Outside the Loop RADIO

Mike Stephen learns what it’s like sailing the Race to Mackinac with Pam Jacknow, who was a sailor on one of the winning boats this year, dives into the Joe Policastro Trio’s new album, and discusses the importance of Black art in Chicago and beyond with Patricia Andrews-Keenan, founder of Pigment International.

Mike Stephen discusses the future of local journalism with Tim Franklin, director of the Medill Local News Initiative, and then discovers the Secret History of the 1980s metal band Paradoxx. Let's also not forget to give some love to the Thompson Center Food Court.

Mike Stephen visits Columbus Park and sits down with Tom Robinson, the head coach of the Chicago Falcons semi-pro football team, learns about a new local business called Ludex that appraises trading cards through your phone from co-founders Brian Ludden and Heather Denniston, and gets an update on funding the fight against homelessness in Chicago from grassroots leader Harry Williams.

Mike Stephen visits the set of an upcoming local indie film called Twain: Cancelled, learns about new music from Asher George and his project known as Walcot, and discovers the Secret History of country-rocker from Illinois Paul Cotton.

Schools and then discusses the impact of the lack of crime data reported to the FBI with Weihua Li of The Marshall Project.

Mike Stephen learns about Perception Theatre’s work to include more diverse voices in the local theater community from founder and artistic director Myesha Tiara and then discovers the Secret History of 1970s & 80s postpunk rockers Stations.

Mike Stephen discusses the preliminary results of Chicago student test data with Mila Koumpilova of Chalkbeat Chicago, gets the lowdown on the expansion of the Chicago Tool Library from co-founder Tessa Vierk, and learns about a new locally-produced film featuring Chicago street artists called Tagged from writer and executive producer Grant Troyer.

Mike Stephen discusses Chicago’s affordable housing issues with ProPublica reporter Mick Dumke, talks to local musician Al Rose about his new album, and discovers the mysterious Secret History of R&B singer Barbara Livsey.

Mike Stephen gets an update on organizing for a more fair Chicago, especially with regard to TIF districts, with civic educator and co-founder of The CivicLab Tom Tresser and discusses the important educational work of The Legacy Project with its founder and executive director Victor Salvo.

Mike Stephen talks to local musician and music teacher Bill Brickey about why the Old Town School of Folk Music teachers have unionized and discovers the Secret History of cosmic jazz prodigy Denny Zeitlin.