The Secret Podcast

5.0 (5)
POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Each Friday, best friends Sarah Longwell and JVL go off-leash and uncensored in this intimate podcast. Only for Bulwark+ members.

$6.99/month

2D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

The Primary Was Over Before It Started

The full episode is available exclusively to paid members of The Bulwark. You can join on Apple Podcasts, Substack or YouTube. Sarah and JVL had a big show planned for you. Lots of different subjects. Important news. Funny stories. The whole nine. And then everything derailed as they went SUPER deep on Graham Platner and the meta-debate about him. If you think Platner has electoral upside, you love Nazis. If you have concerns about Platner’s populism, you’re a closet Republican. The internet has spoken! It’s a whole thing. Also: This marks the first time in the history of the show that Sarah read JVL’s piece and JVL . . . didn’t even realize Sarah had written something? The shoe is on the other foot, my pretties! Read JVL’s Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriad Read Sarah’s 'The Man Behind the Tatoo': https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-man-behind-the-tattoo-graham-platner-maine-democrat-focus-group ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21. Just announced! We’re adding some chatty friends to the lineups for both shows. Grab your seats now to join Sarah, Tim and Sam for an evening of politics among friends and keep an eye on https://TheBulwark.com/Events for more announcements.

1h 6m
MAY 1 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

JVL Wants Every Trump Voter to Know: THIS IS YOUR FAULT!

JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the signs that voters are starting to regret their Trump vote—and why that doesn’t mean politics is getting any simpler. Gas prices are rising, a gerrymandering arms race is raging and the Supreme Court reshaped the rules. Plus: the Maine race, the rise of populist candidates like Platner, and what The Bulwark actually stands for. ON SALE NOW: Bulwark Live is coming to San Diego on May 20 and Los Angeles on May 21 -- https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bulwark-events

1h 2m
APR 24 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Trump’s War Runs on Pure Make-Believe

JVL and Sarah Longwell talk about the firing of the Navy secretary mid-conflict and the bizarre “Trump-class battleship” saga, exposing a pattern of impossible promises and chaotic leadership. Plus: the Spirit Airlines bailout and what it says about Trump’s commitment to “capitalism.”

53 min
APR 17 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Republicans Are Walking Into a Buzzsaw

JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss a bizarre week where markets surge amid global chaos, Trump feuds with his own allies, and confusion over Iran keeps escalating. They also break down a blowout Democratic win, surging fundraising, and what it all signals for the midterms—plus a growing fight inside the party over Israel and its future direction.

50 min
APR 10 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

The Podcast Wars

JVL and Sarah discuss the failed ceasefire, Melania’s bizarre Epstein pre-denial, and the growing rift between Trump and "America First" heavyweights like Tucker, Megyn, Candace, and Alex Jones. Is this just another performative feud, or the start of something real? And as AI muddies reality itself, what happens when nobody believes anything anymore?

55 min
APR 3 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Every Single Person Around Trump Is Expendable

JVL and Sarah discuss Trump’s rambling, unfocused address that failed to clarify any of the war’s goals, even as evidence mounts that the situation is getting worse. They also talk about the Bondi firing, why it may have been timed to shift attention, and what it says about how this White House handles bad news. Plus: rising oil prices, market jitters, and new warning signs from voters who are starting to turn against Trump.

1h 1m
MAR 27 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Trump Won’t Stop—Because He Can’t Look Weak

JVL and Bill Kristol—filling in for Sarah—discuss escalating Iran conflict, the risky push toward a wider war, and why the real damage may outlast the fighting. They also get into the global fallout—from threats to the petrodollar system to the collapse of U.S. alliances—and what a rushed exit might look like.

1h 3m
MAR 19 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Trump Is About to Own a Disastrous Middle East War

JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the Trump administration’s stumble into an Iranian conflict that betrays its "no more wars" promise. They analyze the sudden resignation of Joe Kent over foreign wars, Tulsi Gabbard’s surreal FBI testimony regarding Fulton County ballots, and the looming "bloodbath" within a fracturing Republican coalition. Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/how-to-eat-an-elephant-9781250464170/

29 min

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