Outside the Loop RADIO

Mike Stephen discusses the state of to-go pizza slices in Chicago with Chicago Tribune food & dining reporter Nick Kindelsperger, learns about a great literacy & art organization called Brown Books and Paint Brushes with CEO Candice Washington, and gets an update on empowering youth in Austin with Adam Alonso of BUILD. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and ponder if we are eating too much pizza during the pandemic. The local pandemic tunez come from Photo Curio.

Mike Stephen talks to Lane Tech High School senior and member of the Mikva Challenge Youth Safety Advisory Council Hannah Lawrence about her efforts for police reform, learns about The Institute for Positive Living's efforts for a more accurate census from CEO & founder Rev. Marrice Coverson, and discovers the Secret History of late soul singer Bill Coday. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the show and discuss diplomatic relations with other states. The local pandemic tunez come from Slightly Faded.

Mike Stephen learns about the great work of Friedman Place with executive director Alexander Brown, talks to Billy Dave Sherman of the local band The Steak House Mints about the impact of the pandemic on music, and gets the story of WLCB-FM serving northern IL and southern WI with general manager Sean Hauser.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the range of emotions going on during this show and plan a steakhouse visit. The local pandemic tunez come from The Steak House Mints, of course!

Mike Stephen gets an update on the Clean Energy Jobs Act from State Rep. Ann Williams, discusses the plight of renters during the pandemic with Philip DeVon of the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, and explores the Secret History of 70s rockers The Kind. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin remind everyone to fill out their census forms and remind everyone of the greatness of The Tamale Guy. The local pandemic jamz this week come from Andrew Bird.

Mike Stephen discusses the history of federal agents coming into Chicago with ProPublica Illinois' Mick Dumke, talks to Ebonée Green of the Obama CBA about organizing to prevent housing displacement, and explores the difficulties of recycling children’s items with Kelli Smith of the Chicago Tribune.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin offer some takeaways from the big show. The local pandemic jamz this week come from Boogie Board.

Mike Stephen catches up with former WGN news anchor and MTV host Dometi Pongo, discusses civic engagement in Chicago immigrant communities with Alexandra Arriaga of City Bureau, and learns the Secret History of 70s rockers Trilogy. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin reflect on the importance of civic engagement and sing the praises of the aforementioned Mr. Pongo. The local pandemic jamz this week come from Ocean Cult.

Mike Stephen learns about the fate of buffets in the wake of the pandemic with the Washington Post's Tim Carman, discusses La Casa Norte’s important work to empower the homeless with community engagement coordinator Rebecca Sumner Burgos, and chats about the new Mellow Chicago Bike Map in the Chicago Reader with columnist John Greenfield. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin decompress after a seemingly unending week while Collin offers Mike a wedding anniversary tip. The local phase four music comes from The Mekons.

Mike Stephen gets an update on the Chicago Mobile Makers with founder Maya Bird-Murphy, talks to Dr. Donald Wuebbles of the University of Illinois about the effects of local air pollution during a pandemic, and discovers the Secret History of 1960s garage-rockers Byzantine Empire.  And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin give their takeaways from the show. The local phase four music comes from OTL contributor Steve Krakow's band, Plastic Crimewave Syndicate!

Mike Stephen learns about the ongoing story of a proposed memorial to victims of police torture with Logan Jaffe of ProPublica Illinois, discusses how sustainable buildings are impacted by the pandemic with Connor Jansen of the Illinois Green Alliance, and explores how COVID-19 is affecting prisons with Jennifer Vollen-Katz of the John Howard Association of Illinois. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin continue the discussion about buildings and the pandemic. Also, Collin reports that there is decent mask-wearing happening in northern Michigan. The local phase four music comes from the new Bloodshot Records compilation Pandemophenia.

Mike Stephen learns about the effort to protect voting rights in IL with Ami Gandhi of the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, discusses the increase in fireworks in Chicagoland with Bob Chiarito of Block Club Chicago, and discovers the Secret History of blues diva Holle Thee Maxwell.   And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin talk about the importance of getting away from it all during this summer. The local phase four music this week comes from Jen Lem.