The Next Level
Episodes
The Pivotal Moment (with David Grann)
10 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The New York Times bestselling author David Grann ("The Lost City of Z") joins Tim and JVL to discuss his time covering Sen. John McCain's presidenti...
Giving Permission (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Plus: Sarah has to save America. Again. Listen to the full episode by becoming a Bulwark+ subscriber here: https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/giving-permi...
Mike Johnson: Obstructor of Justice
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The gang discuss Speaker Mike Johnson blurring the faces of Jan. 6 insurrectionists to protect them from the DOJ, while Rep. James Comer makes the GOP...
A Reckoning with History (with Clint Smith)
03 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The New York Times best selling author Clint Smith joins Tim to discuss race and its history in the United States, including the false narratives man...
The Doorstep of Crisis (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Also: DeSantis vs. Newsom.
Based Liz Cheney Has Arrived
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The gang reacts to the first reveals from Liz Cheney's new book, including some embarrassing Kevin McCarthy quotes. Meanwhile, New Hampshire governor ...
Elect a Dictator to Save Democracy? No Thanks!
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The gang discusses former Rep. Peter Meijer, who voted to impeach Donald Trump over January 6, and his insane justification as to why he will vote for...
The Most Fortunate are the Least Patriotic (with Scott Galloway)
19 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Scott Galloway, host of the "Pivot" podcast, joins Tim to discuss the future of artificial intelligence, ungrateful tech leaders like Elon M...
Mom, Kari Lake Keeps Touching Me!
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tim debriefs his interview with Kari Lake, who's running to be the Senate of Arizona while attempting to put some of her craziest positions behind her...
On the Home Front (with Brianna Keilar)
12 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For a special Veteran's Day weekend TNL Sunday, Tim interviews CNN's Brianna Keilar, whose husband is a Green Beret. They discuss what it's like to be...
St. Joe's Heel Turn (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
And the Republican debate.
The Death of Glenn Youngkin's Career
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The gang reacts to Democratic wins in last night's elections, like the pro-choice issue in Ohio and Dems taking over Virginia's state legislature; the...
Live from New Orleans with Walter Isaacson
05 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tim interviews Walter Isaacson at The Bulwark's live event in New Orleans. Listen to the two discuss Walter's latest book, Elon Musk, and what it was ...
Ron and Nikki (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The no-shot and the long-shot.
If You’re Not Michelle Obama
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A new poll shows newly Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema trailing both Republican Kari Lake and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego in Arizona's 2024 Senate r...
Red-Pilled (with Tom Arnold)
29 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Actor and comedian Tom Arnold joins Tim to discuss his journey from comedy into anti-Trump politics. He also delves into his background growing up i...
Brought to You by Johnson Phillips (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The new speaker and the new presidential candidate.
The MAGA House Takeover is Complete
25 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The GOP’s next speaker-designate is MAGA Rep. Mike Johnson, a major player in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election; and ...
Democrats are Ready to Deal (with Rep. Dan Goldman)
22 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman joins Tim to talk the mayhem in the House and what liberals would be willing to negotiate with Republicans to elect a Spea...
A Tale of Two Speeches (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
22 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jim Jordan and Joe Biden speak to America.
MAGA Learns Chaos Isn't Always a Ladder
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The disfunction on The Hill continues with Jim Jordan the latest GOP hopeful to get rejected for the Speakership by his own party. What will finally m...
Testimony from Tel Aviv (with Blake Flayton)
15 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Columnist Blake Flayton speaks with Tim from Tel Aviv, Israel amidst the aftermath of Hamas’ terrorist attacks. Listen to his perspective on the pol...
Speaker Ships (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What comes after Scalise.
The New Blame America First Party
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The gang talk to devastating attacks on Israel by Hamas, as well as the terrible reactions by both the left and the right. Except, of course, from Pre...
Mea Culpa (with Joan Walsh)
08 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tim sits down with former editor-in-chief of "Salon" Joan Walsh. Previously on opposite sides of political discourse, the two political pundits discus...
Reality vs. Perception (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tim is in for Sarah and he and JVL talk about the economy, unemployment numbers, and the relationship between voter sentiment and reality.
Kevin Goes Home Alone & Disgraced
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The GOP majority in the House is on fire as Kevin McCarthy is ousted. But will a bigger threat in the form of Jim Jordan replace him? A.B. Stoddard su...
The Road to Personal Growth (with Henry Winkler)
01 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Actor and author Henry Winkler (Happy Days, Barry) joins Tim and Sarah to talk the evolution of his Hollywood career, dealing with dyslexia, artificia...
Vitamin Y (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Don't worry, folks, Glenn Youngkin is here to save the GOP! The Secret Show is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. To listen to the rest of this show a...
Fury and Executioner
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The gang dive into what the non-Trump candidates need to do in the second debate tonight ... and debate amongst themselves if it even matters. Plus...
Drop Dead Misogynists (with Gretchen Carlson)
24 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gretchen Carlson sits down with Tim to discuss the fight against sexual harassment, age discrimination, her courage in speaking out against Fox and Ro...
Longreads (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On Murdoch and Milley. The Secret Show is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. To listen to the rest of this show and gain access to all Bulwark+ member...
The Handy Seen Round the World
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rep. Lauren Boebert fooled around and found out, while Sen. John Fetterman's opinion on the Senate dress code riles DC. It's a doozy of an episode wit...
MAGA: Stranger Than Fiction (with Brad Thor)
17 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fellow never-Trump Republican Brad Thor joins Tim this Sunday to talk his new thriller novel, "Dead Fall." They also discuss the decline of the GOP aw...
Mitt Romney and the Hollow Men (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
16 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL talk about the revelations from the upcoming Romney biography. And the weirdness of Republicans being “pro-working man” and also ant...
The Nothing Burger Impeachment
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announces the House will start an impeachment inquiry without a vote and without evidence. But his right-wing critics, su...
Bizarre Politics (with Andrew Zimmern)
10 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Zimmern, former host of Bizarre Foods, joins Tim to discuss how food relates to immigration and climate, his journey to sobriety, growing up wi...
C-SPAN Secrets: And the deplorables of the week (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL drop the news that TNL is taking over CSPAN on Saturday morning. They talk about Nikki Haley’s second look. America’s SpaceX problem...
Old Man Biden
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How concerned voters are toward Joe Biden's old age might be the biggest determining factor to whether he beats Donald Trump in 2024; and Tim got into...
Stupid Culture Wars (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You should be alarmed. The Secret Show is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. To listen to the rest of this show and gain access to all Bulwark+ member...
It's All Bad and We're All Doomed
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One week after the first GOP debate, nothing has changed and Trump is still dominant. Plus, conservative pundits now say Trump will get more Black vot...
Resisting Progressive Pressure (with Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez)
27 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez pulled off a surprise win against Republican Joe Kent in the 2022 midterms, and since entering Congress has made a name f...
The Debate and the Surrender (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL catch up on the debate—about Nikki and Ron and Vivek. And about Trump’s mugshot. Warning: Sarah’s audio is a little wonky. The S...
Live Post-Debate Reaction (with Tom Nichols and Ben Smith)
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tim and JVL went live with Tom Nichols and Semafor's Ben Smith on The Bulwark's YouTube channel last night immediately after the first GOP debate. Lis...
She's Not Like Other Debates
23 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The gang talks the stakes for the GOP presidential candidates not named Donald Trump who qualified for the first primary debate on Fox News. Watch th...
The Women Who Took on Trump (with Robbie Kaplan)
20 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Robbie Kaplan, the lawyer who represented E. Jean Carroll in her civil suit against Donald Trump, joins Tim to discuss her win against the former pres...
How Should DeSantis Approach the Debate? (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
18 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A Very Special Episode. The Secret Show is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. To listen to the rest of this show and gain access to all Bulwark+ membe...
Place Your Bets: President or Jail?
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The gang plays a little game: What are the odds Trump a) Becomes president, b) Goes to jail, or c) Neither? Let us know what you think the odds are in...
Who's to Blame for the Homelessness Crisis? (with Jerusalem Demsas)
13 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder how homelessness has gotten so bad in America? And why there appears to be no successful efforts to solve it? The Atlantic's Jerusalem Dem...
Hunter & Ron (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
11 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL talk about the politics of Joe Biden’s Hunter problem and the game theory on whether or not Ron DeSantis should stay in the race. The ...
Trump or Death
09 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tim recounts his trip to Iowa to watch GOP presidential candidates make their weak bids for the nomination over Trump, Including Ron DeSantis, who jus...
The Answer is Anarchy (with Amanda Shires)
06 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Country artist Amanda Shires joins Tim to discuss Nashville politics, abortion (including her life threatening ectopic pregnancy), being a liberal sin...
What If Mike Pence Is the Best Never Trumper? (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
04 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL talk about the latest arraignment. The Secret Show is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. To listen to the rest of this show and gain acce...
Indictment III: Revenge of the 6th
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's the latest indictment of former President Donald Trump, this time on the most dangerous charges yet: 2020 election interference. What will this m...
We Hate Him, So They Love Him (with Ron Filipkowski)
30 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ron Filipkowski joins Tim to talk his journey from lawyer to never-Trump political commentator. Together, they analyze the MAGA transformation of the ...
Indictment 2.1 (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL talk about Jack Smith’s superseding indictment, Hunter Biden not getting pardoned, Sarah’s new campaign, and Barbenheimer. It’s a ...
Kill it All With Fire
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
DeSantis attempts to reboot his campaign with by firing a third of his staff, one of whom apparently made videos with Nazi symbolism. Plus, Kevin McCa...
Just Say No to Crypto (with Ben McKenzie)
23 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben McKenzie (The O.C., Gotham) joins Tim and JVL to talk his new book, "Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud." ...
DeSantis and the No Labels DEFCON Level (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL dig into Ron DeSantis’s awful campaign reset and then try to figure out just what the No Labels people are thinking. Check out all The...
Three Indictments. Zero Accountability.
19 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Trump and DeSantis had major interviews last night, and both were consumed by the former's third indictment yet. Trump doesn't even need to defend him...
How to Beat Trump (with Jen Psaki)
16 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jen Psaki joins Tim and Sarah this week to talk what Biden needs to do to win in 2024, whether his age is an issue, her time in the White House, and t...
What Is "Real"? (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
14 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Secret Podcast Preview: The weird disconnect between the vibes the actual real state of the economy. The Secret Show is exclusively for Bulwark+ mem...
DeSantis DeSpirals Downward
12 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The key whistleblower the GOP has been touting as a smoking gun against President Biden, along with his son Hunter, has been charged with failing to r...
You Don't Gotta Hand it to White Nationalists (with Alex Edelman)
09 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hot comedian on the rise Alex Edelman joins Tim to discuss his show, Just for Us, and its debut on Broadway, alongside Judaism, white nationalism, com...
The Rage and Joy of MAGA America (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Secret Show is exclusively for Bulwark+ members. To listen to the rest of this show and gain access to all Bulwark+ member benefits (newsletters, ...
Nine Imperfect Judges
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah is back this week to talk all things SCOTUS, as the gang breaks down this year's rulings and what they mean for the country. Plus, Ron DeSantis'...
Your Sportsballs are Infected (w/ Pablo S. Torre)
02 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tim sits down with sportswriter and ESPN Daily host Pablo S. Torre to discuss how sports, the last unifying cultural touchstone in America, has starte...
Europe: What Is Going on in America with Trump? (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Kristol sits in for Sarah today and we talked about a lot. What the 2024 election looks like from Europe; the war in Ukraine; Mike Pence; the R...
WTF is Happening Inside Russia? (Livestream PREVIEW)
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tim and JVL sat down with Lt Col. Alexander Vindman to breakdown the almost civil war in Russia and what it could mean for Vladimir Putin down the lin...
All the Phonies Hit the Floor (with Joe Perticone)
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Speaker Kevin McCarthy says Trump might not be the strongest candidate in 2024, but immediately walks it back as loyalists rage against him, and DeSan...
Ai, Ai, Captain! (with Reid Hoffman)
25 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's TNL Sunday, Tim and JVL interview Reid Hoffman, a founding member of OpenAI, aka the creators of ChatGPT. Together they discuss how the...
They're All Running (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL talk about the latest 2 percent candidate and the Pew survey on what Democrats and Republicans really want. Learn more about your ad c...
Admissions of Guilt (with Amanda Carpenter)
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump and Hunter Biden both admit they broke the law, but under very different circumstances. Plus, the second part of Bret Baier's interview w...
Les-Be-Honest Punditry (with Sen. Tammy Baldwin)
18 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sen. Tammy Baldwin joins Tim and Sarah to breakdown her lifetime of firsts as an openly gay politician, her coming out story in the 80s, the art of be...
The Iowa Focus Groups Want Them Some Trump
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A report from the front line of the GOP primary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Real Wannabe Dictator (with Sonny Bunch)
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump has been arrested for the second time this year, and GOP voters somehow think he's the most electable of all Republican candidates. Plus,...
Daddy Issues (with Ryan Holiday)
11 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the lead up to Father’s Day, author and podcast host Ryan Holiday joins Tim and JVL to talk the rewards and tribulations of being a dad. Ryan als...
Indictment: Part Deux (The Secret Podcast)
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL talk about the big indictment. What it means for the Republican primary. How the Triangle of Doom is operating. And whether there’s an...
The Problem with CNN (with Sonny Bunch)
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sonny joins JVL and Sarah to talk the ouster of Chris Licht from CNN after a devastating profile by Tim Alberta. Plus, Chris Christie and Mike Pence o...
Why Aren't You Angrier? (with Chasten Buttigieg)
04 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On a special Pride edition of TNL Sunday, Chasten Buttigieg joins Tim to discuss his new book, Josh Hawley's "Manhood," Ted Cruz's Uganda comments, an...
Our Kevin (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL go to a perplexing place trying to figure out if the (very valuable) short-term good Kevin McCarthy has done regarding governing outweig...
More Extreme. Less Dangerous. Equally MAGA.
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Republicans and President Joe Biden worked out a debt ceiling deal where Democrats gave major concessions ... and yet Speaker Kevin McCarthy is still ...
The Death of the West Wing Dream? (with Bradley Whitford)
28 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bradley Whitford (The West Wing, Transparent) joins the Sunday show to talk The West Wing, criticisms of the show's idealistic politics, and his own e...
The Shape of Things to Come (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
27 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL talk about the DeSantis launch, his January 6 pardon weasel words, and the norming of soft-authoritarianism. To get the full episode—a...
Countdown to the Edgelord Announcement
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's all about Ron DeSantis and his upcoming announcement on Twitter Spaces tonight. What does the gang think of the move to launch his campaign with ...
Anxiety vs Reality (LIVE from NYC with Molly Jong-Fast)
21 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL are joined by Molly Jong-Fast as part of The Bulwark's live event in NYC! Tune in to hear several "Are we going to fight?" moments while...
Between Three Ferns (A TNL Livestream)
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah, Tim and JVL went live yesterday during their recording to talk Dem wins in traditionally Republican cities, DeSantis' Iowa trip and his allied ...
The Dung Faces of Washington (with David Mandel)
14 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Director, writer and producer David Mandel (Veep, Seinfeld) sits down with Tim to discuss his new HBO miniseries White House Plumbers and his fascinat...
How Lindsey Graham Became "That Guy" (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
JVL sits down with Will Saletan to talk about his book on The Corruption of Lindsey Graham. It’s a *much* more free-flowing and philosophical disc...
To Elect A Predator
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump is found guilty of sexually assaulting E Jean Carroll, but no one doubts he's still on a path to the top of the Republican ticket in 2024...
Grace, Class, and Poise (with Larry Wilmore)
07 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tim sits down with Larry Wilmore to talk his career as a comedian, the Democratic party, race in America, and Vice President Kamala Harris on this wee...
How Should the Media Cover Trump?
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today Bill Kristol is in for Sarah and he and JVL talk about CNN’s Trump town hall, the latest Ginni Thomas reporting, and the bizarre reaction of C...
DeSantis Deflation
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The OG trio is back this week to talk the latest poll of GOP primary voters. Spoiler alert: fighting “wokeness” matters, helping Ukraine does not....
Undercover BO$$ (with Rep. Abigail Spanberger)
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a favorite of Never Trumpers everywhere, joins Tim this week to talk appealing to the middle, the battle of the debt ceiling,...
The Old Man and the Participation Trophy (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL talk about Montana Republicans kicking a trans Democrat out of the chamber, the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit, Nikki Haley’s death pool, DeS...
Loser Stench (with Amanda Carpenter)
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Both Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon have been kicked to the curb by their employers, leaving us political pundits to wonder what their next move means, ...
Backlash & in Heels (with Abraham Josephine Riesman)
23 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Abraham Josephine Riesman, author of The New York Times bestselling book, Ringmaster, joins Tim and JVL to talk WWE wrestling and the latest attacks o...
He's Running! Joe Biden is Ready to Run it Back for 2024 (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and JVL talk about Biden’s coming reelection announcement and DeSantis’s latest polling drop. Also: If Trump becomes the Republican nominee ...
It's the Mickey Mouse Jail House (with Sonny Bunch)
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fox settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million, at the expense of getting Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham to testify publicly. Was this...
Racist Chickens with their Heads Cut Off (with Rep. Gloria Johnson)
16 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tennessee House Rep. Gloria Johnson joins Tim to talk the insanity that's happened in her state's legislature over the past couple of weeks. She detai...