Out Chicago (Featured Interviews)

Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Suzie Toot , the Queen of She Already Done Had Herses, tap dancing star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, and star of the queer horror film “Big Easy Queens.” Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820...

Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Chicago’s very own Brandon Lee Harris , star of the multiple Tony Award®-winning musical “ MJ ,” returning to Chicago for a run at the Nederlander Theatre, August 12-31. Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsi...

Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by State  Sen. Mike Simmons  (D-IL),  candidate for Congress in the 9th District of Illinois. Simmons emphasized his commitment to fighting for marginalized communities, including immigrants, LGBTQ youth, and low-wage workers. He highlighted his legislative achievements, such as the Jett Hawkins Act and the Illinois child tax credit. Simmons sa...

Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by  Brooke Eden , country artist performing August 9 at  Northalsted Market Days . Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Sasha Velour , gender-fluid drag queen and visual artist performing  “The Big Reveal Live Show” at Steppenwolf , August 1-3. Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/list...

Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by William Lindsey Cochran of  Great Moments in Vinyl ; they’ll be performing music of The Police  August 7 at Evanston SPACE . Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/liste...

Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Chilina Kennedy , star of “ Billie Jean ,” playing through August 10 at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Michael Herrman , chief executive officer of Chicago House . Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).   Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Duff and Ellen Miller talk to Kristen Ford , singer/songwriter; her new album, "Pinto," will be released 8/22/25. Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show: - Tyler Anthony Smith, playwright and cast member in Hell in a Handbag Productions' " Queen for a Day ," playing July 13-August 3 -  Kristen Ford , singer/songwriter; her new album, "Pinto," will be released 8/22/25 Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartla...

"Hey, Kerry, who you chattin' with?" – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson – Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker – Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) – Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) – Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) – Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) – Mariyana Spyropoulos, clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County – Colleen Connel...

Broadcasting live from Chicago's Center on Halsted, Scott Duff and Ellen Miller describe the excitement of the 54th Annual Chicago Pride Parade with special guest co-hosts Cathy Richardson, Victor Salvo and Ken Mejia-Beal. They're also joined by grassroots organizer Michael O'Connor and Chicago radio personality Kathy Voltmer. From the parade route, WCPT's Kerry D'Auben is joined by special guests...

Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Leah Rauch , education director at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center , which is  hosting author Wendy Holden for a powerful conversation about her new novel, "The Teacher of Auschwitz," based on the true story of Fredy Hirsch. Hirsh identified as a gay man during the Holocaust, a time when being out was rare.  Catch "Chew's Views...

Scott and Ellen are joined by Tracy Baim , co-founder and owner of Windy City Times. She talked about “ Windy City Times @40: Breaking News. Breaking Silence ," a new exhibit that opens May 30 at Gerber/Hart Library and Archives. The exhibit features digitized archives from the 1980s, including never-before-seen photos from events like the 1987 March on Washington and an AIDS research benefi...

Chicago-based musician, drummer and songwriter  Spencer Tweedy joins Scott and Ellen in studio. He talked about his upcoming May 30 show at the First Church of Chicago. It will benefit Chicago's  Brave Space Alliance , which provides services, programs, and an affirming space where trans and LGBQ+ people are centered. Tweedy, who has performed and recorded with his dad, Jeff Tweedy of Wi...

Scott and Ellen are joined by Will Wilhelm , co-creator/performer in “ Gender Play, or what you Will ,” playing through May 24 at the  Steppenwolf . Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Scott and Ellen are joined by Chicago  Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth of the 48th Ward, which includes Edgewater and Uptown. She talked about the passage of the Green Social Housing ordinance, which aims to expand affordable housing in Chicago without relying on federal subsidies. The initiative uses $135 million from a $2.1 billion bond to fund housing and economic development and targets a mix...

Scott and guest co-host Tania Richard are joined by  Jaylon C. Crump , starring as the messenger god Hermes in the North American Tour of the 2019 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, " Hadestown ." It's playing at Chicago's CIBC Theatre through May 18. Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the s...

Scott and guest co-host Tania Richard are joined by art historian  Jonathan Katz , curator of Wrightwood 659's new exhibit " The First Homosexuals: The Birth of a New Identity 1869-1939 ." It features over 300 works of art from 40 countries.   Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the...

Scott and Ellen are joined by John Parker and Jim Pounds of “ The Gaily Show ,” now airing weeknights from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Central on WCPT. Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ellen Miller is joined by guest co-host   Kathy Voltmer (in for Scott)   and they talk here to Kim Swinton and Linda Martin from the band  Vintage Blonde Chicago . Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/ See omnystudio.com/list...

Ellen Miller is joined by guest co-host   Kathy Voltmer (in for Scott)   and they talk here to  mortgage broker  and playwright  Shimmy Braun  on the world premiere, in London’s West End, of his new work, “ Faygele .” Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago)....

Scott and Ellen are joined by Alderperson Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford , the first trans person elected to Madison Common Council. On April 1st she was elected to a second term, despite having suspended her campaign earlier in 2025.  Martinez-Rutherford talked about the work she does to create broader acceptance of transgender people, describing herself as "just a person with a heart and nee...

Scott and Ellen are joined by Illinois State Senator Sara Feigenholtz , who discussed her journey into public service and highlighted Illinois' protections for vulnerable communities, including LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedom. Feigenholtz also stressed the importance of supporting adoption and child welfare initiatives.  Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p...

Scott and Ellen are joined by Carolyn Pinta  of the  Buffalo Grove Pride Parade, where Scott and Ellen will serve as honored grand marshals and host live from Buffalo Grove, Sunday, June 1st.  Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). Support the show: https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule/...