(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “loot drop” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Dmitry Samarov– Chicago cabbie, artist, and author of Hack: Stories from a Chicago Cab

We hear about the observations and stories from Dmitry’s extensive cabbie career as he chats with us in his cab.

Dmitry Samarov

Brandon Wetherbee- Host of the You, Me, Them, Everybody podcast

We check in with Brandon to see what’s up with his show and to preview a holiday recording party he’s throwing at the Hungry Brain in Roscoe Village.

Mike Chuck– Chairman of the Chicago Loot Drop

You have a chance to perform in a Rock Band 3 competition on stage at Reggie’s this weekend.  And it’s for a good cause!  We get the details.

OTL #269 local music provided by Paver…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “inspiration” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

The Parking Ticket Geek– Blogger at The Expired Meter and OTL’s Parking/Driving Correspondent

We go on-location underneath the Blue Line El on Milwaukee Ave. to chat about parking in that area and other local parking issues.

Underneath the Blue Line on Milwaukee Ave.

Rich Seng- Producer of The Miss Wicker Park 2011 contest

It’s the greatest beauty pageant in all of Chicago (and you don’t have to look like a supermodel to be a part of it)!  Find out what it’s all about this week.

Evan Cauble-Johnson– Development Associate at Inspiration Corporation

We learn about this organization that has been fighting homelessness in Chicago for 22 years.

OTL #261 local music provided by Letters From Us…

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “creative” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

We hear from the organizers of this local event that is a march against intolerance and takes place in Daley Plaza on June 4th.

Megan Mercier– Neo-Futurist Ensemble Member

The Neo-Futurists are putting out the call for local art to be displayed at their theater.  We learn more this week.

Mare Swallow– Co-organizer of Creator Camp Chicago

We get the scoop on this upcoming half-day event that’s open to the public and brings together creative people so they can share their advice and knowledge in an intimate setting.

OTL #241 local music provided by The Father Costume…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “urban times” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen makes the leap to TV, previews the upcoming Tutor Mentor Jam, learns about a way to get notified of street cleaning on your phone, and talks to the editor of a local online newspaper.

Mike Hosts a TV Show– 

Dovetailing off of a radio interview he did last week, OTL host Mike Stephen hosts an episode of “Issue Forum” on CAN-TV.  Click on the pic below to check out the show.

Trakan– Local Musician

The Tutor/Mentor Jam on August 29th is a benefit for Tutor/Mentor Connection, an organization that helps connect area mentors with at-risk youth.  We get a preview of the event.  The first two people to e-mail trakan@tutormentorjam.org get FREE pairs of tickets to the event!

Vitaliy Levit– Co-Founder of Recess Mobile

There’s a new way for some Chicago residents to get notified of street cleaning in their neighborhood.  Vitaliy gives us the latest.  Check out antitow.com for more details.

Elaine Coorens– Editor and Publisher of Our Urban Times

We go inside this online newspaper that covers the Wicker Park, Bucktown, East Village, Noble Square, Bucktown, and West Town areas.

OTL #203 local music provided by Trakan…

(podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago)

(broadcasting on the “mayoral in stature” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen recaps his experience on the YMTE podcast, talks to a Chicago mayoral candidate, checks in with the Parking Ticket Geek, and discusses the relationship between low-power FM radio and social justice.

Jay Stone– Candidate for Mayor of Chicago

In an exclusive interview Jay tells us why he’s running to be Chicago’s next mayor.

The Parking Ticket Geek– Official OTL Parking Correspondent and Blogger at thexpiredmeter.com

The Geek returns to the show to discuss the rise of ticketing for drivers using their cell phones in the car.

Allan Gomez– Co-Founder of Radios Populares

This Chicago-based group uses radio to help communities who are struggling for social justice.

OTL #202 local music provided by Lasers and Fast and Shit…

(broadcasting on the “mobile gardening” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen loves pens, gets the latest about the Wal-Mart saga in Chicago, discusses the news regarding the CTA Mobile Garden Project, and learns about an arts event that will benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Angela Caputo – Reporter and Blogger for ProgressIllinois.com

There is a new development in the plans to bring another Wal-Mart to Chicago.  Angela gives us the story.  Check out the article she wrote on this topic here.

Joe Baldwin– Local Artist and Creator of The Mobile Garden

We check in with Joe since he has some good news about the status of The Mobile Garden.  I originally interviewed him about this project in October of last year.  You can check out that interview here.

Peter Exley – Architect, Co-host of the Pecha Kucha Night Chicago

I know, I know.  Pecha what?  Peter explains what this unique show is all about and how it will benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

OTL #176 local music provided by Kristin Ronne…

(broadcasting on the “sharing is caring” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen wants YOUR local Holiday tunes, discusses a review of the Chicago Police Board, learns about local pinups that help women, and profiles a Humboldt Park charity.

Reminder to Submit Your Local Holiday Music – 

We’re looking for Chicago musicians to submit versions of classic Christmas songs or original Holiday tunes.  Those songs will be featured on the Christmas show on December 24th!

Tracy Siska – Executive Director of the Chicago Justice Project

The CJP recently completed a review of the Chicago Police Board.  Tracy joins us to give us the results of this is study.

Alexis Finch – Founder of TyK- Thought You Knew Us

The folks at TyK have come up with a great way to fight stereotypes of women while helping a good cause:  Pinup calendars!  We get the lowdown on this story.

Dawn Hancock – Executive Director of the Firebelly Foundation

This week we learn about a great charity that’s part of the Firebelly Foundation called Reason to Give.

OTL #169 local music provided by Picture Books…

(broadcasting on the “t-shirt friendly” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen learns about a local T-shirt company that encourages community participation, recalls his experience with a crazy cyclist on Milwaukee Ave., and talks to a local writer who has some cost-saving ideas for the CTA.

Reminder to Submit Your Local Holiday Music – 

We’re looking for Chicago musicians to submit versions of classic Christmas songs or original Holiday tunes.  Those songs will be featured on the Christmas show on December 24th!

Clint McMahon – Founder of Scared Panda T-shirts

The creator of the infamous Tamale Tracker is back with a new venture: T-shirts that encourage community participation.

Mike Rolls Tape on a Crazy Cyclist -

Check out this guy who performed his “stunt” on Milwaukee Ave.

WARNING: The audio on this video is LOUD!

Andrew Reilly – Local Writer

Andrew has an idea that would save the CTA some money next year.  He recently wrote about this for the AV Club Chicago.

Andrew Reilly

OTL #168 local music provided by The Year After…

(broadcasting on the “self-published” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen talks to local activist and writer Anne Elizabeth Moore about her efforts to help Cambodian girls self-publish, learns about the Mobile Garden project on the El, and Jessica Herman talks to a Chicagoan involved in mentoring youth to run the Chicago Marathon.

Anne Elizabeth Moore – Writer and Activist

Anne traveled to Cambodia to help young women in that country create self-published works.  She tells us this amazing story and lets us know if she plans to go back in the future.  Anne blogs about her work in Cambodia at Camb(l)o(g)dia.

Joe Baldwin – Local Artist and Creator of the Mobile Garden

Would you ever think of seeing a garden on the El?  You might see just that very thing come this April!  Joe gives us the latest in his effort to bring more greenery to our public transporation.

Vesna Stelcer – Executive Director of the MGR Foundation

OTL Correspondent Jessica Herman talks to Vesna about the M3 program that connects mentors with Chicago area youth in order to help train them for the Chicago Marathon.

OTL #159 local music provided by Go Time…

(broadcasting on the hey-take-a-look-at-what-my-beard-can-pick-up radio station WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago)

Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann make an announcement about the show’s future, they learn about a local food co-op, they check in with Lawyer Danny about being a scenester, and then they talk to a Chicagoan with massive facial hair powers.

OTL news alert;
make your voice heard at tomorrow’s Polish Triangle Open House

OTL programming announcement;
this week’s show is executive producer Andy Hermann’s penultimate program

Billy Burdett – president, Dill Pickle Food Co-op;
on an upcoming alternative to big grocery stores

Lawyer Danny – OTL legal counsel and scenester;
on this week’s featured music, and Quennect 4

Eamon Daley – facial hair master
on “Things My Beard Can Lift” for charity

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OTL #130 segue music provided by The Minneapolis Henrys …