Joel Ostrow

Chris Fitzimon

Rebecca Ford

On today's show:
– Joel Ostrow, professor of political science at Benedictine University
– Chris Fitzsimon of the Stories from the States podcast
– Rebecca Ford, film critic

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; <a href="https://ben.edu/faculty/joel-ostrow/">Joel Ostrow</a>, professor of political science at Benedictine University &ndash; Chris Fitzsimon of the <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states">Stories from the States podcast</a> &ndash; Rebecca Ford, film critic
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 21, 2025

Tom Skilling

Juliet Jeske

Lara Weber

Craig Aaron

Mark Jacobs, Willie Chriesman

On today's show Jennifer Schulze fills in for Joan and her guests are:
– Tom Skilling, WGN-TV chief meteorologist emeritus
– Juliet Jeske, founder of Decoding Fox News, a crowd-funded media project
– Lara Weber, States Newsroom communications director, former member of The Chicago Tribune editorial board
– Craig Aaron, president and co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action
– Mark Jacob, author of the Stop the Presses newsletter on Substack, former metro editor at the Chicago Tribune and Sunday editor at the Sun-Times, co-author of several books on history and photography
– Willie Chriesman, former local news executive

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 Jennifer Schulze fills in for Joan and her guests are: &ndash;&nbsp;Tom Skilling, WGN-TV chief meteorologist emeritus &ndash; Juliet Jeske, founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://decodingfoxnews.substack.com/">Decoding Fox News</a>, a crowd-funded media project &ndash; Lara Weber,&nbsp;<a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>&nbsp;communications director, former member of The Chicago Tribune editorial board &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freepress.net/about/staff/craig-aaron">Craig Aaron</a>, president and co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action &ndash; Mark Jacob, author of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stopthepresses.news/about">Stop the Presses</a>&nbsp;newsletter on Substack, former metro editor at the Chicago Tribune and Sunday editor at the Sun-Times, co-author of several books on history and photography &ndash; Willie Chriesman,&nbsp;former local news executive
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>).

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive with guest host Jennifer Schulze |  March 31, 2026 

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Jennifer Schulze is joined by Tom Skilling, WGN-TV chief meteorologist emeritus.

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).

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Jennifer Schulze is joined by Tom Skilling, WGN-TV chief meteorologist emeritus.
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>).

WCPT 820 Interview: Tom Skilling

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Jennifer Schulze is joined by Craig Aaron, president and co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action. 

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).

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Jennifer Schulze is joined by <a href="https://www.freepress.net/about/staff/craig-aaron">Craig Aaron</a>, president and co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action.&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>).

Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive, November 21, 2025

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