Amy McDonald and Karen Byrne

Rep. Sean Casten

On today's show
– Karen Byrne, co-host of the TruBlu Politics podcast
– Amy McDonald, campaign manager for Democrat Ashley Bell in North Carolina's 10th Congressional District and host of the “The Foolish Optimist with Amy McDonald” podcast
– U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL)  

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

 

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On today's show &ndash; Karen Byrne, co-host of the&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trublu-politics/id1715898318">TruBlu Politics podcast</a> &ndash; Amy McDonald, campaign manager for Democrat Ashley Bell in North Carolina's 10th Congressional District and host of the &ldquo;<a href="https://amymcdonald.podbean.com/">The Foolish Optimist with Amy McDonald</a>&rdquo; podcast &ndash; U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://casten.house.gov/">Rep. Sean Casten</a>&nbsp;(D-IL)&nbsp;&nbsp;
Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew&rdquo; weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views">heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views</a>).
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From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of “Chew's Views” (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central), a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions – but don’t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you’re awake, not just “woke.”  


Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "The Family Meeting" and as a regular contributor to "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive."  He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024. 

A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future. Richard’s primary goal is to help consumers assess what their needs are and find the right plans and programs to protect their wealth.

Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master’s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a “ready to go” item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of &ldquo;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chewviews-with-richard-chew/">Chew's Views</a>&rdquo; (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central), a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions &ndash; but don&rsquo;t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you&rsquo;re awake, not just &ldquo;woke.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-family-meeting/">The Family Meeting</a>" and as a regular contributor to "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive/">Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive</a>." &nbsp;He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.&nbsp;
A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future. Richard&rsquo;s primary goal is to help consumers assess what their needs are and find the right plans and programs to protect their wealth.
Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master&rsquo;s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a &ldquo;ready to go&rdquo; item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness. &nbsp;

Chew's Views with Richard Chew (Full Episodes)

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, “Chew's Views” (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central) is a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions – but don’t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you’re awake, not just “woke.”  

Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "The Family Meeting" and as a regular contributor to "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive." He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.

Richard also regularly shares his views on other podcasts and radio shows, including recent appearances on Amy McGrath's "Truth in a Barrel," "The John Fugelsang Podcast," "Endless Urgency" with Mike Nellis, and "The Politics Bar."

A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future.

Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master’s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a “ready to go” item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, &ldquo;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chewviews-with-richard-chew/">Chew's Views</a>&rdquo; (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central) is a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions &ndash; but don&rsquo;t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you&rsquo;re awake, not just &ldquo;woke.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-family-meeting/">The Family Meeting</a>" and as a regular contributor to "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive/">Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive</a>." He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.
Richard also regularly shares his views on other podcasts and radio shows, including recent appearances on Amy McGrath's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWK_o2PSptQ">Truth in a Barrel</a>," "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weekend-interviews-simon-and-julie-richard-chew/id1464094232?i=1000685443232">The John Fugelsang Podcast</a>," "<a href="https://endlessurgency.com/p/pardoning-ghislaine-maxwell-trump">Endless Urgency</a>" with Mike Nellis, and "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/is/podcast/community-vs-cankles-july-22-2025/id886656768?i=1000718522141">The Politics Bar</a>."
A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future.
Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master&rsquo;s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a &ldquo;ready to go&rdquo; item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness. &nbsp;

Chew's Views with Richard Chew

Chew's Views with Richard Chew | August 21, 2026

Richard Chew is joined by U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL). 

Here is a summary of the conversation: 

Energy Opportunities and Market Realities
- Rep. Casten highlights that clean energy technologies like EVs, solar panels, and batteries are already ready for widespread deployment.
- He notes that U.S. oil consumption has remained steady for 20 years while coal usage has decreased significantly due to market preferences.
- He argues that the U.S. must decide if energy policy should prioritize benefiting consumers or supporting producers.
- He suggests that current subsidies and interventions often favor fossil fuel production over cheaper, cleaner alternatives.

Political and Economic Divides
- Casten explains that the shift toward urban areas has created a political divide between progressive urban centers and conservative rural areas.
- He points out that many rural communities depend on extractive industries for economic stability and local prosperity.
- He observes that when traditional industries like coal decline, it leads to broader economic hardship in those communities.

Navigating the Energy Transition
- Casten discusses the difficulty of transitioning workers from traditional energy sectors to new roles in clean energy.
- He emphasizes that technological advances in mining and natural gas have already reduced labor needs in the coal industry.
- The congressman stresses the need for empathy and dignity for older workers who cannot easily retrain for new industries.
- He notes that the Inflation Reduction Act attempted to address this by providing incentives specifically for energy transition communities.

Role of Government and Business
- Casten argues that corporations are amoral entities focused on profit, rather than moral agents.
- He asserts that the government's role is to act as a moral agent by implementing regulations that align profit incentives with the public good.
- The conversation addresses the challenge of multinational corporations whose interests may not always align with the American economy.
- Casten concludes by noting that advocating for robust, competitive markets is a difficult but necessary regulatory position.

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

 

Follow us:

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Richard Chew is joined by U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://casten.house.gov/">Rep. Sean Casten</a> (D-IL).&nbsp;
Here is a summary of the conversation:&nbsp;
Energy Opportunities and Market Realities - Rep. Casten highlights that clean energy technologies like EVs, solar panels, and batteries are already ready for widespread deployment. - He notes that U.S. oil consumption has remained steady for 20 years while coal usage has decreased significantly due to market preferences. - He argues that the U.S. must decide if energy policy should prioritize benefiting consumers or supporting producers. - He suggests that current subsidies and interventions often favor fossil fuel production over cheaper, cleaner alternatives. Political and Economic Divides - Casten explains that the shift toward urban areas has created a political divide between progressive urban centers and conservative rural areas. - He points out that many rural communities depend on extractive industries for economic stability and local prosperity. - He observes that when traditional industries like coal decline, it leads to broader economic hardship in those communities. Navigating the Energy Transition - Casten discusses the difficulty of transitioning workers from traditional energy sectors to new roles in clean energy. - He emphasizes that technological advances in mining and natural gas have already reduced labor needs in the coal industry. - The congressman stresses the need for empathy and dignity for older workers who cannot easily retrain for new industries. - He notes that the Inflation Reduction Act attempted to address this by providing incentives specifically for energy transition communities.
Role of Government and Business - Casten argues that corporations are amoral entities focused on profit, rather than moral agents. - He asserts that the government's role is to act as a moral agent by implementing regulations that align profit incentives with the public good. - The conversation addresses the challenge of multinational corporations whose interests may not always align with the American economy. - Casten concludes by noting that advocating for robust, competitive markets is a difficult but necessary regulatory position.
Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew&rdquo; weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views">heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views</a>).
&nbsp;
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WCPT 820 Interview: U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL)

Richard Chew is joined by Adam Klasfeld, founder and editor-in-chief of All Rise News.

They discuss legal battles over data centers, federal jurisdiction and AI regulation, Katie Phang's Epstein files lawsuit, vindictive prosecution of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and the federal losing streak in state voting rolls cases. 

 

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

 

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Richard Chew is joined by Adam Klasfeld, founder and editor-in-chief of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.allrisenews.com/">All Rise News</a>.
They discuss legal battles over data centers, federal jurisdiction and AI regulation, Katie Phang's Epstein files lawsuit, vindictive prosecution of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and the federal losing streak in state voting rolls cases.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew&rdquo; weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views">heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views</a>).
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WCPT 820 Interview: Legal journalist Adam Klasfeld

Richard Chew is joined by Anne Kim, senior editor at Washington Monthly and the author of "Poverty for Profit: How Corporations Get Rich Off America’s Poor"; she is also co-editor of "Betrayed: America Didn't Vote for This."  They discuss the exploitation of vulnerable communities through corporate colonization and the privatization of government programs.

Corporate Colonization and Vulnerable Communities
- Kim explains that her book, "Poverty Over Profit," explores how companies exploit government programs intended to support vulnerable populations.
- She identifies several forms of corporate colonization, including privatized ICE detention centers run by companies like the GEO Group and predatory tax prep services in low-income areas.
- The discussion highlights how businesses often provide substandard services while extracting significant funds from federal and state resources.

The Privatization of Government Services
- Kim describes a cottage industry of companies that extract money from social programs like Medicaid and Section 8 housing without providing adequate benefits.
- The conversation details how the delegation of state power to for-profit contractors like Maximus can lead to life-and-death decisions regarding welfare and SNAP benefits.
- Contracts often include legal protections that prevent citizens from successfully challenging the decisions made by these private entities.

Historical Context and Future Challenges
- Kim traces the rise of privatization back to Ronald Reagan's era, noting that Bill Clinton's 1996 welfare reforms further expanded the role of private contractors.
- The discussion addresses how systemic barriers are often ignored due to a narrative that blames impoverished individuals for their own circumstances based on stereotypes.
- Kim concludes by directing listeners to her work at Washington Monthly and her personal website for more information on her research.

 

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

 

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Richard Chew is joined by <a href="https://anneskim.com/">Anne Kim</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/author/anne-kim/">senior editor at Washington Monthly</a> and the author of "<a href="https://anneskim.com/poverty-for-profit/">Poverty for Profit: How Corporations Get Rich Off America&rsquo;s Poor</a>"; she is also co-editor of "<a href="https://commonsensecoalition.net/betrayed-we-did-not-vote-for-this/">Betrayed: America Didn't Vote for This</a>."&nbsp; They discuss the exploitation of vulnerable communities through corporate colonization and the privatization of government programs.
Corporate Colonization and Vulnerable Communities - Kim explains that her book, "Poverty Over Profit," explores how companies exploit government programs intended to support vulnerable populations. - She identifies several forms of corporate colonization, including privatized ICE detention centers run by companies like the GEO Group and predatory tax prep services in low-income areas. - The discussion highlights how businesses often provide substandard services while extracting significant funds from federal and state resources. The Privatization of Government Services - Kim describes a cottage industry of companies that extract money from social programs like Medicaid and Section 8 housing without providing adequate benefits. - The conversation details how the delegation of state power to for-profit contractors like Maximus can lead to life-and-death decisions regarding welfare and SNAP benefits. - Contracts often include legal protections that prevent citizens from successfully challenging the decisions made by these private entities. Historical Context and Future Challenges - Kim traces the rise of privatization back to Ronald Reagan's era, noting that Bill Clinton's 1996 welfare reforms further expanded the role of private contractors. - The discussion addresses how systemic barriers are often ignored due to a narrative that blames impoverished individuals for their own circumstances based on stereotypes. - Kim concludes by directing listeners to <a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/author/anne-kim/">her work at Washington Monthly</a> and her <a href="https://anneskim.com/">personal website</a> for more information on her research.
&nbsp;
Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew&rdquo; weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views">heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views</a>).
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Chew's Views with Richard Chew | August 21, 2026

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