Joan is joined by Shai Feldman, the Raymond Frankel Chair in Israeli Politics and Society at the Crown Center for Middle East Studies and Professor of Politics at Brandeis University.

Feldman discussed a potential U.S. military strike against Iran, noting that Iran is in a state of relative weakness, economically strained, and may be inclined to negotiate. 

In Israel, he said, protests are ongoing due to government efforts to essentially threaten "all the most important gatekeepers of Israeli democracy," up to the Supreme Court. 

If the government decides "to ignore the Supreme Court decisions," Feldman said, "then Israel will find itself in the most extreme constitutional crisis in its history, because this would be a head-to-head battle between the Supreme Court on one side and the politicians on the other side."

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).

And find the Joan Esposito (Full Episodes) podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and Amazon.

Joan is joined by <a href="https://scholarworks.brandeis.edu/esploro/profile/shai_feldman/overview?emplid=f9d5fd1fd30465ef15c2d8b6ac84c56dfc8142c1&amp;_gl=1*fd2rtt*_gcl_au*MTEwNDA5MjM1My4xNzQyODI3NTcz*_ga*NzE4Nzg1NzY1LjE3NDI4Mjc1NzM.*_ga_MFGTX36NQY*MTc0MjgyNzU3Mi4xLjEuMTc0MjgyNzY0Mi42MC4wLjA.">Shai Feldman</a>, the Raymond Frankel Chair in Israeli Politics and Society at the Crown Center for Middle East Studies and Professor of Politics at Brandeis University.
Feldman discussed a potential U.S. military strike against Iran, noting that Iran is in a state of relative weakness, economically strained, and may be inclined to negotiate.&nbsp;
In Israel, he said, protests are ongoing due to government efforts to essentially threaten "all the most important gatekeepers of Israeli democracy," up to the Supreme Court.&nbsp;
If the government decides "to ignore the Supreme Court decisions," Feldman said, "then Israel will find itself in the most extreme constitutional crisis in its history, because this would be a head-to-head battle between the Supreme Court on one side and the politicians on the other side."
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>).
And find the Joan Esposito (Full Episodes) podcast on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2yqdk3eg4GZzkuV3dxkrce">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/driving-it-home-full-episodes/id1772728749">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Joan-Esposito-(Full-Episodes)-p4553843/">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-joan-esposito-full-episod-224680480/">iHeartRadio</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLquOHBYhhrLPSPl6zwW-_zH6q0Tng18S3">YouTube</a>, and <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3511174e-20b7-400f-badb-40862505c17a/joan-esposito-full-episodes">Amazon</a>.

Here are featured interviews from "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT Chicago), a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago 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). 

Here are featured interviews from "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT Chicago</a>), a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago 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).

Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews)

Here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT Chicago), a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago 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). 

Here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT Chicago</a>), a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago 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).

Joan Esposito (Full Episodes)

"Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT Chicago) is a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago 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). 

"Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT Chicago</a>) is a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago 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).

Joan Esposito Live, Local & Progressive

WCPT 820 Interview: Shai Feldman

Dr. Anna Pelak

Rex Huppke

Joel Ostrow

On today's show:
Joan Esposito returns and her guests are:
– Dr. Anna Pelak, DDS, of Total Dentistry in Streamwood and Palatine
– Rex Huppke, USA Today columnist
– Joel Ostrow, professor of political science at Benedictine University

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: Joan Esposito returns and her guests are: &ndash; Dr. Anna Pelak, DDS, of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.totaldentistry.org/">Total Dentistry</a>&nbsp;in Streamwood and Palatine &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/6878775001/rex-huppke/">Rex Huppke</a>, USA Today columnist &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://ben.edu/faculty/joel-ostrow/">Joel Ostrow</a>, professor of political science at Benedictine University
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>).

Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive July 9, 2025

Katrina Shankland

Noah Millman

Terry Cosgrove and  Bryan Howard

Liz Minella

Sen. Tammy Duckworth

Holly Kim

Patti Vasquez

On today's show 40th Ward Committeeperson Maggie O’Keefe fills in for Joan and her guests are:
– Katrina Shankland, executive director of Rust Belt Rising, former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and 2024 Democratic candidate for Congress
– Noah Millman, screenwriter, filmmaker, political columnist and critic
– Project 50 senior adviser Terry Cosgrove and Project 50 executive director Bryan Howard
– Liz Minnella, fundraiser and activist
– Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) [Listen to the interview]
– Holly Kim, Lake County treasurer
– Patti Vasquez, host of “Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez” on WCPT

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 40th Ward Committeeperson Maggie O&rsquo;Keefe fills in for Joan and her guests are: &ndash; Katrina Shankland, executive director of&nbsp;<a href="https://rustbeltrising.com/people/">Rust Belt Rising</a>, former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and 2024 Democratic candidate for Congress &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.noahgmillman.com/about">Noah Millman</a>, screenwriter, filmmaker, political columnist and critic &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://project50pac.org/">Project 50</a>&nbsp;senior adviser Terry Cosgrove and Project 50 executive director Bryan Howard &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lizminnella.com/">Liz Minnella</a>, fundraiser and activist &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/">Sen. Tammy Duckworth</a>&nbsp;(D-IL) [<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/wcpt-820-interview-sen-tammy-duckworth-d-il">Listen to the interview</a>] &ndash; Holly Kim,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lakecountyil.gov/directory.aspx?EID=29">Lake County treasurer</a> &ndash; Patti Vasquez, host of &ldquo;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home/">Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez</a>&rdquo; on WCPT
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>).

Joan Esposito Live Local & Progressive with guest host Maggie O'Keefe  July 8, 2025

Filling in for Joan Esposito, WCPT's Maggie O'Keefe talks to Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) about the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Duckworth called it a "big, beautiful betrayal," arguing that the legislation will "explode" the national debt by up to $4 trillion and negatively impact Illinois. 

"The cuts to Medicaid is going to mean that over 500,000 Illinoisans are going to lose health coverage," Duckworth told WCPT. "The cut to SNAP programs is going to mean about 472,000 Illinoisans are going to lose grocery assistance. And when I've spoken to the Grocery Association, when I've spoken to the Illinois Hospital Association, they both said that you are going to see hospitals shut down, especially those safety net hospitals that are often the last hospital standing in a tri-county area."

Duckworth also criticized the GOP's recently unveiled annual defense spending bill, pointing out that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act included $820 billion in defense spending, "and they want to up that to a trillion dollars. Listen, I am a pro-military kind of gal. I served 23 years in the Army, and I'm all for giving our troops the best equipment in the world. But bottom line: This increase in spending doesn't actually help the troops. They're not proposing spending money on, say, building better barracks or supporting our troops." Instead, Duckworth explained, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is "blowing through money" on costly deportation flights and deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles, "when there's already the Los Angeles Police Department there who could do the job."  

Duckworth emphasized the need for Democrats to regain majorities in Congress and win gubernatorial and attorney general races in the 2026 midterm election. "But it's also important to support our state legislators as well, because they're the ones on the ground who are going to have to clean up the mess that Donald Trump is making," she said. 

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).

And find the Joan Esposito (Full Episodes) podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and Amazon.

Filling in for Joan Esposito, WCPT's Maggie O'Keefe talks to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/">Sen. Tammy Duckworth</a> (D-IL) about the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Duckworth called it a "big, beautiful betrayal," arguing that the legislation will "explode" the national debt by up to $4 trillion and negatively impact Illinois.&nbsp;
"The cuts to Medicaid is going to mean that over 500,000 Illinoisans are going to lose health coverage," Duckworth told WCPT. "The cut to SNAP programs is going to mean about 472,000 Illinoisans are going to lose grocery assistance. And when I've spoken to the Grocery Association, when I've spoken to the Illinois Hospital Association, they both said that you are going to see hospitals shut down, especially those safety net hospitals that are often the last hospital standing in a tri-county area."
Duckworth also criticized the GOP's recently unveiled annual defense spending bill, pointing out that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act included $820 billion in defense spending, "and they want to up that to a trillion dollars. Listen, I am a pro-military kind of gal. I served 23 years in the Army, and I'm all for giving our troops the best equipment in the world. But bottom line: This increase in spending doesn't actually help the troops. They're not proposing spending money on, say, building better barracks or supporting our troops." Instead, Duckworth explained, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is "blowing through money" on costly deportation flights and deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles, "when there's already the Los Angeles Police Department there who could do the job."&nbsp;&nbsp;
Duckworth emphasized the need for Democrats to regain majorities in Congress and win gubernatorial and attorney general races in the 2026 midterm election. "But it's also important to support our state legislators as well, because they're the ones on the ground who are going to have to clean up the mess that Donald Trump is making," she said.&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>).
And find the Joan Esposito (Full Episodes) podcast on&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2yqdk3eg4GZzkuV3dxkrce">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/driving-it-home-full-episodes/id1772728749">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Joan-Esposito-(Full-Episodes)-p4553843/">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-joan-esposito-full-episod-224680480/">iHeartRadio</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLquOHBYhhrLPSPl6zwW-_zH6q0Tng18S3">YouTube</a>, and <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3511174e-20b7-400f-badb-40862505c17a/joan-esposito-full-episodes">Amazon</a>.

WCPT 820 Interview: Shai Feldman

Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews)

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