David Layman

Aaron Kleinman

Spencer Critchley

On today's show:
– David Layman, former Providence, Rhode Island, news anchor, managing editor, and political commentator for RIPBS
– Aaron Kleinman, head of research at Heartland Signal
– Spencer Critchley, author of Patriots of Two Nations and host of the Dastardly Cleverness in the Service of Good podcast

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;&nbsp;David Layman, former Providence, Rhode Island, news anchor, managing editor, and political commentator for RIPBS &ndash; Aaron Kleinman, head of research at <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Heartland Signal</a> &ndash; <a href="https://spencercritchley.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Spencer Critchley</a>, author of Patriots of Two Nations and host of the<a href="https://dastardlycleverness.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">&nbsp;Dastardly Cleverness in the Service of Good</a>&nbsp;podcast
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 | February 18, 2026

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)
– Margaret Donovan, attorney at Koskoff Koskoff and Bieder, visiting clinical lecturer in law at Yale Law School, former assistant United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, Army veteran and former captain in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps
– David Hogg, gun control activist and former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee; he is the keynote speaker at the DuPage Democrats 2026 Gala, Sunday, February 22nd
– Heartland Signal’s Rich Eberwein with three stories you might have missed from our digital

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; 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; Margaret Donovan, attorney at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.koskoff.com/">Koskoff Koskoff and Bieder</a>,<a href="https://law.yale.edu/margaret-m-donovan">&nbsp;visiting clinical lecturer in law at Yale Law School</a>, former assistant United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, Army veteran and former captain in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps &ndash; David Hogg, gun control activist and former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee; he is the keynote speaker at the&nbsp;<a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dpdcgala2026">DuPage Democrats 2026 Gala</a>, Sunday, February 22nd &ndash; Heartland Signal&rsquo;s<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/authors/richard-eberwein/">&nbsp;Rich Eberwein</a>&nbsp;with three stories you might have missed from our digital
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, February 19 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Aaron Kleinman, head of research at Heartland Signal.

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 Aaron Kleinman, head of research at <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/">Heartland Signal</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: Aaron Kleinman of Heartland Signal

Joan Esposito is joined by Bruce Rheins, former CBS Los Angeles deputy bureau chief. He remembers Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has died at age 84.  

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 Bruce Rheins, former CBS Los Angeles deputy bureau chief. He remembers Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has died at age 84. &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>).

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | February 18, 2026

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