Outside the Loop RADIO

Mike Stephen talks with AARP Illinois associate state director Julie Vahling about the future of landline telephones in Illinois, chats with civic educator Tom Tresser about our city's financial future as detailed in Chicago Is Not Broke: Funding the City We Deserve, and checks in with Illinois Science Council executive director Monica Metzler about how the current political climate impacts the science community in our state. Meanwhile, we discuss what Chicagoans are drinking! This week's local music is provided by The Hacky Turtles.

Mike Stephen talks with Loyola University professor of Criminal Justice and Psychology Arthur Lurigio about the psychology of violence in Chicago, chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about unheralded vibe man Paris Smith for this week's edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music, and checks in with Fair Economy Illinois leader Erica Nanton about the March to Springfield movement for a state budget. Meanwhile, we discuss how Mayor Emanuel is excited that Chicago is a U-Haul destination city! This week's local music is provided by Iverson 2.0.

Mike Stephen talks with Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Mick Dumke about why the Chicago Police Department has created a secret "Strategic Subject List" of possible violent criminals, chats with art historian Patricia Balton Stratton about her new book The Chicago Picasso: A Point of Departure, and checks in with Urban Nerd Herd founder Amanda McCarthy about hiking for pleasure and mental health. Meanwhile, we discuss how Mike jammed on some indie rock at the Navy Pier McDonald's! This week's local music is provided by Post Animal.

Mike Stephen chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about hot jazz saxophonist Boyce Brown for this week's edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music, talks with U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Chicago field supervisor Louise Clemency about celebrating International Migratory Bird Day Celebration at LaBagh Woods next Saturday, and welcomes local musician Chris Greene to the studio to play a selection from the Chris Greene Quartet's new album Boundary Issues. Meanwhile, we wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day by playing a classic voicemail from #1 OTL fan Mrs. Stephen!

Mike Stephen chats with Chicagoist food editor Anthony Todd about the development of the Chicago Market, a new co-op grocery store that's coming to Uptown; talks with Chicago Reader staff writer Julia Thiel about why Chicago's once-promising food truck scene is having a rough time; and learns from Fooditor editor & publisher Michael Gebert about how your potentially favorite new beer gets into Chicago bars. Meanwhile, we discuss how Mike recently spoke at the NISPA (Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association) high school journalism conference... about how much he loves tacos! This week's local music is provided by The Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club.

Mike Stephen talks with writer and cultural critic Anne Elizabeth Moore about the effects of capitalism and misogyny on women as detailed in her latest book Body Horror: Capitalism, Fear, Misogyny, Jokes; checks in with Chicago Pen Show owner Paul Conterato for a preview of the oldest writing utensil exhibition in the country; and chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about jingle-writing prog rockers Poor Richard for this week's edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, we discuss how to support Independent Bookstore Day today and why there aren't more gender-neutral restrooms in Chicago. This week's local music is provided by Minor Moon.

Mike Stephen talks with Alliance for the Great Lakes vice president of operations Stephanie Smith about how to help one of our most important natural resources via their Adopt-a-Beach program; checks in with Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization (P.E.R.R.O.) coordinating committee member Troy Hernandez about how Chicago could be impacted if our local EPA office is closed, and chats with March for Science Chicago co-director Kristian Aloma about why we should take to the streets to support science. Meanwhile, we discuss legendary WGN-TV meteorologist Tom Skilling, how OTL is like a classic sitcom, and how we can finally recycle styrofoam in Chicago. This week's local music is provided by Photo-Curio.

Mike Stephen chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about in-demand session drummer Eddie Hoh for this week's edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music; and welcomes to the studio four members of the A Place for All gay-straight alliance student group at Oak Park and River Forest High School (Ev, Ben, Will, and Connor) to talk about working for LGBTQ equality and their upcoming "Loud & Proud" fundraiser for the ACLU. Meanwhile, we discuss whether frozen pizzas are best prepared in the microwave, the oven, or the Pizza Pizzazz. This week's local music is provided by Split Single.

Mike Stephen talks with Chicago Children's Museum president Jennifer Farrington about Once Upon a Castle, their new exhibit that seeks to eliminate gender stereotypes; chats with Chicago Rot director/co-writer Dorian Weinzimmer about finishing his long-awaited locally-produced independent horror film (as featured on OTL #248 in 2011); and visits with Westside Bee Boyz founder Thad Smith about finding his purpose, selling honey, and running a successful local urban apiary service. Meanwhile, Mike discusses his dudes' trip to Portland, Maine. This week's local music is provided by Nest.

Mike Stephen talks with Women Employed policy director Melissa Josephs about Equal Pay Day, the Illinois Equal Pay Act, and preventing employers from asking about salary histories; checks in with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Dan Egan about protecting our region's greatest natural resource, as detailed in his book The Death and Life of the Great Lakes; and chats with Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about rhythm guitarist and ice cream vendor Otis "Big Smokey" Smothers for this week's "Winter Blues" edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music. Meanwhile, we compare Chicago's population density to other major cities. This week's local music is provided by Moon Bros..