Dani Negrete

Rep. Jonathan Jackson

Carolyn Fiddler

Michael Dorf

On today's show:
– Dani Negrete, national political director at Indivisible
– U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)
– Carolyn Fiddler, state politics expert and author of the newsletter “This Week in Statehouse Action
– Michael Dorf, Democratic lawyer, the Law Offices of Michael C. Dorf, LLC

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; Dani Negrete,&nbsp;national political director at&nbsp;<a href="https://indivisible.org/">Indivisible</a> &ndash; U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://jonathanjackson.house.gov/">Rep. Jonathan Jackson</a>&nbsp;(D-IL) &ndash; Carolyn Fiddler, state politics expert and author of the newsletter &ldquo;<a href="https://statehouseaction.substack.com/">This Week in Statehouse Action</a> &ndash; Michael Dorf, Democratic lawyer, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.michaeldorflaw.com/">Law Offices of Michael C. Dorf, LLC</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).

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 9, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at ACLU Illinois. The discussion focused on election protection, local civil liberties, surveillance technology, and immigration enforcement in Illinois.

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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclu-il.org/bios/edwin-yohnka/">Ed Yohnka</a>, director of communications and public policy at ACLU Illinois. The discussion focused on election protection, local civil liberties, surveillance technology, and immigration enforcement in Illinois.
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: Ed Yohnka of the ACLU of Illinois

Joan Esposito is joined by Aaron Kleinman, Heartland Signal‘s senior political analyst and author of the “Radio Free America” newsletter.

The discussion introduced Heartland Signal's Right-Wing Bill Tracker and examined what state-level Republican proposals, if passed, could mean for voters.

Here is a summary of the conversation:
- The tracker is intended to address gaps created by declining local-news coverage and help voters evaluate state candidates before November.
- Proposals identified by the tracker include abortion restrictions, defining life at conception, criminal penalties, bounty provisions, reduced fluoridation, weaker lead regulations, and a return to the gold standard.
- Kleinman described these proposals as evidence of an increasingly authoritarian political philosophy.
- Nationalized political coverage and the collapse of local newspapers have left voters less informed about state legislatures.

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 Aaron Kleinman,&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/">Heartland Signal</a>&lsquo;s senior political analyst and author of the &ldquo;<a href="https://radio-free-america.beehiiv.com/">Radio Free America</a>&rdquo; newsletter.
The discussion introduced Heartland Signal's <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/2026/09/09/bad-bill-tracker-republican-state-bills-2026/">Right-Wing Bill Tracker</a> and examined what state-level Republican proposals, if passed, could mean for voters.
Here is a summary of the conversation: - The tracker is intended to address gaps created by declining local-news coverage and help voters evaluate state candidates before November. - Proposals identified by the tracker include abortion restrictions, defining life at conception, criminal penalties, bounty provisions, reduced fluoridation, weaker lead regulations, and a return to the gold standard. - Kleinman described these proposals as evidence of an increasingly authoritarian political philosophy. - Nationalized political coverage and the collapse of local newspapers have left voters less informed about state legislatures.
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: Heartland Signal's Aaron Kleinman

Joan Esposito is joined by Stephen Marche, novelist and essayist who recently wrote a New York Times guest essay, “Canada Said No to America. It Will Reverberate Far Beyond Its Borders.”

The discussion examined Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs and the broader risks to Canadian sovereignty and international stability.

Here is a summary of the conversation:
- Marche noted that trade agreement terms put forth by U.S. negotiators would have constrained Canada’s ability to make independent trade agreements and weakened French-language protections.
- He characterized Canada’s refusal as a defense of national identity despite likely economic pain.
- Marche supports Prime Minister Mark Carney’s plans for Canada to cooperate more closely with Europe, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and other so-called middle powers. "The more connections we have with Europe and with other Asian democracies, the the safer we are from the U.S. and China and Russia," he told WCPT. 
- Potential areas of cooperation include payment systems, technology, financial integration, and reducing dependence on the U.S. dollar.
- Marche expects prolonged instability in the United States and a lengthy Canada-U.S. stalemate.

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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stephenmarche.com/">Stephen Marche</a>, novelist and essayist who recently wrote a New York Times guest essay, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/opinion/mark-carney-tariffs-canada-america.html">Canada Said No to America. It Will Reverberate Far Beyond Its Borders</a>.&rdquo;
The discussion examined Canada&rsquo;s response to U.S. tariffs and the broader risks to Canadian sovereignty and international stability.
Here is a summary of the conversation: - Marche noted that trade agreement terms put forth by U.S. negotiators would have constrained Canada&rsquo;s ability to make independent trade agreements and weakened French-language protections. - He characterized Canada&rsquo;s refusal as a defense of national identity despite likely economic pain. - Marche supports Prime Minister Mark Carney&rsquo;s plans for Canada to cooperate more closely with Europe, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and other so-called middle powers. "The more connections we have with Europe and with other Asian democracies, the the safer we are from the U.S. and China and Russia," he told WCPT.&nbsp; - Potential areas of cooperation include payment systems, technology, financial integration, and reducing dependence on the U.S. dollar. - Marche expects prolonged instability in the United States and a lengthy Canada-U.S. stalemate.
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 9, 2026

In 1 playlist(s)

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips