Patrick Coolican

Christopher Armitage

Chris Fitzsimon

Rebecca Ford Scott Duff

On today's show:
– J. Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer
– Chris Armitage, author of The Existentialist Republic newsletter on Substack
– Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast
– “Out Chicago” host Scott Duff and film critic Rebecca Ford

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;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/j-patrick-coolican/">J. Patrick Coolican</a>, editor-in-chief of the&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a> &ndash; Chris Armitage, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://cmarmitage.substack.com/">The Existentialist Republic</a>&nbsp;newsletter on Substack &ndash; Chris Fitzsimon, host of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states">Stories from the States podcast</a> &ndash; &ldquo;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago/">Out Chicago</a>&rdquo; host Scott Duff and film critic Rebecca Ford
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 | January 23, 2026

On today's show:

– Tamar Jacoby, contributor to Washington Monthly and the Kyiv-based director of the Progressive Policy Institute’s New Ukraine Project and the author of “Displaced: The Ukrainian Refugee Experience.” Her latest article for Washington Monthly is “Putin’s Energy Blitzkrieg is Backfiring.”
– Chris Bury, senior journalist-in-residence, DePaul University
– Greg Hinz, columnist for Crain’s Chicago Business
– Ray Long, Chicago Tribune investigative reporter

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; Tamar Jacoby, contributor to<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/author/tamar-jacoby/">&nbsp;Washington Monthly</a>&nbsp;and the Kyiv-based director of the<a href="https://www.progressivepolicy.org/project/new-ukraine-project/">&nbsp;Progressive Policy Institute&rsquo;s New Ukraine Project</a>&nbsp;and the author of &ldquo;Displaced: The Ukrainian Refugee Experience.&rdquo;&nbsp;Her latest article for Washington Monthly is &ldquo;<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/01/29/putin-energy-blitzkrieg-ukraine-backfires/">Putin&rsquo;s Energy Blitzkrieg is Backfiring</a>.&rdquo; &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://communication.depaul.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty/Pages/bury.aspx">Chris Bury</a>, senior journalist-in-residence, DePaul University &ndash; Greg Hinz, columnist for<a href="https://www.chicagobusiness.com/staff/ghinz/Greg-Hinz">&nbsp;Crain&rsquo;s Chicago Business</a> &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/ray-long/">Ray Long</a>, Chicago Tribune investigative reporter
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 4 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Christopher Armitage, author of The Existentialist Republic newsletter on Substack.

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 Christopher Armitage, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://cmarmitage.substack.com/">The Existentialist Republic</a> newsletter on Substack.
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: Christopher Armitage

Joan Esposito is joined byU.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL).

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 U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://casten.house.gov/">Rep. Sean Casten</a>&nbsp;(D-IL).
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 | January 23, 2026

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