Outside the Loop RADIO

Mike Stephen looks back at local beer in 2018 with author and Chicago Tribune reporter Josh Noel, discusses the data gathered from the midterms and previews the mayor's race with Scott Kennedy of IL Election Data, and learns how we can help out Tim Ryan, front man of The Black Oil Brothers, after his near fatal accident.  The delightful local music this week is brought to you by City Mouth.

Mike Stephen learns about the new newsy side gig of WGN Radio's very own Dometi Pongo, previews a local holiday ugly sweater dance party, and discovers the Secret History of the late Chicago folk artist Dwain Story with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by Stutter.

Mike Stephen takes a bite out of the local food scene and learns how pigs had a role in making Chicago an economic success with Cynthia Clampitt, author of Pigs, Pork, and Heartland Hogs, gets the scoop on a list of the most interesting restaurants in Chicago featured in the newest edition of The Fooditor 99, and discusses the impact of food deserts in Chicagoland.  The delicious local music this week is brought to you by October Bird of Death.

Mike Stephen learns how the new Spot Angels app can help us find street parking, gets an update on the influence of aldermen on discriminatory housing practices, and discovers the Secret History of the late Chicago jazz artist Daniel Scanlan with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by Holly.

Mike Stephen welcomes local Hip-Hop artist and DJ Epik1 into the studio to perform live, discusses why Illinois has a good track record of electing African-American politicians with Edward McClelland of Chicago Magazine, and gets an update on our efforts to learn more about Mars from Mark Benson, our local solar system ambassador.

Mike Stephen welcomes local raconteur Jack Zimmerman into the studio to preview a great local storytelling event, checks in with 33rd Ward aldermanic candidate Katie Sieracki on how her campaign is shaping up, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago 80s pop-rockers The Service with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by Dramaglider.

Mike Stephen hosts a panel discussion about the relevance of religion in 2018.  Joining him in the studio this week are Omer Mozaffar, Muslim Chaplain at Loyola University Chicago, Rev. Bonnie Perry, Rector at All Saints Episcopal Church in Chicago, and Fr. James Halstead, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at DePaul University.  The local music this week comes from Red the Color.

Mike Stephen discusses some of the problems with Chicago's recycling program with Madison Hopkins of the Better Government Association, talks to the new editor in chief of the Chicago Reader Anne Elizabeth Moore about what's in store for the future of the paper, and discovers the Secret History of the local 1970s Bluegrass band Wildwood Pickers with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by The Bombats.

Mike Stephen visits the Oak Park River Forest Museum to learn about the legacy of the Fair Housing Ordinance in Oak Park, discusses the impact of shifting wealth in Chicago households with Geoff Smith of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University, and gets a peek into the Halloween-themed theater show called The Walls of Harrow House.  The local music this week comes from the Alpine Subs.

Mike Stephen learns about Illinois' efforts to combat climate change with the executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, gets the lowdown on a story about Chicago with the creator of a new podcast called The City, and discovers the Secret History of legendary Chicago Bluesman Otis Rush with local music historian Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave).  The local music this week is brought to you by Scamlines.