Best WLUW Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 227: Gospel Memories - May 31, 2025 56:56

2h ago56:56

56:56

Selections from the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Harold Bowen Singers, Caravans (pictured), Dixie Hummingbirds, SW Michigan State Choir of COGIC, Love Center Choir, Rev. Savage, and others.

1
OTL #972: Confronting student loan debt in Illinois, New music from AJ Rosales, The Secret History of The Radiants 43:09

9h ago43:09

43:09

Mike Stephen discusses the student loan debt problem in Illinois with Illinois Answers Project journalist Claire Murphy, gets the lowdown on new local music from AJ Rosales, and discovers the Secret History of the 1960s Chicago doo-wop group The Radiants.By Mike Stephen

1
Episode 226: Gospel Memories - May 24, 2025 59:19

7d ago59:19

59:19

This episode showcases religious music recorded by Idessa Malone (pictured), one of the first Black women to own and operate a postwar independent record company (Staff, Dessa, Prize, Favorite, Manel). Artists include Rev. Clay Evans and the Fellowship MBC Choir, Wilbert Ervin, Viola Ranson Sorters, Mamie Spann, Victoria and Thelma Hawkins, and the…

1
OTL #971: Civic engagement through the 100K Project, CPS selling vacant land, Labeling Illinois schools 39:52

7d ago39:52

39:52

Mike Stephen learns about recruiting candidates for local office through the 100K Project with lead organizer and steering committee member Tom Tresser and then gets an update on some local education issues with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea.By Mike Stephen

1
Episode 225: Gospel Memories - May 17, 2025 58:50

13d ago58:50

58:50

This episode includes two long sets in memory of Jo Jo Wallace (pictured, Sensational Nightingales) and Bishop Earl J. Wright Jr. (keyboardist).

1
OTL #970: Books removed in local prison, New music from Ascendant, The Secret History of Chicago Music celebrates 20 years 39:33

14d ago39:33

39:33

Mike Stephen explores the removal of certain books in Danville Correctional Center with local author Vee Harrison, gets the lowdown on new music from the band Ascendant from vocalist and keyboard player Kael Mboya, and looks back on 20 years of The Secret History of Chicago Music in the Chicago Reader with its creator and author Steve Krakow.…

1
Episode 224: Gospel Memories - May 10, 2025 59:59

21d ago59:59

59:59

Our Mother's Day special featuring songs about mother by artists such as the Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Angelic Choir feat. Delores "Bootsy" Roberts, Staple Singers (pictured), Supreme Councilors, Violinaires, John P. Kee, and others

1
OTL #969: The Chicago Lakefront: Protected, Yet Precarious, Second Glance Productions, Rob Moore’s new music 39:38

21d ago39:38

39:38

Mike Stephen discusses the future of Chicago's lakefront with Emily Reusswig, VP of Conservation at Openlands, talks about the importance of inclusion in media with Anthony Williams, the founder of Second Glance Productions, and gets the lowdown on new music from Chicago-based bluesman Rob Moore.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #968: Why everyone hates white liberals, The Secret History of Hot Mama Silver 57:02

28d ago57:02

57:02

Mike Stephen sits down with Kevin M. Schultz, chair of the history department at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the author of a new book called Why Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals), and then discovers the Secret History of 1970s and 80s rockers Hot Mama Silver.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #967: The origins of gun violence in Chicago, Andy Madden’s new music 43:56

1M ago43:56

43:56

Mike Stephen discusses the origins of gun violence in Chicago with Jens Ludwig, author of the new book called Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence, and then sits down with local musician Andy Madden about his new music and upcoming record release performance.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #966: Bonuses for City Council aides on the rise, Greenlight Family Services offering support, The Secret History of The Notations 39:33

1M ago39:33

39:33

Mike Stephen talks to Illinois Answers Project investigative reporter Alex Nitkin about how Chicago City Council staffers are getting more and more bonuses, learns about the impact of Chicago’s Greenlight Family Services with CEO Dr. Maria Nanos, and discovers the Secret History of the Chicago-based soul band The Notations.…

1
OTL #965: Funding cuts for Illinois Humanities, The future of journalism 39:40

2M ago39:40

39:40

Mike Stephen discusses the potential impact of federal funding cuts for Illinois Humanities with executive director Gabrielle Lyon and Macomb-based singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo and then chats about the future of journalism with Prospect High School multimedia teacher Jason Block and seniors Claire Wynkoop and Kenny Munao while attending this ye…

1
OTL #964: Chicago’s immigration court, I Am Flytism, The Secret History of Jim Brewer 42:40

2M ago42:40

42:40

Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch reporter Kelly Garcia about how Chicago’s immigration court works, learns about I Am Flytism, an organization on the South Side of Chicago that helps those impacted by autism, from founder Stephanie Butts, and discovers the Secret History of 20th century local bluesman Jim Brewer.…

1
OTL #963: Living as a profitable author, The Surabhi Ensemble unites through art, The West Side Book Fair 40:23

2M ago40:23

40:23

Mike Stephen talks to Conspire Creative founder Sharon Woodhouse about her new book The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books, previews the Surabhi Ensemble’s live performance with guitarist Carlo Basile, and gets the lowdown on the upcoming West Side Book Fair from Bridgett McGill.…

1
OTL #962: The immigrant experience in Chicagoland, New music from Steve Knight, The Secret History of Bobby McClure 42:41

2M ago42:41

42:41

Mike Stephen talks to Sandra Diaz, co-founder of the Center for Immigrant Progress, about the efforts to help Chicagoland immigrants in the wake of a hostile federal government, learns about the new album from local jazz guitarist Steve Knight, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago soul singer Bobby McClure.…

1
OTL #961: The importance of the Freedom of Information Act, Proposed legislation to regulate homeschooling in Illinois 41:07

3M ago41:07

41:07

Mike Stephen talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning local journalists Sarah Conway of City Bureau and Trina Reynolds-Tyler of the Invisible Institute about the importance of the Freedom of Information Act and then gets an update on a proposed bill to regulate homeschooling in Illinois from Capitol News reporters Beth Hundsdorfer and Molly Parker.…

1
OTL #960: The Illinois nuclear power controversy, The Flamenco Quartet Project returns, The Secret History of Donald Rafael Garrett 41:32

3M ago41:32

41:32

Mike Stephen discusses the controversial push to increase nuclear power production in Illinois with David Kraft, director of the Nuclear Energy Information Service, previews the return of the Flamenco Quartet Project with Wendy Clinard, founder of Clinard Dance, and discovers the Secret History of local avant-garde bassist Donald Rafael Garrett.…

1
OTL #959: Bridging the wealth gap in Chicago, Supporting local nonprofits 42:12

3M ago42:12

42:12

Mike Stephen learns about efforts to bridge the wealth gap and to provide worker dignity at the local level from Julian Posada, President & CEO of LiftUp Chicago, and then discusses supporting the important work of local nonprofits with Jessica Nepomiachi, Director of Special Projects for the Real Estate Solutions Team at IFF.…

1
OTL #958: Continuing the fight against homelessness, The Secret History of Ruffian, Chicago Women of Color Fest 43:28

3M ago43:28

43:28

Mike Stephen discusses ongoing efforts to fight homelessness in Chicago despite the chaos in the federal government with Carolyn Ross, president and CEO of All Chicago: Making Homelessness History, learns the Secret History of 1980s rockers called Ruffian, and then chats about a new local festival highlighting marginalized voices with festival foun…

1
OTL #957: The history and impact of Fitzgerald’s, New music from Falling Stars 42:57

4M ago42:57

42:57

Mike Stephen sits down with Jess King and Will Duncan, the owners of Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn, to learn about the venue's history and impact on Chicago and then gets the lowdown on new music from the local band Falling Stars with guitarist and vocalist Mark Sheehy.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #956: The future of the Chicago Reader, The Secret History of The Monteras 37:58

4M ago37:58

37:58

Mike Stephen talks to Amber Nettles the publisher of the Chicago Reader and Salem Collo-Julin, the paper's editor in chief, about the dire financial situation of the publication and its future and then discovers the Secret History of the local 1960s garage rock band The Monteras.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #955: The future of electric vehicles in Illinois, Restorative justice in North Lawndale 40:10

4M ago40:10

40:10

Mike Stephen explores the potential impact of the Trump administration’s position on environmental funding with Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at the Respiratory Health Association, and learns about the impact of restorative justice practices in the North Lawndale neighborhood from Cliff Nellis, president and CEO of th…

1
OTL #954: The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, The Secret History of Yama & The Karma Dusters 38:59

4M ago38:59

38:59

Mike Stephen learns about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative renewal in Congress from Don Jodrey, director of federal relations at the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and then discovers the Secret History of the 1970s counterculture band Yama & The Karma Dusters.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #953: Chicago’s “Taping Guy,” The Surge Institute’s civil rights work 42:54

4M ago42:54

42:54

Mike Stephen talks to Aadam Jacobs, a Chicagoan who has recorded thousands of local live music performances, about why he’s making his collection public and then discusses the ongoing civil rights work of The Surge Institute with executive director Ulric Shannon.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #952: Are we in dark civic times?, The impending “TIF Cliff,” HelloBaby expands 39:03

5M ago39:03

39:03

Mike Stephen explores the impending "TIF Cliff" and its ramifications for Chicago with civic educator Tom Tresser, discusses the state of local civic life, and gets the lowdown on the expansion of HelloBaby on the South Side of the city with founder Debbie Frisch and Leva Family Foundation president Craig Leva.…

1
OTL #951: Local education issues in 2025, Illinois corrections’ programs that work, New music from Poi Dog Pondering 46:30

5M ago46:30

46:30

Mike Stephen gets an update on important education issues in the new year from Chalkbeat Chicago reporter Reema Amin, discusses the positive impacts of a few Illinois Department of Corrections programs with Jennifer Vollen-Katz, executive director of the John Howard Association, and previews an upcoming show by the local band Poi Dog Pondering with…

1
OTL #950: A look back on Chicago in 2024 41:52

5M ago41:52

41:52

Mike Stephen highlights a few local conversations from the show in 2024. See you in 2025!By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #949: The lack of Chicago environmental regulations enforcement, The Secret History of JD, Foster, and Eastman 40:16

5M ago40:16

40:16

Mike Stephen talks to Neighbors for Environmental Justice board president Anthony Moser about how local politics and a lack of enforcement are impacting Chicago’s environmental policies and then discovers the Secret History of 1970s Chicago country rockers JD, Foster, and Eastman.By Mike Stephen

1
OTL #948: Re-mapping Chicago, The state of local food journalism, Quimby’s calls it quits 38:58

6M ago38:58

38:58

Mike Stephen gets an update on the effort to re-map Chicago community areas from Emily Talen, director of The Urbanism Lab at the University of Chicago, discusses the state of local food journalism Mike Gebert, editor of Fooditor, and reflects on the good work of the soon-to-be-sold Quimby’s bookstore in Wicker Park.…

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

5y 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

5y 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

5y 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

5y ago1:00:20

1:00:20

By Radio One Chicago

1
Tonic Freight Train 27:22

5+ y ago27:22

27:22

By Radio One Chicago

1
Cinchel 33:18

5+ y ago33:18

33:18

By Radio One Chicago

1
Impulsive Hearts 24:58

5+ y ago24:58

24:58

By Radio One Chicago

1
Holly 24:52

5+ y ago24:52

24:52

By Radio One Chicago

1
Myra Su 7:37

5+ y ago7:37

7:37

By Radio One Chicago

1
Handmade Happy Hours 21:46

5+ y ago21:46

21:46

By Radio One Chicago

1
GlitterPicks and What About Chicago 20:46

5+ y 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

5+ y ago32:54

32:54

By Radio One Chicago

1
Tiny Kingdoms 30:00

5+ y ago30:00

30:00

By Radio One Chicago

1
Cloudtone | January 23rd, 2020 26:52

5+ y ago26:52

26:52

By Radio One Chicago

1
Mz. Taty 18:30

5+ y ago18:30

18:30

By Radio One Chicago

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

5+ y ago22:14

22:14

By Radio One Chicago

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

5+ y ago27:26

27:26

By Radio One Chicago

1
Live From The Lair with Whitney Wasson 37:53

5+ y ago37:53

37:53

By Radio One Chicago

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

5+ y ago26:27

26:27

By Radio One Chicago

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

5+ y 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

5+ y 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…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

WLUW Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen