Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 30, 2026

On today's show – Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast – “Out Chicago” host Scott Duff and film critic Rebecca Ford with their monthly look at TV, movies, theater and more Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (he…

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 29, 2026

On today's show – Ron Roberts, host of “The Ron Show,” a political talk show now airing on Heartland Signal station WMLB Atlanta – Melissa Bean, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 8th District of Illinois – Ian Karbal and Peter Hall, state government reporters for the Pennsylvania Capital-Sta…

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 28, 2026

On today's show – Dr. Elicia John, behavioral scientist and assistant professor of marketing at American University in Washington, D.C., and Dr. Lez Trujillo Torres, consumer researcher and assistant professor of marketing at University of Illinois Chicago; together they have authored a recent stud…

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 27, 2026

On today's show – Christopher Armitage, author, veteran, former law enforcement officer, activist, policy adviser, and publisher of The Existentialist Republic on Substack; his latest piece is "Would the U.S. Be Better Off as a European Union-Style 'Country of Countries'?" – Professor Steven D. Sch…

Nicole Foy of ProPublica: WCPT 820 Interview

Joan Esposito is joined by Nicole Foy, immigration reporter for ProPublica; she recently authored the investigative article, "We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days." Here are a few highlights from the conv…

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 26, 2026

On today's show – Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly; his latest articles are “Meet the Democratic Senate Candidates Who Are Overperforming. And Underperforming” and “Kansas? Montana? Mississippi? Where Will the Blue Wave Crest?“ – Nicole Foy, immigration reporter for ProPublica; she…

Dr. Willie Wilson: WCPT 820 Candidate Interview

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Rickey Hendon is joined by Willie Wilson, 2027 candidate for Chicago mayor. The interview focused on Wilson’s positions on Chicago taxes, education, economic development, and more. Here are a few highlights from the conversation: - Wilson opposes the proposed head and…

Pennie McCoach of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Rickey Hendon is joined by Pennie McCoach, president and business agent of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 308, which represents rail workers for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).  The discussion focused on improving safety for CTA workers and riders, wit…

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | October 23, 2026

On today's show – Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast; a radio version of the podcast now airs on WCPT Sundays at 6:00 p.m. Central – Bruce Rheins, former CBS Los Angeles deputy bureau chief Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.…

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive with guest host Rickey Hendon | October 22, 2026

On today's show Rickey Hendon fills in for Joan and his guests are – Willie Wilson, 2027 candidate for Chicago mayor – Pennie McCoach, president and business agent of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 308, which represents rail workers for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) – William Muck,…