Chris Fitzimon

Darlene Duggan

Gregory Royal Pratt

On today's show
– Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast
– Darlene Duggan, head of Anticruelty
– Gregory Royal Pratt, investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune; he was one of the Tribune reporters awarded, as Staff of the Chicago Tribune, the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting

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://anticruelty.org/directory/darlene-duggan">Darlene Duggan</a>, head of Anticruelty &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/gregory-royal-pratt/">Gregory Royal Pratt</a>, investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune; he was one of the Tribune reporters awarded, as Staff of the Chicago Tribune, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/staff-chicago-tribune">2026 Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting</a>
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 | May 8, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Joe Walsh, former Republican congressman from Illinois and host of The Social Contract with Joe Walsh.

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 Joe Walsh, former Republican congressman from Illinois and host of&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-social-contract-with-joe-walsh/id1590913798">The Social Contract with Joe Walsh</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;
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WCPT 820 Interview: Joe Walsh

Joan Esposito and North Central College Political Science Professor William Muck are joined by Michigan State Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D), a day after Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, a Republican, removed Tsernoglou from House committees she served on. The speaker's move came a day after Tsernoglou publicly advocated for a resolution that would create a six-member committee to investigate convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. 

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

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

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Joan Esposito and North Central College Political Science Professor William Muck are joined by Michigan State Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D), a day after Michigan&nbsp;House Speaker Matt Hall, a Republican, removed Tsernoglou from House committees she served on. The speaker's move came a day after Tsernoglou publicly advocated for a resolution that would create a six-member committee to investigate convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein&rsquo;s ties to Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan.&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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WCPT 820 Interview: Michigan State Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D)

William Muck

Penelope Tsernoglou

Joe Walsh

On today's show:
– William Muck, professor of political science at North Central College
– Michigan State Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D) (along with William Muck)
– Joe Walsh, former Republican congressman from Illinois and host of The Social Contract with Joe Walsh

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://www.northcentralcollege.edu/profile/wjmuck">William Muck</a>, professor of political science at North Central College &ndash; Michigan State Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D) (along with William Muck) &ndash; Joe Walsh, former Republican congressman from Illinois and host of&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-social-contract-with-joe-walsh/id1590913798">The Social Contract with Joe Walsh</a>
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 | May 8, 2026

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