Best WLUW Podcasts (2026)

Mike Stephen discusses a new report that shows a college degree is the most promising path to a good job in Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea and then discovers the Secret History of 20th century soul vocalist Kitty Haywood.By Mike Stephen

1
Episode 255: Gospel Memories - December 20, 2025 59:12

Play Pause

5d ago59:12

59:12

The 25th Annual Christmas Caravan - one hour of Christmas songs and hymns by gospel artists such as the Staple Singers, Gospel Keynotes, First Church of Deliverance Choir, Clark Sisters, Ward Singers, Rev. James Cleveland & Angelic Choir, and others.

1
OTL #1,001: Straight Outta Skokie, Creative Cypher's Chicago entertainment ecosystem 38:33

5d ago38:33

38:33

Mike Stephen talks to Al Krockey, the author of a new book about coming of age in the 1960s and 70s in Skokie and Chicago called Straight Outta Skokie, and then learns about the plans Creative Cypher has for building an entertainment ecosystem in Chicago from founder Troy Pryor and interim president Cindy Beasley.…

1
Episode 254: Gospel Memories - December 13, 2025 58:39

12d ago58:39

58:39

Music from Sis. Rosetta Tharpe, Harmonizing Four, Thomas Whitfield Company, Treadwell Community Singers, Patterson Singers, two "send me my flowers" living legend sets for Rev. Ernest Franklin (pictured), and others.

1
OTL #1,000: The 1,000th episode live from Fitzgerald's! 1:29:53

19d ago1:29:53

1:29:53

Mike Stephen hosts his 1,000th episode of Outside the Loop at Fitzgerald's Nightclub! Guests include: -Will Duncan and Jess King, owners of Fitzgerald's -Dominic Pacyga, professor emeritus of history at Columbia College Chicago and author of Clout City -Steve Krakow (aka: Plastic Crimewave), local musician and author of The Secret History of Chicag…

1
Episode 253: Gospel Memories - December 6, 2025 57:38

19d ago57:38

57:38

This episode includes a long set in memory of Rev. Dr. Issac Whittmon of Chicago, plus music from Rev. Julius Cheeks, Camp Meeting Choir, Edna Gallmon Cooke, Little Lucy Smith Singers, Golden Trumpets, and others.

1
OTL #999: The new editor in chief of the Chicago Reader, How are CPS students doing after they graduate?, New Holiday music from Kevin Brown 44:37

19d ago44:37

44:37

Mike Stephen talks to Sarah Conway, the new editor in chief of the Chicago Reader, about the future of the paper, discusses Chicago Public Schools student educational attainment post-graduation with the To&Through Project director of data and research Alexandra Usher, and gets the lowdown on new Holiday music from local guitarist Kevin Brown.…

1
OTL #998: Rethinking housing in Chicago and beyond, The Robert Townsend Pop-Up Film Fest, Public transit reliability 38:24

27d ago38:24

38:24

Mike Stephen learns about a new exhibit at the National Public Housing Museum from UIC architecture professor Alexander Eisenschmidt, chats with actor and director Robert Townsend about his upcoming Chicago pop-up film fest, and re-visits a segment on local public transit reliability.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #997: Local journalism ethics in a time of ICE occupation, New music from These Peaches, The Haitian American Museum of Chicago 39:24

1M ago39:24

39:24

Mike Stephen discusses the role of local journalists during a time of local ICE occupation with McKinley Park News publisher Justin Kerr, gets the lowdown on new music from the local band These Peaches from frontman Rich Klevgard, and learns about the significance of the Haitian American Museum of Chicago from founder and CEO Elsie Hernandez. AND..…

1
OTL #996: Home for the Holidays helps those in need, Indiscipline: The music of King Crimson, The Secret History of Charles E. Gerber 37:20

1M ago37:20

37:20

Mike Stephen learns about a local initiative called Home for the Holidays that helps those less fortunate this Holiday season from founder Chef Ora Thompson, gets a preview of a local King Crimson tribute band show from band leader Eric Butler, and discovers the Secret History of local actor and musician Charles E. Gerber. AND...come out to Fitzger…

1
OTL #995: Helping local veterans in need, New music from The Gunshy, Chicago is a little less ratty 36:39

2M ago36:39

36:39

Mike 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 Satu…

1
OTL #994: The state of local news, The Secret History of Aura 41:00

2M ago41:00

41:00

Mike Stephen discusses the state of local news in 2025 with Medill professor Tim Franklin and then dives into the Secret History of the 1970s Chicago horn rock band Aura. 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 yo…

1
OTL #993: Curbside compassion with Yo Soy Ella, Takeout 25's new cookbook, New local music from Terry White 41:27

2M ago41:27

41:27

Mike Stephen visits Yo Soy Ella's Curbside Compassion van to learn about their therapy services from founder and executive director Sarah Taylor, explores the new Takeout 25 Community Cookbook with founder Ravi Parakkat, and gets the lowdown on new music from local musician Terry White.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #992: Revisiting Media Burn and the Center For Immigrant Progress, The Secret History of Panicsville 39:19

2M ago39:19

39:19

Mike Stephen rewinds to get the story of Chicago's Media Burn archive and the Center for Immigrant Progress and then discovers the Secret History of Panicsville. AND we have a special announcement!By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #991: Ending political maps in Illinois?, Fewer wrongful convictions overturned, Share Our Spare helps families 39:40

3M ago39:40

39:40

Mike Stephen learns about the effort to end politically drawn voting maps in Illinois from Chicago Magazine writer Ted McClelland, discusses the slowdown in overturning wrongful convictions in Cook County with Injustice Watch reporter Dan Hinkel, and highlights the important work of Share Our Spare in supporting young children and families with int…

1
OTL #990: Accessory dwelling units are legal (mostly), Federal government funding cuts for CPS, TaskForce celebrates inclusion in the West Side and beyond 40:44

3M ago40:44

40:44

Mike Stephen learns about Chicago's new ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units in certain areas from Illinois Answers Project reporter Alex Nitkin, discusses the federal funding cuts to Chicago Public Schools with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea, and gets the lowdown on how TaskForce works to promote inclusion on the city's West Sid…

1
OTL #989: A Chicago TIF update, New local music with a worldwide influence, Previewing the Black Fine Art Faire 43:07

3M ago43:07

43:07

Mike Stephen gets an update on the latest Chicago TIF numbers from Tom Tresser of the TIF Illumination Project, chats with local musician Carlo Basile about his local music with a worldwide influence, and previews the Back Fine Art Faire with Patricia Andrews-Keenan, founder of Pigment International.…

1
OTL #988: How the Chicago area gets its news, Exploring the brain science locally, The Secret History of Lani Hall 43:03

3M ago43:03

43:03

Mike Stephen discusses the results of a new report on how Chicago gets its news with Medill professors Tim Franklin and Stephanie Edgerly, gets a preview of some upcoming local events about the brain from Illinois Science Council founder Monica Metzler, and discovers the Secret History of Lani Hall.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #987: Trying to avoid an Illinois transit fiscal cliff, New "emergency" rules for prison communication 42:30

3M ago42:30

42:30

Mike Stephen discusses the work being done to avoid a transit fiscal cliff in Illinois with state representative Kam Buckner (26th) and John Greenfield, editor of Streetsblog Chicago. Then, John Howard Association executive director Jennifer Vollen-Katz discusses new "emergency" rules put in place to regulate communication with those who are incarc…

1
OTL #986: A look into Illinois' finances, The 100K Project wants you to run for office, The Secret History of Henry Threadgill 36:08

4M ago36:08

36:08

Mike Stephen learns about a new way to explore Illinois finances through the Fiscal Futures data hub with UIC professor David Merriman, gets an update on the 100K Project, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago avant-garde jazz musician Henry Threadgill.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #985: Chicago's new public housing museum, The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra's new music, The Secret History of Nancy Faust 42:43

4M ago42:43

42:43

Mike Stephen discusses the importance of preserving public housing history with Dr. Lisa Yun Lee, the executive director of the National Public Housing Museum, learns about new music from the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra with band co-director Fareed Haque, and discovers the Secret History of local stadium organist Nancy Faust.…

1
OTL #984: Faulty DUI science, The push to pay student teachers in Illinois 36:40

4M ago36:40

36:40

Mike Stephen chats with Injustice Watch senior investigative reporter Maya Dukmasova about a local lab practicing faulty science that resulted in wrongful DUI convictions and then discusses the push to pay student teachers in Illinois with Percy Julian Middle School teacher Ashley Kannan.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #983: The future of rent stabilization in Illinois, XL Fest brings Chicago creatives together 35:13

4M ago35:13

35:13

Mike Stephen discusses the push for rent stabilization in Illinois with the Lift the Ban campaign coordinator Diego Morales and then learns about XL Fest, a local festival that brings Chicago creatives together, from Creative Cypher founder Troy Pryor.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #982: Joy Tea wants to wow Chicagoland, An Illinois civil rights history update, The Secret History of Billy Hinton 38:53

5M ago38:53

38:53

Mike Stephen talks the art of tea with Max Blessen, owner of Chicagoland's Joy Tea, gets an update on civil rights history in Illinois, and discovers the Secret History of the versatile musician from Chicago Billy Hinton.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #981: The compact disc isn't going quietly, Chicago before the Fire 39:47

5M ago39:47

39:47

Mike Stephen talks with Chicago Reader staff writer Leor Galil about the resurgence of the compact disc, then delves into the history of Chicago before the Great Fire of 1871 with Northwestern University economics professor Louis P. Cain, author of the new book Chicago Before the Fire: An Economic History.…

1
OTL #980: The Urban Growers Collective, Edgewater Music Fest, The Secret History of Jimmy Rogers 44:52

5M ago44:52

44:52

Mike Stephen learns about the important work of Chicago's Urban Growers Collective from herbalism conductor Rev. Kim Crutcher, gets a preview of the Edgewater Music Fest from Garrett Karp, executive director of the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago blues guitarist Jimmy Rogers.…

1
OTL #979: Clarendon Hills Kid, Share Our Spare provides community resources 40:11

5M ago40:11

40:11

Mike Stephen talks to Roger Day Bain, the author of a new book about growing up in suburban Clarendon Hills called Clarendon Hills Kid and a book about a very non-linear career path entitled Hardly Working: How I Found a Career and Kept My Soul. Then, we learn about the continuing great work of Chicago's Share Our Spare and its quest to find new fu…

1
OTL #978: The federal educational funding freeze in Illinois, Kate Fagan's new music, The Secret History of Byron Gregory 40:53

6M ago40:53

40:53

Mike Stephen learns about the potential impact of the federal government's education funding freeze on Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago's Samantha Smylie, chats with Kate Fagan about her new music and upcoming Chicago shows, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago guitarist Byron Gregory.By Mike Stephen

1
April 2020 | Live From The Lair with Tobias Wayland 1:10:27

5+ y ago1:10:27

1:10:27

Wayland is the author of "The Lake Michigan Mothman: High Strangeness in the Midwest".Featured Music by Noah GabrielBy Radio One Chicago

1
BONZIE 17:50

6y ago17:50

17:50

BONZIE calls into the show to discuss her music as she quietly works on her latest album!“BONZIE has released her second full-length album called Zone on Nine. Fully written and produced by Ferraro herself, it features performances by Adrian Utley of Portishead, Nate Walcott of Bright Eyes, and co-production with Jonathan Wilson (Father John Misty,…

1
Young Chicago Authors 17:36

6y ago17:36

17:36

heykiller sits down with Toaster to discuss all the different programing that Young Chicago Authors has to offer the City of Chicago.Presented by Young Chicago Authors (YCA), Founded in 2001 by Kevin Coval, Anna West and a group of educators, Louder Than A Bomb (LTAB) celebrates its 20th year with a festival that honors the vibrancy, diversity and …

1
Live From The Lair | Dr. Lopez 1:00:20

6y ago1:00:20

1:00:20

By Radio One Chicago

1
Tonic Freight Train 27:22

6y ago27:22

27:22

By Radio One Chicago

1
Cinchel 33:18

6y ago33:18

33:18

By Radio One Chicago

1
Impulsive Hearts 24:58

6y ago24:58

24:58

By Radio One Chicago

1
Holly 24:52

6y ago24:52

24:52

By Radio One Chicago

1
Myra Su 7:37

6y ago7:37

7:37

By Radio One Chicago

1
Handmade Happy Hours 21:46

6y ago21:46

21:46

By Radio One Chicago

1
GlitterPicks and What About Chicago 20:46

6y ago20:46

20:46

By Radio One Chicago

1
Live From The Lair with Anastasia Chatzka and Donna Diane at House of Vans Chicago 32:54

6y ago32:54

32:54

By Radio One Chicago

1
Tiny Kingdoms 30:00

6y ago30:00

30:00

By Radio One Chicago

1
Cloudtone | January 23rd, 2020 26:52

6y ago26:52

26:52

By Radio One Chicago

1
Mz. Taty 18:30

6y ago18:30

18:30

By Radio One Chicago

1
Jennifer Hall | 1/9/2020 22:14

6y ago22:14

22:14

By Radio One Chicago

1
Sunshine Boys | 1/9/2020 27:26

6y ago27:26

27:26

By Radio One Chicago

1
Live From The Lair with Whitney Wasson 37:53

6y ago37:53

37:53

By Radio One Chicago

1
99TheProducer | January 2nd, 2020 26:27

6y ago26:27

26:27

By Radio One Chicago

1
Housewife of Horror ft. Microphone Misfitz 1:42:39

6y ago1:42:39

1:42:39

Housewife of Horror is a Horror Television show local to Aurora, Illinois, airing on Western Suburban Stations and Worldwide on The Monster Channel!Housewife of Horror features the Ghoulishly Glamorous Housewife of Horror, and her Soul...Mate Mister of Horror. Both are lifelong lovers of all things that give you that special thrill, go bump in the …

1
The Cast of Choke on That with WeekendGabe on WLUW-FM (11.24.19) 32:20

6y ago32:20

32:20

Filmakers and writers, Jay Davis and Donte "Diesel" Williams joins Gabe to talk about their upcoming season of Choke on That. Cast stars, Corin Clay and Chantelly Johnson share their favorite moments of working Jay and and Donte and season 2.See the season 2 premier on December 1, 2019 at the Dew Theater in Chicago.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/prem…