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
Joan Esposito is joined by Yusef Jackson, newly appointed president and CEO of Rainbow PUSH Coalition. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible, ahead of the May 1st day of “economic non-cooperation” that Indivisible is co-organizing. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Justin J. Pearson, Tennessee state representative and candidate for Congress in the 9th District of Tennessee. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Patti Vasquez is joined by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), who spoke about the WELLS (Women Expansion for Learning and Labor Safety) Act that she recently introduced in Congress, and her work on Black maternal health. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Patti Vasquez: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-IL). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Jaime Harrison, political strategist, former chair of the Democratic National Committee, and host of the “At Our Table with Jaime Harrison” podcast. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: 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 U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined in studio by U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
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). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Robert Pape, professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs, and author of The Escalation Trap on Substack. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Dr. Debra Houry, senior fellow at Yale School of Public Health, adjunct professor at Emory University, former chief medical officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and principal at DH Leadership and Strategy Solutions, through which she is advising California on their PHNIX initiative. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Lavora Barnes, senior adviser for Democracy Defenders Fund and former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
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 March 17, defeating challenger Brendan Reilly. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Speaking from Margaret Croke Election Night headquarters, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joins WCPT’s Patti Vasquez and Joan Esposito.
Richard Chew is joined by Chris Matthews, former host of “Hardball with Chris Matthews” (now on Substack), and author of “Lessons from Bobby: Ten Reasons Robert F. Kennedy Still Matters.” (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, former columnist, political analyst, and author of the new book “Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: A Personal History of America.” (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by David Hogg, gun control activist and former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Patti Vasquez is joined by U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Patti Vasquez: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Patti Vasquez is joined by Adam Mockler, YouTube content creator and podcaster. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Patti Vasquez: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by Mark Wolf, former U.S. district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. In November 2025 Judge Wolf resigned and wrote an op-ed for The Atlantic entitled “Why I Am Resigning.” (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Richard Chew is joined by Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania state representative and Democratic National Committee vice chair. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Richard Chew: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito talks to U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)
Joan Esposito is joined by Joyce Vance, author of “Giving Up is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy“; distinguished professor of the Practice of Law at the University of Alabama; author of the “Civil Discourse” newsletter on Substack; and former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. (Find this conversation and many others on the “Joan Esposito: Featured Episodes” podcast.)