Ahead of Tuesday's primary election in Wisconsin, Edwin Eisendrath talks to Pat Kreitlow, founder and editor of Up North News.

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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Ahead of Tuesday's primary election in Wisconsin, Edwin Eisendrath talks to&nbsp;<a href="https://upnorthnewswi.com/author/patkreitlow/">Pat Kreitlow</a>, founder and editor of Up North News.
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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&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 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: Pat Kreitlow

Ahmed Baba

Rachel Cohen

Tim Murphy

Pat Kreitlow

Paul Chivari takes listener calls

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by 
– Ahmed Baba, independent journalist, political analyst, and founder of the best-selling Substack publication “Ahmed Baba News”
– Rachel Cohen, Chicago-based attorney and organizer 
– Tim Murphy, national correspondent at Mother Jones; he talks about his recent article “Downballot Democrats Are Smashing Recruitment Records“
– Pat Kreitlow, founder and editor of Up North News 

At the end of the show, WCPT's Paul Chivari takes listener calls. 

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 &ndash; Ahmed Baba, independent journalist, political analyst, and founder of the best-selling Substack publication &ldquo;<a href="https://www.ahmedbaba.news/">Ahmed Baba News</a>&rdquo; &ndash; Rachel Cohen, Chicago-based attorney and organizer&nbsp; &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.motherjones.com/author/tim-murphy/">Tim Murphy</a>, national correspondent at Mother Jones; he talks about his recent article &ldquo;<a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/06/downballot-democratic-candidate-recruitment-2026/">Downballot Democrats Are Smashing Recruitment Records</a>&ldquo; &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://upnorthnewswi.com/author/patkreitlow/">Pat Kreitlow</a>, founder and editor of Up North News&nbsp;
At the end of the show, WCPT's Paul Chivari takes listener calls.&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;
 
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It's the Democracy Stupid | August 8, 2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Rachel Cohen, Chicago-based attorney and organizer who resigned from her position as an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in protest of the film's capitulation to the Trump administration. She discusses the weakening of norms in the legal system, particularly in response to the Trump administration's actions, and dismisses the notion that law firms are suddenly prioritizing profits over law, arguing that this has been a long-term trend. 
Cohen explains that much of the pro bono work done by big law firms is driven by marketing rather than a deep commitment to justice. She also details Trump's abuse of executive power where it concerns U.S. immigration courts, temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants, and birthright citizenship.    

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 Rachel Cohen, Chicago-based attorney and organizer who resigned from her position as an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &amp; Flom LLP in protest of the film's capitulation to the Trump administration. She discusses the weakening of norms in the legal system, particularly in response to the Trump administration's actions, and&nbsp;dismisses the notion that law firms are suddenly prioritizing profits over law, arguing that this has been a long-term trend.&nbsp; Cohen explains that much of the pro bono work done by big law firms is driven by marketing rather than a deep commitment to justice. She also details Trump's abuse of executive power where it concerns U.S. immigration courts, temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants, and birthright citizenship.&nbsp; &nbsp;&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;
 
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WCPT 820 Interview: Rachel Cohen

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;
&nbsp;
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WCPT 820 Interview: Pat Kreitlow

It's the Democracy, Stupid Featured Interviews

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

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