Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews)
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
RAY LAHOOD DEFENDS BIPARTISANSHIP; "COMPROMISE IS NOT A BAD WORD"
Joan Esposito is joined by 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 Nikki Budzinski, "Can Bipartisanship Still Work?"
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsig...
Joan Esposito is joined by Peter Giangreco, Democratic strategist and partner at The Strategy Group.
Key topics/points:
- the August 11 primary election in Minnesota, where U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar enjoys front-runner status for the Democratic nomination for governor
- President Trump's obsession with Minnesota and his endorsement of Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Lindell, the My Pillow guy
- the potential imp...
Joan Esposito is joined by Carolyn Fiddler, state politics expert and author of the newsletter "This Week in Statehouse Action."
Key points:
- Unity among Democrats after contentious primaries in Michigan
- AIPAC is not as invested in state politics as in national politics but still influences some primaries
- In Wisconsin Democrats have a chance to win majorities in the state Assembly and Senate for the first time i...
Joan Esposito is joined by Pat Quinn, former governor of Illinois. He discussed his campaign advocating passage of a state constitutional amendment aimed at property tax relief. "This is what the people want," he said.
Quinn spoke as well about the amicus brief he and a bipartisan group of former governors recently filed urging the Supreme Court to reject a Trump administration bid to revive parts of an executive order e...
Joan Esposito 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 is now managing director at Navigator Research.
Three key takeaways:
- 1 in 4 Trump Voters Regret 2024 Vote
- 75% Disapprove of Trump’s Handling of Gas Prices
- Trump Lags Behind Democrats on Foreign Policy Trust
Catch...
Joan Esposito is joined by Lisa Graves, expert on right-wing infrastructure, founder and executive director of True North Research, legal scholar, author of “Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights" and the Substack column "Grave Injustice."
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartl...
Abby Vesoulis, national politics reporter at Mother Jones, talks to Joan Esposito about her recent reporting on U.S. Rep. Max Miller (R-OH). Last month Mother Jones published her investigative article "Assault, Misogyny, Verbal Threats: Records Detail New Allegations Against Rep. Max Miller."
Key Topics:
- Max Miller Under Ethics Probe Over Abuse & Drug Allegations
- Scandal Could Cost Republicans in Ohio
- Miller Refuses to Res...
MICHIGAN VOTERS REJECT BIG MONEY, DEMAND FOCUS ON COST OF LIVING
Jon King gives Joan Esposito a recap of Tuesday's Michigan primary election results. King is editor-in-chief for Michigan Advance, a member of the States Newsroom network.
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).
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Joan Esposito is joined by Ben Wikler, former chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party and author of the new book, "This Is the Plan: How to End America's Meltdown and Save Democracy" (2026).
Key Takeaways:
-
We Must End the Filibuster, Ban Gerrymandering Nationwide & Reform the Supreme Court
-
Democrats Must Win State Trifectas Before 2028
Catch ...
TODD BLANCHE IS A "NO VOTE" FOR ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT THE RULE OF LAW.
Joan Esposito is joined by Joyce Vance, author of "Giving Up is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy"; co-host of the "#SistersInLaw" podcast; distinguished professor of the Practice of Law at the University of Alabama; author of the “Civil Discourse” newsletter on Substack; and former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alaba...
Joan Esposito is joined by Pete Dominick, news commentator, stand-up comic, and host of the "Stand Up! with Pete Dominick" podcast.
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).
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Ray Long, retired Chicago Tribune investigative reporter, joins Joan Esposito to talk about the controversy surrounding Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch for his handling of sexual harassment allegations against disgraced former House Rep. Harry Benton.
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)...
Joan Esposito is joined by Julia Métraux, disability reporter for Mother Jones; she discusses her recent article, "California Does Medicaid Home Care Well. They’re Being Punished For It," and more.
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).
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Joan Esposito is joined by Pat Kreitlow, founder and editor of Up North News, ahead of next Tuesday's primary election in Wisconsin.
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).
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Joan Esposito is joined by Joe Cunningham, former congressman who now serves as spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance. He discusses PRA's new report on big pharma and drug prices.
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).
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Joan Esposito is joined by Professor Steven D. Schwinn of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
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).
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Joan Esposito is joined by U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (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).
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Joan Esposito is joined by Terry Savage, syndicated personal finance columnist and author.
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).
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Joan Esposito is joined by 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 WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).
Follow us:
Website: https://heartlandsignal.com
WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820
Joan Esposito is joined by Jane Kirtley, Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law Emerita at the University of Minnesota and former executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
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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