Filling in for Joan Esposito, Richard Chew is joined by Aaron Kleinman, head of research at Heartland Signal and author of the new "Radio Free America" newsletter. 

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).

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Richard Chew is joined by Aaron Kleinman, head of research at&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/">Heartland Signal</a> and author of the new "<a href="https://radio-free-america.beehiiv.com/">Radio Free America</a>" newsletter.&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>).

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are featured interviews from "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 featured interviews from "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 &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 (Featured Interviews)

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

WCPT 820 Interview: Aaron Kleinman of Heartland Signal

Majid Padellan

Nikki Budzinski

Fritz Kaegi

Byron Sigcho-Lopez

Donna Miller

Marj Halperin

On today's show
– Majid Padellan, AKA Brooklyn Dad Defiant
– Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL)
– Fritz Kaegi, Cook County assessor and Democratic candidate for re-election
– Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, independent candidate for Congress in the 4th District of Illinois
– Donna Miller, candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Illinois
– Marj Halperin, Democratic analyst heard on The Mincing Rascals podcast and organizer with Indivisible Chicago and One Community Near South

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; Majid Padellan, AKA <a href="https://brooklyndaddefiant.com/">Brooklyn Dad Defiant</a> &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://budzinski.house.gov/">Rep. Nikki Budzinski</a>&nbsp;(D-IL) &ndash; Fritz Kaegi, Cook County&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/about-assessor-fritz-kaegi">assessor</a>&nbsp;and Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fritzforassessor.com/">candidate</a>&nbsp;for re-election &ndash; Chicago&nbsp;<a href="https://25thward.org/meet-the-alderman/">Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez</a>, independent candidate for Congress in the 4th District of Illinois &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://donnaforcongress.com/">Donna Miller</a>, candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Illinois &ndash; Marj Halperin, Democratic analyst heard on The Mincing Rascals podcast and organizer with&nbsp;<a href="https://indivisiblechicago.com/">Indivisible Chicago</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://onecommunitysl.com/">One Community Near South</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>).

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | March 10, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Mike Nellis, Democratic strategist and host of “Endless Urgency with Mike Nellis.

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).

Joan Esposito is joined by Mike Nellis, Democratic strategist and host of &ldquo;<a href="https://endlessurgency.com/">Endless Urgency with Mike Nellis</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>).

WCPT 820: Interview Mike Nellis

Joan Esposito is joined by Robert Pape, professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs. Foreign Affairs just published his article, "Why Escalation Favors Iran: America and Israel May Have Bitten Off More Than They Can Chew." He also recently launched "The Escalation Trap" on Substack.

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).

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. Foreign Affairs just published his article, "<a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/iran/why-escalation-favors-iran">Why Escalation Favors Iran:&nbsp;America and Israel May Have Bitten Off More Than They Can Chew</a>." He also recently launched "<a href="https://escalationtrap.substack.com/">The Escalation Trap</a>" on Substack.
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>).

WCPT 820 Interview: Aaron Kleinman of Heartland Signal

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