Podcast
The Secret Podcast
Hosted by The Bulwark · EN
Each Friday, best friends Sarah Longwell and JVL go off-leash and uncensored in this intimate podcast.
Only for Bulwark+ members.
www.thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
A Cage Fight for America
1w ago00:44:07Tap to summarizeSarah and JVL talk about the ongoing meltdown of Trump’s Freedom 250 event; the inappropriateness of putting a UFC cage fight on the White House lawn; John Cornyn’s sudden understanding of what Trump is; and Bari Weiss’s murder of 60 Minutes. It’s a good show / short show because we’re both playing hurt today, so forgive us if we’re not at our most dazzling.Read JVL’s Triad newsletter about 60 Minutes here.The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thebulwark.com/subscribe
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The Walls Are Closing In
2w ago00:12:41Tap to summarizeThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comSarah is in the City of Angels; JVL is in the Big Apple;) and they have A LOT to catch up on. Gas is at $4.65. Trump is at -22 in the latest Fox poll. The Senate said no to the billi for his ballroom. Oh, and maybe we’re going to do regime change in Cuba soon?Plus: They recap the California live shows and go deep on Tina Peters.show notesRead JVL’s Triad newsletter: here. The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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Trump's $1.7b Friends and Family Fund
3w ago00:20:17Tap to summarizeThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comLast night news broke that President Trump would drop his $10b lawsuit against the IRS if the people who work for him at the Justice Department would create a $1.7b fund out of taxpayer dollars and allow him to appoint five commissioners to run this fund and they would award money to anyone they deemed fit.Oh, and that the list of people given money would be secret. And Trump could replace the commissioners any time he wanted, for no reason.The Trump administration is positioning this as a “truth and reconciliation commission.” Which is amazing.For a decade JVL (and to a lesser extent Sarah) have wanted a truth and reconciliation commission to document accounts of what people did during the Trump era. And now the monkey’s paw has granted their wish.We get a truth and reconciliation commission designed to help the people who did the Trump era.As you can imagine, Sarah and JVL have a lot to say about this. Strap in.show notesICYMI: The gang did a bonus episode this week in meat space. Read JVL’s Triad newsletter: here. ON 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 TheBulwark.com/Events for more announcements. The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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The Platner Variations
4w ago00:07:34Tap to summarizeThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comSarah 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!show notesRead JVL’s Triad newsletter: here. Read Sarah’s The Man Behind the Tatoo. ON 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 TheBulwark.com/Events for more announcements. The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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JVL Wants Every Trump Voter to Know: THIS IS YOUR FAULT!
May 100:07:57Tap to summarizeThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comJVL 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.ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. Click to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends. The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. The only way through is together.
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Trump’s War Runs on Pure Make-Believe
Apr 2400:01:37Tap to summarizeThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comJVL 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.”ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. Click to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends. The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
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Republicans Are Walking Into a Buzzsaw in November
Apr 1700:17:15Tap to summarizeThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comJVL 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.ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on Mat 21. Click to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends. The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
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The Podcast Wars
Apr 1100:27:10Tap to summarizeThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comJVL 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?Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. JVL’s newsletter, The Triad, has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Best Email Newsletter: Business, News & Technology category. Even if you don’t read it regularly—like some best friends—you can vote to give our very own JVL the W.Every votes counts: Vote here for Best Email Newsletter
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Every Single Person Around Trump Is Expendable
Apr 300:13:05Tap to summarizeThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comJVL and Sarah discuss Trump’s rambling, unfocused address that failed to clarify any of the war’s goals, even as evidence mounts that the situation is getting worse. They also talk about the Bondi firing, why it may have been timed to shift attention, and what it says about how this White House handles bad news.Plus: rising oil prices, market jitters, and new warning signs from voters who are starting to turn against Trump.Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today. JVL’s newsletter, The Triad, has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Best Email Newsletter: Business, News & Technology category. Even if you don’t read it regularly—like some best friends—you can vote to give our very own JVL the W.Every votes counts: Vote here for Best Email Newsletter
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Trump Won’t Stop—Because He Can’t Look Weak
Mar 2700:25:36Tap to summarizeThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.thebulwark.comJVL and Bill Kristol—filling in for Sarah—discuss escalating Iran conflict, the risky push toward a wider war, and why the real damage may outlast the fighting. They also get into the global fallout—from threats to the petrodollar system to the collapse of U.S. alliances—and what a rushed exit might look like.Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September The Secret Podcast with JVL and Sarah is exclusively for members of Bulwark+. To watch or listen to future episodes and join the Secret community in the comments become a Bulwark+ member today.
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