Apr 18, 2026
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 Eddie...
Apr 11, 2026
Mike Stephen chats with Roya Samarghandi, chief advocacy and innovation officer at The Chicago Bar Foundation, 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 Chalkbeat Chicago's Reema Amin, and gets the lowdown...
Mar 21, 2026
Mike Stephen discusses the success of peer support programs in prisons with John Howard Association executive director Jennifer Vollen-Katz, chats with local musician Chris Neville about new music from Chicago’s Meadowlark Lemons, and talks to Darryl Manuel, the director, and Phil Lee, producer, of the film
Mar 7, 2026
Mike Stephen discusses the issue of Illinois’ struggling population numbers with Chicago Magazine writer Ted McClelland, learns about the local organization called Project I Am from its founder Jahkil Jackson, and then talks to Milwaukee rapper Rap J about his life story and upcoming Chicago...
Feb 7, 2026
Mike Stephen talks to food journalist Mike Gebert about his new book that chronicles the history of Chicago dining, previews a Valentine’s Day show from the Sideshow Villains with band leader Dante Ingram, and discusses the work of the local nonprofit A Boy and His Dream with founder Sunny...