Sam Stein Wrote a Hit Piece on Sarah?!

Summary

The Bulwark Podcast: "Sam Stein Wrote a Hit Piece on Sarah?!"

Episode Date: June 5, 2026
Host(s): Sarah Longwell, Sam Stein
Notable Mention: JVL (via video message)
Main Theme:
This episode of the Secret Podcast, a part of The Bulwark, features Sarah Longwell and guest host Sam Stein, stepping in for the regular co-host JVL. The show kicks off with playful banter about live show fashion choices and transitions to discussing podcasting roles and a special video message from JVL. The conversation is light, irreverent, and steeped in The Bulwark’s characteristic humor and camaraderie.

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Episode Breakdown

1. Opening Banter: Fashion Choices at Live Shows

Timestamps: 00:02 – 01:34

• Sarah's Clothes Anxiety:
  Sarah discusses her anxieties about outfit choices during live shows, especially compared to Tim Miller, who always has a distinct outfit.

  • "You don't even understand what it's like at the live shows because Tim hasn't always has an outfit and I always have clothes on and Tim always gives me sort of a hard time about... quite the lesbian outfit you've got on." (00:30, Sarah)

• Sam's Riddled Shirt:
  The conversation pokes fun at Sam arriving in a T-shirt "riddled with holes," which Sarah contrasts with her own approach.

  • "He walked on stage in just a shirt, like a T shirt that just had like riddled with holes." (00:51, Sarah)
  • Sam jokingly denies this characterization: "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. You're besmirching me. The shirt was designed that way to look kind of worn down. It was definitely a designer shirt and not something I've owned for 10 years. Absolutely." (01:10, Sam)

• Confidence Admiration:
  Sarah admires Sam's apparent comfort:

  • "I was like, I wish I had the confidence of just like a man who's like, I'm sitting there trying to figure it out and you're just like, yeah, this one has holes in it. Whatever. It's fine." (01:24, Sarah)

2. Acknowledging JVL's Absence

Timestamps: 01:34 – 02:37

• Sam Fills In & Gets Advice:
  Sam confesses he was nervous to fill in for JVL and sought advice from him.

• JVL Video Message:
  A pre-recorded message is played for Sarah and the audience.

  • "Hey there, best friend. It's jvl. I'm sorry I couldn't be with you this morning. I had other things I had to go to. But I miss you and I hope you're doing well." (01:57, JVL)

• The Webby Trophy Brag:
  JVL shows off his newly acquired Webby—a large, heavy metal spring—playfully flaunting it.

  • "Oh, it's a webby. It's a big metal spring. It weighs like five pounds. Super cool. Just thought you might wanna let me show it off. Wanted to show you the wrestling style championship belt is still coming. Like I said, I'm gonna be insufferable." (02:13, JVL)

3. Teasing and Podcast Chemistry

Timestamps: 02:37 – 03:20

• Good-Natured Teasing:
  Sarah and Sam comment on JVL's need for validation.

  • "Nobody is happier for JVL to feel the love of the people. A love that he doesn't quite return." (02:41, Sarah)
  • Sam chimes in: "Yeah, I was gonna say it's a very one sided relationship, but." (02:55, Sam)

• Replacing JVL’s Pessimism:
  Sarah jokes about the challenge of filling JVL's reliably pessimistic role on the podcast.

  • "I don't know if you know how to sit in for JVL on this show, but it requires you being excessively pessimistic about all the things, which is actually pretty easy because things are often a nightmare that we're talking about." (03:04, Sarah)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Sarah on Tim Miller's banter:
  “...quite the lesbian outfit you’ve got on. And I always say, yes, Tim, every outfit that I wear is a lesbian outfit.” (00:35, Sarah)

• Sam defending his fashion:
  "You're besmirching me. The shirt was designed that way to look kind of worn down." (01:10, Sam)

• JVL flaunting his Webby award:
  "I'm gonna be insufferable." (02:30, JVL)

• Sarah on JVL’s fan relationship:
  "Nobody is happier for JVL to feel the love of the people. A love that he doesn't quite return." (02:41, Sarah)

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Conclusion & Tone

The episode begins with trademark Bulwark banter centered on on-stage fashion anxieties and gentle ribbing, establishing a light, self-deprecating tone. They celebrate their community dynamic, even in JVL’s absence, as he chimes in with a video flexing his recent accolade. Sam seamlessly joins the chemistry with witty retorts and sets up the rest of the episode to dive into current events and political analysis—a format familiar and beloved by regular listeners.

Note: As the provided transcript ends early, the summary covers all available substantive content. Major topics, chemistry, and memorable quotes are included, setting the scene for the rest of the episode’s discussions.

Transcript

[A]

Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Secret Podcast. I'm Sarah Longwell, publisher of the Bulwark, and I'm not here with my best friend jbl. Today he is out for some happy tidings in his family and instead I am joined by my great friend who's wearing a shirt that I know has holes in it. Sam Stein.

[B]

No, no, no. This is a new shirt. Stop it. Don't. Don't tell them that I wear worn down clothing. That's wrong.

[A]

Guys, we were doing the live show and I was having this whole thing. You don't even understand what it's like at the live shows because Tim hasn't always has an outfit and I always have clothes on and Tim is always gives me sort of a hard time about. Or he says something like, quite the lesbian outfit you've got on. And I always say, yes, Tim, every outfit that I wear is a lesbian outfit. But anyway, with the. Tim and I were doing our normal pitter patter. I was being anxious about what I was wearing. I was like changing my clothes. Sam was being annoyed with me and I was like, bro, your shirt. It's like moth eaten across the bottom. He walked on stage in just a shirt, like a T shirt that just had like riddled with holes.

[B]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. You're besmirching me. The shirt was designed that way to look kind of worn down. It was definitely a designer shirt and not something I've owned for 10 years. Absolutely.

[A]

Like, I like this shirt. I was like, I wish I had the confidence of just like a man who's like, I'm sitting there trying to figure it out and you're just like, yeah, this one has holes in it. Whatever. It's fine.

[B]

Fine to me. Hey, listen, I know, I know I'm not jvl and, and I know this is a great disappointment to you and I know that you're going to start by ragging me, but I did, I did actually talk to JBL prior to this because I was like a little nervous about what it's like to be on on this podcast. I've never been on this before. And he wanted me to convey a message to you and he sent it in video form. So I don't know if we can put. Put that up to start the pod, can we?

[C]

Hey there, best friend. It's jvl. I'm sorry I couldn't be with you this morning. I had other things I had to go to. But I miss you and I hope you're doing well.

[A]

What's that? Oh.

[C]

Oh, it's a webby. It's a big metal spring. It weighs like five pounds. Super cool. Just thought you might wanna let me show it off. Wanted to show you the wrestling style. Championship belt is still coming. Like I said, I'm gonna be insufferable.

[A]

Who made this for him?

[B]

I think it was Jamie.

[A]

Yeah. Way to go, video team. You're really indulging that for him. Look, I'm happy for him. Nobody is a. Nobody is happier for JVL to feel the love of the people. A love that he doesn't quite return.

[B]

Yeah, I was gonna say it's a very one sided relationship, but.

[A]

But that looks like a real world, so. I'm pumped for you, buddy. Way to go. Way to go. Miss you. Yeah. Sam, I don't. I don't know if you know how to sit in for JVL on this show, but it requires you being excessively pessimistic about all the things, which is actually pretty easy because things are often a nightmare that we're talking about. I don't know. I got a few things I thought we could cover today.