Richard North Patterson

Randy Manner

Pat Kreitlow

On today's show
– Richard North Patterson, best-selling author, attorney and political commentator; his new book, "Tripwires: 15 Twenty-First-Century Events That Undermined American Democracy—and How to Reclaim," was released Tuesday 
– Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A)
– Pat Kreitlow, founder and editor of Up North News

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:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal

On today's show &ndash; Richard North Patterson, best-selling author, attorney and political commentator; his new book, "<a href="https://thenewpress.org/books/tripwires/">Tripwires: 15 Twenty-First-Century Events That Undermined American Democracy&mdash;and How to Reclaim</a>," was released Tuesday&nbsp; &ndash; Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of <a href="https://www.nsl4a.org/">National Security Leaders for America</a> (NSL4A) &ndash; <a href="https://upnorthnewswi.com/author/patkreitlow/">Pat Kreitlow</a>, founder and editor of Up North News
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>
WCPT Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820"> https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820</a>
Heartland Signal Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
Tiktok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc"> </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal">https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal</a>&nbsp;
Heartland Signal X:<a href="https://x.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://x.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
WCPT 820 X:<a href="https://x.com/WCPT820"> https://x.com/WCPT820</a>
Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal/"> https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal</a>
Threads:<a href="http://threads.com/@heartlandsignal"> threads.com/@heartlandsignal</a>
YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal"> https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal</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 | September 2, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Richard North Patterson, best-selling author, attorney and political commentator. His new book, "Tripwires: 15 Twenty-First-Century Events That Undermined American Democracy—and How to Reclaim," was released Tuesday.

Democratic Decline
- Patterson identified the Supreme Court's Bush v. Gore decision, the Iraq War, Republican tax cuts, the appointment of John Roberts as chief justice of the Supreme Court, the Citizens United decision, and the 2008 financial crisis as interconnected developments that eroded trust, increased inequality, and strengthened concentrated wealth and political power.
- He criticized Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's decision to not retire during the Obama presidency, saying: "On her deathbed, she expresses the wish that Trump would wait for a new president. Well, that was never going to happen. He appointed Amy Coney Barrett, the exact philosophical opposite of Ginsburg, and now we have a supermajority on the Supreme Court. And regrettably, for all the admirable work she did, that is Ginsburg's legacy."
- Patterson argued that the Republican Party's base became increasingly authoritarian and that economic insecurity and racial anxiety helped drive this shift.

Reform Priorities
- Patterson called for a fairer economy through stronger unions, higher taxes on top earners and corporations, reduced capital-gains exemptions, expanded child tax credits, broader health care access, and a higher minimum wage.
- He emphasized economic fairness as a prerequisite for restoring faith in democracy.

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:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal

Joan Esposito is joined by Richard North Patterson, best-selling author, attorney and political commentator. His new book, "<a href="https://thenewpress.org/books/tripwires/">Tripwires: 15 Twenty-First-Century Events That Undermined American Democracy&mdash;and How to Reclaim</a>," was released Tuesday.
Democratic Decline - Patterson identified the Supreme Court's Bush v. Gore decision, the Iraq War, Republican tax cuts, the appointment of John Roberts as chief justice of the Supreme Court, the Citizens United decision, and the 2008 financial crisis as interconnected developments that eroded trust, increased inequality, and strengthened concentrated wealth and political power. - He criticized Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's decision to not retire during the Obama presidency, saying: "On her deathbed, she expresses the wish that Trump would wait for a new president. Well, that was never going to happen. He appointed Amy Coney Barrett, the exact philosophical opposite of Ginsburg, and now we have a supermajority on the Supreme Court. And regrettably, for all the admirable work she did, that is Ginsburg's legacy." - Patterson argued that the Republican Party's base became increasingly authoritarian and that economic insecurity and racial anxiety helped drive this shift. Reform Priorities - Patterson called for a fairer economy through stronger unions, higher taxes on top earners and corporations, reduced capital-gains exemptions, expanded child tax credits, broader health care access, and a higher minimum wage. - He emphasized economic fairness as a prerequisite for restoring faith in democracy.
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>
WCPT Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820"> https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820</a>
Heartland Signal Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
Tiktok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc"> </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal">https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal</a>&nbsp;
Heartland Signal X:<a href="https://x.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://x.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
WCPT 820 X:<a href="https://x.com/WCPT820"> https://x.com/WCPT820</a>
Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal/"> https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal</a>
Threads:<a href="http://threads.com/@heartlandsignal"> threads.com/@heartlandsignal</a>
YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal"> https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal</a>

WCPT 820 Interview: Richard North Patterson

Joan Esposito is joined by Paul Glastris, editor-in-chief of The Washington Monthly and founder of the magazine’s alternative college rankings; the new rankings were published Sunday.

Glastris noted that the rankings have been published since 2005. Unlike traditional rankings, Washington Monthly focuses on socially conscious criteria, such as affordability, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes. The top-ranked school this year is Berea College in Kentucky, known for its low tuition and rigorous education. Glastris also highlighted the "Best Colleges for Rural America" rankings, which identify institutions that provide upward mobility and meet local job needs. The conversation emphasized the importance of accessible, affordable education and its impact on regional economies and civic life.

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:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal

Joan Esposito is joined by <a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/author/paul-glastris/">Paul Glastris</a>, editor-in-chief of The Washington Monthly and founder of the magazine&rsquo;s alternative college rankings;&nbsp;<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/08/30/a-different-kind-of-college-ranking-5/">the new rankings</a> were published Sunday.
Glastris noted that the rankings have been published since 2005. Unlike traditional rankings, Washington Monthly focuses on socially conscious criteria, such as affordability, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes. The top-ranked school this year is Berea College in Kentucky, known for its low tuition and rigorous education. Glastris also highlighted the "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/08/30/best-colleges-for-rural-america/">Best Colleges for Rural America</a>" rankings, which identify institutions that provide upward mobility and meet local job needs. The conversation emphasized the importance of accessible, affordable education and its impact on regional economies and civic life.
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>
WCPT Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820"> https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820</a>
Heartland Signal Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
Tiktok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc"> </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal">https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal</a>&nbsp;
Heartland Signal X:<a href="https://x.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://x.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
WCPT 820 X:<a href="https://x.com/WCPT820"> https://x.com/WCPT820</a>
Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal/"> https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal</a>
Threads:<a href="http://threads.com/@heartlandsignal"> threads.com/@heartlandsignal</a>
YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal"> https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal</a>

WCPT 820 Interview: Paul Glastris of Washington Monthly

Joan Esposito is joined by Jordan Zaslow, founder/executive director at Her Bold Move.

Zaslow discusses the challenges women face when running for office in red districts and abortion-ban states. Her organization supports women in these areas, highlighting the lack of female representation in male-dominated legislatures. Zaslow emphasizes the need for more women in politics to influence pro-women policies. Her Bold Move's research over 20 years shows that states with more women in legislatures pass more supportive policies. Zaslow also discusses the importance of women getting involved in politics now, as women's rights are under threat. The organization's new Substack will feature feminist perspectives on current 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).

 

Follow us:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal

Joan Esposito is joined by Jordan Zaslow, founder/executive director at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.herboldmove.org/about-us">Her Bold Move</a>.
Zaslow discusses the challenges women face when running for office in red districts and abortion-ban states. Her organization supports women in these areas, highlighting the lack of female representation in male-dominated legislatures. Zaslow emphasizes the need for more women in politics to influence pro-women policies. Her Bold Move's research over 20 years shows that states with more women in legislatures pass more supportive policies. Zaslow also discusses the importance of women getting involved in politics now, as women's rights are under threat. The organization's new Substack will feature feminist perspectives on current 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;
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
WCPT Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820"> https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820</a>
Heartland Signal Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
Tiktok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc"> </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal">https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal</a>&nbsp;
Heartland Signal X:<a href="https://x.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://x.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
WCPT 820 X:<a href="https://x.com/WCPT820"> https://x.com/WCPT820</a>
Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal/"> https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal</a>
Threads:<a href="http://threads.com/@heartlandsignal"> threads.com/@heartlandsignal</a>
YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal"> https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal</a>

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 2, 2026

In 1 playlist(s)

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips