Amanda Zahorak

Paul Lisnek

Robert Pape

On today's show
– Amanda Zahorak, Democratic candidate for Illinois House District 48
– Paul Lisnek, multi-Emmy Award-winning TV host who served as political and legal analyst at WGN for 18 years; he is also the author of 15 books and host of “Curtain Call Chicago” and “Paul On Politics“
– 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, “Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism,” came out last month

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.zahorakforil48.com/">Amanda Zahorak</a>, Democratic candidate for Illinois House District 48 &ndash; <a href="https://paullisnek.com/">Paul Lisnek</a>, multi-Emmy Award-winning TV host who served as political and legal analyst at WGN for 18 years; he is also the author of 15 books and host of &ldquo;<a href="https://paullisnek.com/curtain-call-chicago">Curtain Call Chicago</a>&rdquo; and &ldquo;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PaulOnPolitics">Paul On Politics</a>&ldquo; &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, &ldquo;<a href="https://thenewpress.org/books/our-own-worst-enemies/">Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism</a>,&rdquo; came out last month
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 | October 19, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Jen Thompson, former Republican campaign manager, former counsel in the U.S. House and Senate, and author of "Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten" (2026). 

The conversation examined midterm election expectations, changes in the Republican Party, and Thompson’s departure from GOP politics. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Thompson agreed that predictions of a “blue wave” can encourage complacency; she cautioned that polls can be unreliable and urged people to vote.
- She said the size of any Democratic gains could shape how Republicans respond and affect members’ districts. 
- She expects committed Republicans to double down, while an anti-Trump wing is also emerging; she noted the party has changed significantly from its earlier form.
- A change in House majority brings major staffing and resource shifts, making it difficult for the minority to advance legislation.
- In "Wild Pivot," Thompson describes leaving a successful Republican career after a car accident prompted her to question whether her work aligned with her values.
- She said women are often courted with political messaging that does not address their interests authentically, and that women who challenge expectations can be dismissed as troublemakers.

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 Jen Thompson, former Republican campaign manager, former counsel in the U.S. House and Senate, and author of "<a href="https://shewritespress.com/product/wild-pivot/">Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten</a>" (2026).&nbsp;
The conversation examined midterm election expectations, changes in the Republican Party, and Thompson&rsquo;s departure from GOP politics. Here are a few highlights&nbsp;from the conversation: - Thompson agreed that predictions of a &ldquo;blue wave&rdquo; can encourage complacency; she cautioned that polls can be unreliable and urged people to vote. - She said the size of any Democratic gains could shape how Republicans respond and affect members&rsquo; districts.&nbsp; - She expects committed Republicans to double down, while an anti-Trump wing is also emerging; she noted the party has changed significantly from its earlier form. - A change in House majority brings major staffing and resource shifts, making it difficult for the minority to advance legislation. - In "Wild Pivot," Thompson describes leaving a successful Republican career after a car accident prompted her to question whether her work aligned with her values. - She said women are often courted with political messaging that does not address their interests authentically, and that women who challenge expectations can be dismissed as troublemakers.
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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Author Jen Thompson: WCPT 820 Interview

Jen Thompson

Dave Layman

On today's show
– Jen Thompson, former political campaign manager, former counsel in the U.S. House and Senate, and author of “Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten” (2026)
– David Layman, former Providence, Rhode Island, news anchor, managing editor, and political commentator for RIPBS

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; Jen Thompson, former political campaign manager, former counsel in the U.S. House and Senate, and author of &ldquo;<a href="https://shewritespress.com/product/wild-pivot/">Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten</a>&rdquo; (2026) &ndash; David Layman, former Providence, Rhode Island, news anchor, managing editor, and political commentator for RIPBS
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 | October 16, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by John Bartman, fifth-generation Illinois soybean farmer and activist. The discussion focused on the economic pressures facing Illinois farmers and Bartman’s views on farming practices and policy. 

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Fuel, equipment, seed, rent, taxes, and fertilizer create substantial costs; harvest income often arrives only once a year.
- Bartman said tariffs and the loss of USAID markets have hurt crop demand and income, while high land and equipment values can complicate farm inheritance.
- He described regenerative methods, including no-till farming and cover crops, as ways to reduce inputs, improve soil, and mitigate climate change.
- Bartman supports adjusting inheritance-tax thresholds for inflation and compensating farmers for carbon-reducing practices.
- He urged Democrats to speak more about farm income, regenerative agriculture, and rural concerns.
- He argued that surplus food and agricultural resources could help address world hunger, and criticized spending on war instead of humanitarian needs.

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 John Bartman, fifth-generation Illinois soybean farmer and activist.&nbsp;The discussion focused on the economic pressures facing Illinois farmers and Bartman&rsquo;s views on farming practices and policy.&nbsp;
Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Fuel, equipment, seed, rent, taxes, and fertilizer create substantial costs; harvest income often arrives only once a year. - Bartman said tariffs and the loss of USAID markets have hurt crop demand and income, while high land and equipment values can complicate farm inheritance. - He described regenerative methods, including no-till farming and cover crops, as ways to reduce inputs, improve soil, and mitigate climate change. - Bartman supports adjusting inheritance-tax thresholds for inflation and compensating farmers for carbon-reducing practices. - He urged Democrats to speak more about farm income, regenerative agriculture, and rural concerns. - He argued that surplus food and agricultural resources could help address world hunger, and criticized spending on war instead of humanitarian needs.
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 | October 19, 2026

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