Joan Esposito is joined by Dan Protess, co-executive producer of WTTW’s award-winning multiplatform initiative FIRSTHAND. 

Beginning February 16, 2026, FIRSTHAND will spend a year documenting how individuals and local organizations are responding proactively at the community level. Throughout the year, "Firsthand: Democracy" will present documentary films, investigative reporting, and a series of public events and conversations focused on civic participation, accountability, and the role of everyday people in democratic life. Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhaWA9CRiwE

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 Dan Protess, co-executive producer of WTTW&rsquo;s award-winning multiplatform initiative&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wttw.com/firsthand">FIRSTHAND</a>.&nbsp;
Beginning February 16, 2026, FIRSTHAND will spend a year documenting how individuals and local organizations are responding proactively at the community level. Throughout the year, "Firsthand: Democracy" will present documentary films, investigative reporting, and a series of public events and conversations focused on civic participation, accountability, and the role of everyday people in democratic life.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhaWA9CRiwE">Watch the trailer</a>: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhaWA9CRiwE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhaWA9CRiwE</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>).

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: Dan Protess of WTTW's "Firsthand: Democracy"

 Ruth Scifo and Julie Billimack 

 Rep. Suzanne Ness

Carolyn Campbell

 Gloria Van Hof and Amin Karim

Dee Darling and Pat Shea

Bridget Belcastro

John Bartman

Austin May and Chris Stevens

Kristina Zahorik

On today's show Joan broadcasts live from Duke's Ale House & Kitchen, 110 North Main St. in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Her guests are:
- Ruth Scifo, chair of the Democratic Party of McHenry County
- Julie Billimack of Democratic Women of McHenry County
- Illinois State Rep. Suzanne Ness, candidate for re-election in the 66th District
- Carolyn Campbell, incumbent member and current candidate for McHenry County Board, District 3
- Gloria Van Hof, incumbent member and current candidate for McHenry County Board, District 3
- Amin Karim, candidate for McHenry County treasurer 
- Dee Darling, candidate for McHenry County Board, District 1
- Pat Shea, candidate for McHenry County Board, District 7
- Bridget Belcastro, candidate for Regional Office of Education, McHenry County
- John Bartman, Illinois farmer and activist 
- Austin May, candidate for McHenry County, Board District 5
- Chris Stevens, candidate for McHenry County, Board District 
- Kristina Zahorik, Democratic National Committee Midwest Caucus vice chair

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 Joan broadcasts live from <a href="https://www.thedukeabides.com/">Duke's Ale House &amp; Kitchen</a>, 110 North Main St. in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Her guests are: - Ruth Scifo, chair of the Democratic Party of McHenry County - Julie Billimack of Democratic Women of McHenry County - Illinois State Rep. Suzanne Ness, candidate for re-election in the 66th District - Carolyn Campbell, incumbent member and current candidate for McHenry County Board, District 3 - Gloria Van Hof, incumbent member and current candidate for McHenry County Board, District 3 - Amin Karim, candidate for McHenry County treasurer - Dee Darling, candidate for McHenry County Board, District 1 - Pat Shea, candidate for McHenry County Board, District 7 - Bridget Belcastro, candidate for Regional Office of Education, McHenry County - John Bartman, Illinois farmer and activist&nbsp; - Austin May, candidate for McHenry County, Board District 5 - Chris Stevens, candidate for McHenry County, Board District&nbsp; - Kristina Zahorik, Democratic National Committee Midwest Caucus vice chair
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 | September 15, 2026 (Live from McHenry County)

Joan Esposito is joined by Bobby Kogan, senior director of Federal Budget Policy at the Center for American Progress. They talked about federal budget practices, budget transfers favoring defense, and the effects of reduced domestic spending.

Here is a brief summary of the conversation:
- Kogan said that Donald Trump's promised $5,000 checks are unlikely to become reality and would increase the deficit if enacted.
- A Department of Defense transfer from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was recently approved under the Economy Act, which allows agencies to perform the same activity for greater efficiency. "If we think there are efficiencies to be had where a different agency could do the same," Kogan told WCPT, "it has to be the same. Like, that's the key point. It has to be the same activity, the same purpose, same everything. . . . I think we all have to ask ourselves: Do we really think the DOD is better situated for tracking infectious diseases and doing new research than NIH?"
- The transfer abuse also overrides congressional priorities.
- Defense has gained funding while discretionary domestic programs, including NIH, food safety, environmental protection, and agency operations have faced cuts.
- Health care costs are increasingly shifted from the federal government to states, seniors, and low-income people; the discussion highlighted risks to Medicaid, Affordable Care Act subsidies, Medicare drug coverage, and Medicare Advantage.

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://www.americanprogress.org/people/bobby-kogan/">Bobby Kogan</a>, senior director of Federal Budget Policy at the Center for American Progress. They talked about federal budget practices, budget transfers favoring defense, and the effects of reduced domestic spending.
Here is a brief summary of the conversation: - Kogan said that Donald Trump's promised&nbsp;$5,000 checks are unlikely to become reality and would increase the deficit if enacted. - A Department of Defense transfer from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was recently approved under the Economy Act, which allows agencies to perform the same activity for greater efficiency. "If we think there are efficiencies to be had where a different agency could do the same," Kogan told WCPT, "it has to be the same. Like, that's the key point. It has to be the same activity, the same purpose, same everything. . . . I think we all have to ask ourselves: Do we really think the DOD is better situated for tracking infectious diseases and doing new research than NIH?" - The transfer abuse also overrides congressional priorities. - Defense has gained funding while discretionary domestic programs, including NIH, food safety, environmental protection, and agency operations have faced cuts. - Health care costs are increasingly shifted from the federal government to states, seniors, and low-income people; the discussion highlighted risks to Medicaid, Affordable Care Act subsidies, Medicare drug coverage, and Medicare Advantage.
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: Bobby Kogan of Center for American Progress

Joan Esposito is joined by Ned Resnikoff, urban policy analyst who writes the newsletter “Public Comment.” Last month he wrote the piece "It Is Past Time for You to Quit Elon Musk's X."

Resnikoff is also author of the forthcoming book, “Build or Die: How America Is Suffocating Its Cities and What to Do About It,” which will be published by Princeton University Press on December 8 and is currently available for preorder from bookshop.org.  

In the interview, Esposito and Resnikoff talked about housing policy, the effects of social media, and the challenges of AI-generated content.

Here is a brief summary of the conversation:
- Resnikoff argued that cities need both housing rehabilitation and substantial new construction, especially where population growth outpaces housing supply.
- Broadly reducing rents requires allowing more housing development at greater densities; subsidies can provide below-market housing but are not sufficient alone.
- He said X is particularly harmful because its algorithm amplifies far-right propaganda and can distort perceptions of public sentiment.
- He acknowledged limited professional or advocacy reasons to remain on X, but concluded that the long-term harms generally outweigh those benefits.
- Social media may redirect attention from sustained reading and contextual thinking toward short, emotionally charged content. "It's about attention fracking, right?" Resnikoff said. "It's about channeling whatever sort of intellectual energy we might have to write or think about things or read about current events into this kind of hot house where information comes in much shorter, decontextualized bursts. And I think it is corrosive."
- Resnikoff warned that low-cost AI-generated text and images could reduce trust in online information, requiring users to verify claims across independent sources.

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&nbsp;Ned Resnikoff, urban policy analyst who writes the newsletter &ldquo;<a href="https://publiccomment.blog/">Public Comment</a>.&rdquo; Last month he wrote the piece "<a href="https://publiccomment.blog/p/it-is-past-time-for-you-to-quit-elon-musk-s-x">It Is Past Time for You to Quit Elon Musk's X</a>."
Resnikoff is also author of the forthcoming book, &ldquo;<a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9781642834260/build-or-die?srsltid=AfmBOorWFynng9uMZQyl8rZdVAdB5T3l-TXN2uBVVSkX4ui8Zk5dEMvM">Build or Die: How America Is Suffocating Its Cities and What to Do About It</a>,&rdquo; which will be published by Princeton University Press on December 8 and is currently&nbsp;<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/build-or-die-how-america-is-suffocating-its-cities-and-what-to-do-about-it-ned-resnikoff/8ae5ebca259e570a?ean=9781642834260&amp;bkshp-astro=t" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/build-or-die-how-america-is-suffocating-its-cities-and-what-to-do-about-it-ned-resnikoff/8ae5ebca259e570a?ean%3D9781642834260%26bkshp-astro%3Dt&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1789569674186000&amp;usg=AOvVaw24xoGe4eFImX58soxLm1tl">available for preorder</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="http://bookshop.org/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bookshop.org&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1789569674186000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1qmsH78gEKbxd0yxD8YpD-">bookshop.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the interview, Esposito and Resnikoff talked about housing policy, the effects of social media, and the challenges of AI-generated content.
Here is a brief summary of the conversation: - Resnikoff argued that cities need both housing rehabilitation and substantial new construction, especially where population growth outpaces housing supply. - Broadly reducing rents requires allowing more housing development at greater densities; subsidies can provide below-market housing but are not sufficient alone. - He said X is particularly harmful because its algorithm amplifies far-right propaganda and can distort perceptions of public sentiment. - He acknowledged limited professional or advocacy reasons to remain on X, but concluded that the long-term harms generally outweigh those benefits. - Social media may redirect attention from sustained reading and contextual thinking toward short, emotionally charged content. "It's about attention fracking, right?" Resnikoff said. "It's about channeling whatever sort of intellectual energy we might have to write or think about things or read about current events into this kind of hot house where information comes in much shorter, decontextualized bursts. And I think it is corrosive." - Resnikoff warned that low-cost AI-generated text and images could reduce trust in online information, requiring users to verify claims across independent sources.
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: Dan Protess of WTTW's "Firsthand: Democracy"

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