It's the Democracy, Stupid (formerly "The Big Picture") Full Episodes cover art

It's the Democracy, Stupid (formerly "The Big Picture") Full Episodes

It's the Democracy, Stupid (formerly "The Big Picture") Full Episodes

Written by: WCPT 820
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About this listen

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.

 Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • It's the Democracy, Stupid | Feb. 14, 2026

    It's the Democracy, Stupid | Feb. 14, 2026
    Feb 15 2026

    On today's show
    – David Roberts of the Volts newsletter and podcast, which focus on the technology, politics, and policy of decarbonization
    – Mike Nellis, Democratic strategist and host of “Endless Urgency with Mike Nellis
    – Michael Tomasky, editor of The New Republic; his latest articles are “The Sickening Image That Will Haunt Pam Bondi the Rest of Her Life” and “What the Democrats Need to Do Now”
    – Jill Wine-Banks, legal analyst, former general counsel of the U.S. Army, author of “The Watergate Girl,” co-host of #SistersInLaw and host of Just The Facts with Jill Wine-Banks

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 41 mins
  • It's the Democracy Stupid | Feb. 7, 2026

    It's the Democracy Stupid | Feb. 7, 2026
    Feb 9 2026

    On today's show:
    – Joan Esposito, host of "Live, Local & Progressive," weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT
    – J. Patrick Coolican, editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer
    – Holly McCall, editor of Tennessee Lookout, a news outlet covering Tennessee politics and government
    – Bill Scher is the 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.
    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 39 mins
  • It's the Democracy, Stupid Jan. 31 2026

    It's the Democracy, Stupid Jan. 31 2026
    Jan 31 2026

    On this week's show:
    – 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”
    – 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
    – Steve Held, co-publisher of Unraveled Press
    – 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.
    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 47 mins
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