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

(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…

 

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

(broadcasting on the “I love me some Maurice Lenell cookies” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen talks to the Sun-Times business reporter who has the story on Maurice Lenell cookies making a comback, jumps behind the OTL News Desk, and chats with one of the transit geeks who rode the entire L system in one day.

Outside the Loop is all about Twitter – 

Mike embraces modern technology.

Sandra Guy – Business reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times

There’s some local sweet treat news: Maurice Lenell cookies are being distributed in Chicagoland again.  Ferrara Pan will be producing high-end chocolate.  Sandra gives us all of the sugar-y details.

OTL News Desk – 

From Chicago not getting the chance to host the next World Cup to the cast of the Jersey Shore coming to town, your intrepid anchor, Mike Stephen, has the stories.

C.J. Bright – Local transit geek

C.J. and his friends rode the ENTIRE CTA “L” system in one day!  He joins us this week to talk to us about their experience and why they decided to to this.  Check out this Google Map for the details on their adventure.

OTL #173 local music provided by Save the Clocktower…

 

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

(broadcasting on the “I’m craving a skillet” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen confirms that Standee’s in Edgewater is closed, talks to journalist Steve Rhodes about his resignation from NBCChicago.com, and learns about local artist Chris Drew’s upcoming legal battle.

Standee’s Is Gone – 

It’s official.  Standee’s Diner in Edgewater is closed.  Check out this great article by Lorraine Swanson of Lake Effect News about “Standee’s Last Stand.”

Steve Rhodes – Journalist and Founder of BeachwoodReporter.com

Recently Steve resigned his position as a contributor to NBCChicago.com.  Mike caught up with Steve at the Beachwood Inn this week to get the dirty details of what the heck happened.

Chris Drew – Local Artist and Executive Director of the Uptown Multicultural Arts Center

While Chris was protesting the Peddler’s License Law he was arrested and charged with eavesdropping on police.  He now faces a court battle and he gives us the story this week.

OTL #172 local music provided by Jane Thatcher…

 

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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

(broadcasting on the “let’s kiss at midnight” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen chats with Chicago Tribune writer and author Rick Kogan about his new book Sidewalks II and later in the show Mike calls one of his local greasy spoon haunts on the eve of its closing.

Rick Kogan – Senior Writer and Columnist for the Chicago Tribune, author of Sidewalks II

Legendary journalist Rick Kogan stops by for a conversation about Chicago, his efforts to tell the stories of the everyday Chicagoan, and his view on the future of our city.

Betty – Waitress at Standee’s Diner in Edgewater

Sadly, this wonderful greasy spoon will be closing its doors for good.  Mike calls over to the restaurant to get the skinny from Betty the Waitress.

OTL #171 local music provided by JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound…

 

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

(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…

 

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

(broadcasting on the “if you invented podcasting then we invented the Internet” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen learns about a company that has patented podcasting, discovers Chicago Movieoke and discusses the new management of the Maxwell Street Market.

Cindy Cohn – Legal director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and an attorney on the “Patent-Busting Project”

Get this- a company has actually patented podcasting.  Cindy gives us the details, what this could mean for podcasters, and how the EFF is fighting this patent.

Katy Collins – Creator and host of Chicago Movieoke

Sure, you’ve done karaoke in your lifetime but have you ever done movieoke?

Micah Maidenberg – Editor at the Chicago Journal

The legendary Maxwell Street Market has new management.  Micah brings us the story.

OTL #167 local music provided by Judson Claiborne…

 

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

(broadcasting on the “everybody in the audience gets  a prize” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen discusses making a living off of local blogging, what it’s like to be in the audience at Oprah, and New City’s Best of Chicago 2009 list.

Reminder About the OTL Third Anniversary Party/Show Taping – At Toons Bar and Grill!

Come by Toons on Friday, November 20 to catch a live taping of OTL!  It’s FREE to get in and we’ll have lots of WLUW and OTL merch to give away!

Mick Dumke, writer and editor at the Chicago Reader, and the Parking Ticket Geek are two featured guests on the show.  More info to follow!

Toons Bar and Grill at 3857 N. Southport

Steve Rhodes – Founder of the Beachwood Reporter

Making a living off of local blogging is difficult.  Steve discusses this and tells us about receiving some some grant money to improve his site.

The “O” Experience -

The lovely and talented Jenny Stephen drops by the OTL Bunker to give us a behind the scenes account of attending the Oprah show.

Jenny and Beth Outside Harpo Studios

Brian Hieggelke – Editor and Publisher of New City

New City is out with its annual “Best of Chicago” list.  Brian gives us the highlights.

OTL #164 local music provided by Roxy Swain…

 

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

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

Mike Stephen introduces the new OTL correspondent, talks about privatization in Chicago and beyond, gets an important Baconfest Chicago update, and learns about the Share Your Soles local charity.

Jessica Herman – “The Get” Writer at Time Out Chicago and new OTL Correspondent

Everyone meet Jessica.  Jessica meet Everyone.  Our new correspondent drops by the OTL Bunker to say hi.  Look for her stories on the show in the coming weeks!

In case you were wondering Jessica isn’t related to Andrew “The Count” Hermann, former OTL Executive Producer.  However, their glasses might be related.

Mick Dumke – Writer and Editor at the Chicago Reader

Privatization of local public assets is all the rage these days.  Mick joins us to explain why this is.  He also discusses how other cities are looking into privatization and how they’re doing it a bit differently than Chicago.  You can read his blog post on this topic here.

Seth Zurer – Co-organizer and co-founder of Baconfest Chicago

There is an important update about the launch of Baconfest.  Seth gives us the fatty details.

Mona Purdy – Founder of Share Your Soles

This locally-based charity provides shoes around the globe for those who don’t have any.  We get the story of the organization from its founder.

OTL #155 local music provided by Soft Targets…

 

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

(broadcasting on the “let’s hear that again” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen has been sunning himself on the beaches of the Riviera Maya in Mexico for the past week so he brings us some fun stories OTL covered in 2009 as well as a BIG OTL programming announcement.

BIG OTL ANNOUNCEMENT…

Starting on August 27, Outside the Loop Radio moves to its new time slot: every Thursday morning from 10-11!  We’re very excited about this news and hope you’ll catch the show on the air then and continue to download the podcast!

Mike Returns From His Honeymoon -

Mike was busy this week eating dinners on the beaches of the Riviera Maya with his wife, Jenny, so he airs some fun stories that ran on OTL this year…

OTL Rewind -

Once again we bring you Mike’s conversation with the owner of the only American made harmonica factory (that happens to be here in Chicago), and his adventures at the Chicago Swordplay Guild.

OTL #151 local music provided by Fair Herald…

 

 Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine [30:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (224)

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

(broadcasting on the “take my breath away” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago)

Mike Stephen learns about the Chicago Crime Scenes Project, recaps his recent wedding after-party with rock stars, and talks to the creator of a website that showcases small Chicago businesses.

Todd Kendall - Economist and founder of the Chicago Crime Scenes Project

This blog is a great resource for learning about how crime has shaped Chicago over the years.  Todd gives us the lowdown on the blog and why he started it.

Jenny Stephen - Mike’s wife

Mike and Jenny got married last weekend and they had a crazy after-party.  It was so crazy, in fact, that they partied with this band…

Tim Jahn - Creator of Beyond the Pedway

There are many creative local businesses doing cool things that people probably don’t know about.  Tim’s site aims to showcase some of the best and most innovative small businesses in Chicago.

OTL #150 local music provided by Sara Masterson…

 

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