Kendall Scudder

Thom Serafin

Ashley Aune

David Atkins

On today's show
– Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder
– Thom Serafin, founder and CEO of Serafin & Associates, Inc.
– Missouri Democratic House Minority Leader Ashley Aune
– David Atkins, Washington Monthly contributing writer; last summer he wrote the article "I’m a DNC Committee Member. The Party Isn’t Broken"; his most recent article is "Musk Is No Defender of Western Civilization"

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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On today's show &ndash; <a href="https://www.texasdemocrats.org/">Texas Democratic Party</a> Chair Kendall Scudder &ndash; <a href="https://serafin.com/team/thom/">Thom Serafin</a>, founder and CEO of Serafin &amp; Associates, Inc. &ndash; Missouri Democratic House Minority Leader <a href="https://house.mo.gov/MemberDetails.aspx?district=014&amp;year=2025">Ashley Aune</a> &ndash; David Atkins, Washington Monthly contributing writer; last summer he wrote the article "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/08/26/the-recent-dnc-meeting-was-a-success-despite-the-naysayers/">I&rsquo;m a DNC Committee Member. The Party Isn&rsquo;t Broken</a>"; his most recent article is "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/11/04/musk-is-no-defender-of-western-civilization/">Musk Is No Defender of Western Civilization</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>).
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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 | November 10, 2026

Filling in for Joan Esposito, William Muck is joined by Robert Pape, professor of political science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs, and author of The Escalation Trap on Substack. His new book is "Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism."

The interview examined risks of escalation in the Iran war and the rise of political violence in the United States. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Pape argued that pressure from economic costs and political setbacks could push the Trump administration toward further escalation, while Iran may intensify pressure on oil and regional security.
- He described an escalation trap in which military actions prompt stronger responses, making off-ramps harder. He said his estimated risk of nuclear use had increased from 5 to 8 percent to 15 to 20 percent.
- He proposed regional balancing—strengthening Gulf states over time—as an alternative to capitulation or major escalation. 
- Pape defined violent populism as political violence moving from the fringe into the mainstream and warned that election-period transfer of power can be especially dangerous.
- He argued that prompt condemnation and attention to underlying tensions can help prevent incidents from becoming focal points for wider unrest.

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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Filling in for Joan Esposito, William Muck is joined by&nbsp;<a href="https://political-science.uchicago.edu/directory/Robert-Pape">Robert Pape</a>, professor of political science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs, and author of <a href="https://escalationtrap.substack.com/">The Escalation Trap</a> on Substack. His new book is "<a href="https://thenewpress.org/books/our-own-worst-enemies/">Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism</a>."
The interview examined risks of escalation in the Iran war and the rise of political violence in the United States. Here are a few highlights from the conversation: - Pape argued that pressure from economic costs and political setbacks could push the Trump administration toward further escalation, while Iran may intensify pressure on oil and regional security. - He described an escalation trap in which military actions prompt stronger responses, making off-ramps harder. He said his estimated risk of nuclear use had increased from 5 to 8 percent to 15 to 20 percent. - He proposed regional balancing&mdash;strengthening Gulf states over time&mdash;as an alternative to capitulation or major escalation.&nbsp; - Pape defined violent populism as political violence moving from the fringe into the mainstream and warned that election-period transfer of power can be especially dangerous. - He argued that prompt condemnation and attention to underlying tensions can help prevent incidents from becoming focal points for wider unrest.
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>).
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Prof. Robert Pape: WCPT 820 Interview

On today's show William Muck fills in for Joan and his guests are
– Robert Pape, professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs, and author of The Escalation Trap on Substack; his new book is "Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism"
– Dr. Philip Barker, dean of the Prothro-Yeager College of Humanities and Social Sciences and a faculty member in the Department of Political Science at Midwestern State University; he is also co-host, with William Muck, of The Politics Lab podcast
– 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).



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On today's show William Muck fills in for Joan and his guests are &ndash; <a href="https://political-science.uchicago.edu/directory/Robert-Pape">Robert Pape</a>, professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs, and author of <a href="https://escalationtrap.substack.com/">The Escalation Trap</a> on Substack; his new book is "<a href="https://thenewpress.org/books/our-own-worst-enemies/">Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism</a>" &ndash; <a href="https://directory.msutexas.edu/users/philipbarker">Dr. Philip Barker</a>, dean of the Prothro-Yeager College of Humanities and Social Sciences and a faculty member in the Department of Political Science at Midwestern State University; he is also co-host, with William Muck, of <a href="https://www.thepoliticslab.com/">The Politics Lab podcast</a> &ndash; <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 (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive">heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive</a>). 
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive with guest host William Muck | November 9, 2026

 Willie Chriesman and Jennifer Schulze 

Joel Ostrow

On today's show
– Willie Chriesman and Jennifer Schulze with our regular media segment
– Joel Ostrow, political scientist and "World Discord Podcast" co-host

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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On today's show &ndash; Willie Chriesman and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/authors/jennifer-schulze/">Jennifer Schulze</a> with our regular media segment &ndash; Joel Ostrow, political scientist and "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/world-discord-podcast/id1744471183">World Discord Podcast</a>" co-host
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>).
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | November 10, 2026

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