It's the Democracy, Stupid (formerly "The Big Picture") Featured Interviews

News & Politics Podcasts

"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 on WCPT Chicago 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.

Location:

United States

Genres:

News & Politics Podcasts

Description:

"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 on WCPT Chicago 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.

Twitter:

@wcpt820

Language:

English

Contact:

7737920400

Website:

https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture/

Episodes

WCPT 820 Interview: Prof. Peter Shane

12/29/2025

Filling in for Edwin Eisendrath, Joel Ostrow is joined by Peter Shane, the Jacob E. Davis and Jacob E. Davis II Chair in Law Emeritus at the Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, and distinguished scholar in residence at NYU School of Law; his latest piece for Washington Monthly is “How the Roberts Court Indulges Trump’s Constitutional Workarounds.” 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.

Duration:00:27:08

WCPT 820 Interview: Geoffrey R. Stone

12/29/2025

Filling in for Edwin Eisendrath, Joel Ostrow is joined by Geoffrey R. Stone, the Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago. 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.

Duration:00:25:43

WCPT 820 Interview: Scott Sakiyama

12/29/2025

Filling in for Edwin Eisendrath, Joel Ostrow is joined by Scott Sakiyama, Oak Park attorney who was detained temporarily by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Oct. 20 near his child’s elementary school after trying to warn the community about ICE presence in the area. 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.

Duration:00:22:35

WCPT 820 Interview: Rima Ziuraitas

12/29/2025

Filling in for Edwin Eisendrath, Joel Ostrow is joined by Rima Ziuraitas, certified TACMED instructor and medic in Ukraine. 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.

Duration:00:51:49

WCPT 820 Interview: Norman Eisen

12/22/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Norman Eisen, executive chair and co-founder of Democracy Defenders Fund. 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.

Duration:00:27:06

WCPT 820 Interview: Adam Klasfeld

12/22/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Adam Klasfeld, founder and editor-in-chief of All Rise News. 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.

Duration:00:28:18

WCPT 820 Interview: Bill Scher

12/14/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Bill Scher, politics editor of The Washington Monthly, host of the history podcast “When America Worked,” and the co-host of the bipartisan online show and podcast “The DMZ." 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.

Duration:00:28:59

WCPT 820 Interview: Margaret Donovan

12/14/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Margaret Donovan, attorney at Koskoff Koskoff and Bieder, visiting clinical lecturer in law at Yale Law School, former assistant United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, Army veteran and former captain in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. 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.

Duration:00:26:45

WCPT 820 Interview: Nissa Rhee of Borderless Magazine

11/17/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Nissa Rhee, co-founder and executive director of Borderless Magazine, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet covering immigration and immigrant. 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.

Duration:00:27:39

WCPT 820 Interview: Dr. Micheal Mann

11/17/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Michael Mann, climatologist, geophysicist, and author of “Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World.” 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.

Duration:00:31:14

WCPT 820 Interview: Tara McGowan of COURIER

11/17/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Tara McGowan, founder and publisher of COURIER Newsroom. 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.

Duration:00:45:30

WCPT 820 Interview: Skye Perryman

11/3/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward. 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.

Duration:00:28:42

WCPT 820 Interview: Jaime Harrison

11/3/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Jaime Harrison, former chair of the Democratic Party. 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.

Duration:00:45:57

WCPT 820 Interview: Christopher Armitage

10/28/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Chris Armitage, author of The Existentialist Republic newsletter on Substack. Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:44:46

WCPT 820 Interview: Devin Remiker

10/27/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Devin Remiker, new chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:21

WCPT 820 Interview: Debra Houry

10/25/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Debra Houry, former Chief Medical Officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who resigned in protest last August. Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:24:29

WCPT 820 Interview: Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party

10/18/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party. Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:36:07

WCPT 820 Interview: Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)

10/18/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:30:09

WCPT 820 Interview: Curtis Hertel

10/15/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Curtis Hertel, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. Due to a technical issue, Edwin conducted the interview over the telephone. Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:21:08

WCPT 820 Interview: Amy Maxmen

10/15/2025

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Amy Maxmen, national public health reporter at KFF Health News. Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:31:06