Mike Stephen chats with Matt Greenwell, owner of Oak Park's Trade, about a recent break-in, gets the lowdown on new local music from Canoe Speed with guitarist Jay Shearer, and explores the impact of a new state law designed to give people a second chance with Live Free Illinois executive director Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain.

Mike Stephen explores the latest report on the state of local news with Medill School of Journalism professor and chair in local news Tim Franklin, gets the lowdown on new local music from saxophonist Harold Dawson, and learns about EveryVoice, an AI platform designed to fill gaps in mental health care for kids, from founder and CEO Malcolm Brown.

Mike Stephen discusses the McKinley Park News' decision to leave Facebook and Instagram alongside publisher Justin Kerr, gets the lowdown on new local music from Emily Chloe Quinn, and explores a new University of Chicago To&Through Project report on the educational attainment of CPS students with executive director Dominique McKoy.

Mike Stephen discusses new findings about inhumane conditions in Illinois jails with Jennifer Vollen-Katz, executive director of the John Howard Association, then chats with Jennifer Vianello, co-owner of MachMachines Musical Instruments, about the company's new podcast, Play For Keeps.

Mike Stephen explores the impact of food influencers on the Chicago culinary scene with freelance reporter Leigh Giangreco, chats with Rattleback Records owner Paul Ruffino about what it's like to run an independent record store, and takes a deep dive into Injustice Watch's 2026 guide to judicial elections with senior reporter Dan Hinkel.

Mike Stephen dives into a new report on housing displacement pressure in Chicago with Geoff Smith, executive director of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University, and revisits what went wrong with the Bring Chicago Home initiative.

Mike Stephen discusses the impact of cannabis on the teen brain with Dr. Patricia Jones Blessman, gets the lowdown on new local music from Paige Kizer, and explores the positive impact of restorative justice practices with Dr. Shaniqua Jones, founder of Purple Path

Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch senior reporter Aura Bogado about her new report on how Illinois prosecutors are assisting federal immigration efforts, then chats with Antonia Turner, owner of the new Heritage Press and Blow Dry salon, about building community in Chicago.