Countdown to November

A conversation with Chicago political analysts about what’s at stake in this critical election

Hosted by Joan Esposito and Edwin Eisendrath

Everyone says it's all on the line in the next election. What does that mean? Is it only about politics? Is it about our economy, our culture? What does the next election mean for America and for those of us who live here.

Joan Esposito: Joan hosts WCPT’s afternoon political talk show ‘Live, Local and Progressive’. She spent 20 years as an award winning Chicago TV news anchor and reporter.

Edwin Eisendrath: Edwin’s “It’s the democracy, stupid,’ is a weekly talk show on WCPT, a weekly video cast on Lincoln Square Media, and a substack newsletter. In his past, he was both an alderman and the CEO of the Sun Times (not at the same time!).

The guests joining Joan and Edwin for this conversation are:

Mike Nellis: Mike is a Democratic strategist with nearly two decades of experience winning campaigns, raising over $1 billion online, and advising top political leaders across the country. He is the founder of Authentic, an award-winning digital firm specializing in fundraising, advertising, and creative for political campaigns and nonprofits. He also hosts Endless Urgency, a fast-growing Substack show where he breaks down politics, media, and power in real time for a broad national audience.

Meredith Shiner:

Meredith is a communications consultant, contributing editor to The New Republic and a lecturer in public policy at the University of Chicago. She spent nearly a decade in Washington, D.C. covering Congress and national politics, and her writing has appeared in Politico, Rolling Stone, Yahoo News, The Daily Beast, Roll Call, Jezebel, and Deadspin, among other outlets.