On today's show
– Ira Glass, creator and host of "This American Life"; Glass will appear at the Chicago Humanities Festival Monday, October 5 for an evening called "Half-Baked Stories About My Dead Mom: Ira Glass and Etgar Keret Don’t Mince Words"
– 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; Ira Glass, creator and host of "<a href="https://www.thisamericanlife.org/">This American Life</a>"; Glass will appear at the <a href="https://www.chicagohumanities.org/">Chicago Humanities Festival</a> Monday, October 5 for an evening called "<a href="https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/ira-glass-etgar-keret/">Half-Baked Stories About My Dead Mom: Ira Glass and Etgar Keret Don&rsquo;t Mince Words</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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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 | September 10, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Ira Glass, creator and host of "This American Life." Glass will appear at the Chicago Humanities Festival Monday, October 5, for an evening called "Half-Baked Stories About My Dead Mom: Ira Glass and Etgar Keret Don’t Mince Words."

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).

 

Follow us:

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Joan Esposito is joined by Ira Glass, creator and host of "<a href="https://www.thisamericanlife.org/">This American Life</a>." Glass will appear at the <a href="https://www.chicagohumanities.org/">Chicago Humanities Festival</a> Monday, October 5, for an evening called "<a href="https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/ira-glass-etgar-keret/">Half-Baked Stories About My Dead Mom: Ira Glass and Etgar Keret Don&rsquo;t Mince Words</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>).
&nbsp;
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
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WCPT 820 Interview: Ira Glass

Joan Esposito is joined by Carolyn Fiddler, state politics expert and author of the newsletter "This Week in Statehouse Action. They discussed election integrity, state-level political developments, and redistricting ahead of the midterm elections. 

Here is a brief summary of the conversation:
- Fiddler said repeated claims about election fraud and changes involving the USPS are creating confusion about mail-in voting.
- She emphasized that voting by mail and in person remain safe and secure, and that voters can submit ballots early or surrender mail ballots at polling places.
- Pennsylvania Democrats are seeking to retain the governorship and state house, flip the state senate, and pursue policies including higher minimum wages, family medical leave, and abortion-rights protections.
- Fiddler described Missouri’s congressional redistricting dispute, where conflicting court rulings have left the status of a referendum and district boundaries unresolved.

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 Carolyn Fiddler, state politics expert and author of the newsletter "<a href="https://statehouseaction.substack.com/">This Week in Statehouse Action</a>. They discussed election integrity, state-level political developments, and redistricting ahead of the midterm elections.&nbsp;
Here is a brief summary&nbsp;of the conversation: - Fiddler said repeated claims about election fraud and changes involving the USPS are creating confusion about mail-in voting. - She emphasized that voting by mail and in person remain safe and secure, and that voters can submit ballots early or surrender mail ballots at polling places. - Pennsylvania Democrats are seeking to retain the governorship and state house, flip the state senate, and pursue policies including higher minimum wages, family medical leave, and abortion-rights protections. - Fiddler described Missouri&rsquo;s congressional redistricting dispute, where conflicting court rulings have left the status of a referendum and district boundaries unresolved.
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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WCPT 820 Interview: Carolyn Fiddler of This Week in Statehouse Action

Joan Esposito is joined by Illinois Congressman Jonathan Jackson, Democrat representing the 1st District of Illinois. 

Rep. Jackson discussed the effects of federal policy on food security, health care, elections, military deployment, and his priorities for Illinois.

Here is a brief summary of the conversation:
- Jackson said SNAP reductions are contributing to grocery-store closures and food insecurity in both urban and rural communities.
- He warned that pending Medicaid and Medicare cuts could cause hospitals to close and increase hardship.
- He criticized military deployments, federal spending priorities, and Trump administration policies he said protect wealthy and powerful people from accountability.
- Jackson expressed concern that violence, federal intervention, or efforts to control election administration could threaten the midterms.
- He expects that Democrats will retake the House and emphasized the need for a broad coalition capable of securing 218 votes.

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 Illinois Congressman&nbsp;<a href="https://jonathanjackson.house.gov/">Jonathan Jackson</a>, Democrat representing the 1st District of Illinois.&nbsp;
Rep. Jackson discussed the effects of federal policy on food security, health care, elections, military deployment, and his priorities for Illinois.
Here is a brief summary of the conversation: - Jackson said SNAP reductions are contributing to grocery-store closures and food insecurity in both urban and rural communities. - He warned that pending Medicaid and Medicare cuts could cause hospitals to close and increase hardship. - He criticized military deployments, federal spending priorities, and Trump administration policies he said protect wealthy and powerful people from accountability. - Jackson expressed concern that violence, federal intervention, or efforts to control election administration could threaten the midterms. - He expects that Democrats will retake the House and emphasized the need for a broad coalition capable of securing 218 votes.
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 | September 10, 2026

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