The Focus Group Podcast
The BulwarkUnfiltered, uncompromising, unexpected—The Focus Group is a look into what the average voter thinks about politics, policy, and current events. Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark, has conducted hundreds of hours of focus groups all across the country. She and a series of special guests will take you behind the glass to hear what real focus group participants have to say. www.thebulwa... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 176 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
There are a lot of red states with big elections this year where Democrats are 'sayin' there's a chance,' like Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina, or Iowa, where they may have more than just a chance. The Atlantic's Elaine Godfrey joins Sarah to t... more
Republicans have been on a long winning streak in Florida...but they might be playing defense in 2026...because they have one candidate who's REALLY into data centers, and another candidate running what's being called a 'Joe Biden Basement' campaign.... more
It’s October, and the political environment is really, really, REALLY bad for the Republican Party. Cook Political Report editor in chief Amy Walter explains how Cook is approaching its race ratings this year, and she and Sarah discuss the ever-growi... more
Ohio used to be the biggest swing state in the country. It's turned pretty red, (Trump won it by 11 points in 2024) but it's very hotly contested this year, and there's one big overarching local issue driving it. Signal Ohio state government and poli... more
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- Love the Bulwark, can't take the Longwell show
Tim and JVL are the reason I listen. They're sharp, funny, and they've actually reckoned with where they came from. Sarah Longwell is the reason I hit skip.
Every episode comes with the same reminder: she's a Republican, you see. A real one. A "socially liberal, fiscally conservative" one (eye roll). We get it. It stopped being an insight years ago, and now it's just a brand she can't put down. The tough-girl act is part of the same routine: always proving she's the hard-nosed realist in the ro... more
Apple Podcasts1Md713
United States16 days ago - The commercial is gross
Love your podcast but that Eating Interrupted commercial is gross and disturbing - totally throwing off the vibe
Thank you for your attention to this matter .
Apple Podcasts5oldasshousewifeUnited States20 days ago - Sarah’s great
First I just bought your book!
Listening to these focused group participants are very informative, but at the same time it’s troubling to take in the lack of intellectual fervour particularly the former Trump voters.
Their reasoning for the conclusions they draw or fail to draw sounds like crazy people yapping.
The one ladies says she was not with the whole Covid thing, critically judging the Democratic candidate for her actions during the pandemic when my recollection was the Governor Dewine... more
Apple Podcasts5Central Valley Ca listenerUnited Statesa month ago - 12/21/2024
I just listened to this episode randomly, probably a couple factors were the date and Tim joining. I would love to follow up with some of these people and learn what they think about their predictions about Kash Patel and Kegsbreath.
Apple Podcasts4My Girls' MamaUnited Statesa month ago - Exceptional insights!
Fantastic program weaving voter commentary, interviews, and Sarah’s smart and savvy insights to illuminate voter sentiment (red and blue) across the country and in specific states/races. If you are a political poll watcher this is an important podcast companion (along with Sarah’s book!) to layer qualitative insights with the quantitative data. I have a background in consumer products marketing and have sat in many focus group back rooms over the years, I value listening to consumers. Brilliant ... more
Apple Podcasts5SusyWendyUnited Statesa month ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #71 | United States/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #212 | United States/News |
Apple Podcasts | #224 |  Canada/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #237 |  United Kingdom/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #97 |  Australia/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #127 |  Italy/News/Politics |
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Focus Group Podcast
What is The Focus Group Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A deep-dive into voter attitudes through real focus-group conversations, with analysis from political reporters, strategists, and policy experts. Episodes cover candidate dynamics, identity politics, policy trade-offs, and how local concerns (like data centers, housing, taxes) shape national narratives. Notable moments include live debunking of debate questions, debates on AI, healthcare, and foreign policy, and robust discussions about how voters interpret leadership, character, and coalition-building. The show stands out for its data-driven focus-group format, candid voter voices, and a willingness to explore both substantive policy questions and the messy realities of electoral psychology. It's likely to appeal to listeners who want nuan... more
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How many listeners does The Focus Group Podcast get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Focus Group Podcast?
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How many subscribers and views does The Focus Group Podcast have?
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Which podcasts are similar to The Focus Group Podcast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Focus Group Podcast:
1. The Next Level
2. The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell
3. Bulwark Takes
4. The Bulwark Daily
5. To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
How many episodes of The Focus Group Podcast are there?
The Focus Group Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 176 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact The Focus Group Podcast?
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What guests have appeared on The Focus Group Podcast?
Recent guests on The Focus Group Podcast include:
1. Kimberly Leonard
2. Amy Walter
3. Andrew Tobias
4. Sarah Longwell
5. Christopher Hooks
6. Christopher Cooper
7. Adam Reilly
8. Will Sommer
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.