The Next Level Podcast - Ep. 1041: “Fear the Reaper | The Secret Podcast”

Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Sarah Longwell and Jonathan V. Last (JVL)

Episode Overview

This episode centers around the intersection of media consolidation, the problematic relationship between political power and corporate media, and the theme of aging—both personal and political—using humor and candid commentary. Sarah and JVL discuss the threats posed by increasing control of media outlets by Trump-aligned figures, concerns over the health and age of both President Biden and Donald Trump, and the internal contradictions within today’s conservatism. They also inject lighter moments through pop culture banter and Sarah’s gym mishaps.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Humorous Intro & Personal Anecdotes

• Sarah opens with a funny story about injuring her back at the gym with her 25-year-old trainer ([01:30]–[04:18]).
  • Quote: “I am 45 years old and my lower back can't take it. And I am barely walking... just like as you mentioned, sometimes your receding hairline is a reminder that you embrace your mortality.” – Sarah ([03:44])
• Banter about Seinfeld, Larry David, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, with Sarah disliking the character Kramer, and expressing discomfort watching Cheryl Hines, now wife of RFK, Jr. ([05:08]–[07:46]).

2. Media Consolidation, Trump Influence, and Democracy

• JVL outlines Donald Trump’s focus on corporate media ownership, particularly CNN, and the emerging oligarchic dynamic in U.S. media ([08:18]–[10:25]).
  • Quote: "Trump only cares about this merger from the perspective of CNN and getting CNN... the only reason he was pushing to get that merger through was to get CBS under Ellison's control." – JVL ([09:46])
• Sarah discusses the dangers of Trump and his allies consolidating power over American media, including social platforms (X/Twitter, TikTok), warning about the implications for democracy ([10:39]–[14:13]).
  • Quote: “The entire communications apparatus is about to be owned by Trump and his pals... that is not enough guys.” – Sarah ([13:11])
  • Quote: “Whenever somebody asks me the question, what keeps you up at night? I'm like, this. This is what keeps me up at night.” – Sarah ([12:48])
• JVL and Sarah agree that a free and independent press is essential for democracy; once media is compromised by political interests, it’s hard to “uncompromise” it ([14:24]–[15:13]).
  • Quote: “It's hard for the corporate media to go back. Right. Like once you've been compromised, it's hard to uncompromise that.” – JVL ([15:10])

3. Critiquing Today's “Conservatism” and Trump Tactics

• Criticism of Trump-aligned Republicans who cloak non-conservative actions (corporate interference, intimidation) as standard GOP behavior ([15:17]–[18:53]).
  • Quote: “Do they think it’s proper for the President of the United States to be openly campaigning for who he thinks should own certain private corporations? Would that be communism?” – JVL ([15:58])
• Sarah and JVL skewer the “normal Republican” defense and detail how Trump’s tactics—blocking deals, threats—contrast historic conservatism ([16:05]–[17:02]).
• Discussion of the Indiana/Heritage Action standoff and speculation about Mike Pence’s role in standing up to Trump. They see this as evidence of some GOP pushback at state levels ([17:00]–[18:08]).
• JVL questions whether Trump’s intervention in private business is conservative at all, arguing it’s a “kleptocracy” rather than capitalism ([18:53]–[19:33]).

4. The Corruption of Capitalism

• Robust exchange over the nature of capitalism and how Trump’s interference represents its corruption, not natural evolution ([19:33]–[20:04]).
  • Quote: “None of this is capitalism. What is happening. It is a total kleptocracy.” – Sarah ([19:28])
• Agreement on the need for more antitrust action and promoting media competition, not more state takeovers ([20:14]–[20:25]).

5. The Age Question — Biden, Trump, and Mortality

• Sarah and JVL transition to Trump’s visible health decline, rumors about his bruised hands, and odd public appearances ([20:35]–[21:21]).
  • Quote: "There's nothing like a groggy billionaire being like, I think you should only have one doll and two pencils." – Sarah ([21:12])
• They sharply critique the double standard in how the media obsesses over Biden’s age but rarely applies the same scrutiny to Trump ([21:32]–[22:50]).
  • Quote: “Dementia is not the bar. Dementia, like the clinical diagnosis of dementia should not be the bar.” – Sarah ([21:32])
• Sarah suggests discussing implications of Trump’s age and health for the next three years in the next segment ([22:50]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sarah on Media Ownership Threats:
  “The entire communications apparatus is about to be owned by Trump and his pals, with the exception of Ms. Now, I guess. But, like, that is not... enough guys.” ([13:11])
• JVL on Corporate Media Risks:
  “It's hard for the corporate media to go back. Right. Like once you've been compromised, it's hard to uncompromise that.” ([15:10])
• Sarah on What Keeps Her Up at Night:
  “Whenever somebody asks me the question, what keeps you up at night? I'm like, this. This is what keeps me up at night.” ([12:48])
• JVL on Republican Contradictions:
  “Do they think it's proper for the President of the United States to be openly campaigning for who he thinks should own certain private corporations? Would that be communism?” ([15:58])
• Sarah on Capitalism Under Trump:
  “None of this is capitalism. What is happening. It is a total kleptocracy.” ([19:28])
• Sarah on Age and Mortality:
  “Me, unable to walk right now with shooting pains down my back is a reminder that we are all, all of us, every one of us, getting older every day.” ([04:05])
• Sarah on Trump’s Health:
  “There's nothing like a groggy billionaire being like, I think you should only have one doll and two pencils.” ([21:12])
• Sarah on Dementia as a Bar for Leadership:
  "Dementia is not the bar. Dementia, like the clinical diagnosis of dementia should not be the bar." ([21:32])

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:30]–[04:18] Sarah’s gym injury, banter about aging
• [05:08]–[07:46] Seinfeld/Curb talk; pop culture overlap with politics
• [08:18]–[10:25] Media consolidation, Trump’s interests in CNN and CBS
• [10:39]–[14:13] Threats to democracy via media control, the need for independent media
• [14:24]–[15:13] Once media is compromised, it can’t easily be “uncompromised”
• [15:17]–[18:53] Critique of GOP justifying Trump’s tactics, Indiana political standoff
• [18:53]–[20:25] Debate over what counts as capitalism, antitrust advocacy
• [20:35]–[22:50] Trump’s health and age, contrast with Biden’s media treatment

Conclusion and Tone

The podcast delivers sharp political analysis mixed with self-aware humor and concern for the direction of both the media landscape and American democracy. Sarah and JVL blend pop culture references, candid reflections about aging, and a passionate plea for independent journalism. The tone is conversational, urgent, and peppered with irreverent asides—making for an accessible but thought-provoking listen.

For More

To hear the continuation of their discussion on Trump’s age and the 2024 election, listeners are invited to join Bulwark Plus.
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