Christopher Pazdernik

Ben Cominos

On today's show
– Christopher Pazdernik, member of the Artistic Council for the Sarah Siddons Society, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to theater students at five Chicago-area universities and professional development grants to early-career artists; Patti is the emcee for their 2026 Sarah Siddons Society Award Benefit Honoring
Victoria Clark, Monday, November 9
– Ben Cominos, host of "Outside The Box with Ben Cominos" on Substack

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

 

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On today's show &ndash; Christopher Pazdernik, member of the Artistic Council for the&nbsp;<a href="https://sarahsiddonssociety.org/">Sarah Siddons Society</a>, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to theater students at five Chicago-area universities and professional development grants to early-career artists; Patti is the emcee for their <a href="https://sarahsiddonssociety.org/events-list/2026/sarah-sss-award-benefit">2026 Sarah Siddons Society Award Benefit Honoring Victoria Clark</a>, Monday, November 9 &ndash; Ben Cominos, host of "<a href="https://minocquabrewingcompanytimes.substack.com/p/outside-the-box-with-ben-cominos-da8">Outside The Box with Ben Cominos</a>" on Substack
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home">heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home</a>).
&nbsp;
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From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.), a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders. 

Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC’s “Chicago Fire.” When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company “With Kind Words,” in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion. For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District.  She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.  Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.), a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders.&nbsp;
Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC&rsquo;s &ldquo;Chicago Fire.&rdquo; When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company &ldquo;With Kind Words,&rdquo; in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion. For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District.&nbsp; She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.&nbsp; Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez (Full Episodes)

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central) is a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders. 

Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC’s “Chicago Fire.” When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company “With Kind Words,” in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion.

For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District.  She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.  Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central) is a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders.&nbsp;
Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC&rsquo;s &ldquo;Chicago Fire.&rdquo; When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company &ldquo;With Kind Words,&rdquo; in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion.
For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District.&nbsp; She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.&nbsp; Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez | November 5, 2026

Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Jess Piper, the Dirt Road Dem and executive director of Blue Missouri.

The discussion focused on Missouri midterm election gains and ways to build sustained grassroots engagement. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Piper described Democratic gains in Missouri, including Democrats flipping 16 state House seats and breaking Republican supermajorities in both chambers.
- She said state and local candidates’ work helped strengthen higher-profile campaigns and challenged the effects of redistricting.
- She emphasized investing in down-ballot races, local organizing, and smaller recurring contributions to build long-term political capacity.
- She said breaking the supermajority gives Democrats a stronger voice, though Republicans can still pass legislation without Democratic support.
- Patti, Ken and Jess discussed making state and local politics more accessible through visits to legislators and social gatherings that bring community members together.
- They also discussed ranked-choice voting as a way to address concerns about votes for independent candidates being wasted.

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

 

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Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Jess Piper, the Dirt Road Dem and executive director of&nbsp;<a href="https://bluemissouri.org/">Blue Missouri</a>.
The discussion focused on Missouri midterm election gains and ways to build sustained grassroots engagement. Here are a few highlights from the conversation: - Piper described Democratic gains in Missouri, including Democrats flipping 16 state House seats and breaking Republican supermajorities in both chambers. - She said state and local candidates&rsquo; work helped strengthen higher-profile campaigns and challenged the effects of redistricting. - She emphasized investing in down-ballot races, local organizing, and smaller recurring contributions to build long-term political capacity. - She said breaking the supermajority gives Democrats a stronger voice, though Republicans can still pass legislation without Democratic support. - Patti, Ken and Jess discussed making state and local politics more accessible through visits to legislators and social gatherings that bring community members together. - They also discussed ranked-choice voting as a way to address concerns about votes for independent candidates being wasted.
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home">heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home</a>).
&nbsp;
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Jess Piper, the Dirt Road Dem: WCPT 820 Interview

Nubia Batista Willman

Jess Piper

Patti is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests include
– Nubia Batista Willman, immigration attorney, advocate, and 2027 candidate for Chicago 25th Ward
– Jess Piper, the Dirt Road Dem and executive director of Blue Missouri

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

 

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Patti is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests include &ndash; Nubia Batista Willman, immigration attorney, advocate, and 2027 <a href="https://nubiafor25.com/">candidate for Chicago 25th Ward</a> &ndash; Jess Piper, the Dirt Road Dem and executive director of <a href="https://bluemissouri.org/">Blue Missouri</a>
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home">heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home</a>).
&nbsp;
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Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez | November 4, 2026

Broadcasting from Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Administrative District Council 1 of Illinois, Patti Vasquez is joined for an Election Night conversation by U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL). In the last half of the interview, they're joined by Ken Mejia-Beal. 

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

 

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Broadcasting from <a href="https://bacadc1.org/">Bricklayers &amp; Allied Craftworkers Administrative District Council 1 of Illinois</a>, Patti Vasquez is joined for an Election Night conversation by U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL). In the last half of the interview, they're joined by Ken Mejia-Beal.&nbsp;
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home">heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home</a>).
&nbsp;
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Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez | November 5, 2026

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