Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Ami Fields-Meyer, senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, former senior policy adviser at the White House, and co-author (with Julia Angwin) of "On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear" (2026).

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 <a href="https://www.fieldsmeyer.com/">Ami Fields-Meyer</a>, senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School&rsquo;s Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, former senior policy adviser at the White House, and co-author (with Julia Angwin) of "<a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/on-courage-julia-angwinami-fields-meyer?variant=44366661976098">On Courage: How to Be a Dissident in an Age of Fear</a>" (2026).
Catch &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the Democracy, Stupid&rdquo; Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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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.

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago,&nbsp;"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&nbsp;to be part of the conversation.
About Edwin Edwin Eisendrath served two terms in Chicago&rsquo;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.&nbsp;
Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton&rsquo;s campaign slogan, "It&rsquo;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&rsquo;s the democracy, stupid."
In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on <a href="https://edwineisendrath.substack.com/p/i-love-american-democracy-but-love" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Substack</a>, hosts a weekly show on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lincolnsquare.media/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Lincoln Square</a>, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work.
He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist <a href="https://jenniferschulze.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Jennifer Schulze</a>.

It's the Democracy, Stupid Featured Interviews

It's the Democracy, Stupid Full Episodes

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.

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> 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&rsquo;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.&nbsp;
Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton&rsquo;s campaign slogan, "It&rsquo;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&rsquo;s the democracy, stupid."
In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on <a href="https://edwineisendrath.substack.com/p/i-love-american-democracy-but-love" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Substack</a>, hosts a weekly show on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lincolnsquare.media/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Lincoln Square</a>, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work.
He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist <a href="https://jenniferschulze.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Jennifer Schulze</a>.

It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath (formerly The Big Picture)

WCPT 820 Interview: Ami Fields-Meyer

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Nicholas Grossman, teaching assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Grossman, an expert in international relations, discussed the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on global institutions like the U.N. and NATO, arguing that their decline was ideologically driven rather than due to institutional failure. He highlighted the administration's policies, such as the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the acceptance of North Korea as a nuclear power, as increasing global nuclear proliferation risks. Grossman also criticized the current U.S. relationship with Venezuela, describing it as extractive and corrupt. He emphasized the need for accountability and suggested that future Democratic control could set up investigations and oversight to address these issues.

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 Nicholas Grossman, teaching assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Grossman, an expert in international relations, discussed the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on global institutions like the U.N. and NATO, arguing that their decline was ideologically driven rather than due to institutional failure. He highlighted the administration's policies, such as the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the acceptance of North Korea as a nuclear power, as increasing global nuclear proliferation risks. Grossman also criticized the current U.S. relationship with Venezuela, describing it as extractive and corrupt. He emphasized the need for accountability and suggested that future Democratic control could set up investigations and oversight to address these issues.
Catch &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the Democracy, Stupid&rdquo; Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
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WCPT 820 Interview: Nicholas Grossman

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Rev. Earle J. Fisher, Ph.D., senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church, founder of  #UPTheVote901, and author of "The Rev. Albert Cleage Jr., and the Black Prophetic Tradition: A Reintroduction of The Black Messiah."

Fisher discussed the erosion of Black political rights and the impact of gerrymandering on Black voter representation. He emphasized the importance of robust voter engagement and community support, highlighting initiatives like #UpTheVote901. Fisher criticized the misuse of religious texts by white nationalists and called for a reclaiming of true Christian values. He stressed the need for long-term political organizing and community involvement to build equitable political power and counteract voter suppression efforts.

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 Rev. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/earle.fisher">Earle&nbsp;J.&nbsp;Fisher</a>, Ph.D., senior pastor of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AbyssinianMissionaryBaptistChurch/">Abyssinian Baptist Church</a>, founder of <a href="http://upthevote901.com/">&nbsp;#UPTheVote901</a>, and author of "The Rev. Albert Cleage Jr., and the Black Prophetic Tradition: A Reintroduction of The Black Messiah."
Fisher discussed the erosion of Black political rights and the impact of gerrymandering on Black voter representation. He emphasized the importance of robust voter engagement and community support, highlighting initiatives like #UpTheVote901. Fisher criticized the misuse of religious texts by white nationalists and called for a reclaiming of true Christian values. He stressed the need for long-term political organizing and community involvement to build equitable political power and counteract voter suppression efforts.
Catch &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the Democracy, Stupid&rdquo; Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 
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WCPT 820 Interview: Rev. Earle J. Fisher

Adam Klasfeld

Nicholas Grossman

Daniel Nichanian

Rev. Earle J. Fisher, Ph.D.

On this week's show
– Adam Klasfeld, founder and editor-in-chief of All Rise News
– Nicholas Grossman, teaching assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
– Daniel Nichanian, founder and editor-in-chief of Bolts
– Rev. Earle J. Fisher, Ph.D., senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church, founder of  #UPTheVote901, and author of "The Rev. Albert Cleage Jr., and the Black Prophetic Tradition: A Reintroduction of The Black Messiah"

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 &ndash; Adam Klasfeld, founder and editor-in-chief of <a href="https://www.allrisenews.com/">All Rise News</a> &ndash; Nicholas Grossman, teaching assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign &ndash; Daniel Nichanian, founder and editor-in-chief of <a href="https://boltsmag.org/authors/daniel-nichanian/">Bolts</a> &ndash; Rev.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/earle.fisher">Earle&nbsp;J.&nbsp;Fisher</a>, Ph.D., senior pastor of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AbyssinianMissionaryBaptistChurch/">Abyssinian Baptist Church</a>, founder of <a href="http://upthevote901.com/">&nbsp;#UPTheVote901</a>, and author of&nbsp;"The Rev. Albert Cleage Jr., and the Black Prophetic Tradition: A Reintroduction of The Black Messiah"
Catch &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the Democracy, Stupid&rdquo; Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
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WCPT 820 Interview: Ami Fields-Meyer

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It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath (formerly The Big Picture)

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