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Joan Esposito (Full Episodes)
by WCPT 820
From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of "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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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 16, 2026
On today's show – 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” (2026) – David Layman, former Providence, Rhode Island, news anchor, managing editor, and political commentator for…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 15, 2026
On today's show – Laura Belin, publisher, editor, and reporter for Bleeding Heartland, a community website focused on Iowa politics – John Bartman, fifth-generation Illinois soybean farmer and activist – Joe Cunningham, former congressman who now serves as spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 14, 2026
On today's show – John Stoehr, editor and publisher of The Editorial Board, "a newsletter about politics in plain English for normal people and the common good" – Tom Villanova of Southland Friends of Labor; he is also the retired president of the Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 13, 2026
On today's show – John Parker, host of “The Gaily Show,” weeknights at 10:00 Central on WCPT – Carolyn Fiddler, state politics expert and author of the newsletter "This Week in Statehouse Action – Jen Golbeck, professor, computer scientist, psychologist, "expert in the far-right, online…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 12, 2026
On today's show – Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible – Michael Hawthorne, Pulitzer-finalist investigative reporter who focuses on the environment and public health for the Chicago Tribune – Ira Shapiro, co-author of “Betrayed: America Didn’t Vote for This“ – Willie Wilson, 2027...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 9, 2026
On today's show – Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast – 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…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive special broadcast with Will County Democrats | October 8, 2026
On today's show Joan broadcasts live from Moe Joe's Restaurant in Plainfield, Illinois, and her guests are – Marc McKirdie, candidate for Will County Board, District 3 – Sherry Newquist, candidate for Will County Board, District 3 (incumbent) – Mica Freeman, Will County Board, District 8 – State...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 7, 2026
On today's show – David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal editor-in-chief and opinion columnist – U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) – Rex Huppke, USA Today columnist; his latest column is "Trump says economy is great. We should definitely trust him" Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive"...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 6, 2026
On today's show – Katherine Dailey, state government and policy reporter for Michigan Advance – Matt McNeil, host of “The Matt McNeil Show,” weekdays at 9:00 p.m. on WCPT – Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of National Security...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 5, 2026
On today's show – Ray Long, retired Chicago Tribune investigative reporter – Julie Roginsky, author of the Salty Politics newsletter on Substack and co-founder of the nonprofit Lift Our Voices – U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and 2026 candidate for re-election in Missouri's 5th Congressional...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 2, 2026
On today's show – Zack Cooper, associate professor of public health and associate professor of economics at Yale University; he is also director of the Health Care Affordability Lab at Yale and serves as director of Health Policy at Yale's Tobin Center for Economic Policy – Jill Wine-Banks, legal...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 1, 2026
On today's show – 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 of…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 30, 2026
On today's show – 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“ – Bill…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive special broadcast with Southland Friends of Labor | September 29, 2026
Joan Esposito is live at the new state of the art Plumber’s Training Center in Joliet, Illinois, for Get Out The Vote with Southland Friends of Labor. She is joined by guest co-host Tom Villanova (Southland Friends of Labor board member, retired IBEW Local 134, former president of the Chicago &...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 28, 2026
On today's show – Willie Chriesman (in for Mark Jacob) and Jennifer Schulze with our regular media segment – 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...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 25, 2026
On today's show – Ray Suarez, broadcast journalist and author of "We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century" (2024) – 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...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 24, 2026
On today's show – William Muck, professor of political science at North Central College – Aaron Kleinman, Heartland Signal‘s senior political analyst and author of the “Radio Free America” newsletter Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 23, 2026
On today's show – 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" – Joel Ostrow, professor of political…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 22, 2026
On today's show – 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 today) – Keri Leigh Merritt, Ph.D., historian and writer; she is the author of "Masterless Men: Poor Whites and...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 21, 2026
On today's show – 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 – Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas – Chris Bury, former TV...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 18, 2026
On today's show – Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast – Rick Smith, host of "The Rick Smith Show," weekdays from 5:00 to 6:00 a.m. Central on WCPT Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 17, 2026
On today's show – Autumn Billings, assistant editor at Reason – 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 – David Hochberg, vice president of lending for Team Hochberg at...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 16, 2026
On today's show – Stephanie Zimmermann, award-winning consumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times – Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly; his latest article is "Will It Be a Blue Wave?" – Jeffrey A. Winters, professor of political science at Northwestern University…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 15, 2026 (Live from McHenry County)
On today's show Joan broadcasts live from Duke's Ale House & Kitchen, 110 North Main St. in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Her guests are: - Ruth Scifo, chair of the Democratic Party of McHenry County - Julie Billimack of Democratic Women of McHenry County - Illinois State Rep. Suzanne Ness, candidate…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 14, 2026
On today's show – Marj Halperin, Democratic analyst heard on "The Mincing Rascals" podcast and organizer with Indivisible Chicago and One Community Near South – Dr. Judy Stone, infectious disease physician, journalist and author – Ned Resnikoff, urban policy analyst who writes the newsletter...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 11, 2026
Joan Esposito devotes her show to the 25th anniversary of 9/11, with special guests: – Joseph Dittmar, 9/11 Twin Towers survivor (from the "Live, Local & Progressive " archive) – Clifford Chanin, director of the 9/11 Memorial Museum – Graeme Wood, author of "The Way of the Strangers: Encounters...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 10, 2026
On today's show – Ira Glass, creator and host of "This American Life"; Glass will appear at the Chicago Humanities Festival Monday, October 5 for an evening called "Half-Baked Stories About My Dead Mom: Ira Glass and Etgar Keret Don’t Mince Words" – Marjorie Hershey, professor emeritus, political...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 9, 2026
On today's show: – Dani Negrete, national political director at Indivisible – U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) – Carolyn Fiddler, state politics expert and author of the newsletter “This Week in Statehouse Action – Michael Dorf, Democratic lawyer, the Law Offices of Michael C. Dorf, LLC Catch...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 8, 2026
On today's show – Stephen Marche, novelist and essayist who recently wrote a New York Times guest essay, “Canada Said No to America. It Will Reverberate Far Beyond Its Borders” – Aaron Kleinman, Heartland Signal‘s senior political analyst and author of the “Radio Free America” newsletter – Ed...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 4, 2026
On today's show: – “Out Chicago” host Scott Duff and film critic Rebecca Ford with their monthly look at TV, movies, theater and more – Michael Gebert, James Beard Award-winning food writer, video producer, and author of “The Chicago Way: An Oral History of Chicago Dining” (2026); he will be...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 3, 2026
On today's show – Eric Zorn, writer-publisher of The Picayune Sentinel – Illinois Democratic State Rep. La Shawn Ford, candidate for Congress in the 7th District of Illinois – Edwin Eisendrath, host of "It's the Democracy, Stupid" (Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT) and publisher…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 2, 2026
On today's show – Richard North Patterson, best-selling author, attorney and political commentator; his new book, "Tripwires: 15 Twenty-First-Century Events That Undermined American Democracy—and How to Reclaim," was released Tuesday – Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 1, 2026
On today's show – Jordan Zaslow, founder/executive director at Her Bold Move – Ray Long, retired Chicago Tribune investigative reporter – David Atkins, Washington Monthly contributing writer; his latest piece is "I’m a DNC Committee Member. The Party Isn’t Broken" – Paul Glastris, editor-in-chief...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 31, 2026
On today's show – Mark Jacob and Jennifer Schulze with our regular media segment – Brian Endless, senior lecturer and director of African Studies and the African Diaspora at Loyola University Chicago, and founder of The Come Together Project Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive"...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 28, 2026
On today's show – Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast – Jill Wine-Banks, legal analyst, former general counsel of the U.S. Army, author of “The Watergate Girl,” co-host of #SistersInLaw and host of Just The Facts with Jill Wine-Banks – Poets Mark Turcotte and Mayda Del...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 27, 2026
On today's show: – Christopher Armitage, author, veteran, former law enforcement officer, activist, policy adviser, and publisher of The Existentialist Republic on Substack; his latest piece is “Articles of Impeachment for Justice Clarence Thomas“ – Joel Ostrow, professor of political science at...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 26, 2026
On today's show – Professor Steven D. Schwinn of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law – Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) – Suzanne Chod, professor of political science...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive with guest host Turi Ryder | August 25, 2026
On today's show Turi Ryder fills in for Joan and her guests are – David Levine, professor of law, UC Law San Francisco – David Hochberg, vice president of lending for Team Hochberg at Homeside Financial – U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) – William Muck, professor of political science at North Central...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive with guest host John St. Augustine | August 24, 2026
On today's show John St. Augustine fills in for Joan and his guests are – Donald Remy, former deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs (2021-2023) and former CEO and chief legal officer of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (2011-2021); his new book is "Collegiate Capitalism: The Battle for...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 21, 2026
On today's show – Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast – Stacy Davis Gates, Chicago Teachers Union president and president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers – Gregory Royal Pratt and Laura Rodríguez Presa, investigative reporters for the Chicago Tribune; they are two…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 20, 2026
On today's show – Greg Hinz, columnist for Crain's Chicago Business – Dr. Mimi Zieman, retired OB/GYN, author, and advocate who moved to Atlanta to serve as the director of Family Planning at Emory University Medical School; she also served as chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 19, 2026
On today's show – Aaron Kleinman, Heartland Signal‘s senior political analyst and author of the “Radio Free America” newsletter – Spencer Critchley, author of Patriots of Two Nations and host of the Dastardly Cleverness in the Service of Good podcast Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 18, 2026
On today's show: – Julie Roginsky, author of the Salty Politics newsletter on Substack and co-founder of the nonprofit Lift Our Voices – Adam Mockler, Gen-Z liberal political commentator who hosts “The Adam Mockler Show” on You Tube – Paul Lisnek, multi-Emmy Award-winning TV host who served as...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 17, 2026
On today's show – Chris Bury, former TV newsman and recently retired DePaul journalism professor – U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) 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 us:...
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 14, 2026
On today's show: – Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast – Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly; his latest article is "Should We Ever Trust Polls Again?" – Darlene Duggan, head of Anticruelty Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 13, 2026
On today's show: – Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) – Opal Vadhan, former senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and former aide to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton – Dr....
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 12, 2026
On today's show: – Aaron Kleinman, Heartland Signal‘s senior political analyst and author of the “Radio Free America” newsletter – Joe Walsh, former Republican congressman from Illinois and host of “The Social Contract with Joe Walsh“ – U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) Catch "Joan Esposito…
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 11, 2026
On today's show – Joel Ostrow, professor of political science at Benedictine University, and Brian Endless, senior lecturer and director of African Studies and the African Diaspora at Loyola University Chicago Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m....
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 10, 2026
On today's show – Carolyn Fiddler, state politics expert and author of the newsletter “This Week in Statehouse Action“ – Ray LaHood, former Illinois congressman and former U.S. Transportation secretary; on August 27 he will participate in a City Club of Chicago event with Illinois Congresswoman...
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Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive | August 7, 2026
On today's show: – 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 – Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of "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 (Full Episodes) have?
Joan Esposito (Full Episodes) currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Joan Esposito (Full Episodes) about?
From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of "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...
How often does Joan Esposito (Full Episodes) release new episodes?
Joan Esposito (Full Episodes) has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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Who hosts Joan Esposito (Full Episodes)?
Joan Esposito (Full Episodes) is created and hosted by WCPT 820.
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