The Focus Group Podcast

4.8 (2.2K)
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/

4D AGO

It's Really Good and Really Bad (with Mark Leibovich)

We check in on first-time Trump voters as his reign of chaos continues. Some love what they're getting, while others wonder when he'll get around to fixing the economy. Mark Leibovich joins Sarah.

53 min
MAR 15

Unresolved COVID Trauma (with Dr. Leana Wen)

Five years ago this week, the Covid pandemic came to the U.S., and with it a level of suffering and distrust of authority (and each other) we haven't fully reckoned with.

59 min
MAR 8

Free World 'Family Meeting' (with Tommy Vietor)

What do remaining pro-Ukraine Republicans think of America's role in the world? Tommy Vietor joins Sarah to discuss the future of foreign policy in Trump 2.0.

45 min
MAR 1

Raw Audio: Guys Being Dudes

We're doing something different this week: We're giving you nearly an hour of audio from a recent focus group of men aged 18-29 who voted for Donald Trump in 2024.

51 min
FEB 22

Will the Real POTUS Please Stand Up? (with Kara Swisher)

Legendary tech reporter and Musk-whisperer Kara Swisher joins the show to discuss Musk's MAGA character arc and what his real motivations are with DOGE.

1 hr
FEB 15

'I'm All For Deportations, But...' (with Adrian Carrasquillo)

Plenty of Trump's newest voters wanted him to fix the border and deport criminals. Some are excited by what they're seeing, and some are getting more than they bargained for. Adrian Carrasquillo joins Sarah to discuss voter reactions, and the latest developments in Trump's immigration regime.

58 min
FEB 8

Winners Make Policy, Losers Go Home (with Adam Jentleson)

Where do Democratic voters want the party to go next? And how does the party need to be thinking differently? Adam Jentleson joins Sarah to discuss new ways to campaign and govern, as the party looks toward 2026 and 2028.

1 hr
FEB 1

At Least He's Doing Something (with Sam Stein)

The voters in our focus groups are glad to see Trump "taking action." Sam Stein joins Sarah to talk about voters' reactions to his flurry of executive orders and how long his "honeymoon" may last.

54 min

See All (97)

4.8

out of 5

2,236 Ratings

Trump voters?

3d ago

Love Michael NY

Sarah please. Enough Trumpers! Good to know how they think. But I want to know how non Trumper thinks!
Sarah is the best

5d ago

Tech expert1

Same as above
Americans have short memory

Mar 9

hooplla

This latest episode made me remember how Americans need recent history lessons. Why aren’t we remembering the ‘94 deal to provide security protections for handing over nuclear arsenal?? Ukraine has every right to push america to hold up our end of the deal.
Poor Sarah

Mar 8

Scottish Weed

I have no idea how Sarah can sit through these Trump voter focus groups. Geez-o-Pete’s I’m losing brain cells listening 😳

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/