Joan gets post-election analysis from Marisa Kabas, independent reporter and author of The Handbasket. 

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 gets post-election analysis from Marisa Kabas, independent reporter and author of <a href="https://www.thehandbasket.co/">The Handbasket</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 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: Marisa Kabas

Joan Esposito is joined by Paul Lisnek, multi-Emmy Award-winning TV host who served as political and legal analyst at WGN for 18 years; he is also the author of 15 books and host of "Curtain Call Chicago" and "Paul On Politics."

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://paullisnek.com/">Paul Lisnek</a>, multi-Emmy Award-winning TV host who served as political and legal analyst at WGN for 18 years; he is also the author of 15 books and host of "<a href="https://paullisnek.com/curtain-call-chicago">Curtain Call Chicago</a>" and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PaulOnPolitics">Paul On Politics</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>).
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Paul Lisnek: WCPT 820 Interview

Jen Thompson

Keri Leigh Merritt

Paul Lisnek

On today's show
– Jen Thompson, former political campaign manager, former counsel in the U.S. House and Senate, and author of "Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten" (out today)
– Keri Leigh Merritt, Ph.D., historian and writer; she is the author of "Masterless Men: Poor Whites and Slavery in the Antebellum South" (2017) and "An Inconvenient Woman: The Extraordinary Life of Lillian Smith, the Southerner Who Defied Jim Crow America" (out September 29)
– Paul Lisnek, multi-Emmy Award-winning TV host who served as political and legal analyst at WGN for 18 years; he is also the author of 15 books and host of "Curtain Call Chicago" and "Paul On Politics"

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 &ndash; Jen Thompson, former political campaign manager, former counsel in the U.S. House and Senate, and author of "<a href="https://shewritespress.com/product/wild-pivot/">Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten</a>" (out today) &ndash; Keri&nbsp;Leigh&nbsp;Merritt, Ph.D., historian and writer; she is the author of "Masterless Men: Poor Whites and Slavery in the Antebellum South" (2017) and "<a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250337931/aninconvenientwoman/">An Inconvenient Woman: The Extraordinary Life of Lillian Smith, the Southerner Who Defied Jim Crow America</a>" (out September 29) &ndash; <a href="https://paullisnek.com/">Paul Lisnek</a>, multi-Emmy Award-winning TV host who served as political and legal analyst at WGN for 18 years; he is also the author of 15 books and host of "<a href="https://paullisnek.com/curtain-call-chicago">Curtain Call Chicago</a>" and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PaulOnPolitics">Paul On Politics</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>).
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 22, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, whose memoir, "Maria the Pappas," was published earlier this month. Pappas discussed the memoir, her path from a coal-mining town in West Virginia to public service, and her views on Chicago politics.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Pappas described her upbringing in a Greek family restaurant and her early experiences with music, education, psychology, law, and politics.
- Her memoir, "Maria the Pappas," explains the origin of her surname and her personal and political journey.
- Pappas said she has not decided whether to run for Chicago mayor and will not announce a decision until December.
- She argued that low voter turnout, rising household costs, public safety concerns, and divisions within the Democratic Party are weakening political engagement.

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.cookcountytreasurer.com/">Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas</a>, whose memoir, "<a href="https://eckhartzpress.com/shop/maria-the-pappas/">Maria the Pappas</a>," was published earlier this month. Pappas discussed the memoir, her path from a coal-mining town in West Virginia to public service, and her views on Chicago politics.
Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Pappas described her upbringing in a Greek family restaurant and her early experiences with music, education, psychology, law, and politics. - Her memoir, "Maria the Pappas," explains the origin of her surname and her personal and political journey. - Pappas said she has not decided whether to run for Chicago mayor and will not announce a decision until December. - She argued that low voter turnout, rising household costs, public safety concerns, and divisions within the Democratic Party are weakening political engagement.
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: Marisa Kabas

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