The Focus Group Podcast

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POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

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. https://www.thebulwark.com/podcast/focus-group/

2 NOV

How [He/She] Wins (with Ron Brownstein)

Whatever happens, the focus groups over the last year-plus have given clues about what's motivating the swing voters for Trump, and those voting for Harris.

1h 7m
26 OCT

Keystone State of the Race (with Holly Otterbein)

There's one thing Republican and Democratic strategists all agree on right now: no state is more likely to decide this election than Pennsylvania.

54 min
19 OCT

Senate GOP Vote Desert (with Jon Ralston and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez)

Jon Ralston helps break down Sarah's focus groups with PBS in Nevada, and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez discusses Arizona's abortion referendum and Kari Lake's attempt in the Senate race.

1h 1m
12 OCT

Great Lakes, "Meh" Candidates (with Craig Gilbert and Craig Mauger)

Michigan and Wisconsin aren't just presidential battlegrounds; their Senate races are getting more competitive down the stretch. How are swing voters thinking about their options?

57 min
5 OCT

The Grandpa vs. the Slimy Lawyer (with John Heilemann)

The pundit class thought JD Vance performed better than Tim Walz in the VP debate. Voters had their own take. John Heilemann joins Sarah to review our focus groups reactions.

58 min
28 SEPT

Trump Is All They Know (with Peter Hamby)

Some of today's first-time voters were 10 years old when Trump launched his first campaign, and that's certainly affected how they look at politics. Peter Hamby joins Sarah.

58 min
23 SEPT

Bonus Episode/Crosspost: Sarah Longwell on 'Possible'

Sarah recently joined Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger on the 'Possible' pod to talk about the future of politics, the origins of her focus group work, and how AI might impact that work.

1h 11m
21 SEPT

Splittin' Tickets? (with Jessica Taylor)

The battle for Senate control is running through red states, with former Trump voters. Some are more persuadable than others. Jessica Taylor of the Cook Political Report joins Sarah.

55 min

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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. https://www.thebulwark.com/podcast/focus-group/