The Focus Group Podcast

4.9 (2.1K)
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/

NOV 2

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
OCT 26

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
OCT 19

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
OCT 12

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
OCT 5

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
SEP 28

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
SEP 23 · BONUS

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
SEP 21

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.

53 min

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4.9

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More JVL

Nov 2

Wine, oh…

I love this podcast and Sarah brings it every week, but the folks/voters can be beyond frustrating. The level of uninformed or misinformed folks out there is scary. JVL calls these voters out for what they really are, but in a nice way…extremely washed in non factual opinions. Tim Miller also great when he jumps on this podcast. BTW, best way to listen to this podcast is to fast forward through the focus groups comments…scares me most are allowed to vote.
BLUE MAGA ???

Nov 6

80'sVillager

So Sarah maybe BLUE MAGA wasn’t as stupid as you say we were to want to stick with the Biden-Harris ticket that whooped Trump by 7 Million votes? The arrogance of Clooney and Carville has given us more Trump. Congrats to you all!
Sarah Rocks

Oct 27

DeborahTFromPhilly

Sarah’s straight talk and keen insights are too notch. I trust her… she has her finger on the pulse of the voters she talks to.
Burning up

Oct 26

tdj64

Sarah gives my optimistic self heartburn, but helps give me a realistic view of a bigger picture. I do appreciate her educated opinion on the state of the race.

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/