Chris Fitzsimon

Daniel Squadron

Debra Kerr and Alison Amick

On today's show:
– Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast
– Daniel Squadron, president and co-founder of Future Now and author of “The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union” (2026)
– Debra Kerr, president and CEO of Chicago’s Intuit Art Museum, along with the museum’s chief curator, Alison Amick

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; Chris Fitzsimon, host of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states">Stories from the States podcast</a> &ndash; Daniel Squadron, president and co-founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://futurenow.org/">Future Now</a>&nbsp;and author of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/811851/the-fourth-branch-by-daniel-squadron/">The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union</a>&rdquo; (2026) &ndash; Debra Kerr, president and CEO of Chicago&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://art.org/">Intuit Art Museum</a>, along with the museum&rsquo;s chief curator, Alison Amick
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 | June 12, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly; his latest article is "Should We Ever Trust Polls Again?"

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 <a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/author/bill-scher/">Bill Scher</a>, politics editor at <a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/">Washington Monthly</a>; his latest article is "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/08/14/polls-wisconsin-michigan-primary/">Should We Ever Trust Polls Again?</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;
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
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WCPT 820 Interview: Bill Scher of Washington Monthly

Joan Esposito is joined by Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast.

This time they talk about Episode 41, "Ohio Haitians brace for what's next after Trump cancels their TPS."

Short Description: Earlier this year, the Trump administration terminated temporary protective status for hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants. Many communities are preparing for a possible surge of federal immigration enforcement.

However, Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, are being targeted and forced to wear ankle monitors, according to local advocates. The community became a focus of Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign promise to conduct mass deportations when he falsely accused Haitians there of eating house pets. He vowed to terminate their legal protections in order to deport them.

In Episode 41, you’ll hear from Ohio Capital Journal reporter Megan Henry, who has been covering the Springfield community since 2024.

Beginning August 16 "Stories From the States" airs on WCPT at 6:00 p.m. every Sunday.  

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 Chris Fitzsimon, host of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states">Stories from the States podcast</a>.
This time they talk about Episode 41, "Ohio Haitians brace for what's next after Trump cancels their TPS."
Short Description: Earlier this year, the Trump administration terminated temporary protective status for hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants. Many communities are preparing for a possible surge of federal immigration enforcement.
However, Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, are being targeted and forced to wear ankle monitors, according to local advocates. The community became a focus of Donald Trump&rsquo;s 2024 campaign promise to conduct mass deportations when he falsely accused Haitians there of eating house pets. He vowed to terminate their legal protections in order to deport them.
In Episode 41, you&rsquo;ll hear from <a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786899922955000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1qdTHc1bxRBE8zjNdmQNkG">Ohio Capital Journal</a>&nbsp;reporter&nbsp;<a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/author/mhenry/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/author/mhenry/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1786899922955000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0nTyRRgCbpE0alSQ_lzkEh">Megan Henry</a>, who has been covering the Springfield community since 2024.
Beginning August 16 "<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states">Stories From the States</a>" airs on WCPT at 6:00 p.m. every Sunday.&nbsp;&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;
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>
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Heartland Signal X:<a href="https://x.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://x.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
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WCPT 820 Interview: Chris Fitzsimon of "Stories from the States" podcast

Bill Scher

Darlene Duggan

On today's show:
– Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast
– Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly; his latest article is "Should We Ever Trust Polls Again?"
– Darlene Duggan, head of Anticruelty

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; 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://washingtonmonthly.com/author/bill-scher/">Bill Scher</a>, politics editor at<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/">&nbsp;Washington Monthly</a>; his latest article is "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/08/14/polls-wisconsin-michigan-primary/">Should We Ever Trust Polls Again?</a>" &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://anticruelty.org/directory/darlene-duggan">Darlene Duggan</a>, head of Anticruelty
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 | June 12, 2026

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