It's the Democracy, Stupid Featured Interviews
From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath" is now "It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath." Each week Edwin and his guests get specific about politics, government, campaigns, and the kind of country all this work is meant to build. Join us live every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central to be part of the conversation. About Edwin Edwin Eisendrath served two terms in Chicago’s City Council before being appointed Midwest Region Director of HUD by President Bill Clinton. He was subsequently appointed Federal Receiver in charge of the takeover and turnaround of the Chicago Housing Authority. Off the campaign trail, Edwin has worked in higher education and as a consultant to universities here and around the world. After the 2016 election cycle he knew he had to focus back home. He brought business and labor leaders together to rescue the Chicago Sun-Times and its subsidiary, the Chicago Reader. He ran the company as its CEO until both publications were saved. Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton’s campaign slogan, "It’s the economy, stupid," captured the biggest concern of the era. Today American democracy itself is under attack. So Edwin launched an effort called, "It’s the democracy, stupid." In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on Substack, hosts a weekly show on Lincoln Square, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work. He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist Jennifer Schulze.
Episodes
Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Scott Colom, district attorney for the 16th Judicial District of Mississippi and 2026 candidate for U.S. Senate in Mississippi.
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by David Pepper, candidate for Ohio lieutenant governor (as Democratic candidate for governor Amy Acton‘s running mate).
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Ari Berman, national voting rights correspondent for Mother Jones.
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Daniel Squadron, president and co-founder of Future Now and author of “The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union.”
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by David Nir, publisher of The Downballot.
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL).
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Filling in for Edwin Eisendrath, Paul Chivari is joined by Kevin Schultz, professor of history at UIC and author of “Why Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals): A History”, for an America at 250 conversation. (Recorded June 30 for the July 4 broadcast.)
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin). ...
Filling in for Edwin Eisendrath, Paul Chivari is joined by William Muck, professor of political science at North Central College, for an America at 250 conversation. (Recorded July 3 for the July 4 broadcast.)
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by The Atlantic’s Tom Nichols, whose latest article is "Trump Is Making the 250th Small." (The conversation was recorded June 26.)
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party.
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Maya Kornberg, senior research fellow in the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, and the author of "Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress."
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Gillian Brockell, independent journalist currently reporting on ICE flights.
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Colette Delawalla, founder and CEO of Stand Up for Science.
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Jay Kuo, chair-elect of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Stephen Wolf, a redistricting analyst and a contributor at The Downballot, an independent news site that covers elections below the presidential level.
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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On this week's show
– Colette Delawalla, founder and CEO of Stand Up for Science
– Jay Kuo, chair-elect of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization
– Stephen Wolf, a redistricting analyst and a contributor at The Downballot, an independent news site that covers elections below the presidential level
– Laura Belin, publisher, editor...
Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Ahmed Baba, independent journalist, political analyst, and founder of the best-selling Substack publication “Ahmed Baba News.” (The interview was recorded Friday, May 29 and aired Saturday, May 30.)
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Website: https://h...
Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Victor Ray, University of Iowa associate professor in the Departments of Sociology & Criminology and African American Studies and vice president of The American Sociological Association.
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Website: https://heartlandsig...
Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent at The Economist, and author of “How Long Will Israel Survive? The Threat From Within.”
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Aaron Parnas, independent journalist on TikTok and Substack.
Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).
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Website: https://heartlandsignal.com
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