Joan Esposito is joined by Professor Loren D. Lybarger, Ph.D., Ohio University religious studies specialist focusing on Islam and comparative religions.

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://www.ohio.edu/experts/expert/loren-d-lybarger">Professor Loren D. Lybarger</a>, Ph.D., Ohio University religious studies specialist focusing on Islam and comparative religions.
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: Dr. Loren Lybarger

On Primary Election Night in Illinois, WCPT hosts Joan Esposito, Patti Vasquez, and Richard Chew were on the air between 7:00 and 10:30 p.m. Central Tuesday with special guests, live updates from our reporters, candidate call-ins, and the important speeches as they happened.

Guests included: 
- U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL)
- Jacob Kaplan, executive director of the Cook County Democratic Party 
- Max Bever, director of Public Information for the Chicago Board of Election
- Lisa Hernandez, chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois and member of the Illinois House of Representatives
- Jill Wine-Banks, legal analyst and pundit 
- Peter Giangreco, Democratic strategist, partner at The Strategy Group
 - Aaron Kleinman, head of research at Heartland Signal
- U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, candidate for U.S. Senate in Illinois
- Chicago Alders Matt Martin and Timmy Knudsen 
- Illinois State Reps Kam Buckner and Rick Ryan 
- Precious Brady Davis, commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul
- Dovile Cather, Juliana Stratton campaign manager

Our on-location reporters were:
- Ken Mejia-Beal (frequent fill-in host and guest co-host on “Driving It Home” and “Out Chicago”) from Daniel Biss HQ
- Matt Byrne (WCPT producer) from Melissa Bean HQ 
- Paul Chivari (WCPT producer) from Raja Krishnamoorthi HQ 
- Steve Lessman (WCPT sales manager) from Margaret Croke HQ
- Ellen Miller (co-host of “Out Chicago,” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on WCPT) from Juliana Stratton HQ 
- Dylan Olthoff (WCPT producer) from Sen. Robert Peters HQ 
- Whitney Randall (WCPT intern) from Robin Kelly HQ

On Primary Election Night in Illinois, WCPT hosts&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive/">Joan Esposito</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home/">Patti Vasquez</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views/">Richard Chew</a> were on the air between 7:00 and 10:30 p.m. Central Tuesday with special guests, live updates from our reporters, candidate call-ins, and the important speeches as they happened.
Guests included: - U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) - Jacob Kaplan, executive director of the Cook County Democratic Party&nbsp; - Max Bever, director of Public Information for the Chicago Board of Election - Lisa Hernandez, chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois and member of the Illinois House of Representatives - Jill Wine-Banks, legal analyst and pundit&nbsp; - Peter Giangreco, Democratic strategist, partner at The Strategy Group &nbsp;- Aaron Kleinman, head of research at Heartland Signal - U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, candidate for U.S. Senate in Illinois - Chicago Alders Matt Martin and Timmy Knudsen&nbsp; - Illinois State Reps Kam Buckner and Rick Ryan&nbsp; - Precious Brady Davis, commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul - Dovile Cather, Juliana Stratton campaign manager
Our on-location reporters were: - Ken Mejia-Beal (frequent fill-in host and guest co-host on &ldquo;Driving It Home&rdquo; and &ldquo;Out Chicago&rdquo;) from&nbsp;Daniel Biss HQ - Matt Byrne (WCPT producer) from Melissa Bean HQ&nbsp; - Paul Chivari (WCPT producer) from&nbsp;Raja Krishnamoorthi HQ - Steve Lessman (WCPT sales manager) from&nbsp;Margaret Croke HQ - Ellen Miller (co-host of &ldquo;Out Chicago,&rdquo; Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on WCPT) from Juliana Stratton HQ&nbsp; - Dylan Olthoff&nbsp;(WCPT producer)&nbsp;from Sen. Robert Peters HQ - Whitney Randall (WCPT intern) from Robin Kelly HQ

WCPT's Primary Election Night Special Coverage | March 17, 2026

Dr. Loren Lybarger

Rep. Kam Buckner

Spencer Critchley

On today's show:
– Professor Loren D. Lybarger, Ph.D., Ohio University religious studies specialist focusing on Islam and comparative religions
– Illinois State Rep. Kam Buckner (D)
– Spencer Critchley, author of Patriots of Two Nations and host of the Dastardly Cleverness in the Service of Good podcast

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;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ohio.edu/experts/expert/loren-d-lybarger">Professor&nbsp;</a>Loren D. Lybarger, Ph.D., Ohio University religious studies specialist focusing on Islam and comparative religions &ndash; Illinois State&nbsp;<a href="https://www.illinois26.com/">Rep. Kam Buckner</a>&nbsp;(D) &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://spencercritchley.com/">Spencer Critchley</a>, author of Patriots of Two Nations and host of the<a href="https://dastardlycleverness.com/">&nbsp;Dastardly Cleverness in the Service of Good</a>&nbsp;podcast
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: Live, Local & Progressive | March 17, 2026

Joan Esposito and USA Today columnist Rex Huppke are joined by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), candidate for U.S. Senate 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).

Joan Esposito and USA Today columnist Rex Huppke are joined by U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://robinkelly.house.gov/">Rep. Robin Kelly</a>&nbsp;(D-IL),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.robinforsenate.com/">candidate</a> for U.S. Senate 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>).

WCPT 820 Interview: Dr. Loren Lybarger

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