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
173episodes
Episodes
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1104: Secret Podcast: The GOAT Episode
3d ago00:19:43Summary readyFull episodes of The Secret Podcast are available exclusively to paid members of The Bulwark. Join on Substack, Apple Podcast or YouTube!JVL and Tim did a GIANT show this week. Uncanny Callista Gingrich. Thom Tillis publishes his burn book. Tucker’s running for president. Burrito discourse. And more! Seriously: Instant classic. This one goes in the vault.Read JVL’s Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriadGet $30 off your first order and free croissants for life at https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL.
Summary1103: Michigan Senate Primary Becomes a Late-Night Nail-Biter
6d ago01:29:37Summary readySam joins Tim and JVL to discuss:-Live results from the (unexpectedly close) Michigan Senate primary, and discuss what an Abdul El-Sayed or Haley Stevens win would mean for November.-The horrifying child abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller, and his disastrous CNN interview.-Trump's anger at Jeanine Pirro after she dropped vandalism charges related to the reflecting pool.-Todd Blanche advancing out of the Senate Judiciary Committee-Finally, they discuss JVL's triad about democratic socialists (meh) versus social democrats (better), and how Democrats can stop letting Republicans set the narrative of this election.The day always ends well with Casper. Right now save up to 20% on mattresses and up to 25% on everything else when you go to https://Casper.com. Get quality window treatments that fit your budget with 3 Day Blinds. Head to https://3dayblinds.com/THENEXTLEVEL for their buy one get one 50% off deal on custom blinds, shades, and drapery.
Summary1102: Secret Podcast: You Can See the Bush Line from Your House
1w ago00:23:16Summary readySarah and JVL have a It’s a super-sized, instant classic:The Trump administration is using ChatGPT for everything.Why are Cornyn and Tillis even bothering with their fake protest of Todd Blanche?The Dem Senate map is looking . . . possible?Trump has raised $800 million from “donors” since coming back to office.And JVL finally explains why he’s obsessed with 60 Minutes investigative reporter Ross Douthat.Plus: Emo JVL needs your advice in the comments!Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://hims.com/thenextlevel to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.Full episodes of the Secret Podcast are available to paid members of the Bulwark through Substack, YouTube or Apple Podcasts. Come ride with us!
Summary1101: The WHCD Walked Straight Into Trump’s Trap
2w ago01:08:37Summary readySarah, JVL, and Catherine Rampell discuss:- Mitch McConnell's SECOND proof of life photo, and what's really going on with him.- The White House Correspondents' Dinner do-over, Trump's comments about Kaitlan Collins, why anyone goes to it anymore, and how the whole thing seems to be playing into Trump's hands.- The drama inside the Democratic National Committee, and how (and whether) having a strong national party committee matters anymore.- The proposed new primary calendar for the 2028 Democratic primaries.- The final stretch of the Michigan Senate primary.
Summary1100: Secret Podcast: The Second Iran War?
2w ago00:18:35Summary readyPaid members of the Bulwark get access to FULL episodes of the Secret Podcast. You can join via Apple Podcasts, Substack and YouTube.Big show today: It’s the dawn of Streamer JVL? Plus: Some questions for Tom Homan about shooting January 6 insurrectionists; Haley Stevens and authenticity; and the Mitch McConnell conspiracy theory. Also, a conversation about raising good men.But the big topic is the Department of Defense suddenly removing the names of four dead soldiers from the Iran war casualty list because they were killed after Trump declared a ceasefire in April—because there are now apparently two distinct Iran wars. Even though neither of them is, for legal purposes, a “war.”This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.
Summary1099: This Deranged New Campaign Ad Creeped Us Out!
3w ago01:02:24Summary readySarah, JVL, and Will Sommer (sitting in for Tim) discuss: Whether Laura Loomer is one of the adults in MAGA-land? I'm Ron Burgundy? The state of the Iran War. The ridiculous AI advertisement being run by a Ted Cruz-aligned outside group in Florida (and the whacky candidates in the ad). The unfolding special Republican primary for Senate in South Carolina The Michigan Senate race...and how all of the online conventional wisdom stacks up with reality. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use promo code THENEXTLEVEL.Get 15% off your order with Boll and Branch at https://BollandBranch.com/NEXTLEVEL.
Summary1098: Secret Podcast: Trump Voters Say JD Vance Gives Them the Willies
3w ago00:27:27Summary readySarah Longwell and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) discuss Trump’s tedious (and still scary!) election speech, the documents that undercut his election claims, JD Vance’s cringe appearance on Joe Rogan, Trump voters’ brutal reactions to Vance, and Democrats’ missed opportunities at the Todd Blanche hearing.Finally: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here: https://www.92ny.org/event/sarah-longwell-how-to-eat-an-elephant
Summary1097: Sarah’s Latest Focus Group Almost Broke JVL’s Brain
4w ago01:05:23Summary readyThe whole gang is back together, for the last time until August. Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss:- Two more killings by ICE officers. JVL asks whether we're getting numb to this. No one on this show is numb.- Trump's aborted plan to toll the Strait of Hormuz--and whether it was an act of war.- Sarah lets Todd Blanche (and Republican senators) have it.- After JVL's wifi goes bad, Tim and Sarah discuss Tim's interview with Pete Buttigieg, and why Tim is glad Josh Shapiro isn't wading into intra-Democratic turf wars.Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepodMake your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Summary1096: Secret Podcast: Republicans Screamed About Socialism. Then Trump Did This.
Jul 1100:27:28Summary readySarah and JVL are back together, looking at Trump’s NATO disgrace, wondering if Mitch McConnell is really talking to people on the phone about detailed policy questions, and analyzing the factional fight in the Democratic party between the people trying to elect Democrats and the insurgents focused on displacing the establishment.Short version: What if Morris Katz is just the left’s Steve Bannon?Also, there’s some personal stuff at the end.Get quality window treatments that fit your budget with 3 Day Blinds. Head to https://3DayBlinds.com/THENEXTLEVEL for their buy one get one 50% off deal on custom blinds, shades, and drapery.Finally: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here.
Summary1095: Even Marjorie Taylor Greene Doesn’t Buy the McConnell Story
Jul 801:19:01Summary readyTim, Sarah, and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) take on the political stories dominating the headlines:• Mitch McConnell is alive and taking calls (maybe, probably?)—despite Laura Loomer’s reports to the contrary..• Platnerdämmerung; the enormous irresponsibility of the Platner candidacy will have real consequences for his movement and for the country; and the messy road ahead in Maine (even if Platner does the right thing and drops out.).• In the wake of the Platner debacle, irony is dead as Trump defenders trip over themselves to claim the moral high ground. Case in point: Kevin McCarthy..• Mallory McMorrow’s failed Michigan Senate campaign exemplifies the challenges of splitting the difference between the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party..• Plus, the USMNT’s embarrassing loss to the waffle-eating Belgians in the World Cup Round of 16.Ready to transform your customer support? Go to https://decagon.ai/thenextlevel to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team.Go to https://greenchef.com/50NEXTLEVELGRAZA to get 50% off your first month of healthier meals.Get 30% off select mattresses PLUS an extra $50 off during Leesa’s July 4 sale. Go to https://Leesa.com, promo code THENEXTLEVEL.
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