Panelists are:
Paul Wende of Ironworkers Local 63
Rob Fulton of Riggers Local 136
Tom Villanova of Southland Friends of Labor
Andy Rico of IBEW Local 176
Cliff Horowitz of Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates

The broadcast took place in front of an audience at Max & Benny’s restaurant, deli and bakery, 461 Waukegan Road in Northbrook, Illinois.

Panelists are:
<ul>
<li>Paul Wende&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://iwlocal63.com/">Ironworkers Local 63</a></li>
<li>Rob Fulton&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://riggerslocal136.com/">Riggers Local 136</a></li>
<li>Tom Villanova&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southlandfriendsoflabor.com/">Southland Friends of Labor</a></li>
<li>Andy Rico&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ibewlocal176.org/">IBEW Local 176</a></li>
<li>Cliff Horowitz&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.horwitzlaw.com/">Horwitz, Horwitz &amp; Associates</a></li>
</ul>
The broadcast took place in front of an audience at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.maxandbennys.com/">Max &amp; Benny&rsquo;s</a> restaurant, deli and bakery, 461 Waukegan Road in Northbrook, Illinois.

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's Fall Labor Panel with co-hosts Thom Hartmann and Richard Chew, October 15, 2025

Joan Esposito is joined by Jeffrey A. Winters, professor of political science at Northwestern University, and author of "The Blind Spot: How Oligarchs Dominate Our Democracy" (2026).

 

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 Jeffrey A. Winters,&nbsp;<a href="https://polisci.northwestern.edu/people/core-faculty/jeffrey-winters.html">professor of political science at Northwestern University</a>, and author of "<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Blind-Spot/Jeffrey-Winters/9781668221532">The Blind Spot: How Oligarchs Dominate Our Democracy</a>" (2026).
&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>).
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WCPT 820 Interview: Author-Professor Jeffrey Winters

Joan Esposito is joined by Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly; his latest article is "Will It Be a Blue Wave?"

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://washingtonmonthly.com/author/bill-scher/">Bill Scher</a>, politics editor at <a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/">Washington Monthly</a>; his latest article is "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/09/09/will-it-be-a-blue-wave/">Will It Be a Blue Wave?</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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WCPT 820 Interview: Bill Scher of Washington Monthly

Joan Esposito is joined by Stephanie Zimmermann, award-winningconsumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

 

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Joan Esposito is joined by <a href="https://www.stephaniezimmermann.com/">Stephanie Zimmermann</a>, award-winning consumer investigations reporter for the <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/stephanie-zimmermann">Chicago Sun-Times</a>.
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home">heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home</a>).
&nbsp;
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WCPT's Fall Labor Panel with co-hosts Thom Hartmann and Richard Chew, October 15, 2025

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