Edwin Eisendrath is joined byDavid Pepper, lawyer, political activist, author (of fiction and nonfiction), former member of Cincinnati City Council, former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, and newly announced candidate for Ohio lieutenant governor. 

Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).   

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by <a href="https://davidpepper.com/">David Pepper</a><a href="https://davidpepper.com/"></a>, lawyer, political activist, author (of fiction and nonfiction), former member of Cincinnati City Council, former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, and newly announced&nbsp;<a href="https://actonforgovernor.com/meet-david/">candidate for Ohio lieutenant governor</a>.&nbsp;
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;

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 (formerly "The Big Picture") Featured Interviews

It's the Democracy, Stupid (formerly "The Big Picture") 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 Candidate Interview: David Pepper

Liz Dye

Elizabeth Saunders

Amanda Litman

Emily Horne

On this week's show
– Liz Dye, legal journalist and host of the “Law and Chaos” podcast
– Elizabeth Saunders, professor of political science at Columbia University, director of the Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies, non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and author of the 2024 book “The Insiders’ Game: How Elites Make War and Peace”
– Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run for Something, and author of the books “When We’re In Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership” and “Run for Something: A Real-Talk Guide to Fixing the System Yourself”
– Emily Horne, founder and CEO of Allegro Public Affairs, and former spokesperson for the National Security Council under President Joe Biden

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; Liz Dye, legal journalist and host of the &ldquo;<a href="https://www.lawandchaospod.com/">Law and Chaos</a>&rdquo; podcast &ndash; Elizabeth Saunders, professor of political science at Columbia University, director of the Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies, non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and author of the 2024 book &ldquo;The Insiders&rsquo; Game: How Elites Make War and Peace&rdquo; &ndash; Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of&nbsp;<a href="https://runforsomething.net/">Run for Something</a>, and author of the books &ldquo;<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/814698/when-were-in-charge-by-amanda-litman/">When We&rsquo;re In Charge: The Next Generation&rsquo;s Guide to Leadership</a>&rdquo; and &ldquo;<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Run-for-Something/Amanda-Litman/9781501180446">Run for Something: A Real-Talk Guide to Fixing the System Yourself</a>&rdquo; &ndash; Emily Horne, founder and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://allegropublicaffairs.com/">Allegro Public Affairs</a>, and former spokesperson for the National Security Council under President Joe Biden
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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It's The Democracy, Stupid | April 18, 2026

Filling in for Edwin Eisendrath, Brian Endless is joined by Peter Shane, the Jacob E. Davis and Jacob E. Davis II Chair in Law Emeritus at the Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, and distinguished scholar in residence at NYU School of Law; his latest article is “How the Supreme Court’s Tariff Ruling Could Save the Civil Service.”

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, Brian Endless is joined by Peter Shane, the&nbsp;<a href="https://moritzlaw.osu.edu/peter-m-shane-ab-jd">Jacob E. Davis and Jacob E. Davis II Chair in Law Emeritus</a>&nbsp;at the Ohio State University&rsquo;s Moritz College of Law,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://its.law.nyu.edu/facultyprofiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=profile.overview&amp;personid=56457">distinguished scholar in residence</a>&nbsp;at NYU School of Law; his latest article is &ldquo;<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/03/18/how-the-supreme-courts-learning-resources-ruling-could-save-the-civil-service/">How the Supreme Court&rsquo;s Tariff Ruling Could Save the Civil Service</a>.&rdquo;
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: Peter Shane

Filling in for Edwin Eisendrath, Brian Endless is joined by Dan Tully, attorney, former judge advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve, and 2026 candidate for Congress (he was defeated in the March 17 Illinois primary). 


Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).   

Follow us:

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

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Filling in for Edwin Eisendrath, Brian Endless is joined by Dan Tully, attorney, former judge advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve, and 2026 candidate for Congress (he was defeated in the March 17 Illinois primary).&nbsp; 
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;
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
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WCPT 820 Candidate Interview: David Pepper

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

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