Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews)

Joan Esposito is joined by Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A).  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).   Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Nancy Gertner, retired federal Judge and current senior lecturer at Harvard Law School.  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).   Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL). 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).   Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Aaron Kleinman, head of research at Heartland Signal and author of the "Radio Free America" newsletter. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Chris Taylor, judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and candidate for Wisconsin Supreme. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Chicago Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward). 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Garrett Epps, legal affairs editor at the Washington Monthly; his new article is “Birthright Citizenship: Supreme Court Could Create an Exploitable Noncitizen Class.” 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Anne Kim, senior editor at Washington Monthly and the author of the book “Poverty for Profit: How Corporations Get Rich Off America’s Poor.” Her new article for Washington Monthly is "Women Are Getting Slammed in Trump’s Economy." 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Jennifer Schulze is joined by Tom Skilling, WGN-TV chief meteorologist emeritus. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Jennifer Schulze is joined by Craig Aaron, president and co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action.  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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Carlos Roa, editor-in-chief of IQ Latino and contributor to Te Lo Cuento News, with the latest from Venezuela. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL).  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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, one of the organizers of the March 28 No Kings protests happening across the country. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Reed Bible, retired special agent and supervisory special agent for the Chicago and San Diego Districts of ICE, retired attorney, and current co-host of “The Lightning Strike,” Sundays from 8 to 10 a.m. Central 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the May 5 Ohio primary election, Joan Esposito is joined by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal editor-in-chief and opinion columnist. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Rich Logis, founder of Leaving MAGA. He has a new memoir out, "One Betrayal Too Many: Why I Left MAGA." 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by retired Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner, former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A).  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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Joe Walsh, former Republican congressman from Illinois turned Democratic activist, and host of The Social Contract with Joe Walsh. Also find Joe on Substack. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Terry Savage, syndicated personal finance columnist and author. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Patrick Hanley, Democratic candidate for Illinois state Senate, District 9. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Doris Davenport is joined by Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and 2026 candidate for re-election. She won the Illinois Democratic primary race on Tuesday, defeating challenger Brendan Reilly.  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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filling for Joan Esposito, Doris Davenport is joined by former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. 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).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Doris Davenport is joined by Elise Gould, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute. 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).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly. His latest articles are "Crypto, AI, and AIPAC Are Corrupting Democratic Primaries" and "The Problem with Making ‘Affordability’ The Problem." 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the day after the Illinois Democratic primary election, Joan Esposito is joined by Peter Giangreco, Democratic strategist, partner at The Strategy Group. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speaking from Margaret Croke Election Night headquarters, WCPT's Patti Vasquez and Joan Esposito are joined by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.  Listen to WCPT's full Election Night coverage: https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/wcpts-primary-election-night-special-coverage-march-17-2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At Robin Kelly Election Night headquarters, WCPT's Whitney Randall is joined by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), candidate for U.S. Senate, who had just conceded defeat in the primary election. Joan Esposito and Patti Vasquez are WCPT's studio anchors.  Listen to WCPT's full Election Night coverage: https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/wcpts-primary-election-night-special-coverage-march-17-2026.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At Juliana Stratton Election Night headquarters, WCPT's Ellen Miller is joined by Dovile Cather, Juliana Stratton campaign manager, shortly after Stratton was declared the winner of the U.S. Senate primary in Illinois. Joan Esposito and Patti Vasquez are WCPT's studio anchors.  Listen to WCPT's full Election Night coverage: https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/wcpts-primary-election-night-special-coverage-march-17-2026.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Professor Loren D. Lybarger, Ph.D., Ohio University religious studies specialist focusing on Islam and comparative religions. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito and USA Today columnist Rex Huppke are joined by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), candidate for U.S. Senate in Illinois. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Chad Peace, founder and president of IVC Media LLC (a nonpartisan digital consulting firm) and a partner at the law firm of Peace & Shea LLP. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Illinois State Sen. Robert Peters, 2026 candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Illinois. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Bill Scher, politics editor of The Washington Monthly. His latest article is “Cocky Iran Hawks Forget the History of Blowback.” 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Aaron Kleinman, head of research at Heartland Signal. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Mina Bloom, investigative reporter for Block Club Chicago. Her latest article is "Why Is The Cook County State’s Attorney Prosecuting Nonviolent ICE Protesters?" 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).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL). Budzinski represents the 13th District of Illinois and is running for re-election. She faces a March 17 primary challenge from Democrat Dylan Blaha.  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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Donna Miller, candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Illinois. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Marj Halperin, Democratic analyst heard on The Mincing Rascals podcast and organizer with Indivisible Chicago and One Community Near South. She talks about next week's Illinois primary, her recent op-ed on ranked choice voting, campaign finance, and her work with Yes You Canvass, Indivisible Chicago's Canvassing School. 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).   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, independent candidate for Congress in the 4th District of Illinois. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Fritz Kaegi, Cook County assessor and Democratic candidate for re-election. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Mike Nellis, Democratic strategist and host of “Endless Urgency with Mike Nellis. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Robert Pape, professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs. Foreign Affairs just published his article, "Why Escalation Favors Iran: America and Israel May Have Bitten Off More Than They Can Chew." He also recently launched "The Escalation Trap" on Substack. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Jen Golbeck, professor, computer scientist, psychologist, “expert in the far-right, online extremism, AI, and bad things on the internet,” and author of the MAGAReport on Substack. Her latest MAGAReport article is "The MAGA Evolution on Iran." 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Morgan Chilson, senior reporter for the Kansas Reflector. 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).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Andrew Miller, senior fellow, National Security and International Policy, at the Center for American Progress, and former senior official at the Department of State and the National Security Council. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Christopher Armitage, author, veteran, former law enforcement officer, activist, policy adviser, and publisher of The Existentialist Republic on Substack. His latest articles include "The Regime Just Entered Its Most Dangerous Phase: Welcome to the Autocratic Flood Zone."  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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Kendall Scudder, chair of the Texas Democratic Party. He talks about the March 3 Texas Democratic Party primary. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joan Esposito is joined by Brian Endless, senior lecturer and director of African Studies and the African Diaspora at Loyola University Chicago. 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).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.