On today's show William Muck fills in for Joan and his guests are:
– Aaron Kleinman, director of research at The States Project
– Mike Nellis, former senior adviser to Kamala Harris and founder and CEO of Authentic, a Chicago-based political fundraising and consulting firm
– Gal Beckerman, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of The Quiet Before: On the Unexpected Origins of Radical Ideas
– Suzanne Chod, professor of political science at North Central College

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&nbsp;William Muck fills in for Joan and his guests are: &ndash; Aaron Kleinman, director of research at&nbsp;<a href="https://statesproject.org/">The States Project</a> &ndash; Mike Nellis, former senior adviser to Kamala Harris and founder and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://authentic.org/">Authentic</a>, a Chicago-based political fundraising and consulting firm &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.galbeckerman.com/">Gal Beckerman</a>, staff writer at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/author/gal-beckerman/">The Atlantic</a>&nbsp;and author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/552622/the-quiet-before-by-gal-beckerman/">The Quiet Before: On the Unexpected Origins of Radical Ideas</a> &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/profile/smchod">Suzanne Chod</a>, professor of political science at North Central College
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 with guest host Prof. William Muck  May 09, 2025

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>).

WCPT 820 Interview: Peter Giangreco

Mohammed Faheem

Rickey Hendon

 Max Bever

Aaron Kleinman

Michael Dorf

Peter Giangreco

Bill Scher

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"

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;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 "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/03/17/crypto-aipac-corrupting-democratic-primaries/">Crypto, AI, and AIPAC Are Corrupting Democratic Primaries</a>" 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>).

Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive with guest host Prof. William Muck May 09, 2025

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