PODCAST · news
Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews)
by WCPT 820
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 television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC. Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
Episodes
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Minnesota Attorney Gen. Keith Ellison: WCPT 820 Interview
Filling in for Joan Esposito, Carolyn Fiddler is joined by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Elllison, 2026 candidate for re-election. Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive). Follow…
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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 technical staff at Anthropic, and author of "AI and Political Freedom: The Risk to Democracy and How to Respond"…
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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 Iran nuclear deal under President Obama, and now serves as managing director at Navigator Research. Catch "Joan...
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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 Trap on Substack. His new book, "Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism," came out last month.…
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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 Rewritten" (2026). The conversation examined midterm election expectations, changes in the Republican Party, and...
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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’s views on farming practices and policy. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Fuel, equipment, seed,...
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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 landscape and the competitiveness of its upcoming elections. Here are a few highlights from the conversation: - Iowa has...
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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 drug costs and discussed South Carolina’s upcoming election. Here are a few highlights from the conversation: -...
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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 views on political media, democratic values, and concentrated wealth. Here are a few key points from the conversation…
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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. support, and possible political responses. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Ostrow said Ukraine’s access…
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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.” The discussion covered Minnesota election races, voter concerns, and uncertainty about polling ahead of election…
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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 dynamics, with emphasis on potential Democratic gains. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Fiddler said...
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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 development, and neighborhood investment. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Wilson said Chicago needs an...
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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, constitutional governance, foreign policy, and domestic institutions. Here are a few key points from the...
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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 examined the environmental and public health risks of plastic pollution, the limits of recycling, and policy options for...
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Indivisible's Ezra Levin: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible. The discussion focused on mobilizing voters and protecting democratic participation ahead of the midterm elections. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Levin described the October 17 No Kings Nationwide…
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Carlos Ballesteros of Injustice Watch: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Carlos Ballesteros, reporter for Injustice Watch, Chicago-based nonprofit journalism organization that examines issues of equity and justice in the court system. Their November 2026 Cook County judicial elections guide is now available. Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local...
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Ward Farnsworth: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Ward Farnsworth, professor and W. Page Keeton Chair at the University of Texas School of Law and author of several books, including “Should You Tip for Takeout? Solving the Puzzles of Everyday Life.“ Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00…
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Illinois State Rep. Jessica Dixon Heitman (D): WCPT 820 Candidate Interview
Broadcasting live from Moe Joe's Restaurant in Plainfield, Illinois, Joan Esposito is joined by Illinois State Rep. Jessica Dixon Heitman of the 97th House District. She is a 2026 candidate for re-election. Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central...
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David DeWitt of the Ohio Capital Journal: WCPT 820 Interview
David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal editor-in-chief and opinion columnist The discussion examined Ohio’s 2026 political races, media framing, and the effects of election misinformation on voters. Here are a few key points from the conversation. - DeWitt said Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek...
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U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL): WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Illinois Congressman Jonathan Jackson, Democrat representing the 1st District of Illinois. The conversation focused on Jackson’s policy priorities, criticism of current federal leadership, and concerns about domestic and international impacts of Republican governance. -...
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Retired Army Major General Randy Manner: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A). The discussion focused on U.S. military policy, regional security, election-related risks, and the reported effects of...
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Michigan Advance reporter Katherine Dailey: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Katherine Dailey, state government and policy reporter for Michigan Advance. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - In Michigan's race for governor, Michigan Sec. of State Jocelyn Benson faces Republican Congressman John James. - James remains aligned with...
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Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder. He talks about Texas Democrats’ grassroots, bottom-up strategy as a way to capitalize on the midterm election and deliver an ambitious governing agenda. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Scudder said state...
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U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and 2026 candidate for re-election in Missouri's 5th Congressional District. Here are a few key points from the conversation. - The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the 2022 congressional map after Missouri courts and petitioners challenged…
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Julie Roginsky: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Julie Roginsky, author of the Salty Politics newsletter on Substack and co-founder of the nonprofit Lift Our Voices. The conversation focused on the midterm outlook, accountability for political leaders and Supreme Court justices, and women’s advocacy in politics. Key...
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Zack Cooper: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Zack Cooper, director of the Health Care Affordability Lab at Yale University and associate professor of public health and of economics at Yale. The discussion examined health care affordability and policy changes proposed through Yale Healthcare Affordability Lab’s 1%...
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Prof. E.J. Fagan: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Dr. E.J. Fagan, associate professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois Chicago and author of "The Thinkers: The Rise of Partisan Think Tanks and the Polarization of American Politics" (2024). The discussion examined how Democrats can prepare for future...
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Prof. Allan J. Lichtman: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Allan Lichtman, distinguished professor of history at American University and author of the new book "Great American Presidents: The Twelve Who Transformed the Nation." He also recently wrote an article for MS NOW with the headline "Republicans in Congress aren’t afraid...
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Christopher Armitage: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Christopher Armitage, author, veteran, former law enforcement officer, activist, policy adviser, and publisher of The Existentialist Republic on Substack; his latest piece is "The Untold Story of How The Democrats Won Their Last Supermajority: The 50 State Strategy"…
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Bill Scher of Washington Monthly: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly; his latest articles are "This Is the Biggest Reason Why a Blue Wave Is Probably Coming" and "Why Democrats Should Be Most Worried About Troy Jackson (And It’s Not the Consultants)." Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and...
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Randy Manner: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting and deputy director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A). The discussion focused on concerns about…
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Ray Suarez: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Ray Suarez, broadcast journalist and author of "We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century" (2024). The conversation focused on the political, institutional, and media challenges facing the United States, along with Ray’s upcoming Chicago appearance. Here are a...
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Lynne of Indivisible and musician Billy Branch: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Lynne of Indivisible Elk Grove Township, along with blues harmonica player Billy Branch, who is part of the musical lineup for the 2nd annual Concert for Democracy, an afternoon of live music in support of grassroots activism on Sunday, October 11 in Elk Grove Village....
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Heartland Signal's Aaron Kleinman: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Aaron Kleinman, Heartland Signal‘s senior political analyst and author of the “Radio Free America” newsletter. The conversation focused on 2026 midterm prospects for Democrats, campaign financing practices, and the Democratic Party’s longer-term policy direction. Here…
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Prof. Joel Ostrow: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Joel Ostrow, professor of political science at Benedictine University. The discussion examined the war in Ukraine, European security, the European Union’s potential seizure of Russian assets, Canada’s proposed associate relationship with the EU, the possibility of…
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Tamar Jacoby (from Ukraine): WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Tamar Jacoby, director of the New Ukraine Project at the Progressive Policy Institute and contributor to Washington Monthly; her latest articles are "The New Normal in Kyiv, Ukraine" and "Europe Struggles to Respond to Russian Attacks." The discussion examined Russia’s...
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Author Jen Thompson: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Jen Thompson, former political campaign manager, former counsel in the U.S. House and Senate, and author of "Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten" (out now). Thompson, who once helped tip the U.S. Senate back to Republican control when she was managing GOP...
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Author Keri Leigh Merritt: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Keri Leigh Merritt, Ph.D., historian and writer; she is the author of "Masterless Men: Poor Whites and Slavery in the Antebellum South" (2017) and "An Inconvenient Woman: The Extraordinary Life of Lillian Smith, the Southerner Who Defied Jim Crow America" (out September...
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Paul Lisnek: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Paul Lisnek, multi-Emmy Award-winning TV host who served as political and legal analyst at WGN for 18 years; he is also the author of 15 books and host of "Curtain Call Chicago" and "Paul On Politics." The conversation covered Chicago theater, recent political...
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Maria Pappas: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, whose memoir, "Maria the Pappas," was published earlier this month. Pappas discussed the memoir, her path from a coal-mining town in West Virginia to public service, and her views on Chicago politics. Here are a few key points from…
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Robert Pape: WCPT 820 Interview
Joan Esposito is joined by Robert Pape, professor of political science at the University of Chicago and author of “The Escalation Trap” on Substack; his new book, "Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism," comes out Tuesday, September 22. Here are a few key points from the...
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WCPT 820 Interview: Autumn Billings of Reason
Joan Esposito is joined by Autumn Billings, assistant editor at Reason. Billings has written recently about Flock cameras, including the article "The Shaky Evidence That Flock Cameras Reduce Crime Rates." On September 2 Reason published the article "Wisconsin Cops Used Flock Over 100 Times To…
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WCPT 820 Interview: Thomas Hicks, former chair of Election Assistance Commission
Joan Esposito is joined by Thomas Hicks, former chair of the federal Election Assistance Commission; he was fired on July 9 when President Donald Trump dismissed all three serving commissioners. The discussion examined Hicks’s dismissal from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, election...
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WCPT 820 Interview: Author-Professor Jeffrey Winters
Joan Esposito is joined by Jeffrey A. Winters, professor of political science at Northwestern University, and author of he 2026 book "The Blind Spot: How Oligarchs Dominate Our Democracy." The discussion examined how oligarchic power is embedded in U.S. democratic institutions and possible…
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WCPT 820 Interview: Bill Scher of Washington Monthly
Joan Esposito is joined by Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly; his latest article is "Will It Be a Blue Wave?" They also talked about his piece, "How To Build A Big Tent" and Republican attacks on Michigan Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed for his associations…
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WCPT 820 Interview: Stephanie Zimmermann of the Chicago Sun-Times
Joan Esposito is joined by Stephanie Zimmermann, award-winning consumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. Zimmermann has recently written a series of articles under the banner, "Chicago's Baltic Bond: Lithuania, America and Democracy," which she talks to WCPT about. "I did a…
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WCPT 820 Interview: Kristina Zahorik of the DNC
Broadcasting from Duke’s Ale House & Kitchen in Crystal Lake, Illinois, for an event with the Democratic Party of McHenry County, Joan Esposito is joined by Kristina Zahorik, Democratic National Committee Midwest Caucus vice chair. Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from...
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WCPT 820 Candidate Interview: Suzanne Ness
Broadcasting from Duke’s Ale House & Kitchen in Crystal Lake, Illinois, for an event with the Democratic Party of McHenry County, Joan Esposito is joined by Illinois State Rep. Suzanne Ness, candidate for re-election in the 66th District. Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive"…
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WCPT 820 Interview: Bobby Kogan of Center for American Progress
Joan Esposito is joined by Bobby Kogan, senior director of Federal Budget Policy at the Center for American Progress. They talked about federal budget practices, budget transfers favoring defense, and the effects of reduced domestic spending. Here is a brief summary of the conversation: - Kogan...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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 television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC. Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
HOSTED BY
WCPT 820
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How many episodes does Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews) have?
Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews) currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews) about?
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...
How often does Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews) release new episodes?
Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews) has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews) on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews)?
Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews) is created and hosted by WCPT 820.
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