On today's show:

– Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast
– Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly; his latest article is “
– Darlene Duggan, head of Anticruelty

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; Chris Fitzsimon, host of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states">Stories from the States podcast</a> &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/author/bill-scher/">Bill Scher</a>, politics editor at<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/">&nbsp;Washington Monthly</a>; his latest article is &ldquo; &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://anticruelty.org/directory/darlene-duggan">Darlene Duggan</a>, head of Anticruelty
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).

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, August 14, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Opal Vadhan,former senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and former aide to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton. 

Vadhan describes the "double-edged sword" of leadership for women, where they are judged for being either too tough or not tough enough, and emphasizes that women face much higher standards and scrutiny than men in professional roles. She contradicts rumors of Hillary Clinton being mean, describing the former presidential nominee as incredibly kind, funny, and supportive, even during grueling travel schedules in early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

Vadhan, who went to work for Kamala Harris March 1, 2021, describes the former vice president as a brilliant and gracious leader who remains focused on solving issues, despite intense pressure as the first Black and South Asian vice president. She recounts being present when President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race and witnessing Harris immediately begin making critical calls to manage the transition.
 

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).

 

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Joan Esposito is joined by Opal Vadhan, former senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and former aide to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton.&nbsp;
Vadhan describes the "double-edged sword" of leadership for women, where they are judged for being either too tough or not tough enough, and emphasizes that women face much higher standards and scrutiny than men in professional roles.&nbsp;She contradicts rumors of Hillary Clinton being mean, describing the former presidential nominee as incredibly kind, funny, and supportive, even during grueling travel schedules in early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire. Vadhan, who went to work for Kamala Harris March 1, 2021, describes the former vice president as a brilliant and gracious leader who remains focused on solving issues, despite intense pressure as the first Black and South Asian vice president. She&nbsp;recounts being present when President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race and witnessing Harris immediately begin making critical calls to manage the transition. &nbsp;
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>).
&nbsp;
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WCPT 820 Interview: Opal Vadhan

Joan Esposito is joined by Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A).

Manner discusses military leadership failures, international instability, and potential threats to election integrity.

Key points:
- Reports indicate the USS Abraham Lincoln has faced food shortages, sanitation issues, and extreme deployment lengths exceeding 240 days without a port break; at least three sailors have reportedly attempted self-harm due to these conditions
- Manner criticizes Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for being dismissive and a lack of transparency regarding the challenges faced by deployed sailors
- The responsibility for ship conditions lies with the captain, but higher authorities like the Navy Department and the president are also accountable
- There is a dispute regarding whether the secretary of Defense was aware of critical munitions shortages, with Manner arguing such shortages are evident in public records
- Manner believes the administration is deflecting blame and that leaders may be hesitant to provide the president with negative information
- Reports surfaced regarding a potential assassination threat against Donald Trump during a NATO summit involving an Iranian ruse; Manner expresses skepticism about the validity of certain intelligence reports, noting that the CIA viewed some data as "low confidence"
- Manner argues that presidents typically do not publicize assassination attempts and suggests the current approach may be used for political sympathy
- A new protection pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan is discussed as a response to perceived instability in U.S. protection
- Manner warns that this alliance creates a "tinderbox" situation that could escalate regional conflicts into global ones involving nuclear powers
- The shift is described as an unintended consequence of U.S. military actions in the Middle East uniting Arab nations against Israel and the U.S.
- Manner emphasizes that the military has zero legal role in U.S. elections and should never be deployed to polling places
- Election management is strictly a state and local responsibility, and civil unrest should be handled by police rather than the military


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).

 

Follow us:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

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Joan Esposito is joined by Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsl4a.org/">National Security Leaders for America</a> (NSL4A).
Manner discusses military leadership failures, international instability, and potential threats to election integrity.
Key points: - Reports indicate the USS Abraham Lincoln has faced food shortages, sanitation issues, and extreme deployment lengths exceeding 240 days without a port break; at least three sailors have reportedly attempted self-harm due to these conditions - Manner criticizes Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for being dismissive and a lack of transparency regarding the challenges faced by deployed sailors - The responsibility for ship conditions lies with the captain, but higher authorities like the Navy Department and the president are also accountable - There is a dispute regarding whether the secretary of Defense was aware of critical munitions shortages, with Manner arguing such shortages are evident in public records - Manner believes the administration is deflecting blame and that leaders may be hesitant to provide the president with negative information - Reports surfaced regarding a potential assassination threat against Donald Trump during a NATO summit involving an Iranian ruse; Manner expresses skepticism about the validity of certain intelligence reports, noting that the CIA viewed some data as "low confidence" - Manner argues that presidents typically do not publicize assassination attempts and suggests the current approach may be used for political sympathy - A new protection pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan is discussed as a response to perceived instability in U.S. protection - Manner warns that this alliance creates a "tinderbox" situation that could escalate regional conflicts into global ones involving nuclear powers - The shift is described as an unintended consequence of U.S. military actions in the Middle East uniting Arab nations against Israel and the U.S. - Manner emphasizes that the military has zero legal role in U.S. elections and should never be deployed to polling places - Election management is strictly a state and local responsibility, and civil unrest should be handled by police rather than the military 
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>).
&nbsp;
Follow us:
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WCPT 820 Interview: Randy Manner

Randy Manner

Opal Vadhan

John Murphy

On today's show:
– Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A)
– Opal Vadhan, former senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and former aide to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton
– Dr. John Murphy, professor of communication at the University of Illinois and an expert on the history of American public address and political rhetoric

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).

On today's show: &ndash; Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsl4a.org/">National Security Leaders for America</a>&nbsp;(NSL4A) &ndash;&nbsp;Opal Vadhan,&nbsp;former senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris and former aide to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://communication.illinois.edu/directory/profile/jmmurphy">Dr. John Murphy</a>, professor of communication at the University of Illinois and an expert on the history of American public address and political rhetoric
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).

Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive, August 14, 2026

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