Eric Zorn

Bob Kustra

Elinor and Kori

On today's show
– Eric Zorn, writer-publisher of The Picayune Sentinel
– Bob Kustra, former Illinois lieutenant governor (under Gov. Jim Edgar)
– Heartland Signal reporters Elinor Epperson and Kori Skillman

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; Eric Zorn, writer-publisher of <a href="https://ericzorn.substack.com/">The Picayune Sentinel</a> &ndash; Bob Kustra, former Illinois lieutenant governor (under Gov. Jim Edgar) &ndash; Heartland Signal reporters <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/author/elinor/">Elinor Epperson</a> and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/author/kori/">Kori Skillman</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>).

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 12, 2026

Laura Belin

Jonathan Alter

Marjorie Hershey

On today's show
– Laura Belin, publisher, editor, and reporter for Bleeding Heartland, a community website focused on Iowa politics
– Jonathan Alter, contributing editor of the Washington Monthly, former senior editor and columnist at Newsweek, political analyst, and the publisher of the Substack “Old Goats with Jonathan Alter.“ His latest piece for Washington Monthly is "Trump: A Feral Lame Duck"
– Marjorie Hershey, professor emeritus, political science at Indiana University Bloomington

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; Laura Belin, publisher, editor, and reporter for <a href="https://www.bleedingheartland.com/">Bleeding Heartland</a>, a community website focused on Iowa politics &ndash; Jonathan Alter, contributing editor of the Washington Monthly, former senior editor and columnist at Newsweek, political analyst, and the publisher of the Substack &ldquo;<a href="https://oldgoats.substack.com/=">Old Goats with Jonathan Alter</a>.&ldquo; His latest piece for Washington Monthly is "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/10/26/trump-a-feral-lame-duck/">Trump: A Feral Lame Duck</a>" &ndash; Marjorie Hershey, professor emeritus, political science at Indiana University Bloomington
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 11, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder. The interview focused on Texas Democrats’ election gains in last week's midterm election and the party’s approach to turnout, candidate selection, and coalition-building.

Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Scudder said a Texas research consortium’s final polling accurately projected several races, but the party exceeded expectations by flipping 21 state House seats and 18 statewide races.
- He credited the recruiting of candidates across the ballot, including in races Democrats had previously left uncontested.
- He attributed the gains to strong Democratic turnout, weaker Republican turnout, and economic concerns, including property taxes, school vouchers, and data center development.
- He argued that Democrats should focus on working-class needs and avoid treating voting as a search for a perfect candidate.
- Scudder said Texas party officials accepted primary filings without choosing nominees, leaving voters to decide; he said contested primaries strengthened the eventual nominees.
- He emphasized that party and elected officials have different responsibilities and that coalition building requires respect across viewpoints. 

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://www.texasdemocrats.org/">Texas Democratic Party</a> Chair Kendall Scudder.&nbsp;The interview focused on Texas Democrats&rsquo; election gains in last week's midterm election and the party&rsquo;s approach to turnout, candidate selection, and coalition-building.
Here are a few&nbsp;highlights from the conversation: - Scudder said a Texas research consortium&rsquo;s final polling accurately projected several races, but the party exceeded expectations by flipping 21 state House seats and 18 statewide races. - He credited the recruiting of candidates across the ballot, including in races Democrats had previously left uncontested. - He attributed the gains to strong Democratic turnout, weaker Republican turnout, and economic concerns, including property taxes, school vouchers, and data center development. - He argued that Democrats should focus on working-class needs and avoid treating voting as a search for a perfect candidate. - Scudder said Texas party officials accepted primary filings without choosing nominees, leaving voters to decide; he said contested primaries strengthened the eventual nominees. - He emphasized that party and elected officials have different responsibilities and that coalition building requires respect across viewpoints.&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;
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Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder: WCPT 820 Interview

Joan Esposito is joined by Missouri Democratic House Minority Leader Ashley Aune.

The discussion focused on Missouri Democrats’ legislative gains in the midterm election last week and voter frustration with Republican policy decisions. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Aune said Democrats flipped 16 state House seats and two state Senate seats, ending Republican supermajorities in both chambers.
- She attributed the gains to strong candidate recruitment, fundraising, and organizing, alongside the broader blue wave.
- She cited voter frustration with lawmakers overriding voter-approved measures, including abortion access, paid sick leave, Medicaid expansion, and ballot initiatives.
- She said economic pressures and perceived out-of-touch Republican leadership contributed to voter dissatisfaction, and argued that Republican leaders appear to have learned little from the results.
- Esposito and Aune discussed how fragmented media feeds and misinformation make it harder for lawmakers and constituents to share a common understanding of events.

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 Missouri Democratic House Minority Leader <a href="https://house.mo.gov/MemberDetails.aspx?district=014&amp;year=2025">Ashley Aune</a>.
The discussion focused on Missouri Democrats&rsquo; legislative gains in the midterm election last week and voter frustration with Republican policy decisions. Here are a few highlights from the conversation: - Aune said Democrats flipped 16 state House seats and two state Senate seats, ending Republican supermajorities in both chambers. - She attributed the gains to strong candidate recruitment, fundraising, and organizing, alongside the broader blue wave. - She cited voter frustration with lawmakers overriding voter-approved measures, including abortion access, paid sick leave, Medicaid expansion, and ballot initiatives. - She said economic pressures and perceived out-of-touch Republican leadership contributed to voter dissatisfaction, and argued that Republican leaders appear to have learned little from the results. - Esposito and Aune discussed how fragmented media feeds and misinformation make it harder for lawmakers and constituents to share a common understanding of events.
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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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | November 12, 2026

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