On today's show Carolyn Fiddler fills in for Joan and her guests are
– Ben Jacobs, reporter
– Chris Mann, Democratic candidate for attorney general of Kansas 
– Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC)
– Minnesota Attorney General Keith Elllison, 2026 candidate for re-election
– Tevin Davis, multidisciplinary artist and digital creator whose work spans theater, television, film, comedy, music, political satire, and digital media

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&nbsp;<a href="https://statehouseaction.substack.com/">Carolyn Fiddler</a> fills in for Joan and her guests are &ndash; Ben Jacobs, reporter &ndash; <a href="https://chrismannforkansas.com/meet-chris/">Chris Mann</a>, Democratic candidate for attorney general of Kansas &ndash; Heather Williams, president of the <a href="https://www.dlcc.org/">Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee</a> (DLCC) &ndash; <a href="https://www.ag.state.mn.us/office/agbio.asp">Minnesota Attorney General Keith Elllison</a>, 2026 <a href="https://www.keithellison.org/">candidate for re-election</a> &ndash; Tevin Davis, multidisciplinary artist and digital creator whose work spans theater, television, film, comedy, music, political satire, and digital media
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 with guest host Carolyn Fiddler | October 21, 2026

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Mike Nellis is joined by Matthew Botvinick, world-renowned AI researcher and neuroscientist who is senior fellow at Yale Law School, a member of the technical staff at Anthropic, and author of "AI and Political Freedom: The Risk to Democracy and How to Respond" (2026). 

Prof. Botvinick will be speaking in Chicago on November 11 as part of University Press Week.
The author event will be called “Could AI Put Our Democracy at Risk?” and take place
at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center. A reception will take place from 5:45 to
6:15, followed by the program from 6:15 to 7:30 PM, including interactive activities and
audience Q&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).

 

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Filling in for Joan Esposito, Mike Nellis is joined by&nbsp;Matthew Botvinick, world-renowned AI researcher and neuroscientist who is senior fellow at Yale Law School, a member of the technical staff at Anthropic, and author of "<a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691291215/ai-and-political-freedom?srsltid=AU7gw4XZGx4o2oiJPtCkcYTyNZpAHm3j0ehyw3LF5c3jjT5p_Q1_H_mb">AI and Political Freedom: The Risk to Democracy and How to Respond</a>" (2026).&nbsp;
Prof. Botvinick will be speaking in Chicago on November 11 as part of University Press Week. The author event will be called &ldquo;<a href="https://graham.uchicago.edu/event/could-ai-put-our-democracy-at-risk/">Could AI Put Our Democracy at Risk?</a>&rdquo; and take place at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center. A reception will take place from 5:45 to 6:15, followed by the program from 6:15 to 7:30 PM, including interactive activities and audience Q&amp;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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&nbsp;

AI expert and author Matthew Botvinick: WCPT 820 Interview 

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Mike Nellis is joined by Melissa Toufanian, former State Department deputy assistant secretary who served on the communications team for the original Iran nuclear deal under President Obama, and now serves as managing director at Navigator Research.

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, Mike Nellis is joined by Melissa Toufanian, former State Department deputy assistant secretary who served on the communications team for the original Iran nuclear deal under President Obama, and now serves as managing director at&nbsp;<a href="https://navigatorresearch.org/">Navigator Research</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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Melissa Toufanian of Navigator Research: WCPT 820 Interview

Joan Esposito 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, "Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism," came out last month.

Pape and Esposito discussed Ukraine’s military resilience, the risks of escalation, and a Korean-style armistice as a possible path to regional stability. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Pape argued that Ukraine is not likely to collapse simply because U.S. support changes; he highlighted Ukrainian military and drone capabilities.
- He said U.S. intelligence, particularly warnings of incoming missile and drone attacks, is valuable, while European support is increasing but may take time to arrive.
- He described both Putin and Trump as caught in political escalation traps, in which backing down could alienate their core supporters.
- He warned that attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure could intensify retaliation and civilian suffering; he argued that such devastation could make Europeans more fearful of Russia rather than more willing to concede.
- Pape advocated a Korean-style armistice focused on stability along the line of contact, with no European troops in Ukraine, and support conditioned on adherence to that goal.
- He proposed taking Ukraine’s NATO and EU membership off the table while maintaining trade and offering Russia trade incentives tied to respecting the line of contact. 

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://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, "<a href="https://thenewpress.org/books/our-own-worst-enemies/">Our Own Worst Enemies: America in the Age of Violent Populism</a>," came out last month.
Pape and Esposito discussed Ukraine&rsquo;s military resilience, the risks of escalation, and a Korean-style armistice as a possible path to regional stability.&nbsp;Here are a few&nbsp;highlights from the conversation: - Pape argued that Ukraine is not likely to collapse simply because U.S. support changes; he highlighted Ukrainian military and drone capabilities. - He said U.S. intelligence, particularly warnings of incoming missile and drone attacks, is valuable, while European support is increasing but may take time to arrive. - He described both Putin and Trump as caught in political escalation traps, in which backing down could alienate their core supporters. - He warned that attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure could intensify retaliation and civilian suffering; he argued that such devastation could make Europeans more fearful of Russia rather than more willing to concede. - Pape advocated a Korean-style armistice focused on stability along the line of contact, with no European troops in Ukraine, and support conditioned on adherence to that goal. - He proposed taking Ukraine&rsquo;s NATO and EU membership off the table while maintaining trade and offering Russia trade incentives tied to respecting the line of contact.&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>).
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive with guest host Carolyn Fiddler | October 21, 2026

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