Outside the Loop RADIO

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. Show co-founder Andy Hermann has returned to produce Phase III of OTL Radio. http://outsidetheloopradio.com

Mike Stephen learns about the ongoing story of a proposed memorial to victims of police torture with Logan Jaffe of ProPublica Illinois, discusses how sustainable buildings are impacted by the pandemic with Connor Jansen of the Illinois Green Alliance, and explores how COVID-19 is affecting prisons with Jennifer Vollen-Katz of the John Howard Association of Illinois. And in the OTL Wrap Party segment, Mike and Producer Collin continue the discussion about buildings and the pandemic. Also, Collin reports that there is decent mask-wearing happening in northern Michigan. The local phase four music comes from the new Bloodshot Records compilation Pandemophenia.