ABOUT THIS PODCAST 🔗
Outside the Loop RADIO is Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine. Founded as a podcast in September 2006 and picked up for broadcast by Chicago Sound Alliance WLUW 88.7-FM in March 2007, "OTL" now airs on Chicago's Very Own 50,000-watt heritage powerhouse station WGN Radio 720-AM.
Storyteller and urbanologist Mike Stephen hosts this weekly program featuring fun segments and interviews with local newsmakers, artists, musicians, and others doing cool stuff around the greater Chicago area. The show covers topics stories that don't always get mainstream media attention... and it's all presented with a strong and independent Chicago slant.
http://outsidetheloopradio.com
Storyteller and urbanologist Mike Stephen hosts this weekly program featuring fun segments and interviews with local newsmakers, artists, musicians, and others doing cool stuff around the greater Chicago area. The show covers topics stories that don't always get mainstream media attention... and it's all presented with a strong and independent Chicago slant.
http://outsidetheloopradio.com
Update frequency:
weekly
Average audio length:
41 minutes
Guest interviews
English
United States
54 episodes
since Oct. 4, 2025
episodic
LATEST EPISODE 🔗
Mike Stephen discusses new findings about inhumane conditions in Illinois jails with Jennifer Vollen-Katz, executive director of the John Howard Association, then chats with Jennifer Vianello, co-owner of MachMachines Musical Instruments, about the company's new podcast, Play For Keeps.
SEARCH PAST EPISODES
Search past episodes of Outside the Loop RADIO.
PREVIOUS EPISODES 🔗
Mike Stephen explores the impact of food influencers on the Chicago culinary scene with freelance reporter Leigh Giangreco, chats with Rattleback Records owner Paul Ruffino about what it's like to run an independent record store, and takes a deep dive into Injustice Watch's 2026 guide to judicial e…
Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch senior reporter Aura Bogado about her new report on how Illinois prosecutors are assisting federal immigration efforts, then chats with Antonia Turner, owner of the new Heritage Press and Blow Dry salon, about building community in Chicago.
Mike Stephen discusses the impact of cannabis on the teen brain with Dr. Patricia Jones Blessman, gets the lowdown on new local music from Paige Kizer, and explores the positive impact of restorative justice practices with Dr. Shaniqua Jones, founder of Purple Path
Mike Stephen dives into a new report on housing displacement pressure in Chicago with Geoff Smith, executive director of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University, and revisits what went wrong with the Bring Chicago Home initiative.
Mike Stephen discusses the rise and fall of Old Style beer in Chicago with journalist Nick Kindelsperger, then learns about the important work of supporting people with disabilities from Debra Vines, founder and CEO of The Answer Inc.
Mike Stephen discusses disparities in tree planting in Chicago with Alex Nitkin of the Illinois Answers Project, learns about the Chicago Journalism Mental Health Fund from International Women's Media Foundation executive director Nadine Hoffman, and gets the lowdown on new local music from Jules K…
Mike Stephen previews the November Chicago School Board election with journalist Mary Wisniewski, chats with the local teen band Large Mouth about its upcoming Riot Fest gig, and discusses the cultural connection between Chicago and the U.K. with media producer Terry Jervis.
Mike Stephen looks back on segments previously aired on the show. Enjoy!
Mike Stephen gets the scoop on the new documentary Saving Ferris Butler from executive producer D.B. Frick, previews the upcoming Flamenco Quartet Project with Clinard Dance founder Windy Clinard, and learns how TaskForce Prevention & Community Services is strengthening communities across Chica…
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Albert James PROductions, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.
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