Professors Joel Ostrow and William Muck

Joel Ostrow

Nina Burleigh

Rich Eberwein

On today's show:
–William Muck, professor of political science at North Central College
– Joel Ostrow, professor of political science at Benedictine University
– Nina Burleigh, journalist, best-selling author, documentary producer, and publisher of the American Freakshow newsletter on Substack
– Heartland Signal’s Rich Eberwein with three stories you might have missed from our digital newsroom

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

On today's show: &ndash;<a href="https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/profile/wjmuck">William Muck</a>, professor of political science at North Central College &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://ben.edu/faculty/joel-ostrow/">Joel Ostrow</a>, professor of political science at Benedictine University &ndash; Nina Burleigh, journalist, best-selling author, documentary producer, and publisher of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanfreakshow.news/">American Freakshow</a>&nbsp;newsletter on Substack &ndash; Heartland Signal&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/authors/richard-eberwein/">Rich Eberwein</a>&nbsp;with three stories you might have missed from our digital newsroom
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive">heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive</a>).

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central), a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics.  

A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central), a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. &nbsp;
A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect &mdash; Democrats, of course. &nbsp; &nbsp;
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC. &nbsp;Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).&nbsp;

Joan Esposito (Full Episodes)

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central) is a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central) is a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect &mdash; Democrats, of course. &nbsp; &nbsp;
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC. &nbsp;Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).&nbsp;

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive

Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive, April 22, 2025

On today's show:

Doris Davenport fills in for Joan Esposito and her guests are
– Patti Vasquez, host of “Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez,” weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT
– Elise Gould, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute
– Chris Jones, editorial page editor and chief theater critic for the Chicago Tribune
– Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and 2026 candidate for re-election
– Former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

On today's show:
Doris Davenport fills in for Joan Esposito and her guests are &ndash; Patti Vasquez, host of &ldquo;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home/">Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez</a>,&rdquo; weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT &ndash; Elise Gould, senior economist at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epi.org/">Economic Policy Institute</a> &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/chris-jones/">Chris Jones</a>, editorial page editor and chief theater critic for the Chicago Tribune &ndash;&nbsp;Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and 2026&nbsp;<a href="https://tonipreckwinkle.org/">candidate for re-election</a> &ndash;&nbsp;Former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive, guest host Doris Davenport March 19 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly. His latest articles are "Crypto, AI, and AIPAC Are Corrupting Democratic Primaries" and "The Problem with Making ‘Affordability’ The Problem."

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

Joan Esposito is joined by <a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/author/bill-scher/">Bill Scher</a>, politics editor at&nbsp;<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/">Washington Monthly</a>. His latest articles are "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/03/17/crypto-aipac-corrupting-democratic-primaries/">Crypto, AI, and AIPAC Are Corrupting Democratic Primaries</a>"&nbsp;and "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/03/13/the-problem-with-making-affordability-the-problem/">The Problem with Making &lsquo;Affordability&rsquo; The Problem</a>."
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive">heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive</a>).

WCPT 820 Interview: Bill Scher of Washington Monthly

On the day after the Illinois Democratic primary election, Joan Esposito is joined by Peter Giangreco, Democratic strategist, partner at The Strategy Group.

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

On the day after the Illinois Democratic primary election, Joan Esposito is joined by Peter Giangreco, Democratic strategist, partner at&nbsp;<a href="https://strategygroup.com/about/">The Strategy Group</a>.
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive">heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive</a>).

Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive, April 22, 2025

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