In this episode of Clock the Tea with Dr. Long, Mark opens with a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Dolly Parton, who passed away at age 80. He reflects on her decades‑long impact as a musician, philanthropist, queer icon, and cultural force whose kindness shaped generations. Dolly’s legacy — from her chart‑topping hits to her Imagination Library that touched families right here in Madison — serves as the emotional anchor of the episode, reminding listeners how one life can ripple through communities.

From there, Mark shifts into the latest political pulse in Wisconsin, where new polling shows David Crowley edging ahead of Tom Tiffany among likely voters. He breaks down what the numbers mean, how Democrats and Republicans differ in enthusiasm versus certainty of turnout, and why independents remain the unpredictable center of this race. The episode teases deeper insights into voter behavior, data center backlash, and how shifting primary dynamics continue to reshape the statewide conversation.

Mark then zooms out to the national stage, where the Trump administration has secured a temporary legal win in its push to restrict mail‑in voting. He explores the Supreme Court’s procedural ruling, the confusion it creates across states, and the broader implications for voter access heading into the midterms. The episode raises questions about constitutional boundaries, election logistics, and the political motivations behind last‑minute voting restrictions — all unpacked further inside the show.

Listeners also get Mark’s take on the high‑profile Lindsay Clancy trial, where questions of mental health, criminal responsibility, and justice collide. He offers a candid perspective on how the legal system treats defendants differently depending on race, class, and circumstance, while leaving the full courtroom breakdown for the episode itself. It’s a heavy segment, but one that speaks to the broader themes of accountability and equity that run through the season.

To close, Mark brings the conversation back to Dolly Parton — this time through a surprising legal victory in Texas, where a federal judge cited Dolly while striking down the state’s drag ban. It’s a moment that blends culture, law, and Dolly’s enduring influence, reminding listeners why her legacy matters far beyond music. The episode ends with a call to stay engaged, stay loud, and stay ready as Wisconsin heads toward a defining election season.

Visit www.drmarklong.com

Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio and Amazon Music.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUNgD6OB7Y0Bv2ZJAN7u7dg

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ce102b4c-4321-4873-be03-e1bdd908f93f/clock-the-tea-with-dr-long

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clock-the-tea-with-dr-long/id1852896832

Visit https://redcircle.com/shows/c073929d-a568-44d6-b1a4-2ba85e235284 to learn more about the podcast.

RSS feed link: https://feeds.redcircle.com/c073929d-a568-44d6-b1a4-2ba85e235284

Season 4!!! VOTE 2026. Episode 8

In this episode of Clock the Tea with Dr. Long, Mark kicks things off with Francesca Hong’s blistering “Pulling the Plug” ad — a statewide callout aimed at the AI data center boom and the political déjà vu of Foxconn‑style promises. Hong’s message sets the tone: Wisconsin is at a crossroads, and voters are waking up to the stakes. Mark leans into the urgency, the energy, and the growing coalition behind Hong as the primary tightens.

From there, Mark digs into Hong’s broader vision for Wisconsin — affordability, working‑class power, and reclaiming the state’s progressive roots. He explores how Hong frames Democratic socialism in a Wisconsin context, why her message resonates across rural and urban communities, and what it means to campaign in a state where people are tired of being told their struggles are imaginary. Listeners get a taste of Hong’s platform, but the deeper details unfold inside the episode.

The conversation then shifts to Madison’s political tension following the killing of Corey Ruiz and the clearing of the Willy Street encampment. Mark doesn’t hold back on his critique of Mayor Satya Rhodes‑Conway’s response, raising questions about leadership, community trust, and what “public safety” actually means when grieving residents are met with heavy machinery and arrests. The episode dives into the emotional and political fallout — but the full story is one you’ll want to hear directly.

Mark also zooms out to the national stage, where MAGA lawmakers are escalating their attacks on Dr. Anthony Fauci. He breaks down the contempt vote, the political theater, and the broader pattern of science denial shaping the far‑right agenda. It’s sharp, it’s pointed, and it’s classic Clock the Tea — but the episode itself goes deeper into the implications and the historical echoes behind these moves.

Finally, Mark closes with the latest drama inside the Trump administration — a chaotic feud over the damaged reflecting pool in Washington, D.C. Yes, really. Janine Pirro, Doug Burgum, boxes of evidence, Oval Office tension — it’s political absurdity at its finest. Mark ties it all together with a call to action: vote, stay loud, and stay locked in as Wisconsin heads toward a defining primary.

Visit www.drmarklong.com

Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio and Amazon Music.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUNgD6OB7Y0Bv2ZJAN7u7dg

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ce102b4c-4321-4873-be03-e1bdd908f93f/clock-the-tea-with-dr-long

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clock-the-tea-with-dr-long/id1852896832

Visit https://redcircle.com/shows/c073929d-a568-44d6-b1a4-2ba85e235284 to learn more about the podcast.

RSS feed link: https://feeds.redcircle.com/c073929d-a568-44d6-b1a4-2ba85e235284

Welcome to episode 7 of season 4!

This week’s episode of Clock the Tea with Dr. Long opens with the heartbreaking killing of 38‑year‑old Corey Ruiz, whose death at the hands of Madison police has shaken the community and reignited conversations about policing, racism, and accountability. As Ruiz’s mother said through tears, “They took my baby from me… He did not deserve to be taken out like that.” Dr. Long centers Ruiz’s humanity, reminding listeners that mental health struggles or substance use do not justify a death sentence — and that Black lives must be protected, not policed into extinction.

Dr. Long then breaks down the multiple investigations now underway — from the Independent Police Monitor to the DOJ’s Division of Criminal Investigation — and why the process itself exposes long‑standing inequities. He highlights concerns raised by legal experts about officers receiving delayed interviews and the absence of body cameras, noting that “someone was murdered by someone who reacted off impulse,” and that better training and accountability are overdue. The episode stresses that community vigilance, allyship, and sustained pressure are essential as the case moves forward.

From there, the episode shifts to the Democratic primary debate, where candidates were pressed on policing, public safety, and the recent shooting. Dr. Long recaps the standout performances, praising Francesca Hong’s clarity and conviction, David Crowley’s grounded responses, and Kelda Roys’ sharp policy framing. He also breaks down fresh polling from the Marquette Law School survey showing Hong leading at 26 percent, with Barnes trailing at 15 percent, and explains how Rodriguez’s exit reshapes the race. The debate’s affordability segment becomes a focal point, with candidates clashing over tax relief, deficits, and long‑term investment.

Dr. Long expands the conversation on affordability by connecting statewide concerns to national trends: rising fuel costs, grocery inflation, transportation expenses, and the ripple effects of energy instability. He argues that Wisconsinites are feeling the squeeze more than ever and need leadership that speaks directly to their lived reality. The episode emphasizes that affordability — not slogans, not culture wars — will decide the election and urges listeners to vote for candidates who prioritize working families over wealthy donors or political gimmicks.

To close, Dr. Long spotlights Francesca Hong’s newly released “Tax the Rich” plan, which proposes shifting tax burdens away from low‑income households and toward millionaires and large corporations. He quotes Hong’s core message, “Working families keep Wisconsin running,” and breaks down her proposals to close loopholes, invest in infrastructure, and redirect billions from AI data center tax breaks to schools, housing, and clean energy. The episode ends with a call to action — to vote, to stay informed, and to keep saying Corey Ruiz’s name — because change only happens when communities refuse to look away.

Visit www.drmarklong.com

Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio and Amazon Music.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUNgD6OB7Y0Bv2ZJAN7u7dg

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ce102b4c-4321-4873-be03-e1bdd908f93f/clock-the-tea-with-dr-long

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clock-the-tea-with-dr-long/id1852896832

Visit https://redcircle.com/shows/c073929d-a568-44d6-b1a4-2ba85e235284 to learn more about the podcast.

RSS feed link: https://feeds.redcircle.com/c073929d-a568-44d6-b1a4-2ba85e235284