Outside the Loop RADIO

Mike Stephen learns about what it’s like to get out the vote with Janelle Rau-Clauson, chats about NewCity’s special “Best of Chicago” issue with guest co-editor Scoop Jackson, and gets some tips on enjoying winter during a pandemic from the Chicago Reader's John Greenfield. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and Mike makes plans to visit Collin's house to see his fire table. The local pandemic tunez come from Blue Spring.

Mike Stephen explores how restaurants are turning to sandwiches to survive with Nick Kindelsperger of the Chicago Tribune, learns about the City of Chicago budget process with City Bureau reporting residents Kelly Garcia and Corli Jay, and discovers the Secret History of local R&B band The Lovelites. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and ponder an OTL paywall experience. The local pandemic tunez come from Motel Breakfast.

Mike Stephen discusses the possibility of downstate Illinois seceding from Chicago with Ted McClelland of Chicago Magazine, learns about a new book called Bullets for Dead Hoods that gives us a look into local mobsters of the 1930s from curator John Corbett, and reviews an analysis of how the state has spent COVID-19 funds with ProPublica Illinois' Ash Ngu.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and discuss the need to be better about bridging the divide between northern and southern Illinois. The local pandemic tunez come from Away Team Forever.

Mike Stephen learns how The Love Fridge works to combat hunger during a pandemic with co-lead organizer Lisa Armstrong, discusses Ballot Z’s mission of getting young people involved civically with founder Gretchen Coleman, and learns the Secret History of local 1960s funk and soul band The Artistics. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and . The local pandemic tunez come from OHMME.

Mike Stephen learns about Injustice Watch's judicial election guide with Emily Hoerner, discusses the push to create fair ward boundaries in Chicago with CHANGE Illinois' Madeleine Doubek, and talks about being a musician during the pandemic with Audrey Foxx. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and Collin reminds us of his important observation: courts are everywhere. The local pandemic tunez come from Audrey Foxx, of course!

Mike Stephen learns about efforts to bring back live music in Chicago with Mike Jeffers of the Epiphany Center for the Arts, learns about a new book on LGBTQ history called Our Gay History in Fifty States from author Zaylore Stout, and discovers the Secret History of the band The Chicago Loop. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and Collin reminds us that he is a slow-working artist. The local pandemic tunez come from Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few.

Mike Stephen talks to a variety of local business owners about how they are surviving the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hear from Joe Basilone, co-owner of Perkolator in Portage Park, Tyler & Natalie Anderson, co-owners of Beardsgaard Barbers in Batavia, and Jim & Kisha Williams, co-owners of Power Fitness Chicago in Roseland.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on this week's show and reflect on helping out local businesses during the pandemic. The local pandemic tunez come from Chef Mike.

Mike Stephen talks to Lucien Liz-Lapiorz of the Chicago DSA about a new interactive map that shows which landlords own what properties in Chicago, discusses lessons learned from the March primaries with City Bureau reporter Alex Arriaga, and discovers the Secret History of The Resurrection Band.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on this week's show and discuss the power of using data to change society. The local pandemic tunez come from The Strangelets.

Mike Stephen talks to Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, about winning a humanitarian award and human connection during the pandemic, discusses Lake Michigan environmental concerns with Scott Blankman of Clean Wisconsin, and learns the pros and cons of the proposed state progressive income tax with David Merriman of the Fiscal Futures Project. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Producer Collin reflect on this week's show theme of human connection. The local pandemic tunez come from Star Creature.

Mike Stephen helps dispel myths of voting by mail with Katrina Phidd of Chicago Votes, chats with the Design Museum of Chicago's Tanner Woodford about the pandemic’s impact on local art, and learns the Secret History of funky and folky Peter Berkow. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Producer Collin professes his love of Korean Pop music and creates a plan for a new local business. The local pandemic tunez come from Zapruder Point.