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
Joan Esposito is joined by Margaret Donovan, attorney at Koskoff Koskoff and Bieder, visiting clinical lecturer in law at Yale Law School, former assistant United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, Army veteran and former captain in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps.
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-loca...
Joan Esposito is joined by David Hogg, gun control activist and former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. He is the keynote speaker at the DuPage Democrats 2026 Gala, Sunday, February 22nd.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member ofNational Security Leaders for America (NSL4A).
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Aaron Kleinman, head of research at Heartland Signal.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Bruce Rheins, former CBS Los Angeles deputy bureau chief. He remembers Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has died at age 84.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Stephanie Zimmermann, award-winning watchdogs and consumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Greg Palast, filmmaker, journalist and author. He remembers Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has died at age 84.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Thom Serafin, founder and CEO of Serafin & Associates, Inc. He remembers Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has died at age 84.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Paul Glastris, editor-in-chief of the Washington Monthly. His latest article is “Let the Affordability Bidding War Begin: Democrats have a stronger hand. They should raise their bets.”
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Stephanie Kifowit, Illinois state representative and 2026 candidate for Illinois state comptroller.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Chicago Ald. Timmy Knudsen, 43rd Ward.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Maya Dukmasova of Injustice Watch. She reports on judges, prisons, and the courts.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Devin Remiker, chair of the Democratic Party of 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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by 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. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Amy Johnson, Democrat running to be Kane County (Illinois) sheriff.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Dan Protess, co-executive producer of WTTW’s award-winning multiplatform initiative FIRSTHAND.
Beginning February 16, 2026, FIRSTHAND will spend a year documenting how individuals and local organizations are responding proactively at the community level. Throughout the year, "Firsthand: Democracy" will present documentary films, investigative reporting, and a series of public events and c...
Joan Esposito is joined by Heartland Signal’s Rich Eberwein with three stories you might have missed from our digital newsroom.
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joan Esposito is joined by Melissa Sanchez, Chicago-based immigration and labor reporter for ProPublica. Her latest piece is “The Real Story Behind the Midnight Immigration Raid on a Chicago Apartment Building.”
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...
Joan Esposito is joined by Sasha Abramsky, freelance journalist and author; his new book is “American Carnage: How Trump, Musk and DOGE Butchered the U.S. Government.”
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).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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