Joan is joined by Rich Logis, founder and executive director of Leaving MAGA. He discussed his journey from a hardcore MAGA supporter to a Trump critic, revealing that his departure took a year due to strong community ties and the "liberating but painful realization" that his political beliefs were based on lies. He cited the Uvalde school shooting as a pivotal moment.

"After that day, Joan, I quietly left MAGA," Logis told WCPT. "I only told a few people. I privately left. And when I did that, something was gnawing at me that that wasn't enough. I was always very unapologetically public in my support for Trump; I felt that I needed to reciprocate and I needed to be unapologetically public in my renunciation of MAGA. And it was on August 30, 2022 when I published a mea culpa and in that mea culpa I said that I was wrong, that I hurt others, and that I was sorry that I supported Trump."

Logis also talked about his five-step guide for re-engaging MAGA supporters, stressing the importance of respectful conversations and understanding motivations -- "first empathy, then education," in the words of his ebook.  

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 is joined by Rich Logis, founder and executive director of&nbsp;<a href="https://leavingmaga.org/our-founder/">Leaving MAGA</a>. He discussed his journey from a hardcore MAGA supporter to a Trump critic, revealing that his departure took a year due to strong community ties and the "liberating but painful realization" that his political beliefs were based on lies. He cited the Uvalde school shooting as a pivotal moment.
"After that day, Joan, I quietly left MAGA," Logis told WCPT. "I only told a few people. I privately left. And when I did that, something was gnawing at me that that wasn't enough. I was always very unapologetically public in my support for Trump; I felt that I needed to reciprocate and I needed to be unapologetically public in my renunciation of MAGA. And it was on August 30, 2022 when I published a mea culpa and in that mea culpa I said that I was wrong, that I hurt others, and that I was sorry that I supported Trump."
Logis also talked about his five-step guide for re-engaging MAGA supporters, stressing the importance of respectful conversations and understanding motivations -- "first empathy, then education," in the words of his <a href="https://leavingmaga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/E-book-Leaving-MAGA.pdf">ebook</a>.&nbsp;&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 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;