Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews)

WCPT 820
WCPT 820
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Politics
  • Updated Daily

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). 

  1. 20h ago

    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 "Getting Rid of Flock Isn't Enough To Solve America's Surveillance Problem."   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 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Interview: Autumn Billings of Reason

  2. 20h ago

    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.  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 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Interview: Thomas Hicks, former chair of Election Assistance Commission

  3. 2d ago

    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 reforms to the system.  Here is a brief summary of the conversation:- Winters explained that the Constitution was designed to balance democracy with oligarchy after debt crises and farmer uprisings in the 1780s.- The Senate, presidential veto, Electoral College, and Supreme Court were created as protections for wealthy interests.- Winters proposes a 45-member Supreme Court, with half selected by legislators and half chosen by lottery from eligible legal professionals.- Other reforms discussed: stronger corporate-ownership transparency, progressive taxation, wealth taxes, eliminating the Senate, and removing presidential veto power. 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 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Interview: Author-Professor Jeffrey Winters

  4. 2d ago

    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 with left-wing political commentator Hasan Piker.    Other key points:- Candidates must tailor their positions to local electorates; progressive positions such as Medicare for All remain untested in some battleground states.- Democratic polling is favorable, especially for the House, but most Senate races remain within the margin of error and should not be considered secure.- If Democrats win the House, Hakeem Jeffries is viewed as the likely speaker because of his internal relationships and vote-counting ability, not necessarily his oratory. 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 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Interview: Bill Scher of Washington Monthly

  5. 2d ago

    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 whole story answering the question, why Lithuania?," she said. "I mean, personally, I have a connection to Lithuania because I had a Lithuanian mother. There are about 60,000 Lithuanian Americans in the Chicago area. We have one of the biggest diasporas in the whole world."  Zimmermann described Lithuania’s strategic vulnerability beside Belarus and Russia, concerns about NATO reliability, and strong public support for democracy among both older and younger Lithuanians. She also talked about stories she's recently written on insurance claims ("Insurance industry makes millions each day claims go unpaid, analysis shows"), and the enforcement (or lack thereof) of restrictions on Chicago restaurant owners barring sidewalk string lights ("Lights out for a Roscoe Village cafe's outdoor dining — even as others shine on"). Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).   Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Interview: Stephanie Zimmermann of the Chicago Sun-Times

  6. 2d ago

    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 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 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Interview: Kristina Zahorik of the DNC

  7. 2d ago

    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" 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 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Candidate Interview: Suzanne Ness

  8. 4d ago

    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 said that Donald Trump's promised $5,000 checks are unlikely to become reality and would increase the deficit if enacted.- A Department of Defense transfer from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was recently approved under the Economy Act, which allows agencies to perform the same activity for greater efficiency. "If we think there are efficiencies to be had where a different agency could do the same," Kogan told WCPT, "it has to be the same. Like, that's the key point. It has to be the same activity, the same purpose, same everything. . . . I think we all have to ask ourselves: Do we really think the DOD is better situated for tracking infectious diseases and doing new research than NIH?"- The transfer abuse also overrides congressional priorities.- Defense has gained funding while discretionary domestic programs, including NIH, food safety, environmental protection, and agency operations have faced cuts.- Health care costs are increasingly shifted from the federal government to states, seniors, and low-income people; the discussion highlighted risks to Medicaid, Affordable Care Act subsidies, Medicare drug coverage, and Medicare Advantage. 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 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    WCPT 820 Interview: Bobby Kogan of Center for American Progress
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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 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). 

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