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The Focus Group Podcast

The Bulwark
Donald Trump
Biden Administration
Tiktok
Focus Groups
2024 Election
Covid-19
Republican Voters Against Trump
Bytedance
Congress
Joe Biden
Gen Z
National Security
Data Privacy
2024 Presidential Election
Republican Party
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes124Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & CulturePolitics

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Artwork for The Focus Group Podcast

Latest Episodes

There's always a possibility that Donald Trump will try to run for a third term. But plenty of Republicans don't even want that...for now. We asked some of Trump's base how they're feeling about a third term for him (their answers may surprise you!) ... more

We've heard a lot about how young men have shifted to the right...but this week's election showed young women moving to the left as well. Gen Z expert Rachel Janfaza, founder of The Up and Up, joins Sarah to discuss why young women have shifted to th... more

YouTube

No election in 2025 has been more impacted by the Trump presidency than the elections in Virginia. This state doesn't vote for MAGA candidates anymore, but their nominee for governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, isn't really campaigning like that. So one of... more

The New Jersey governor's race is a little too close for comfort, after New Jersey had one of the largest swings toward Donald Trump of any state in the country, and the Democratic candidate, Mikie Sherrill is on track for a sub-optimal performance o... more

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Recent Guests

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)
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)
Heather Cox Richardson
History professor at Boston College and author of The Substack, Letters from an American.
Boston College
Episode: S5 Ep24: Do the Next Right Thing, Change the World (with Heather Cox Richardson)
Harry Siegel
Senior editor at The City and columnist at New York Daily News
The City
Episode: S5 Ep23: Cuomo vs. Mamdani (with Harry Siegel)
Jonathan Cohn
Health care expert and author of The Bulwark's newsletter, The Breakdown
The Bulwark
Episode: S5 Ep22: 'This Country is Effed' (with Jonathan Cohn)
Annie Karni
Congressional Reporter for The New York Times and co-author of 'Mad House.'
The New York Times
Episode: S5 Ep19: Congress: Trump's Super-Staffers (with Annie Karni)

Host

Sarah Longwell
Host and publisher known for her unfiltered and analytical approach to political discourse, focusing on insights drawn from extensive focus group data.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 3.1k ratings
  • More JVL please!!!!!

    More JVL! We need to focus more on how we deal with so many voters being idiots, rather than blaming candidates for their difficulties connecting with voters who CANNOT THINK STRAIGHT!!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ToddOrBillyS
    United States25 days ago
  • So good!

    Harry Siegel is a great guest!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    banana club time
    United Statesa month ago
  • Loved this episode!

    Sarah and Dan!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bpbluepill
    United Statesa month ago
  • Refreshingly unique & my must have Saturday morning podcast

    During these crazy and chaotic times, the format of being a fly on the wall to hear an intelligent & smart analysis of actual people interacting in a focus group is a brilliant concept. It’s my goto podcast to listen to every Saturday. Surprised it hadn’t been done before. The insights/discussions breathe life into the opinions of the people in the focus group and both educate and entertain me listening to people open up. I’ve been listening for several years and the show never disappoints as S... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mhamaps
    United Statesa month ago
  • Egged

    He’s smart – thanks for the intro.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Billybill1984
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed feelings regarding the show, with some critics pointing out perceived biases in guest selection and discussion topics.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth exploration of voter psychology and sentiments, finding the authentic voices enlightening.
Many value the unique format that merges focus groups with political analysis, seeing it as a critical tool for understanding contemporary politics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#69
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#208
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#110
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#206
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#138
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#212
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
S6 Ep4: The Right's 'Turning Point'? (with Will Sommer)
Q: How did the focus groups view the reactions from the left about Charlie Kirk's assassination?
The group expressed that the reactions from some on the left celebrating his death are indicative of a fractious political environment that has desensitized engagement.
S6 Ep4: The Right's 'Turning Point'? (with Will Sommer)
Q: Do you think Charlie Kirk's legacy will bring more young people into conservatism?
Yes, many young people seem to view him as a model for entering conservative politics without the fear of backlash.
S6 Ep4: The Right's 'Turning Point'? (with Will Sommer)
Q: What do you think the impact of Charlie Kirk's assassination will be on the Republican Party and its young followers?
It might drive many young conservatives towards more extreme voices due to the perception that traditional figures like Charlie Kirk were being targeted.
S5 Ep24: Do the Next Right Thing, Change the World (with Heather Cox Richardson)
Q: What do you make of the protests in general and their effectiveness?
The mobilization during protests reflects the anger towards current politics, and history teaches us that engagement is crucial.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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 provides a revealing insight into the minds of average voters regarding political sentiments, policy perspectives, and current events. Utilizing extensive data from focus groups, the discussions often highlight voter frustrations, misunderstandings, and aspirations, showcasing a variety of opinions from both sides of the political aisle. Unique to this show is its emphasis on authentic, unfiltered voices, allowing participants to express their feelings candidly, sometimes challenging the prevailing narratives within political discourse.

Noteworthy themes include the complexities surrounding political violence, voter discontent with major political figures, and the effects of misinformation on public perception. The format enco... more

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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. George Conway Explains It All (To Sarah Longwell)
3. The Bulwark Podcast
4. Bulwark Takes
5. FYPod

How many episodes of The Focus Group Podcast are there?

The Focus Group Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 124 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. Rachel Janfaza
2. Jeff Schapiro
3. Dan Pfeiffer
4. Rachel Kleinfeld
5. Ashley Parker
6. Heather Cox Richardson
7. Harry Siegel
8. Jonathan Cohn

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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