Filling in for Richard Chew, Michelle Peltier is joined by Justin J. Pearson, Tennessee state representative and newly announced candidate for Congress in the 9th Congressional District of Tennessee. The seat is currently held by longtime incumbent Democrat Steve Cohen, who is running for re-election.

Pearson recounted his early activism at age 15, securing textbooks for his school. "You have to show up, speak up, and change is possible," he said of the experience. "And I kept that mentality. I was just a kid advocating and speaking up. I probably didn't even use those words, but just saying, look, something's wrong, and you all are the ones responsible for fixing it. That's the same message that we have now. Something's wrong in our democracy. Something's wrong with the affordability crisis that we have. Something's wrong with one out of three kids in our district living in poverty. Something's wrong and we need to go to the places that are responsible for doing something about it."

Pearson highlighted the importance of grassroots support in his effort to "topple the status quo" and his campaign's need for "at least" a thousand volunteers. He stressed the urgency of voter mobilization, citing the administration's authoritarian actions and the necessity of community engagement to preserve democracy.

"I'm hopeful that we are awakened to the reality of the destruction of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism," Pearson told WCPT. "I'm hopeful that we are paying attention to the abuses of power by this administration in just nine months, and the destruction and chaos that they have rained on this country and the world, kidnapping people, sending them to other countries, taking away SNAP benefits for millions of people. I am hopeful that we are seeing our voting and our participation does have consequences, and our lack of voting and our lack of participation also has consequences. 

"But if you do not go to the polls, if you do not advocate to people who can vote to go to the polls, somebody is going and they are making decisions for you. Now, if you believe somebody else can make a better decision for your life and for your future than you, then sit it out. But if you believe you are the best judge of the way that this country needs to go, then you've got to be in the ring. You've got to be engaged. You have to participate."

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

Filling in for Richard Chew, Michelle Peltier is joined by Justin J. Pearson,&nbsp;<a href="https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/legislatorinfo/member.aspx?district=H86">Tennessee state representative</a>&nbsp;and newly announced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.votejustinj.com/">candidate for Congress</a> in the 9th Congressional District of Tennessee. The seat is currently held by longtime incumbent Democrat Steve Cohen, who is running for re-election.
Pearson recounted his early activism at age 15, securing textbooks for his school. "You have to show up, speak up, and change is possible," he said of the experience. "And I kept that mentality. I was just a kid advocating and speaking up. I probably didn't even use those words, but just saying, look, something's wrong, and you all are the ones responsible for fixing it. That's the same message that we have now. Something's wrong in our democracy. Something's wrong with the affordability crisis that we have. Something's wrong with one out of three kids in our district living in poverty. Something's wrong and we need to go to the places that are responsible for doing something about it."
Pearson highlighted the importance of grassroots support in his effort to "topple the status quo" and his campaign's need for "at least" a thousand volunteers. He stressed the urgency of voter mobilization, citing the administration's authoritarian actions and the necessity of community engagement to preserve democracy.
"I'm hopeful that we are awakened to the reality of the destruction of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism," Pearson told WCPT. "I'm hopeful that we are paying attention to the abuses of power by this administration in just nine months, and the destruction and chaos that they have rained on this country and the world, kidnapping people, sending them to other countries, taking away SNAP benefits for millions of people. I am hopeful that we are seeing our voting and our participation does have consequences, and our lack of voting and our lack of participation also has consequences.&nbsp;
"But if you do not go to the polls, if you do not advocate to people who can vote to go to the polls, somebody is going and they are making decisions for you. Now, if you believe somebody else can make a better decision for your life and for your future than you, then sit it out. But if you believe you are the best judge of the way that this country needs to go, then you've got to be in the ring. You've got to be engaged. You have to participate."
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>).

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;