Mike Stephen talks to local journalist Vee Harrison about her new book called Hood Healing: Interviews with Some of Chicago's Most Prolific Voices in Media and Black Culture, gives an update on beautifying the North Lawndale Neighborhood, and explores the Secret History of the late blues guitarist Sammy Lawhorn.

Mike Stephen learns about the impact of Chicago traffic cameras on minority communities with Pro Publica reporter Emily Hopkins, explores the fight against anti-Semitism in society with Michael Siegel, senior rabbi at Anshe Emet Synagogue in Lakeview, and chats with Mark Vickery about new music for his Cosmic Bull project.

Mike Stephen learns about the power of the art of spoken word poetry with the Oak Park & River Forest High School spoken word team. We hear from teacher and coach Peter Kahn as well as some students and alumni. Their upcoming anthology of writing is called Respect the Mic: Celebrating 20 Years of Poetry from a Chicagoland High School. Then, Mike discovers the Secret History of blues pianist and guitarist Lazy Bill Lucas.

Mike Stephen learns about the broken promises of Cabrini-Green from Better Government Association senior investigative reporter Alejandra Cancino and then gets an update on the response of state correctional facilities to the COVID-19 pandemic from Jennifer Vollen-Katz, executive director of the John Howard Association of Illinois.

Mike Stephen talks to Greg Jacobs, co-director of a documentary called The Road Up, that tells the story of overcoming obstacles to employment, learns about the issues surrounding Chicago’s last black-owned bank with ProPublica journalist Mick Dumke, and talks to Kate Fagan about her new Holiday album. Happy new year from Outside the Loop!

Mike Stephen (with help from his youngest son Joey) plays some Holiday-themed clips from past years of the show.  Happy Holidays from Outside the Loop to you!

Mike Stephen discusses the future of the tiki bar with Streetsblog Chicago editor & Chicago Reader columnist John Greenfield and local playwright & script writer Hannah Ii-Epstein. Then we learn the Secret History of 1960s Evanston garage-rockers The Peep Show. And Mike announces a programming note and gives an update on the issue of the lack of public bathrooms in Chicago.

Mike Stephen talks with University of Illinois professor emeritus Robert McChesney about a proposal to save local journalism and democracy and then chats with local singer-songwriter Peter Joly about his new album. And Mike gives an update on some previous segments that aired on the show recently.

Mike Stephen talks with a Chicago Public School teacher Jeff Solin about the district’s interpretation of the Student Online Personal Protection Act, discusses Chicago’s Black exodus with Anthony Simpkins of the Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, and learns the Secret History of the late folkie Michael P. Smith. And Mike is excited that he was mentioned in the 8-Bit Christmas review in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Mike Stephen talks to Josh Noel of the Chicago Tribune about some access issues with Bourbon County beers this year, discusses the need for more public restrooms in Chicago with Courtney Cobbs of Streetsblog Chicago, and learns about the great work of West Town Feeds from board member Lauren Young. And Mike reminds us that if we really want this year's lineup of Bourbon County beers, it's ok to wait a little bit.