Filling in for Joan Esposito, Patti Vasquez is joined by Mark Eaton, Capitol Fools’ head writer, ahead of Capitol Fools’ three Skokie performances this weekend at the North Shore Center; Patti will be there for the Saturday night performance, doing a meet-and-greet in the lobby and introducing the show.

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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Filling in for Joan Esposito, Patti Vasquez is joined by Mark Eaton,&nbsp;<a href="https://capitolfools.com/">Capitol Fools</a>&rsquo; head writer, ahead of Capitol Fools&rsquo; three Skokie performances this weekend at the North Shore Center; Patti will be there for the <a href="https://www.northshorecenter.org/events/2026/capitol-fools">Saturday night performance</a>, doing a meet-and-greet in the lobby and introducing the show.
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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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: Mark Eaton of Capitol Fools

On today's show:

Richard Chew fills in for Joan and his guests are
– Enrico Mowatt, director of Brand Partnerships at Mirror Digital
– Majid Padellan, AKA Brooklyn Dad Defiant
– Rachel Bitecofer, national political analyst, editor of The Cycle-On Substack, author of “Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at their Own Game”
– Lisa Stark, former ABC News reporter, and Ian Cameron, former ABC News executive producer; they are leading a petition-signing effort urging the White House Correspondents’ Association to pledge at its upcoming WHCA Dinner to fight back against any officeholder who wages systematic war against the journalists whose work the dinner commemorates”

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:
Richard Chew fills in for Joan and his guests are &ndash; Enrico Mowatt, director of Brand Partnerships at Mirror Digital &ndash; Majid Padellan, AKA <a href="https://brooklyndaddefiant.com/">Brooklyn Dad Defiant </a>&ndash; Rachel Bitecofer, national political analyst, editor of <a href="https://thecycle.substack.com/">The Cycle-On Substack,</a> author of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/726798/hit-em-where-it-hurts-by-rachel-bitecofer-with-aaron-murphy/">Hit &lsquo;Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at their Own Game</a>&rdquo; &ndash; Lisa Stark, former ABC News reporter, and Ian Cameron, former ABC News executive producer; they are leading a petition-signing effort urging the White House Correspondents&rsquo; Association to pledge at its upcoming WHCA Dinner to fight back against any officeholder who wages systematic war against the journalists whose work the dinner commemorates&rdquo;
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, guest host Ricard Chew April 24 2026

On today's show Patti Vasquez fills in for Joan and her guests are
– Jordan Shiner (in studio), former teacher at Niles North High School in Skokie, Illinois; in early March he joined Patti while sheltering from bombing attacks in Tel Aviv, Israel
– Ellie Krug, transgender activist, author, lawyer, and host of “The Illegal Trans Woman” on KTNF AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota; her new book is “Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life”
– Walter Podrazik, adjunct lecturer in communication at the University of Illinois Chicago, and co-author of "Watching TV: American Television Season by Season," and TV curator at Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Communications
– Joel Ostrow, professor of political science at Benedictine University
– Jess Piper, the “Dirt Road Democrat”
– Mark Eaton, Capitol Fools’ head writer, ahead of Capitol Fools’ three Skokie performances this weekend at the North Shore Center; Patti will be there for the Saturday night performance, doing a meet-and-greet in the lobby and introducing the show
– Lorenzo Santos, Democratic candidate for Congress in Wisconsin’s 1st District

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&nbsp;Patti Vasquez fills in for Joan and her guests are &ndash; Jordan Shiner (in studio), former teacher at Niles North High School in Skokie, Illinois; in early March he joined Patti while sheltering from bombing attacks in Tel Aviv, Israel &ndash; Ellie Krug, transgender activist, author, lawyer, and host of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.am950radio.com/events/the-illegal-trans-woman/">The Illegal Trans Woman</a>&rdquo; on <a href="https://www.am950radio.com/">KTNF</a> AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota; her new book is &ldquo;<a href="https://beingellen.com/">Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life</a>&rdquo; &ndash; Walter&nbsp;Podrazik, <a href="https://comm.uic.edu/profiles/wally-podrazik/">adjunct lecturer in communication at the University of Illinois Chicago</a>, and co-author of "<a href="https://press.syr.edu/supressbooks/6663/watching-tv-3/">Watching TV: American Television Season by Season</a>," and TV curator at Chicago&rsquo;s Museum of Broadcast Communications &ndash; <a href="https://ben.edu/faculty/joel-ostrow/">Joel Ostrow</a>, professor of political science at Benedictine University &ndash; Jess Piper, the &ldquo;<a href="https://jesspiper.substack.com/s/the-dirt-road-democrat">Dirt Road Democrat</a>&rdquo; &ndash; Mark Eaton, <a href="https://capitolfools.com/">Capitol Fools</a>&rsquo; head writer, ahead of Capitol Fools&rsquo; three Skokie performances this weekend at the North Shore Center; Patti will be there for the <a href="https://www.northshorecenter.org/events/2026/capitol-fools">Saturday night performance</a>, doing a meet-and-greet in the lobby and introducing the show &ndash; <a href="https://www.lorenzoforcongress.com/">Lorenzo Santos</a>, Democratic candidate for Congress in Wisconsin&rsquo;s 1st District
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 with guest host Patti Vasquez | April 23, 2026

Kia Hamadanchy

Charles Franklin

Aaron Kleinman

Conner Kozisek

Mayor Brandon Johnson

On today's show Ed Yohnka fills in for Joan and his guests are
– Kia Hamadanchy, senior policy counsel with ACLU National Political Advocacy Division
– Charles Franklin, professor of Law and Public Policy at Marquette University Law School, and director of the Marquette Law School Poll
– Aaron Kleinman, head of research at Heartland Signal and author of the “Radio Free America” newsletter
– Conner Kozisek, program counsel with the Midwest Voting Rights Program at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
– Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson

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 Ed Yohnka fills in for Joan and his guests are &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclu.org/bios/kia-hamadanchy">Kia Hamadanchy</a>, senior policy counsel with ACLU National Political Advocacy Division &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://law.marquette.edu/faculty-and-staff-directory/charles-franklin">Charles Franklin</a>, professor of Law and Public Policy at Marquette University Law School, and director of the Marquette Law School Poll &ndash; Aaron Kleinman, head of research at&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/">Heartland Signal</a>&nbsp;and author of the &ldquo;<a href="https://radio-free-america.beehiiv.com/">Radio Free America</a>&rdquo; newsletter &ndash;&nbsp;Conner&nbsp;Kozisek, program counsel with the Midwest Voting Rights Program at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.clccrul.org/staff">Chicago Lawyers&rsquo; Committee for Civil Rights</a> &ndash; Chicago&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor.html">Mayor Brandon Johnson</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).

WCPT 820 Interview: Mark Eaton of Capitol Fools

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