Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez (Full Episodes)
From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.), a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders. Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC’s “Chicago Fire.” When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company “With Kind Words,” in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion. For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District. She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.
Episodes
On today's show:
– Merril Miller, market manager of the Jefferson Park Sunday Market
– Tim Tarrant, vice president of Commuter and Passenger Services for the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
– Honorable Michael M. Weaver and Honorable Mary C. Marubio, Cook County circuit judges and members of the Association of Illinois Judges, an organization of LGBTQ+ Cook County judges which has been named a Grand M...
On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Peter Sarelas of Source Solar and their guest is
– Reid McCollum, chair of the Democratic Party of DuPage County
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).
Follow us:
Website: https://heartlandsignal.com
WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820
On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests are
– Car Guy Tom Appel, host of the Consumer Guide Car Stuff podcast
– Amanda Zurawski, reproductive rights activist who was the lead plaintiff in the landmark Zurawski v. State of Texas case
Patti also talks to Alanna Vagianos, senior national reporter at HuffPost where she covers gender and politics.
Catch "Driving...
On today's show
– Steve Goodie, comedian and singer-songwriter
– Mark Domitrovich, founder and CEO of Pioneer Tavern Group
– Andi Otto, executive director of Twin Cities Pride; Twin Cities Pride Festival takes place June 27-28
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).
On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-hosts Natalie Ziemba, member of the Woodstock City Council, and Austin May, candidate for McHenry County Board District 5
Also today:
– Andy Hale, civil rights trial attorney who represents the family of Chester Weger, who was convicted of killing three women at Starved Rock in 1960; Weger died June 22, 2025
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays fro...
On today's show
– Paul Chivari, co-host of “The Sports Cubicle” on WCPT (Sundays at 9:00 p.m. Central)
– Film reviewer Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree Reviews
– Nicholas Freudenberg, public health practitioner, veteran community organizer, and author of the forthcoming book “Fighting for New York: Activism for Health and Social Justice Since the 1960s“
Catch "Drivi...
On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Chris Jones and their guests are
– Rodney Gibbs, Heartland Signal executive director
– Rick Smith, host of “The Rick Smith Show,” weekdays from 5:00 to 6:00 a.m. Central on WCPT
– Todd Belcore, co-founder and executive director of Social Change
– Comedian Deanna Ortiz; check out her upcoming shows here
Catc...
On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests are
– Brian Lemek, executive director of Defend The Vote
– Illinois State Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock, Democrat representing the 46th District
– Jacob Morrison, member of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1858, president of the North Alabama Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and host of “The ...
On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Joe Kilgallon and their guests are
– Starr De Los Santos, associate director of coalitions for Women Employed
– Ellie Krug, transgender activist, lawyer, host of “The Illegal Trans Woman” on KTNF AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota, and author of “Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life”
– Hannah Hurckes, ...
On today's show:
– Michigan State Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou
– Dan Shafer, Civic Media political editor and founding editor of The Recombobulation Area in Wisconsin
– Julie Won, New York City Council member and candidate for Congress in New York’s 7th District (the primary is June 23)
– Mike Mercado, co-host of “The Sports Cubicle” on W...
On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Dan Schaefer and their guests are
– Merril Miller, market manager of the Jefferson Park Sunday Market
– Jennifer Van Valkenburg, president and CEO of Garfield Park Conservatory, which just reopened their children’s garden
– Scott Stantis, editorial cartoonist
– Paul Chivari, co-host of “The Sports Cubicle” on WCPT (...
On today's show
– Alana Billingsly, flight attendant and Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) representative
– Patrick Dixon, manager of elder rights at AgeOptions; he talks about Medicare fraud
– GwynCiesla, president of Aurora Pride; the Aurora Pride Parade is Sunday, June 14th
– Laurel Feakes, director of PR and Marketing for Capital City Pri...
On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests are
– Precious Brady-Davis, commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
– Morgan Coghill, former candidate for the Illinois 10th Congressional District (he was defeated in the March primary) and founder of Northern Illinois Progressives, along with activist Augusta Guffroy, community activi...
On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Joe Kilgallon and their guests are
– Bushra Amiwala, Skokie school board member and first Gen Z elected official in the U.S.; she recently ran for Congress in the 9th District of Illinois
– Comedians Soli Santos and Evie Cato; both will take part in ¿Que?: The No Sabo Comedy Experience at the Comedy Plex in Oak Park this Thursday, June 11
Catch "Joan Espos...
On today's show
– Dylan Conmy, executive director of The HumanKIND Initiative and founder of Ottawa Family Pride Festival, happening this Saturday
– Dr. Jason Bussell, director of Chicago Community Acupuncture
– Kristine Binder of Free Mom Hugs
– John B. Boss, actor appearing as Roger DeBris in Bright Side Theatre‘s new production of the Mel Brooks musica...
On today's show:
– Mike Mercado, co-host of “The Sports Cubicle” on WCPT (Sundays at 9:00 p.m. Central), and “The Bear Era Podcast”
– Casey Aden-Wansbury, vice president of Policy and Government Affairs at Instacart
– Jen Wirt, founder and CEO of Coral Care
– Marcus Walsh, president of Preservation Rockford Company
– David Greenberg, distinguis...
On today's show:
– Scott Stantis, editorial cartoonist
– Alison Dyer of the Double Good Kids Foundation, promoting Double Good Days 2026, a free, sensory-friendly event brings together kids of all abilities and their families for a day of play, connection, and pure joy, Sunday, June 7 at Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview, Illinois
– Dan Kotowski, former Illinois state...
On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests are
– Demi Palecek, community activist and candidate for Illinois House in the 13th District
– Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO of Equality Illinois
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Austin May, candidate for McHenry County Board District 5, and their guests are
– Mike Nellis, Democratic strategist and host of “Endless Urgency with Mike Nellis”
– Vicci Rodgers, AFS Intercultural volunteer, with Adele Bertrand from France and her host mom, Beth McDowell; regular hosts Mary Furman (mother) Claire June Lesiowski (daughter); an...
On today's show
Dan Shafer, Civic Media political editor and founding editor of The Recombobulation Area in Wisconsin
– Chaney Mosley,congressional candidate in Tennessee’s 6th District
– Jenny Korotko, The Approachable Healer
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).
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