On today's show – Nicholas Grossman, <a href="https://pol.illinois.edu/directory/profile/ng81">professor</a> of International Relations at the University of Illinois, editor of <a href="https://www.arcdigital.media/">Arc Digital</a>, and the author of “Drones and Terrorism” – Jen Bendery, senior politics reporter for <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/author/jennifer-bendery">HuffPost</a> – <a href="https://substack.com/@jilllawrence">Jill Lawrence</a>, opinion writer for The Bulwark and other publications, including the “<a href="https://jilllawrence.substack.com/">History Keeps Happening</a>” Substack newsletter – Dr. John P. Holdren, <a href="https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty/john-holdren">professor</a> of Environmental Policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, former science adviser to President Obama, and Senate-confirmed director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during both Obama terms Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin).   See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

On today's show – Nicholas Grossman, professor of International Relations at the University of Illinois, editor of Arc Digital, and the author of “Drones and Terrorism” – Jen Bendery, senior politics reporter for HuffPost – Jill Lawrence, opinion writer for The Bulwark and other publications, including the “History Keeps Happening” Substack newsletter – Dr. John P. Holdren, professor of Environmental Policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, former science adviser to President Obama, and Senate-confirmed director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during both Obama terms Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show – Nicholas Grossman,&nbsp;<a href="https://pol.illinois.edu/directory/profile/ng81" rel="noopener noreferrer">professor</a>&nbsp;of International Relations at the University of Illinois, editor of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arcdigital.media/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Arc Digital</a>, and the author of “Drones and Terrorism” – Jen Bendery, senior politics reporter for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/author/jennifer-bendery" rel="noopener noreferrer">HuffPost</a> –&nbsp;<a href="https://substack.com/@jilllawrence" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jill Lawrence</a>, opinion writer for The Bulwark and other publications, including the “<a href="https://jilllawrence.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">History Keeps Happening</a>” Substack newsletter – Dr. John P. Holdren,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty/john-holdren" rel="noopener noreferrer">professor</a>&nbsp;of Environmental Policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, former science adviser to President Obama, and Senate-confirmed director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during both Obama terms Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin). &nbsp; See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener" rel="noopener noreferrer">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

It's the Democracy, Stupid | Feb. 21, 2026

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago,&nbsp;"The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath" is now "It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath."
Each week Edwin and his guests get specific about politics, government, campaigns, and the kind of country all this work is meant to build.
Join us live every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central&nbsp;to be part of the conversation.
About Edwin Edwin Eisendrath served two terms in Chicago&rsquo;s City Council before being appointed Midwest Region Director of HUD by President Bill Clinton. He was subsequently appointed Federal Receiver in charge of the takeover and turnaround of the Chicago Housing Authority.
Off the campaign trail, Edwin has worked in higher education and as a consultant to universities here and around the world. After the 2016 election cycle he knew he had to focus back home. He brought business and labor leaders together to rescue the Chicago Sun-Times and its subsidiary, the Chicago Reader. He ran the company as its CEO until both publications were saved.&nbsp;
Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton&rsquo;s campaign slogan, "It&rsquo;s the economy, stupid," captured the biggest concern of the era. Today American democracy itself is under attack. So Edwin launched an effort called, "It&rsquo;s the democracy, stupid."
In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on <a href="https://edwineisendrath.substack.com/p/i-love-american-democracy-but-love" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Substack</a>, hosts a weekly show on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lincolnsquare.media/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Lincoln Square</a>, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work.
He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist <a href="https://jenniferschulze.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Jennifer Schulze</a>.

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From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath" is now "It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath." Each week Edwin and his guests get specific about politics, government, campaigns, and the kind of country all this work is meant to build. Join us live every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central to be part of the conversation. About Edwin Edwin Eisendrath served two terms in Chicago’s City Council before being appointed Midwest Region Director of HUD by President Bill Clinton. He was subsequently appointed Federal Receiver in charge of the takeover and turnaround of the Chicago Housing Authority. Off the campaign trail, Edwin has worked in higher education and as a consultant to universities here and around the world. After the 2016 election cycle he knew he had to focus back home. He brought business and labor leaders together to rescue the Chicago Sun-Times and its subsidiary, the Chicago Reader. He ran the company as its CEO until both publications were saved.  Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton’s campaign slogan, "It’s the economy, stupid," captured the biggest concern of the era. Today American democracy itself is under attack. So Edwin launched an effort called, "It’s the democracy, stupid." In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on Substack, hosts a weekly show on Lincoln Square, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work. He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist Jennifer Schulze.

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/" rel="noopener noreferrer">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago,&nbsp;"The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath" is now "It's the Democracy, Stupid with Edwin Eisendrath."
Each week Edwin and his guests get specific about politics, government, campaigns, and the kind of country all this work is meant to build.
Join us live every Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central&nbsp;to be part of the conversation.
About Edwin Edwin Eisendrath served two terms in Chicago’s City Council before being appointed Midwest Region Director of HUD by President Bill Clinton. He was subsequently appointed Federal Receiver in charge of the takeover and turnaround of the Chicago Housing Authority.
Off the campaign trail, Edwin has worked in higher education and as a consultant to universities here and around the world. After the 2016 election cycle he knew he had to focus back home. He brought business and labor leaders together to rescue the Chicago Sun-Times and its subsidiary, the Chicago Reader. He ran the company as its CEO until both publications were saved.&nbsp;
Back in the 1990s Bill Clinton’s campaign slogan, "It’s the economy, stupid," captured the biggest concern of the era. Today American democracy itself is under attack. So Edwin launched an effort called, "It’s the democracy, stupid."
In addition to his radio show here on WCPT, Edwin has built a community around his political ideas on <a href="https://edwineisendrath.substack.com/p/i-love-american-democracy-but-love" rel="noopener noreferrer">Substack</a>, hosts a weekly show on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lincolnsquare.media/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lincoln Square</a>, and is a frequent guest on political shows. He remains deeply involved in democracy work.
He is a proud Chicagoan, married to the journalist <a href="https://jenniferschulze.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jennifer Schulze</a>.

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It's the Democracy, Stupid | Feb. 21, 2026

It's the Democracy, Stupid | Feb. 21, 2026

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