OTL #995: Helping local veterans in need, New music from The Gunshy, Chicago is a little less ratty
Release Date: 11/08/2025
OTL #1,019: Using AI to help local restaurants, Goatstock, New music from Todd Kessler
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen talks to founder Ravi Parakkat about , an artificial intelligence system that is being used to help local restaurants, gets a preview of Goatstock in Norridge with co-owners Deb Sonzo and Jamie Riani, and chats with Chicagoan about his new music.
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OTL #1,018: The next generation of journalists, The Secret History of Eddie Condon
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen visits the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference to discuss the future of journalism with Prospect High School teacher Jason Block and Prospect seniors Tessa Trylovich and Stella Palm and then discovers the Secret History of jazz guitarist .
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OTL #1,017: Legal aid through our libraries, Debating public money for private schools, Leaders in Transformational Education
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen chats with Roya Samarghandi, chief advocacy and innovation officer at , about a new program that allows residents to get legal aid at their local library, explores the ongoing debate around public money for private schools with Reema Amin, and gets the lowdown on a local organization that helps youth enter the workforce called from CEO Candace Thier.
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OTL #1,016: Revisiting Chicago Voyagers, Sam Robinson’s new music, The Secret History of Anne Hills
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen revisits a segment from 2018 about , learns about local trumpeter ’s new music, and discovers the Secret History of folk singer .
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OTL #1,015: New ownership of The Hideout, New Sound Cafe opens in Austin, The Chicago Soul Jazz Collective
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen chats with Teri O'Brien, the new owner of , visits Andrew and Hannah Follett, the owners of in the Austin neighborhood, and talks to saxophonist John Fournier about the new album from the .
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OTL #1,014: Peer support in prisons, New music from The Meadowlark Lemons, EdiblEats
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen discusses the success of with executive director Jennifer Vollen-Katz, chats with local musician Chris Neville about new music from Chicago’s , and talks to Darryl Manuel, the director, and Phil Lee, producer, of the film .
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OTL #1,013: The next generation of engineers, Revisiting The Levee, The Secret History of Ed Wilkerson
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen learns about inspiring the next generation of civil engineers from founder & president Michael Bempah, replays his visit to bar in the Hermosa neighborhood, and discovers the Secret History of local saxman .
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OTL #1,012: Illinois’ population struggles, Project I Am, Rap J’s story
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen discusses the issue of Illinois’ struggling population numbers with writer Ted McClelland, learns about the local organization called from its founder Jahkil Jackson, and then talks to Milwaukee rapper about his life story and upcoming Chicago performance.
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OTL #1,011: Civics and a new Bears stadium, A veena virtuoso, The Secret History of The Dells
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen discusses with civic educator and author , previews from veena virtuoso , and discovers the Secret History of Chicago’s .
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OTL #1,010: Check your judges in 2026, My Sweet George tribute show
Outside the Loop RADIO
Mike Stephen discusses the with senior reporter Dan Hinkel and then previews a featuring a wonderful lineup of talented local musicians with Ellis Clark, the lead singer of the band .
info_outlineMike Stephen learns about a local nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans during this difficult time called Veterans Assistance Partnership from founder Tatshee Simmons, gets the lowdown on new local music from The Gunshy, and revisits a segment that explores rats in Chicago.
AND...come out to Fitzgerald's at 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn on Saturday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m. for the Outside the Loop 1,000th episode taping! It's a FREE event, but you need to RSVP using this link.