Chris Fitzsimon

Jack Kiraly

Marc Kelly Smith

– Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast
– Jack Kiraly, director of Government Relations at The Planetary Society
– Marc Kelly Smith, Chicago poet; he’ll talk about the Newberry Library’s acquisition of the Marc Kelly Smith Poetry Slam Collection

&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://www.planetary.org/profiles/jack-kiraly">Jack Kiraly</a>, director of Government Relations at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.planetary.org/profiles/jack-kiraly">The Planetary Society</a> &ndash; Marc Kelly Smith, Chicago poet; he&rsquo;ll talk about the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newberry.org/news/the-newberry-has-acquired-the-marc-kelly-smith-poetry-slam-collection">Newberry Library&rsquo;s acquisition of the Marc Kelly Smith Poetry Slam Collection</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, July 17, 2026

Marjorie Hershey

John Murphy

Jennifer Schulze

On today's show:
– Marjorie Hershey, professor emeritus, political science at Indiana University Bloomington
– Dr. John Murphy, professor of communication at the University of Illinois and an expert on the history of American public address and political rhetoric
– Jennifer Schulze, former local TV news exec, reporter and producer based in Chicago, and author of Indistinct Chatter 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).

On today's show: &ndash; Marjorie Hershey, professor emeritus, political science at Indiana University Bloomington &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 &ndash; Jennifer Schulze, former local TV news exec, reporter and producer based in Chicago, and author of&nbsp;<a href="https://jenniferschulze.substack.com/">Indistinct Chatter</a>&nbsp;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: Live, Local & Progressive | July 16, 2026

David Hochberg

Spencer Critchley

On today's show: 
– David Hochberg, vice president of lending for Team Hochberg at Homeside Financial
– 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; David Hochberg, vice president of lending for&nbsp;<a href="https://56david.com/">Team Hochberg</a>&nbsp;at Homeside Financial &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://spencercritchley.com/">Spencer Critchley</a>, author of &ldquo;Patriots of Two Nations&rdquo; and host of the &ldquo;<a href="https://dastardlycleverness.com/">Dastardly Cleverness in the Service of Good</a>&rdquo; 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).

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | July 15, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Paul Lisnek, multi-Emmy Award-winning TV host who was the political and legal analyst at WGN for 18 years, anchoring its flagship political shows and also covering the Chicago theater scene. He now hosts "Curtain Call Chicago," which can be seen on YouTube and heard on Spotify and Apple platforms. He is the author of 15 books, including two works of political legal fiction, "Assume Guilt" and "Assume Treason." The Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago has a permanent exhibit dedicated to Paul's long career in television and radio.

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

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal

Joan Esposito is joined by Paul Lisnek, multi-Emmy Award-winning TV host who was the political and legal analyst at WGN for 18 years, anchoring its flagship political shows and also covering the Chicago theater scene. He now hosts "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@CurtainCallChicago">Curtain Call Chicago</a>," which can be seen on YouTube and heard on Spotify and Apple platforms. He is the author of 15 books, including two works of political legal fiction, "Assume Guilt" and "Assume Treason." The Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago has a permanent exhibit dedicated to Paul's long career in television and radio.
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:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
WCPT Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820"> https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820</a>
Heartland Signal Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
Tiktok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc"> </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal">https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal</a>&nbsp;
Heartland Signal X:<a href="https://x.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://x.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
WCPT 820 X:<a href="https://x.com/WCPT820"> https://x.com/WCPT820</a>
Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal/"> https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal</a>
Threads:<a href="http://threads.com/@heartlandsignal"> threads.com/@heartlandsignal</a>
YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal"> https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal</a>

Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive, July 17, 2026

In 1 playlist(s)

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips