Summary

In this episode of The Zekely Podcast, host Zeke welcomes back Democratic State Senator James Andrew Malone, who won his special election in 2025 to flip a historically Republican in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They discuss Malone's achievements, challenges, and personal experiences in office, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, labor rights, healthcare, and the need for civic participation. The conversation highlights the significance of voting and representation, urging listeners to get involved and try to flip the PA State Senate Blue in 2026.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Senator James Andrew Malone

01:48 Freak in the Sheets

04:54 Best and Worst Experiences as a State Senator

08:12 Skiing

10:54 Being in the Minority Party

14:18 Bunch of Maloney

17:15 Marriage

20:00 Caregiver

23:35 Agriculture Update

26:14 Sunday Hunting

28:04 Orange Hats

30:33 J6 Remembrance

32:48 First Latino Senator

34:39 Auctioneer

40:41 Unions

42:50 Energy Bills

45:03 Call to Action

Senator James Malone: https://senatormalone.com/

Constituent Services: https://senatormalone.com/services/

James Malone Campaign: https://www.friendsofjamesmalone.org/

Full Video Episode Available On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheZekelyPodcast

Short Clips Can Be Found On TikTok: @drzeketayler/@thezekelypodcast and Instagram: @thezekelypodcast

www.thezekelypodcast.com

Summary

In this episode of The Zekely Podcast, host Zeke welcomes Christopher Thomas, who served as the executive director of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee for the last three years. Now, he is running for State Senator in Pennsylvania to help get the trifecta - Democratic Governor, Democratically controlled State House of Representatives and State Senate. The conversation dives into Chris's motivations for running, including his desire to bring a new generation of leadership to Harrisburg and address pressing issues like the affordability crisis, healthcare access, and education quality.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Christopher Thomas

01:56 Why

02:41 Spines

05:36 Family

07:36 Youngest

08:23 Reproductive Rights

09:36 Near Death

11:42 Environment

13:22 Volunteer Firefighter

15:10 Feel the Burn

17:55 MCDC

20:06 Common Sense

21:24 Construction

22:53 Estimation Game

26:29 School Funding

28:19 Home

29:32 Math Teacher

31:25 Hospitals

33:38 Why Democrat?

34:36 Motivation

36:20 Hope

37:08 Future

37:59 Wrap-Up

Christopher Thomas: https://www.christhomas.vote/

Full Video Episode Available On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheZekelyPodcast

Short Clips Can Be Found On TikTok: @drzeketayler/@thezekelypodcast and Instagram: @thezekelypodcast

www.thezekelypodcast.com

Summary

In this episode of The Zekely Podcast, host Zeke interviews Allen Kukovich, a former Pennsylvania state legislator with over three decades of public service. They discuss Kukovich's impactful work, including the creation of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), his views on democracy, empathy in politics, and the importance of mentoring future leaders. Kukovich reflects on his experiences, the current political landscape, and the need for continued engagement in democracy. The conversation emphasizes the significance of empathy, social justice, and the legacy of public service.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Allen Kukovich

01:37 Kent State

04:04 First Date

05:46 CHIP

09:26 Why Democrat?

10:23 Rapid Fire

11:13 Injustice

12:39 Budget War

14:01 Age is Just a Number

15:52 Listen

18:53 Senior Citizen

21:01 The Fragility of Democracy

23:26 Leading Progressive Change

25:02 Ahead of the Curve

27:55 Mad Libs

30:25 Preparing Future Leaders

33:35 Finding Hope

34:48 The Future

35:28 Wrap-Up

Full Video Episode Available On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheZekelyPodcast

Short Clips Can Be Found On TikTok: @drzeketayler/@thezekelypodcast and Instagram: @thezekelypodcast

www.thezekelypodcast.com

Summary

In this episode of The Zekely Podcast, host Zeke interviews Joanna McClinton, the first Black woman to be elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in Pennsylvania. They discuss her journey in politics, the significance of the Crown Act, and the importance of equity and inclusion in Harrisburg. Joanna shares her experiences, the challenges she faced, and her vision for the future of Pennsylvania, emphasizing the need for civic engagement and community support. The conversation also touches on personal well-being, local businesses, and the role of the Democratic Party in advocating for the rights of everyday people.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Joanna McClinton

02:03 Crown Act

04:08 WDAS

05:50 Radio Trivia

07:47 Speaker of the House

09:19 Why Democrat?

10:58 The Eagles

12:30 Eagles Trivia

13:21 Fan Mail

14:49 Name That Committee

16:09 Zumba

17:33 Disaffected

18:56 Constitu-What?!

20:50 Change

23:07 It's Go Time

24:41 Small Business Spotlight

26:26 Favorite and Least Favorite

28:40 Maintaining Decorum

30:07 The Gentleman Will Suspend

32:06 The Trifecta

34:27 Hope

36:00 The Future

38:06 Wrap-Up

Joanna McClinton: https://www.pahouse.com/McClinton/

Constituent Services: https://www.pahouse.com/McClinton/Help-Services/Constituent-Services/

Siddiq’s Water Ice: https://www.siddiqswaterice.com/

Full Video Episode Available On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheZekelyPodcast

Short Clips Can Be Found On TikTok: @drzeketayler/@thezekelypodcast and Instagram: @thezekelypodcast

www.thezekelypodcast.com

Summary

In this year-end episode of The Zekely Podcast, host Zeke reflects on the journey of producing 52 episodes throughout 2025, highlighting the importance of Democratic messaging in Pennsylvania. He shares insights on the challenges and triumphs of podcasting, the impact of his work on the community, and expresses gratitude to those who supported him along the way. Zeke emphasizes the significance of local elections and encourages listeners to stay engaged as they look forward to the upcoming election year in 2026.

Chapters

00:00 The Wrap-Up

01:39 5 Star Rating

02:16 The Beginning

02:43 The Guests

03:59 Captivate

06:40 Challenges and Triumphs of Podcasting

07:47 Feedback

09:09 Flop

10:44 Best and Worst

12:17 Reflecting

14:08 Thank You

15:37 2026

Apex Atlanta: https://www.apexatlanta.com/

Full Video Episode Available On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheZekelyPodcast

Short Clips Can Be Found On TikTok: @drzeketayler/@thezekelypodcast and Instagram: @thezekelypodcast

www.thezekelypodcast.com

Summary

In this episode of The Zekely Podcast, host Zeke interviews Jill Zipin, the founder and chair of Democratic Jewish Outreach Pennsylvania (DJOP). They discuss Jill's journey in political activism, the founding of DJOP, and the importance of grassroots organizing. Jill shares personal stories, her upbringing, and how her experiences in civil litigation shaped her views on gender issues. The conversation also touches on the significance of youth engagement, the role of the Democratic Party in supporting Jewish communities, and the upcoming 2026 elections. Jill emphasizes the need for collective action to protect democracy and encourages listeners to get involved in political efforts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jill Zipin

02:06 Birth of DJOP

04:41 Happy Hannukah

07:19 Why Are You A Democrat?

09:11 Broadway

12:22 Litigating Politics

13:51 The Jewish People

16:51 Howard

19:46 Committee Person

22:22 Children's Perception of Political Engagement

25:29 Historical Non-Fiction

27:51 Swiftie

30:28 Value of Democracy

33:00 Diversity in Judaism

34:32 Focus on Upcoming Elections

37:07 Hope

39:03 The Future

Democratic Jewish Outreach Pennsylvania: https://djop.org/

Full Video Episode Available On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheZekelyPodcast

Short Clips Can Be Found On TikTok: @drzeketayler/@thezekelypodcast and Instagram: @thezekelypodcast

www.thezekelypodcast.com

Summary

In this episode of The Zekely Podcast, host Zeke interviews Pennsylvania State Representative Matthew Bradford, who discusses his journey to becoming the Majority Leader of the PA State House. They explore the challenges and triumphs of Democratic leadership, the importance of constituent services, and the role of education in shaping political perspectives. Bradford shares insights on bipartisanship, the impact of misinformation, and the necessity of civic engagement in a democracy. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes, including Bradford's family background and his connection to Villanova University, culminating in a hopeful outlook for future elections in Pennsylvania.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Matthew Bradford

01:30 House Majority Leader

02:27 Body Control

04:42 Childhood Business

07:26 Why Are You A Democrat?

08:54 The Power

12:27 Changes in Harrisburg

13:56 Constituent Services Explained

15:44 Villanova

16:49 Nova Trivia

19:14 Difficulty in the Workplace

21:20 The Whip

23:36 Misinformation

25:54 Governor Shapiro

26:40 That's My Govna

28:04 Engaging the Disaffected in Democracy

30:55 Looking to 2026

32:01 Phillies

34:37 Hope

35:32 The Future

Matthew Bradford: https://www.pahouse.com/Bradford/

Constituent Services: https://www.pahouse.com/Bradford/Help-Services/Constituent-Services/

Full Video Episode Available On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheZekelyPodcast

Short Clips Can Be Found On TikTok: @drzeketayler/@thezekelypodcast and Instagram: @thezekelypodcast

www.thezekelypodcast.com

Summary

In this episode of The Zekely Podcast, host Zeke interviews Dylan Altemara, a candidate for state representative in Pennsylvania's HD 39. Dylan discusses his motivations for running, the challenges he has faced, and his accomplishments as chair of the Elizabeth Township Democratic Committee. The conversation covers critical issues such as gun control, healthcare access, the importance of unions, and LGBTQ rights. Dylan emphasizes the need for common sense policies and the importance of community engagement in politics. He expresses hope for the future and the necessity of electing more Democrats to create positive change in Pennsylvania.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dylan Altemara

01:54 Why State Rep?

03:02 Threats

05:34 Democratic Committee Chair

07:18 Gun Control and Public Safety

10:34 Bullseye

14:29 Healthcare Access and Hospital Closures

17:26 The Doctor Is In

20:20 Why Democrat

21:29 Children's Healthcare

23:47 The Importance of Unions

26:59 Abuse

29:04 Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Rights

31:12 Just a Question

33:42 Minimum Wage

36:58 Finding Hope

37:54 Plans for the Future

39:29 Wrap Up

40:48 Intro and Outro Updated.mp4

Dylan Altemara: https://www.dylan4pa.com/

Full Video Episode Available On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheZekelyPodcast

Short Clips Can Be Found On TikTok: @drzeketayler/@thezekelypodcast and Instagram: @thezekelypodcast

www.thezekelypodcast.com

Summary

In this episode of The Zekely Podcast, host Zeke interviews Alex Pearlman, a Pennsylvania native and comedian, who shares his journey in blending comedy with political activism. They discuss the importance of local identity, navigating political conversations during family gatherings, and the significance of community engagement. Alex reflects on recent elections, the influence of his upbringing on his political values, and the challenges of content creation in today's digital landscape. The conversation also touches on the critical role of libraries, the realities of minimum wage, and the importance of hope and action in the face of adversity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Alex Pearlman

03:01 The Holidays

06:19 Delco Pride and Identity

08:14 Committee Person

11:39 Lenny Bruce

14:40 Reflections on the November 4th

17:28 Nemesis

21:36 Pet Peeve

25:00 Financial Stability in Content Creation

27:52 Why Are You A Democrat?

29:44 Endorsements

31:48 How I Met Your Mother

33:48 Too Many Tabs

36:12 Libraries

39:47 Hope

42:16 The Future

45:35 Thank You

Alex Pearlman TikTok, IG, BlueSky: @Pearlmania500

Alex Pearlman Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/pearlmania500

Too Many Tabs: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC--1tuk-7bdo5FjjM1BtGs_-Mq8VpVl3&si=yEGtjFx5Kfcy0zhu

Full Video Episode Available On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheZekelyPodcast

Short Clips Can Be Found On TikTok: @drzeketayler/@thezekelypodcast and Instagram: @thezekelypodcast

www.thezekelypodcast.com

Summary

In this episode of The Zekely Podcast, host Zeke speaks with Michelle Milan-McFall to discuss her journey from being a high school English teacher to becoming the Chair of the Westmoreland County Democratic Committee. They explore the challenges and triumphs of grassroots organizing, the importance of local elections, and the personal stories that shape political identities. Michelle shares insights on engaging disaffected voters, the significance of community involvement, and her hopes for the future of the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania as they look ahead to the 2026 elections.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Michelle Milan-McFall

01:52 From Teacher to Political Operative

04:26 Spill the Tea

06:38 Westmoreland County Dems

09:58 Campaigning for Judicial Retention

11:11 Poetry

13:37 Why Democrat?

16:46 Taking Action

19:16 Murrysville Trivia

20:42 DNC

23:07 Challenges for Rural Democrats

25:58 2026 Political Focus

28:51 Losing Friends

32:30 Most Important Lesson

34:32 Hope

37:24 The Future

38:51 Wrap Up

Westmoreland County Democrats: https://www.westmorelanddemocrats.com/

Full Video Episode Available On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheZekelyPodcast

Short Clips Can Be Found On TikTok: @drzeketayler/@thezekelypodcast and Instagram: @thezekelypodcast

www.thezekelypodcast.com