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The Focus Group Podcast

The Bulwark
Donald Trump
Biden Administration
Tiktok
2024 Election
Focus Groups
Covid-19
Republican Voters Against Trump
Bytedance
Congress
Joe Biden
National Security
Data Privacy
Gen Z
Republican Party
2024 Presidential Election
Swing Voters
Georgia
China
Israel-Hamas War
Larry Hogan

Unfiltered, 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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes130Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePoliticsNews

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Artwork for The Focus Group Podcast

Latest Episodes

A year in review from The Focus Group Podcast: the revealing moments, toughest conversations, and warnings that hit a little harder with hindsight—from swing voters to Democrats to cracks inside MAGA.

Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THEFOCUSGROU... more

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' movement and its adherents have done some of the most harm of anyone in Donald Trump's second term. The voters who are motivated by 'MAHA' are also some of the most interesting. The Bulwark's resi... more

The American military used to be one of the more trusted institutions in America. In 2025, it's a major political football. But how much do voters know about the military and its proper use? Bulwark military expert, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) join... more

Swing voters are pretty fed up with politics in general. They’re often “swingy” because they can’t really stand either party. And in our most recent focus group, they all let political leaders HAVE IT. We also check in with Maine Democratic primary v... more

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Recent Guests

Robert Draper
Staff writer for the New York Times Magazine and author of Weapons of Mass Delusion, When the Republican Party Lost Its Mind
New York Times
Episode: S6 Ep17: America on Tape: A Brutal (and Hopeful) Year
Mark Hertling
Lieutenant General and resident military expert at The Bulwark
The Bulwark
Episode: S6 Ep15: The Civilian-Military Relationship (with Mark Hertling)
Senator Elissa Slotkin
A Congresswoman known for winning tough races in Trump districts and for her military background.
U.S. Congress
Episode: S6 Ep12: Epstein Files & Illegal Orders (w/ Will Sommer and Sen. Elissa Slotkin)
Rachel Janfaza
Founder of The Up and Up, a media and research firm
The Up and Up
Episode: S6 Ep10: Gen Z: They're Zooming Apart (with Rachel Janfaza)
Jeff Schapiro
Scholar at the University of Virginia Center for Politics and political journalist
University of Virginia
Episode: S6 Ep9: Virginia: National Politics is Local (with Jeff Schapiro)
Harry Siegel
Senior editor at The City and creator of the FAQ NYC Podcast
The City
Episode: S6 Ep7: New Yorkers Brace for Mamdani (with Harry Siegel)
Dan Pfeiffer
Co-host of Pod Save America and author of The Message Box Substack newsletter.
Pod Save America
Episode: S6 Ep5: I'd Do Anything To Win (But I Won't Do That) (with Dan Pfeiffer)
Rachel Kleinfeld
Senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, expert in political violence
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Episode: S6 Ep2: You Can Ramp It Up or Ramp It Down (with Rachel Kleinfeld)
Ashley Parker
Staff writer at The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: S6 Ep1: Swing Voters Say Trump is "Meh" (with Ashley Parker)

Host

Sarah Longwell
Publisher of The Bulwark, and host of The Focus Group Podcast where she leads discussions based on extensive focus group research.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 3.1k ratings
  • Genuine

    Sarah is real. The shows are not consistent and they oughtn’t be bc some of the people whose opinions she represents are poorly stated or ill formed. She treats ALL their opinions w respect, gives them due consideration wo making apologies… which ain’t easy, given some of what they say. Some of the guests, like today’s retired general, was for me (as an artsie know-nothing liberal) enormously enlightening. Much appreciate what you do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alaleian
    United States18 days ago
  • One of the Most Astute Political Podcasts

    I am a long time listener to Sarah and this podcast, but her episode with Astead Herndon on 12/6 was perhaps one of the most politically astute podcasts I have ever listened to. I love how neither are dramatic or vitriolic and actually listen to what voters (of all persuasions) are really saying. Just good stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    San_Diego_Mama
    United States21 days ago
  • Excellent

    Sarah, you and Astead together do an excellent job of explaining voters’ thinking.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    fmvson
    United States24 days ago
  • Love Sarah

    But note to Sarah‘s guests: stop asking “right?“ in the middle of sentences. It is highly annoying and makes me turn it off.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Billybill1984
    United States25 days ago
  • Always illuminating

    I love hearing the voices of actual focus group participants. Sarah does a great job of summarizing the overall themes we’re hearing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CinciJJ
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is a strong emphasis on the importance of understanding voter sentiments, making it a valuable resource for engaged listeners.
Many find Sarah Longwell's approach to discussing complex topics refreshing and enlightening.
Some feedback points to frustration over the length and content of discussions, especially regarding frequent advertisements.
Listeners appreciate the authentic voices heard in focus groups, which provide deep insights into voter opinions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#60
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#177
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#88
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#222
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#249
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#108
Australia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S6 Ep17: America on Tape: A Brutal (and Hopeful) Year
Q: What do participants think about potential changes to the filibuster?
There were mixed feelings on eliminating the filibuster. While some expressed the need for it to get things done, others argued for the importance of maintaining checks and balances in government processes.
S6 Ep16: MAGA's 'Crunchy' Surprise (with Jonathan Cohn)
Q: What are they doing to deal with this?
Doctors need to meet people where they are and listen to their concerns seriously about vaccines.
S6 Ep16: MAGA's 'Crunchy' Surprise (with Jonathan Cohn)
Q: Is there anything he's doing that's affirmative?
The concept of MAHA, which promotes preventative medicine and health, is something I think would be universally supported by people on both sides.
S6 Ep16: MAGA's 'Crunchy' Surprise (with Jonathan Cohn)
Q: Is there anything that you think has gone uncovered about the way that they have approached public health?
There's been a general problem of the Trump administration that there's so much going on, it's hard to focus.
S6 Ep8: New Jersey: The 'No Narc' State (with Jonathan V. Last)
Q: Do you believe in undecided voters as a thing?
Most were decided; undecided voters often lean partisan and do research on pet issues but tend to know who they're voting for.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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?

This podcast offers an unfiltered look into the thoughts and sentiments of average voters regarding politics, policy, and current events. Each episode features Sarah Longwell engaging in deep discussions with a host of guests, presenting insights gleaned from extensive focus group research conducted nationwide. The format allows listeners to hear the authentic voices of focus group participants, making it unique in its approach to understanding voter sentiment and political dynamics. Episodes tackle a wide range of topics, often exploring the complexities of voter experiences, emotional responses, and the impact of contemporary political landscapes on public opinion.

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How many listeners does The Focus Group Podcast get?

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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 Podcast
5. The Mona Charen Show

How many episodes of The Focus Group Podcast are there?

The Focus Group Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 130 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Focus Group Podcast?

Recent guests on The Focus Group Podcast include:

1. Robert Draper
2. Mark Hertling
3. Senator Elissa Slotkin
4. Rachel Janfaza
5. Jeff Schapiro
6. Harry Siegel
7. Dan Pfeiffer
8. Rachel Kleinfeld

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.

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