Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews)

Joan Esposito is joined by Paul Glastris, editor-in-chief of The Washington Monthly and founder of the magazine’s alternative college rankings; the new rankings were published Sunday.

Glastris noted that the rankings have been published since 2005. Unlike traditional rankings, Washington Monthly focuses on socially conscious criteria, such as affordability, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes. The top-ranked school this year is Berea College in Kentucky, known for its low tuition and rigorous education. Glastris also highlighted the "Best Colleges for Rural America" rankings, which identify institutions that provide upward mobility and meet local job needs. The conversation emphasized the importance of accessible, affordable education and its impact on regional economies and civic life.

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 Jordan Zaslow, founder/executive director at Her Bold Move.

Zaslow discusses the challenges women face when running for office in red districts and abortion-ban states. Her organization supports women in these areas, highlighting the lack of female representation in male-dominated legislatures. Zaslow emphasizes the need for more women in politics to influence pro-women policies. Her Bold Move's research over 20 years shows that states with more women in legislatures pass more supportive policies. Zaslow also discusses the importance of women getting involved in politics now, as women's rights are under threat. The organization's new Substack will feature feminist perspectives on current events.

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Joan Esposito is joined by David Atkins, Washington Monthly contributing writer. He recently wrote the articles “I’m a DNC Committee Member. The Party Isn’t Broken” and "The Case for the DNC’s Ken Martin. Really."

In the interview Atkins defended Ken Martin's leadership as chair of the Democratic National Committee. He explained that the DNC's primary role is to elect the president and support state parties. He highlighted Martin's commitment to a 50-state strategy, emphasizing early investments in local organizing over late-stage TV ads. Atkins noted that despite the DNC's current cash shortfall, it has raised record amounts, focusing on ground organizing. He criticized the reliance on consultants and lamented the dominance of conservative media, advocating for long-term investments in information environments and local communities. Atkins argued that Martin's approach aligns with progressive values and is crucial for future Democratic success.

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Joan Esposito is joined by Brian Endless, senior lecturer and director of African Studies and the African Diaspora at Loyola University Chicago, and founder of The Come Together Project.

Endless discussed the extraordinary story of Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager from the movie "Hotel Rwanda." Rusesabagina saved over 1,200 lives during the 1994 Rwandan genocide by providing shelter at his hotel. Despite this, he faced persecution from the Rwandan government and was kidnapped and imprisoned for over two years. Endless, who helped secure Rusesabagina's release, detailed the challenges and international efforts involved, highlighting the role of the Clooney Foundation for Justice and the U.S. and Belgian governments in pressuring the Rwandan regime. Rusesabagina's bravery and resilience were emphasized throughout the discussion.

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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 piece is "Articles of Impeachment for Justice Clarence Thomas."

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Joan Esposito is joined by Professor Steven D. Schwinn of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. He discusses the legal challenges regarding Donald Trump's executive order aimed at regulating mail-in voting and potential methods for Supreme Court reform.

Trump's Mail-In Voting Executive Order
- Professor Schwinn explains that an executive order issued by President Trump in March 2026 attempted to regulate mail-in voting nationwide.
- The order directed the Department of Homeland Security to compile and share voter lists with states, which Schwinn notes is unusual as states typically manage these lists.
- The order also instructed the USPS to create specific envelope designs for ballots and required states to register all qualified voters with the Postal Service.
- Under this scheme, the USPS would be prohibited from delivering any mail-in ballots that did not follow the new design or match the submitted voter list.

Legal Challenges and Supreme Court Rulings
- A federal court initially ruled the executive order unconstitutional because it exceeded presidential authority, but the government appealed to the Supreme Court.
- The Supreme Court ruled that states like Illinois lacked standing because they could not prove immediate harm before the regulations were fully implemented.
- Schwinn argues that because this was a "ripeness" issue, the administration successfully delayed legal challenges until it was nearly too late for states to react.
- Following the Supreme Court's recent ruling, states have refiled a new challenge based on actual USPS regulations, which may provide better grounds for standing.

Constitutional Authority and Election Law
- Schwinn clarifies that according to the Electors Clause, states hold primary responsibility for regulating elections and maintaining voter lists.
- Congress has the authority to "regulate the times, places, and manner of federal elections"; such power does not extend unilaterally to the president.
- Current laws like the National Voter Registration Act place registration duties on states rather than the federal government.

The Complexity of Legal Timing Strategies
- The administration used a strategy where they waited until just before implementation to move forward, making it difficult for states to sue early.
- States face a "narrow window" for litigation due to both standing requirements on one side and the so-called Purcell principle on the other.
- The Purcell principle prevents federal courts from changing election rules too close to an election date to avoid voter confusion.
- Schwinn suggests that many believe this complex legal maneuvering was intentionally designed to create widespread voter confusion.

Judicial Integrity and Reform Proposals
- Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote a dissent criticizing how the administration appeared to be playing both sides of judicial proceedings.
- The discussion addresses Chief Justice John Roberts' role with Schwinn pointing out that Roberts is "very, very conservative," despite being viewed as more moderate than Justices Alito or Thomas. "I mean, this is somebody who has a public record going all the way back to the '80s that demonstrates exactly what he's wanted to do and what his agenda is, and we really shouldn't be surprised by anything that he does," Schwinn told WCPT.  
- Regarding Supreme Court reform, Schwinn mentions that Congress holds significant power through funding and setting appellate jurisdiction.
- As a potential solution for reform, Schwinn says, "I'd write a law that reforms the court and then specifically divests the Supreme Court of appellate jurisdiction over ruling on that law, which Congress can do, and that would mean that the law would go into effect, and that Congress could divest not only the Supreme Court but the lower courts of jurisdiction to hear challenges to the law."

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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). He discusses the degradation of American military readiness and concerns regarding political interference in national security.

Criticism of Pete Hegseth
- Gen. Manner argues that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is a clear and present danger to United States national security. 
- Manner says Hegseth "is literally draining the treasury of the of the Defense Department for this war [in Iran] that has not been approved by Congress," Manner told WCPT, adding: "He has done more to degrade our military than any other foreign power."
- The discussion highlights concerns that Hegseth is replacing experienced leaders with those politically aligned with the president.
- He emphasizes that the military should align with the Constitution rather than political leaders.

Military Leadership and Readiness
- Joan and Gen. Manner discuss the loss of senior military leadership and the potential lack of experience remaining in the Army.
- Manner asserts that the military currently lacks "A players" and is instead relying on "C players" in many senior positions.
- There is a suggestion that retired officers could be recalled to active duty to rebuild leadership if a political correction occurs.

National Security and Innovation
- The conversation addresses the cancellation of specialized drone warfare programs under the current administration.
- Manner criticizes the decision to move away from agile, low-cost drone technology in favor of expensive, traditional defense contractor missiles; modern warfare, as seen in Ukraine, requires high levels of innovation and agility.
- He warns that the administration's refusal to adapt to evolving warfare methods is a significant risk.

Corruption and Political Influence
- Manner notes that President Trump has personally increased his wealth by billions of dollars while in office.
- There is a discussion regarding the potential for absolute power to corrupt and dismantle democratic concepts.

Threats to Election Integrity
- The dialogue explores potential tactics to disrupt elections, such as using the Insurrection Act or deploying National Guard in specific areas.
- Manner suggests that the president could use federal agencies like the FBI to seize ballot boxes or interfere with voting machines.
- The conversation concludes with a call for citizens to remain vigilant and actively involved in the political process.

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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Filling in for Joan Esposito, Turi Ryder is joined by Illinois Congressman Bill Foster, Democrat representing the 11th District. Foster discusses the intersection of scientific research, artificial intelligence, and national security.

Here is a summary of the conversation:

Political Shifts in DuPage County
- Congressman Foster discusses the changing political landscape in DuPage County and the suburbs.
- He credits Melissa Bean as a pioneer for Democrats winning in the collar counties.
- The conversation highlights how the Democratic Party has shifted from being purely working-class to attracting college-educated voters.

The Risks of AI Integration
- Foster discusses concerns raised by small-business owners regarding AI-driven search results.
- There is a concern that AI assistants could be manipulated by financial incentives to steer users toward specific products or services.
- The discussion touches on the concept of "enshittification," where sponsored content becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish from organic results.

Importance of Scientific Research
- Foster emphasizes the necessity of protecting federally funded scientific research against political opposition.
- He notes that seemingly trivial biological studies can lead to life-saving medical breakthroughs, such as those related to GLP-1 drugs.

Science and Innovation Event
- An upcoming event titled "America 250: Celebrating Science and Innovation" will take place on August 29th at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora, Illinois.
- The event aims to celebrate "how we have come to dominate world science, and frankly, the dangers of of walking away from that," said Foster. 
- Foster additionally mentions an upcoming telephone town hall on August 31st.

AI Infrastructure and Energy Concerns
- The conversation addresses the massive energy and water requirements needed to power new AI data centers.
- Foster warns that these centers may rely on natural gas, which could drive up heating costs for local residents.
- There is a discussion regarding the potential for using renewable energy, like solar arrays in unoccupied territories, to power these facilities sustainably.

Dual-Use Technology and Security
- Foster discusses the danger of consumer-grade Nvidia chips being used in Russian drones for autonomous targeting.
- He references the "slaughterbots" concept to illustrate the risks of AI-enabled warfare and autonomous assassination tools.
- The Chip Security Act is identified as a legislative effort to require manufacturers to include mechanisms that prevent chips from being abused by bad actors.

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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Filling in for Joan Esposito, John St. Augustine is joined by Donald Remy, former deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs (2021-2023) and former CEO and chief legal officer of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (2011-2021); his new book is "Collegiate Capitalism: The Battle for the Future of College Sports."

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Joan Esposito is joined by Gregory Royal Pratt and Laura Rodríguez Presa, investigative reporters for the Chicago Tribune; they are two of the Tribune reporters recently awarded, as Staff of the Chicago Tribune, the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting, and will speak at the 41st annual Printers Row Lit Fest the weekend of September 12-13.

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