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

News & Politics Podcasts

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...

Location:

United States

Genres:

News & Politics Podcasts

Description:

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.

Twitter:

@wcpt820

Language:

English

Contact:

7737920400

Website:

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

Episodes

WCPT 820 Interview: Christopher Hale

4/26/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Christopher Hale, author-publisher of “Letters from Leo — the American Pope & US Politics” on Substack. Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin). Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duración:00:46:03

WCPT 820 Interview: Elizabeth Saunders

4/23/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Elizabeth Saunders, professor of political science at Columbia University, director of the Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies, nonresident senior fellow at The Brookings Institution, and author of the 2024 book “The Insiders’ Game: How Elites Make War and Peace.” Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin). Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duración:00:28:43

WCPT 820 Interview: Amanda Litman of Run For Something

4/20/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run for Something, and author of the books “When We’re In Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership” and “Run for Something: A Real-Talk Guide to Fixing the System Yourself.” Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin). Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duración:00:24:07

WCPT 820 Interview: James Santelle

4/6/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by James Santelle, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (2010 to 2015), 30-year veteran of the Department of Justice, now engaged in private (nongovernment) civil litigation in a variety of civil rights, housing, education, prisoner, and children’s matters. Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin). Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com/ WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal/ Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duración:00:44:03

WCPT 820 Interview: Brian Finucane

4/6/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Brian Finucane, senior adviser with the U.S. Program at the International Crisis Group and a former attorney-adviser at the U.S. Department of State. Catch “It’s the Democracy, Stupid” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/edwin). Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal/ Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duración:00:26:35

WCPT 820 Interview: Adam Hanieh

3/30/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Adam Hanieh, director of the SOAS Middle East Institute, professor in the Development Studies Department at SOAS, University of London, and author of “Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power, and the Making of the World Market.” 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.

Duración:00:21:13

WCPT 820 Interview: U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL)

3/22/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL). (The conversation was recorded March 20 and aired March 21.) 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.

Duración:00:28:42

WCPT 820 Interview: Bobby Kogan

3/17/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Bobby Kogan, senior director of Federal Budget Policy at the Center for American Progress. 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.

Duración:00:30:12

WCPT 820 Interview: Tamar Jacoby

3/15/2026

Edwin EIsendrath is joined by Tamar Jacoby, director of the New Ukraine Project at the Progressive Policy Institute and contributor to Washington Monthly. Her latest article is “Ukraine: Requiem for a Citizen Soldier.” (The conversation was recorded March 12.) 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.

Duración:00:45:14

WCPT 820 Interview: Gregg Carlstrom

3/9/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent at The Economist, and author of “How Long Will Israel Survive? The Threat From Within.” 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.

Duración:00:42:13

WCPT 820 Interview: John P. Holdren

2/22/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by 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.

Duración:00:39:32

WCPT Interview: David Roberts of Volts

2/15/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by David Roberts of the Volts newsletter and podcast, which focus on the technology, politics, and policy of decarbonization. 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.

Duración:00:38:35

WCPT 820 Interview: Mike Nellis

2/15/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Mike Nellis, Democratic strategist and host of “Endless Urgency with Mike Nellis. 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.

Duración:00:26:57

WCPT 820 Interview: Holly McCall

2/9/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Holly McCall, editor of Tennessee Lookout, a news outlet covering Tennessee politics and government. 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.

Duración:00:26:07

WCPT 820 Interview: Bill Scher of Washington Monthly

2/9/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Bill Scher, politics editor of the Washington Monthly; his latest article is “Three Takeaways from the Taylor Rehmet Texas Shocker.” 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.

Duración:00:29:40

WCPT 820 Interview: Betsy Hodges, former mayor of Minneapolis

2/2/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Betsy Hodges, former mayor of Minneapolis (2014-2018) and member of the Minneapolis City Council (2006-2014). 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.

Duración:00:27:19

WCPT 820 Interview: Jim Santelle

2/2/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by James Santelle, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (2010 to 2015), and a 30-year veteran of the Department of Justice. 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.

Duración:00:30:18

WCPT 820 Interview: George Packer

2/2/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by George Packer, staff writer at The Atlantic and author. His latest piece for The Atlantic is “What Should Americans Do Now?” and his latest book is “The Emergency: A Novel.” 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.

Duración:00:44:43

WCPT 820 Interview: Elizaveta Gaufman

1/24/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by Elizaveta Gaufman, assistant professor of Russian Discourse and Politics at the University of Groningen (in The Netherlands), and author of the 2023 book “Everyday Foreign Policy: Performing and Consuming the Russian Nation.” 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.

Duración:00:30:59

WCPT 820 Interview: David Nir of The Downballot

1/24/2026

Edwin Eisendrath is joined by David Nir, publisher of The Downballot. 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.

Duración:00:25:44