Podcast
The Next Level
Hosted by The Bulwark · EN
Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and Jonathan V. Last bring their signature political insight and banter to the masses in The Next Level podcast. Tune in to hear them discuss the news of the week, break down campaigns and elections, and wade into pop culture feuds. www.thebulwark.com
149episodes
Episodes
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1080: Should the Next Democrat Punish Red States? JVL Says... Maybe
Yesterday01:24:42Summary readyJVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller discuss the Virginia redistricting ruling, what it means for elections this November, and whether Democrats need to start playing as dirty as their opponents. Plus: the Iran war is a strategic catastrophe that most Americans don't understand yet, and what Bob Kagan—the man who cheered on every Middle East intervention—now thinks about where this is all heading. And Marjorie Taylor Greene has moved to Costa Rica. Seriously.Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to https://Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. For a limited time, Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box—PLUS free Croissants for life—when you go to https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL to start your subscription today.JOIN US! We’ll have some chatty friends joining us on stage for Bulwark Live in San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. For details or to grab your seats today head to https://TheBulwark.com/Events.
Summary1079: Secret Podcast Preview: The Primary Was Over Before It Started
5d ago00:23:56Summary readyThe full episode is available exclusively to paid members of The Bulwark. You can join on Apple Podcasts, Substack or YouTube.Sarah and JVL had a big show planned for you. Lots of different subjects. Important news. Funny stories. The whole nine.And then everything derailed as they went SUPER deep on Graham Platner and the meta-debate about him. If you think Platner has electoral upside, you love Nazis. If you have concerns about Platner’s populism, you’re a closet Republican. The internet has spoken!It’s a whole thing.Also: This marks the first time in the history of the show that Sarah read JVL’s piece and JVL . . . didn’t even realize Sarah had written something? The shoe is on the other foot, my pretties!Read JVL’s Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriadRead Sarah’s 'The Man Behind the Tatoo': https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-man-behind-the-tattoo-graham-platner-maine-democrat-focus-groupON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. Just announced! We’re adding some chatty friends to the lineups for both shows. Grab your seats now to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends and keep an eye on https://TheBulwark.com/Events for more announcements.
Summary1078: This is The Stupidest War You Can Possibly Imagine
1w ago01:08:30Summary readySarah Longwell, Tim Miller and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) discuss the Trump administration’s assertion that the effort to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz is "separate and distinct" from the larger war effort in Iran. Plus, they get into the drama over Ken Martin’s time as DNC chair, the effect the Supreme Court’s recent voting rights ruling might have on the midterms, the wisdom of Senate Republicans allocating $1 billion for the ballroom Trump promised would be completed without public money and how the Senate battleground his shaping up for Democrats this fall. Bonus: Tim coins a new term for presidents hitting historically bad polling numbers.Visit https://Upwork.com/THENEXTLEVEL right now and post your job for free.Head to https://Greenchef.com/50nextlevel and use code 50nextlevel to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months.Read "The YOLO Presidency" by Ashley Parker and Michael Scherer: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/donald-trump-legacy-history/686817/Tickets for our Bulwark Live shows in San Diego on 5/20 and in LA on 5/21:https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events
Summary1077: Secret Podcast: JVL Wants Every Trump Voter to Know, THIS IS YOUR FAULT!
2w ago00:48:46Summary readyFull episodes of the Secret Podcast are available to paid members of the Bulwark on Substack, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the signs that voters are starting to regret their Trump vote—and why that doesn’t mean politics is getting any simpler. Gas prices are rising, a gerrymandering arms race is raging and the Supreme Court reshaped the rules. Plus: the Maine race, the rise of populist candidates like Platner, and what The Bulwark actually stands for.
Summary1076: Trump Indicts Comey—AGAIN
2w ago01:11:20Summary readySarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL are going LIVE to cover yet another indictment of Jim Comey by the Trump administration.NOTE: If you're getting this late—we apologize! Something went wrong and some of you may not have received this episode on the day that it was originally released (Tuesday, April 29). We will try to track down and punish the gremlins responsible.Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Right now, Soul is offering 30% off your entire order. Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVELHead to https://Brodo.com/THENEXTLEVEL for 20% off your first subscription order and use code THENEXTLEVEL for an additional $10 off.Read Ben Parker’s exclusive reporting on Trump’s plan to put his own face on US passports: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/exclusive-state-dept-finalizing-planRead JVL’s Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriad
Summary1075: Secret Podcast: Trump’s War Runs on Pure Make-Believe
3w ago00:21:37Summary readyJVL and Sarah Longwell talk about the firing of the Navy secretary mid-conflict and the bizarre “Trump-class battleship” saga, exposing a pattern of impossible promises and chaotic leadership. Plus: the Spirit Airlines bailout and what it says about Trump’s commitment to “capitalism.”Full episodes of the Secret Podcast are available to paid members of the Bulwark on Substack, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.
Summary1074: Tucker Carlson’s “Regret” Is Just Another Scam
3w ago00:55:38Summary readySarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL celebrate JVL’s Webby win (sort of), and cover Tucker Carlson’s sudden “regret” turn and what it means about MAGA, Donald Trump Jr. as a 2028 front-runner, and the continued disaster in Iran. Plus: the ongoing dysfunction inside the administration, including the latest turmoil surrounding Kash Patel.Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://SHOPIFY.com/ thenextlevel.Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/THENEXTLEVEL #oneskinpodGet 15% off your first order plus free shipping at https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code nextlevel.Don't miss the Triad this Friday when JVL will answer all your pressing questions on the news of the day. Leave your questions here: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/triad-mailbag-april-25-2026
Summary1073: Secret Podcast: Republicans Are Walking Into a Buzzsaw
4w ago00:31:16Summary readyJVL and Sarah Longwell discuss a bizarre week where markets surge amid global chaos, Trump feuds with his own allies, and confusion over Iran keeps escalating. They also break down a blowout Democratic win, surging fundraising, and what it all signals for the midterms—plus a growing fight inside the party over Israel and its future direction.
Summary1072: Did JD Vance Tell the Pope to Shut Up?
4w ago01:15:43Summary readySarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL cover a rough week for Trump, from failed talks with Iran that turned into a naval blockade, to strong signs of real cracks inside his coalition as allies and right-wing media begin to push back against his idiocy. They also talk about what Orbán’s defeat in Hungary means for Trump-style politics, and discuss the lightning-fast downfall of Eric Swalwell.Go to https://Leesa.com for 20% off select mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code THENEXTLEVEL, exclusive for TNL fans.For a limited time, Wildgrain is offering $30 off your first box—PLUS free Croissants for life—when you go to https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL and start your subscription.Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!
Summary1071: Secret Podcast: The Podcast Wars
Apr 1100:27:07Summary readyJVL and Sarah discuss the failed ceasefire, Melania’s bizarre Epstein pre-denial, and the growing rift between Trump and "America First" heavyweights like Tucker, Megyn, Candace, and Alex Jones. Is this just another performative feud, or the start of something real? And as AI muddies reality itself, what happens when nobody believes anything anymore?Paid members of the Bulwark get exclusive access to the FULL episode on Apple Podcast, Substack or YouTube.
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