The Next Level

This Is How They Get Away with It (The Secret Podcast Preview)

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah and JVL have a loooong talk about RFK and vaccines and collateral damage. One of them might be a heartless monster and you’ll never guess whic...

The Worst Is Yet to Come

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The gang talk Sen. Joni Ernst folding to MAGA on Pete Hegseth’s nomination, Donald Trump already acting like president, the shocking amount of suppo...

Sorry to Pierce Your Bubble

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah joins Tim and JVL fresh off a heated panel at the Dealbook Summit with Kevin McCarthy, Kellyanne Conway, Anita Dunn and more. The gang also disc...

Trump's Mess with the Cranks

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump won by aligning with cranks like RFK Jr. Should the Dems follow suit to win? Plus, Rep. Nancy Mace’s bullying of her new trans-coworker...

Trump 2028?

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The gang discuss Donald Trump's "joke" to the House GOP that it's possible he'll run for a third term. Plus, Trump's insane Cabinet nominees, the mist...

Born From Anger

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been three days since Donald Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris to be our 47th president. The gang attempts to start to unravel the questi...

The Finish Line (The Secret Podcast Preview)

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah and JVL have a lot of thoughts about Trump’s threat against Liz Cheney, Larry Hogan’s latest, and the refusal of some leaders to get off the...

This Is It

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The gang assemble for their last official episode before the election on Tuesday. They give their final thoughts on where the race is at, alongside di...

It Might Happen Here (The Secret Podcast Preview)

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah and JVL look at the polling and the vibes and come to slightly different conclusions. Then Sarah lets it rip about John Kelly. (Again.) And the...

All the Fascist's Men

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The gang reacts to the revelations that Gen. John Kelly, Donald Trump’s former chief of staff during his administration, believe the former presiden...

Live from Pittsburgh!

20 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Jonathan V. Last stop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on their swing state tour. They discuss the state of the race, Donal...

Closing Argument: He's Insane!

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The gang talks Donald Trump’s bizarre town hall that turned into a concert, and how it presents the clearest closing argument for Vice President Kam...

The Agony of St. Larry (The Secret Podcast Preview)

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You know when someone says something that’s both obvious and profound and it crystallizes something you’ve long felt but couldn’t articulate? T...

AAAAHHHHH!

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

MAGA’s lies about hurricanes affecting the U.S. are as ridiculous as they are dangerous, leading some in the GOP to try to debunk the false reality ...

So Much Rage

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s be honest, the gang loathes JD Vance with a burning passion and wanted Tim Walz destroy him. Instead, Walz was Mr. Midwest Nice. Did he miss a...

The Latest Trump Scam (The Secret Podcast Preview)

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah can’t stop JVL from talking about the $100,000 Trump Watch. It’s pure candy this week. Also: A look ahead to Walz versus Vance. And is Kama...

Where'd Walz Go?

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The gang discuss Gov. Tim Walz’s lack of media appearances compared to Sen. JD Vance, Vice President Kamala Harris’s media strategy, Sen. Mitt Rom...

The Way of the Flesh (The Secret Podcast Preview)

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Republican candidates and boat parades. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwa...

Trump Bets it All on Male Voters

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Post-debate movement is looking promising for Vice President Harris. Is the race still a tossup? It could come down to turnout between Harris’s newl...

The Big Debate: JVL Likes MTG!?!? (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah and JVL go 10 rounds on the the debate, and fact checking, and the proper role of moderators and news organizations in holding candidates accoun...

Alpha Harris

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Vice President Kamala Harris exceeded all expectations during her debate against a beta Donald Trump. The gang breaks down their thoughts on the debat...

LIVE Debate Reaction

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Longwell, Jonathan V. Last, Tim Miller, Sam Stein and AB Stoddard give their immediate reactions to the Harris vs. Trump debate! Watch the full...

The Anti-Cheneys (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Plus: Russian operatives and Nazi historians. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to...

The GOP is Not Going Back

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The gang talk what Kamala Harris needs to do in her debate against Trump to reignite her momentum, Republicans who want Donald Trump to lose to save t...

We're Not Fluffing Around

28 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a month since all three of our gang have recorded the show together, so they're delving deep into the state of the presidential race now tha...

Everything Is Good. Too Good. (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

JVL and Bill Kristol talk about the unsettling feeling that the campaign is going . . . really well. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free epis...

Are We Approaching the Best Case Scenario?

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Apparently, this is the week for so-called moderate Republicans to come out and voice their support for Trump, despite no one asking them too. This in...

Kamala's Left Field Veep Pick

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, and everyone but Never-Trump Republicans is happy! Plus, Donald Tru...

The Simone and Josh Show (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The conservatives who hate Simone Biles and the progressives who don't like Josh Shapiro. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the...

The Trump Campaign Implodes

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The campaign has completely turned on its head after Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic Party’s nominee. She’s got the right messa...

Kamala's Upside Potential (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If she crosses over to become a mainstream cultural figure, then watch out . . . Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret P...

Kamala's Perfect Storm

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

President Biden stepping off the ticket and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris has led to a huge vibe shift with Democrats. Can Harris ride this w...

Secret Podcast Preview: The Republican Convention After-Action Report

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trump, Tucker, J.D. Vance, and the beginning of the real campaign. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are ava...

Bent Knees

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Republican Nation convention is underway, and every former critic still in the party, from Donald Trump’s new veep JD Vance to Nikki, is bending...

Blue MAGA

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In some concerning ways, President Biden has taken a page out of Donald Trump’s book some in his party pressure him to leave the ticket, and a few o...

Group Therapy (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Being in the out-group. Again. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

Burdened by What Currently Is

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Voters, not just pundits and donors, are in a panic over whether President Joe Biden should remain atop the ticket, with more and more Americans calli...

At Least Insanity is Honest

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday's primary results kicked out Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman, but welcomed back Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, because the Dems have standard...

The Dark Level: Is Nothing Sacred?

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special TNL/Dark Side mash-up, JVL & A.B. attempt to break Tim's resolve by discussing President Biden's concerning showing in a new Ann S...

Trump's Truth Has No Value

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hunter Biden's conviction might be beneficial for Joe Biden's campaign, but that hasn't stopped the GOP from dismissing the justice they claim to crav...

Five Months Out From November

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The GOP continues to be all in on Donald Trump, even after a conviction, choosing to blame the deep state rather than do a single thing to deter the f...

Is He Guilty? (The Secret Podcast Preview)

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the only question that matters. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast Join Sar...

The Grist for the Grievance Mill

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The jury in Trump’s trial is now deliberating, and the gang discusses the impact a conviction, hung jury or acquittal could have on the election. Pl...

It Doesn't Matter Which Reich Trump Meant

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a a chaotic week in GOP politics, with Donald Trump sharing a video hyping up a "United Reich, SCOTUS Justice Alito's upside down flag revel...

Only the Worst People (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

18 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah and JVL talk about Samuel Alito’s flag, Greg Abbott’s favorite murderer, MTG’s spectacle, and Bob Menendez’s gold bars. The scumbags are...

The Next Level Live in DC!

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The gang was live in D.C. last night to talk President Biden challenging Donald Trump to a debate in June. The former president accepted the early deb...

Stormy with a Chance of Guilty (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah and JVL talk about the cross examination of Stormy Daniels, Biden’s move to deny Israel heavy ordinance, Marco Rubio’s VP quest, and all of ...

You Don't Want to Hear All the Stormy Details

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Stormy Daniels takes the stand in one of Trump's trials, while Judge Aileen Cannon indefinitely delays another! Plus, what's the difference between fo...

Why Kim Jong-Un Underestimated Kristi Noem (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Also: Trump's first criminal trial is going great. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpod...

It's Always Dark in Trump's America (Live from Philadelphia)

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The gang went to Philly and hosted a live event where they discussed the terrifying new Time magazine interview with Donald Trump, and why everyone is...

The Supreme Court Won't Save Us (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

And it's not clear that the SCOTUS would want to, even if it could. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.c...

The Tabloid Candidate

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Pecker’s testimony in Trump's trial highlights how his lies and misinformation dominated his 2016 campaign. And Marco Rubio's pathetic attempt...

Catch Up: Sununu, Johnson, and DJT (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah was out of pocket and off the grid all week. JVL was doing his best work in Overtime. So they play a rapid-fire game of catch up on everything S...

The Trial of Donald J. Trump

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Speaker Mike Johnson is battling Marjorie Taylor Greene's attempt to oust him while also crafting legislation to give foreign allies aid, a tall task ...

What Trump Did to Pro-Life Inc. (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

And cancer finally catches up with O.J. Simpson. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodca...

The 1860s are Back!

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The OG trio is back to discuss the Arizona Supreme Court's upholding of an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions in the state. What does this mean for...

The Economy Keeps Getting Better (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tim subs in for Sarah to talk new economic data that hopefully starts to make Americans feel good enough to vote for President Biden! Become a Bulwar...

Enemies and Traitors Working Together

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nikki Haley pulled a decent chunk of the Wisconsin primary vote, despite being out of the race for weeks, while the Governor of Nebraska is taking the...

Cable News Is Kabuki Theater (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ronna McDaniel wasn't hired to analyze the news. She was hired to play a part. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.t...

The Big Lie is Hiring Up!

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The RNC, now under Lara Trump, is asking candidates if they believe the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump, creating a new litmus test for Rep...

Ohio Says Goodbye to Anything Other Than MAGA

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Trump-endorsed businessman Bernie Moreno easily won the GOP senate primary in Ohio on Tuesday, and will face off against Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown...

The Trumps Welcome the RNC into the Family

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lara Trump's takeover of the RNC has led to massive lay offs and looks to be steering the political organization towards paying off Trump's legal bill...

Biden's State of the Union Masterclass (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

May we interest you in a t-shirt? Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

This is the End, Our Primary Friends

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Super Tuesday has come to the close, and so has the entire 2024 primary season. Nikki Haley has dropped out, essentially sealing to deal on another Tr...

Trump and Biden Went to Texas (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We finally got the Trump-Biden split-screen. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

Biden Goes on Offense

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Both President Joe Biden and Donald Trump scored big victories in their respective Michigan primaries, but what do the numbers tell us about the gener...

Live from Principles First!

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to Sarah Longwell, Jonathan V. Last and A.B. Stoddard live on stage at the 2024 Principles First Summit!

Together. Again. (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Everything, everywhere, all at once. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/s/thesecretpodcast

The Dying Star Witness

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The House GOP's key informant for their impeachment efforts against President Joe Biden has charged with lying about his the Biden family's business d...

Genuine Patriots and Useful Idiots (The Secret Podcast Preview)

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A study in contrast. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/it-follows

Dems Took All the Reliable Voters

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dems continue their special election winning streak by flipping expelled Congressman George Santos' seat. Is it reason to be optimistic for November? ...

It Follows (The Secret Podcast Preview)

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Once authoritarianism enters the political realm, it distorts everything. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebul...

Mike Makes a Mess & Ronna Romney Runs Away

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a mess of a week for the GOP. Senate Republicans tanked their own bipartisan border bill, while House Republicans failed to deliver the vote...

Here's Why Trump is Beatable (with Tristan Snell)

04 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tim is joined by attorney Tristan Snell, who helped lead the prosecution of Trump University. They discuss the case and delve into the best legal stra...

Joe Tells Us What He Really Thinks About Trump (The Secret Podcast Preview)

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Also: How not to live and/or die with the polls over the next 9 months.

MAGA Loses Their Minds Over Taylor Swift

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Biden is still down in the polls, but is it still too soon to take them seriously? Sarah has thoughts on which of the swing states Biden has to win, a...

Taylor Swift's MAGA Meltdown! | Ballot Box with Bill & Tim

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you want more Ballot Box with Bill and Tim, check out The Bulwark's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bulwarkmedia Bill and Tim are live ...

The "Good Guy with a Gun" Myth (with Fred Guttenberg)

28 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tim is joined by Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter, Jaime, perished in 2018's Parkland school shooting. He's since dedicated his life to advocating for ...

Democrats Need to Play Hardball with Crazy House Republicans (with Rep. Jake Auchincloss)

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Miller speaks with Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss on the status of the Ukraine/border deal negotiations, as well as the prospect of Donald Trump...

Get Ready for the Longest General Election Ever

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

New Hampshire's come and gone, and while Nikki Haley hasn't dropped out of the primary, the overwhelming consensus is that the general election betwee...

How Long Does the Planet Earth Have? (with David Wallace-Wells)

21 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a special climate episode of TNL Sunday, David Wallace-Wells, author of The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming, joins Tim to discuss the curr...

George Conway Explains E. Jean Carroll’s Lawsuit Against Donald Trump

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this third edition of “George Conway Explains it All,” George explains to Sarah Longwell how he gave legal advice to E. Jean Carroll and helped...

The Submission to Trump is Insane (Ballot Box with Bill Kristol)

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a special recording of their YouTube show, "Ballot Box," Bill and Tim recap the Iowa Caucus, discuss strategies for New Hampshire and where Democra...

The GOP Chose Not to Stop Trump

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The gang breaks down Donald Trump’s big win in Iowa, as well as what comes next for the other candidates in the primary. One thing’s for sure, Rep...

Jeffrey Epstein's Secrets (with Julie K. Brown) | The Next Level Sunday

14 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tim speaks with Polk Award winning author Julie K. Brown about the recent batch of documents released regarding the Epstein case as well as her book '...

Pour One Out for the Good Guy: Chris Christie leaves; Nikki Haley prepares to get smoked (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

No Labels Is Big Mad, Chris Christie is good and Nikki Haley is toast. JVL and Sarah are giving you a free sneak peek at this week's Secret Podcast. ...

Is Trump Going to Jail? (George Conway Explains it All)

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this second edition of "George Conway Explains it All," Sarah Longwell and George discuss the possibility of Donald Trump going to jail and the lik...

Yes, Presidents Can Commit Crimes

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Iowa caucus, and potentially the end to the entire 2024 primary season, is almost here. What are the campaigns doing in the final days? Plus, Dona...

Special Edition: George Conway Explains It All (w/ George Conway)

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

George Conway joins Sarah Longwell in this special edition of The Next Level to give his legal expertise on how SCOTUS will approach states kicking Do...

What's Next for the Populists? (with Josh Green)

07 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

NYT bestselling author Josh Green joins Tim to discuss his new book, The Rebels: Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the S...

Rating the News (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The media is killing it right now. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/its-not-that-hard-nikki

Hello Iowa, Goodbye Primary

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The gang is back to kick off 2024 by delving into the Iowa primary, where GOP primary voters seem poised to give aspiring dictator Donald Trump a land...

It's Not That Hard Nikki (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the last Secret Podcast of 2023, Sarah and Tim talk Nikki Haley failing to mention slavery when asked about the cause of the Civil War. Become a B...

Let's Brace for 2024 Together!

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The gang break down their predictions for 2024, including how the GOP primary will end, who will be Trump's VP pick, and the craziest development that...

Little Steven Unplugged: Music, Politics, and Sopranos (with Steven Van Zandt)

23 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this special Saturday edition of TNL Sunday, Steven Van Zandt of the E Street Band joins Tim and JVL to cover everything from politics and aparthei...

Monsters Behind Every Door (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Least bad options are the only options we've got. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/what-if-good-...

Voters or the Courts? The Right to End Trump

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Colorado's state Supreme Court has ruled Donald Trump cannot appear on the ballot in 2024. The gang discusses whether the ruling does more harm than g...

Where Did the Empathy for Ukraine Go? (with Terrell Starr)

17 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Terrell Starr joins Tim to discuss being a Black reporter in Ukraine, and how that impacts the way he views the Russian invasion of the country. He al...

What If Good Things Happen? (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An else-worlds episode. Become a Bulwark+ member to listen to the full episode: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/what-if-good-things-happen

The GOP's Disgusting Future

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The future of the GOP disgustingly hurtles towards Sen. J.D. Vance's isolationist vision, abandoning allies like Ukraine in the process.  Plus, the ...