Podcasts
Welcome to the WCPT Podcasts page, which brings together the station’s eleven regularly updated podcasts. We offer full episodes and featured interview feeds of our five main shows, and the WCPT Weekend podcast, which is where you can find all of your favorite programs from our eclectic Saturday and Sunday lineups.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
Richard Chew is joined by David Pakman, host of “The David Pakman Show” and author of the new book “Pay Attention: How the Algorithms and Media Wars Are Suppressing Truth and Rewiring Your Brain.” (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by Thomas Hicks, former chair of the federal Election Assistance Commission; he was fired on July 9 when President Donald Trump dismissed all three serving commissioners. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Winnie Brinks, majority leader of the Michigan state Senate and Democratic candidate for Michigan lieutenant governor. She discussed her campaign, her legislative record, and priorities for a Benson-Brinks administration. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by Ira Glass, creator and host of “This American Life.” Glass will appear at the Chicago Humanities Festival Monday, October 5, for an evening called “Half-Baked Stories About My Dead Mom: Ira Glass and Etgar Keret Don’t Mince Words.” (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Patti Vasquez is joined by Jessica Huang, playwright of “The Birth of the Pill,” having its world premiere at TimeLine Theatre through October 4th.
Richard Chew is joined by Melissa Toufanian, former State Department deputy assistant secretary who served on the communications team for the original Iran nuclear deal under President Obama, and is now managing director at Navigator Research. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by Illinois Congressman Jonathan Jackson, Democrat representing the 1st District of Illinois. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Patti Vasquez is joined by Mark Boyko, Democratic representative serving the 90th House District of Missouri and 2026 candidate for re-election. Boyko explained the legal and political dispute over Missouri’s mid-cycle congressional redistricting and amendments on the November ballot. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Ron Insana, CEO of Insana Entertainment Group and best known for his work as a financial journalist and market analyst with CNBC. The interview examined how financial markets can diverge from the broader economy and how debt, inflation, and policy choices affect households. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for the September edition of “This Month with the Mayor.” Johnson discussed public safety, youth employment, economic development, his possible decision to seek another term as mayor, and more. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Kendall Scudder, chair of the Texas Democratic Party. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Edwin Eisendrath: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Scott Duff and Ellen Miller are joined by Jay Kuo, two-time Tony-winning co-producer and composer; CEO and founder of The Social Edge (a social media and digital publishing company based in New York City); author of The Status Kuo Substack newsletter; and member of the board of directors for the Human Rights Campaign. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Out Chicago: Featured Interviews” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Barbara McQuade, legal analyst, law professor, former United States attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, co-host of the “#Sisters in Law” podcast, and author of “Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America” (2024) and “The Fix:
Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government” (2026). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Filling in for Patti Vasquez, Elliott Serrano and Ken Mejia-Beal chat with Stormy Daniels. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, Democrat representing the 13th District of Illinois. She discusses labor rights, federal funding accountability, postal service reliability, and legislative priorities. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
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.
Richard Chew is joined by Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Democrat representing the 1st District of Illinois. She discusses maternal health care legislation, the current political landscape, and more. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Filling in for Edwin Eisendrath, Jill Wine-Banks is joined by Kwame Raoul, attorney general of Illinois. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Edwin Eisendrath: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Patti Vasquez talks to Daniel Squadron, president and co-founder of Future Now and author of “The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union” (2026). They discuss the critical importance of state-level governance in addressing systemic issues like health care, labor rights, and economic inequality. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by Adam Mockler, Gen-Z liberal political commentator who hosts “The Adam Mockler Show” on You Tube. He discusses the rise of independent media, network shifts at CNN and CBS, and current trends within the Democratic Party. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by David Jolly, 2026 Democratic candidate for Florida governor, ahead of the Florida primary election. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined in studio by U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, 2027 candidate for Chicago mayor. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito talks to U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-IL), who will retire at the end of the current term (in January). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Anna M. Gomez, commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Also available:
Joan Esposito is joined by Anna M. Gomez, commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by retired Army Lieutenant General Russel Honoré, who served as the 33rd commanding general of the U.S. First Army and designated commander of Joint Task Force Katrina. He is the founder of the GreenARMY, a coalition of civic, community, and environmental groups fighting industrial pollution and climate impacts in Louisiana. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by Brian Tyler Cohen, author of the new book “The Day After: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World.” (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Eddie S. Glaude Jr., the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor in the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University and author of several bestselling books, including “America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation’s Anniversaries” (2026). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined in studio by Christian Mitchell, former Illinois state representative (2013-2019), deputy governor in J.B. Pritzker’s administration (2019- 2023), and 2026 candidate for lieutenant governor of Illinois (as Pritzker’s running mate). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Ahead of the four-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Joan Esposito is joined by Hadley Duvall, reproductive freedom and abortion rights activist. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
On the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Amanda Zurawski, reproductive rights activist who was the lead plaintiff in the landmark Zurawski v. State of Texas case. She is also a Free & Just storyteller. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
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Joan Esposito is joined by Amanda Zurawski, reproductive rights activist who was the lead plaintiff in the landmark Zurawski v. State of Texas case.