On today's show:

– Melissa Toufanian, former State Department deputy assistant secretary who served on the communications team for the original Iran nuclear deal under President Obama, and now serves as managing director at Navigator Research
– Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast
– 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:
&ndash; Melissa Toufanian, former State Department deputy assistant secretary who served on the communications team for the original Iran nuclear deal under President Obama, and now serves as managing director at Navigator Research &ndash; Chris Fitzsimon, host of the<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states">&nbsp;Stories from the States podcast</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).

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 7, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Lisa Graves, expert on right-wing infrastructure, founder and executive director of True North Research, legal scholar, author of “Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights" and the Substack column "Grave Injustice."

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 Lisa Graves, expert on right-wing infrastructure, founder and executive director of&nbsp;<a href="https://truenorthresearch.org/lisa-graves/">True North Research</a>, legal scholar, author of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/lisa-graves/without-precedent/9781645030676/">Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights</a>" and the Substack column "<a href="https://www.graveinjustice.news/">Grave Injustice</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>).
&nbsp;
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WCPT 820 Interview: Lisa Graves

Lisa Graves

William Muck

Rich Eberwein

On today's show: 
– Lisa Graves, expert on right-wing infrastructure, founder and executive director of True North Research, legal scholar, author of “Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights” and the Substack column “Grave Injustice“
– William Muck, professor of political science at North Central College
– 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).

 

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On today's show: &ndash; Lisa Graves, expert on right-wing infrastructure, founder and executive director of&nbsp;<a href="https://truenorthresearch.org/lisa-graves/">True North Research</a>, legal scholar, author of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/lisa-graves/without-precedent/9781645030676/">Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewrote the Constitution and Dismantled Our Rights</a>&rdquo; and the Substack column &ldquo;<a href="https://www.graveinjustice.news/">Grave Injustice</a>&ldquo; &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/profile/wjmuck">William Muck</a>, professor of political science at North Central College &ndash;&nbsp;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>).
&nbsp;
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | August 6, 2026

Abby Vesoulis, national politics reporter at Mother Jones, talks to Joan Esposito about her recent reporting on U.S. Rep. Max Miller (R-OH). Last month Mother Jones published her investigative article "Assault, Misogyny, Verbal Threats: Records Detail New Allegations Against Rep. Max Miller."

Key Topics:
Max Miller Under Ethics Probe Over Abuse & Drug Allegations
Scandal Could Cost Republicans in Ohio
Miller Refuses to Resign Ahead of August 10th Ohio Ballot Deadline

 

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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<a href="https://www.motherjones.com/author/abby-vesoulis/">Abby Vesoulis</a>, national politics reporter at Mother Jones, talks to Joan Esposito about her recent reporting on U.S. Rep. Max Miller (R-OH). Last month Mother Jones published her investigative article "<a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/07/assault-misogyny-verbal-threats-records-detail-new-allegations-against-rep-max-miller-bernie-moreno/">Assault, Misogyny, Verbal Threats: Records Detail New Allegations Against Rep. Max Miller</a>."
Key Topics:
<ul>
<li>Max Miller Under Ethics Probe Over Abuse &amp; Drug Allegations</li>
<li>Scandal Could Cost Republicans in Ohio</li>
<li>Miller Refuses to Resign Ahead of August 10th Ohio Ballot Deadline</li>
</ul>
&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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Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive, August 7, 2026

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