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:

– Max Bever, director of Public Information at the Chicago Board of Elections
– Aaron Kleinman, head of research at Heartland Signal
– Michael Dorf, Democratic lawyer, the Law Offices of Michael C. Dorf, LLC
– Peter Giangreco, Democratic strategist, partner at The Strategy Group
– 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“

On today's show:
&ndash;&nbsp;Max Bever, director of Public Information at the Chicago Board of Elections &ndash; Aaron Kleinman, head of research at&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/">Heartland Signal</a> &ndash; Michael Dorf, Democratic lawyer, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.michaeldorflaw.com/">Law Offices of Michael C. Dorf, LLC </a>&ndash; Peter Giangreco, Democratic strategist, partner at&nbsp;<a href="https://strategygroup.com/about/">The Strategy Group</a> &ndash;&nbsp;<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 &ldquo;<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/03/17/crypto-aipac-corrupting-democratic-primaries/">Crypto, AI, and AIPAC Are Corrupting Democratic Primaries</a>&rdquo; and &ldquo;<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>&ldquo;

Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive, March 18 2026

Speaking from Margaret Croke Election Night headquarters, WCPT's Patti Vasquez and Joan Esposito are joined by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. 

Listen to WCPT's full Election Night coverage: https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/wcpts-primary-election-night-special-coverage-march-17-2026.

Speaking from Margaret Croke Election Night headquarters, WCPT's Patti Vasquez and Joan Esposito are joined by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.&nbsp;
Listen to WCPT's full Election Night coverage: <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/wcpts-primary-election-night-special-coverage-march-17-2026">https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/wcpts-primary-election-night-special-coverage-march-17-2026</a>.

WCPT 820 Interview: Illinois Attorney Gen. Kwame Raoul (D)

At Robin Kelly Election Night headquarters, WCPT's Whitney Randall is joined by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), candidate for U.S. Senate, who had just conceded defeat in the primary election. Joan Esposito and Patti Vasquez are WCPT's studio anchors. 

Listen to WCPT's full Election Night coverage: https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/wcpts-primary-election-night-special-coverage-march-17-2026.

 

At Robin Kelly Election Night headquarters, WCPT's Whitney Randall is joined by <a href="https://robinkelly.house.gov/">Rep. Robin Kelly</a>&nbsp;(D-IL),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.robinforsenate.com/">candidate</a> for U.S. Senate, who had just conceded defeat in the primary election. Joan Esposito and Patti Vasquez are WCPT's studio anchors.&nbsp;
Listen to WCPT's full Election Night coverage: <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/wcpts-primary-election-night-special-coverage-march-17-2026">https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/wcpts-primary-election-night-special-coverage-march-17-2026</a>.
&nbsp;

Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive, April 22, 2025

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