecca Ginsburg, director of the Education Justice Project, about the impact of providing higher education opportunities for those who are incarcerated in Illinois and then talks with Frank Orrall, founder of Poi Dog Pondering, about nearly 40 years of making music and the band’s new album.

Mike Stephen learns about the struggle of workers at the Midtown Athletic Club from one if its employees, Lisseth Cervantes, and Jose Uribe of Arise Chicago, gets the lowdown on local power pop band Go Time’s new album from guitarist & vocalist Scott Niekelski, and discovers the Secret History of 1970s Chicago soul singers The Independents.

Mike Stephen gets an update on the impact of the latest election on the future of education in Chicago from Becky Vevea of Chalkbeat Chicago, celebrates the return of the International Pop Overthrow music fest to Chicago, and learns about Logical Fleadh’s new album from band leader Ethan Sellers.

Mike Stephen talks to local author Jessica Mlinaric about her new book, Chicago Scavenger: The Ultimate Search for Chicago’s Hidden Treasure, learns about Takeout 25’s new boxed water initiative from founder Ravi Parakkat, and discovers the Secret History of 1980s Chicago punk-rockers Poison Squirrel.

Mike Stephen learns about the history of distilling in the city with David Witter, author of the book Distilled in Chicago, and then discusses the influence of money in local politics with Block Club Chicago investigative editor and reporter Mick Dumke.

Mike Stephen discusses the importance of training the next generation of journalists with Jason Block, multimedia communications teacher at Prospect High School, learns about local jazz saxman Shawn Maxwell’s new music, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago Blues harmonica legend Billy Branch.

Mike Stephen learns about a new report documenting extreme conditions inside the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center from Injustice Watch reporters Carlos Ballesteros and Kelly Garcia and revisits a conversation about race on the justice system from 2020.

Mike Stephen discusses the impact of TIF districts across Illinois with Tom Tresser of the CivicLab and the TIF Illumination Project, learns about an upcoming book exploring Black history called Our Black History in Fifty States from its author Zaylore Stout, and discovers the Secret History of blues and soul singer Bobby Jonz.

Mike Stephen explores the impact of property taxes on certain Chicago neighborhoods with Geoff Smith of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University, discusses the environmental legislative agenda of Illinois with Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, and gets an update on the environmental justice story of the Damen Silos.