From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are featured interviews from "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central, a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course. Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago tele...
Latest episodes
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22 min
Nicole Foy of ProPublica: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Nicole Foy, immigration reporter for ProPublica; she recently authored the investigative article, "We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been He…
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23 min
Dr. Willie Wilson: WCPT 820 Candidate Interview
Filling in for Joan Esposito, Rickey Hendon is joined by Willie Wilson, 2027 candidate for Chicago mayor. The interview focused on Wilson’s positions on Chicago taxes, education, e…
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17 min
Pennie McCoach of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308
Filling in for Joan Esposito, Rickey Hendon is joined by Pennie McCoach, president and business agent of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 308, which represents rail worker…
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21 min
Heather Williams of the DLCC: WCPT 820 Interview
Filling in for Joan Esposito, Carolyn Fiddler is joined by Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC). The interview focused on the DLCC's…
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24 min
Chris Mann: WCPT 820 Candidate Interview
Filling in for Joan Esposito, Carolyn Fiddler is joined by Chris Mann, Democratic candidate for attorney general of Kansas. Mann discussed his priorities as a Democratic candidate…
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14 min
Minnesota Attorney Gen. Keith Ellison: WCPT 820 Candidate Interview
Filling in for Joan Esposito, Carolyn Fiddler is joined by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Elllison, 2026 candidate for re-election. The interview focused on Keith Ellison’s recor…
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22 min
AI expert and author Matthew Botvinick: WCPT 820 Interview
Filling in for Joan Esposito, Mike Nellis is joined by Matthew Botvinick, world-renowned AI researcher and neuroscientist who is senior fellow at Yale Law School, a member of the t…
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22 min
Melissa Toufanian of Navigator Research: WCPT 820 Interview
Filling in for Joan Esposito, Mike Nellis is joined by Melissa Toufanian, former State Department deputy assistant secretary who served on the communications team for the original…
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26 min
Prof. Robert Pape: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Robert Pape, professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs, and author of The Escalation Tra…
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25 min
Author Jen Thompson: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Jen Thompson, former Republican campaign manager, former counsel in the U.S. House and Senate, and author of "Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rew…
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27 min
Farmer and activist John Bartman: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by John Bartman, fifth-generation Illinois soybean farmer and activist. The discussion focused on the economic pressures facing Illinois farmers and Bartman…
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21 min
Laura Belin of Bleeding Heartland: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Laura Belin, publisher, editor, and reporter for Bleeding Heartland, a community website focused on Iowa politics. Belin discussed Iowa’s political lands…
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22 min
Joe Cunningham of Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Joe Cunningham, former congressman who now serves as spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance. The interview focused on lowering prescription…
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20 min
John Stoehr of The Editorial Board: WCPT 820 Interview
John Stoehr, editor and publisher of The Editorial Board, "a newsletter about politics in plain English for normal people and the common good." The conversation explored Stoehr's v…
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45 min
Political scientist Joel Ostrow: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by political scientist and "World Discord Podcast" co-host Joel Ostrow. The discussion focused on Ukraine’s urgent needs, the effects of reduced U.S. suppor…
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7 min
John Parker of "The Gaily Show": WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by John Parker, co-host of “The Gaily Show,” weeknights at 10:00 Central on WCPT, along with Jim Pounds, executive producer and co-host of “The Gaily Show.”…
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22 min
Carolyn Fiddler of This Week in Statehouse Action: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Carolyn Fiddler, state politics expert and author of the newsletter “This Week in Statehouse Action. The discussion assessed state and federal election d…
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23 min
Willie Wilson: WCPT 820 Candidate Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Willie Wilson, 2027 candidate for Chicago mayor. Wilson discussed his campaign, emphasizing business-oriented governance, lower taxes, workforce developm…
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21 min
Ira Shapiro: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Ira Shapiro, co-author of "Betrayed: America Didn't Vote for This." The discussion examined concerns about the Trump administration’s impact on elections…
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24 min
Michael Hawthorne of the Chicago Tribune: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Michael Hawthorne, Pulitzer-finalist investigative reporter who focuses on the environment and public health for the Chicago Tribune. The discussion exam…