The Next Level - podcast cover

The Next Level

The Bulwarkwww.thebulwark.com
Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and Jonathan V. Last bring their signature political insight and banter to the masses in The Next Level podcast. Tune in to hear them discuss the news of the week, break down campaigns and elections, and wade into pop culture feuds. http://www.thebulwark.com

Episodes

It Might Happen Here (The Secret Podcast Preview)

Sarah and JVL look at the polling and the vibes and come to slightly different conclusions. Then Sarah lets it rip about John Kelly. (Again.) And then JVL goes to the Dark Place. It’s a real journey. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

Oct 25, 202426 min

All the Fascist's Men

The gang reacts to the revelations that Gen. John Kelly, Donald Trump’s former chief of staff during his administration, believe the former president is a fascist and admired Adolf Hitler’s generals. This should be the October surprise, but the media seems incapable of treating it with the time and gravity the news requires. Meanwhile, Trump’s defenders claim Kelly to be a liar or minimize the disqualifying nature of the general’s testimony. Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use THENEXTLEVEL to...

Oct 23, 202451 min

Live from Pittsburgh!

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Jonathan V. Last stop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on their swing state tour. They discuss the state of the race, Donald Trump's support from billionaires, RFK Jr. joining the Trump cabinet, the Trump campaign wanting Nikki Haley to help them out while Trump insults her, and why, with the polls indicating a coin clip race, our gang still thinks Kamala Harris will pull out a win. This episode was taped on October 18, 2024*

Oct 20, 202459 min

Closing Argument: He's Insane!

The gang talks Donald Trump’s bizarre town hall that turned into a concert, and how it presents the clearest closing argument for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign: the man’s lost his marbles. Plus the media’s insufficient job holding Trump and his surrogates, like Gov. Glenn Youngkin, accountable, and insights into Tim’s interview with tech bro Jason Calacanis. Get 20% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel Go to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL to get 15% ...

Oct 16, 20241 hr 6 min

The Agony of St. Larry (The Secret Podcast Preview)

You know when someone says something that’s both obvious and profound and it crystallizes something you’ve long felt but couldn’t articulate? That’s what Angela Alsobrooks did to Larry Hogan last night and it was something else. Also: Sarah and JVL talk about the swing-state vibe shift in Trump’s direction and the idea that Trump has a ceiling. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebu...

Oct 11, 202434 min

AAAAHHHHH!

MAGA’s lies about hurricanes affecting the U.S. are as ridiculous as they are dangerous, leading some in the GOP to try to debunk the false reality their party created. Plus, Bob Woodward’s new book contains disturbing allegations of Donald Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin, both during and since his time in the White House, and Sarah gives some insights into her recent Nevada focus groups. Details for our Bulwark Live Swing State Swing tour are coming soon to TheBulwark.com/events . Head...

Oct 09, 202457 min

So Much Rage

Let’s be honest, the gang loathes JD Vance with a burning passion and wanted Tim Walz destroy him. Instead, Walz was Mr. Midwest Nice. Did he miss an opportunity? Or was it exactly what the Harris campaign needed? Plus, the gang give their thoughts on the International Longshoremen’s Association’s strike and Judge Aileen Cannon getting another case related to Donald Trump. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod...

Oct 02, 202456 min

The Latest Trump Scam (The Secret Podcast Preview)

Sarah can’t stop JVL from talking about the $100,000 Trump Watch. It’s pure candy this week. Also: A look ahead to Walz versus Vance. And is Kamala Harris “doing enough”? Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

Sep 27, 202429 min

Where'd Walz Go?

The gang discuss Gov. Tim Walz’s lack of media appearances compared to Sen. JD Vance, Vice President Kamala Harris’s media strategy, Sen. Mitt Romney continuing to not endorse Harris, despite being fearful of Donald Trump’s wrath, and the ethics of online gambling! Go to greenchef.com/nextlevelclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass!...

Sep 25, 202455 min

The Way of the Flesh (The Secret Podcast Preview)

Republican candidates and boat parades. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

Sep 20, 202436 min

Trump Bets it All on Male Voters

Post-debate movement is looking promising for Vice President Harris. Is the race still a tossup? It could come down to turnout between Harris’s newly enthused electorate and Donald Trump’s disgruntled male voters. Plus, the Trump campaign’s continued repugnant smears on Haitian migrants are having real-life consequences the ticket just doesn’t seem to care about. Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% at https://www.rhone.com/THENEXTLEVEL For FREE breakfast for life go t...

Sep 18, 202454 min

The Big Debate: JVL Likes MTG!?!? (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

Sarah and JVL go 10 rounds on the the debate, and fact checking, and the proper role of moderators and news organizations in holding candidates accountable for presenting misinformation. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

Sep 13, 202437 min

Alpha Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris exceeded all expectations during her debate against a beta Donald Trump. The gang breaks down their thoughts on the debate, swing voter reactions, and potential ways it could affect the race. Plus, Tim gives some insight into his time in the spin room post-debate, including the fiery interactions with Sen. Lindsey Graham and other pro-Trump personalities. Head to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL for 15% off your purchase. Head to FACTORMEALS.com/thenextlevel50 and use code then...

Sep 11, 202458 min

LIVE Debate Reaction

Sarah Longwell, Jonathan V. Last, Tim Miller, Sam Stein and AB Stoddard give their immediate reactions to the Harris vs. Trump debate! Watch the full livestream on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/-xqxl2ICGPo?feature=share

Sep 11, 202435 min

The Anti-Cheneys (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

Plus: Russian operatives and Nazi historians. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

Sep 06, 202434 min

The GOP is Not Going Back

The gang talk what Kamala Harris needs to do in her debate against Trump to reignite her momentum, Republicans who want Donald Trump to lose to save their party, political yards signs and more! Check out Tim’s video on Harris’s “accent changes” here: https://youtu.be/wludyr3riKY Get 15% off OneSkin with the code NEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Head to ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off....

Sep 04, 20241 hr 4 min

We're Not Fluffing Around

It's been a month since all three of our gang have recorded the show together, so they're delving deep into the state of the presidential race now that the DNC has concluded. Plus, Tim, Sarah and JVL all get their own rant on what's infuriated them in politics. Head to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL for 15% off your purchase Go to greenchef.com/nextlevelclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with ClassPass!...

Aug 28, 20241 hr 22 min

Everything Is Good. Too Good. (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

JVL and Bill Kristol talk about the unsettling feeling that the campaign is going . . . really well. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

Aug 16, 202419 min

Are We Approaching the Best Case Scenario?

Apparently, this is the week for so-called moderate Republicans to come out and voice their support for Trump, despite no one asking them too. This included former Sen. Richard Burr, who finds no contradiction between a vote for Trump and his vote to impeach him for Jan. 6. Plus, what's the best case scenario for Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign, and how likely is it we'll get it in November. And JVL, back from vacation, gives his thoughts on Trump's apparent meltdown and the selection of ...

Aug 14, 202458 min

Kamala's Left Field Veep Pick

Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, and everyone but Never-Trump Republicans is happy! Plus, Donald Trump makes an insane Truth Social post where he fantasizes about President Joe Biden getting back into the race. Go to zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your first order when you use NEXTLEVEL at checkout.

Aug 07, 202442 min

The Simone and Josh Show (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

The conservatives who hate Simone Biles and the progressives who don't like Josh Shapiro. Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

Aug 02, 202436 min

The Trump Campaign Implodes

The campaign has completely turned on its head after Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic Party’s nominee. She’s got the right message, the right mentality, and an excited base that could propel her to a win against Donald Trump in November. The Trump campaign, by the way, is completely panicking, as shown by its public shunning of Project 2025 and second guessing of Sen. JD Vance as Trump’s running mate. Plus, the gang weighs in on the veepstakes and, spoiler alert, they’re all on...

Jul 31, 202458 min

Kamala's Upside Potential (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)

If she crosses over to become a mainstream cultural figure, then watch out . . . Want to hear the whole thing? Full, ad-free episodes of the Secret Podcast are available exclusively to Bulwark+ members. Sign up here: https://www.thebulwark.com/subscribe

Jul 26, 202429 min

Kamala's Perfect Storm

President Biden stepping off the ticket and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris has led to a huge vibe shift with Democrats. Can Harris ride this wave to November? What are her strengths and weaknesses? And who should she pick as her own veep? Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use THENEXTLEVEL to save 20% at https://www.rhone.com/THENEXTLEVEL Head to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL for 15% off your purchase....

Jul 24, 202453 min

Bent Knees

The Republican Nation convention is underway, and every former critic still in the party, from Donald Trump’s new veep JD Vance to Nikki, is bending the knee in a show of unity. Plus, the Biden campaign continues to go after critics in the part who think he should step aside, even as the map to victory continues to shrink. We’re heading to Dallas on September 5 for An Evening with The Bulwark. For more information and tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events . Go to greenchef.com .nextlevel50 and use...

Jul 17, 20241 hr

Blue MAGA

In some concerning ways, President Biden has taken a page out of Donald Trump’s book some in his party pressure him to leave the ticket, and a few of his supporters are attacking anyone opposed to his place atop the Democratic ticket. At the same time, some Democrats who publicly, and accurately, call another Trump term a serious threat to democracy don’t really think that’s the case, and their actions show it. Plus, Sarah gives some focus group insights on how Black voters feel about Vice Presi...

Jul 10, 202451 min

Burdened by What Currently Is

Voters, not just pundits and donors, are in a panic over whether President Joe Biden should remain atop the ticket, with more and more Americans calling for him to step aside for Democrats to have the best shot of protecting the country from another rump presidency. Is Vice President Kamala Harris the only person who could replace him? Or should the Democratic Party try to put a popular midwest governor on the ballot. Either way, SCOTUS has given the next president of the U.S. an enormous amount...

Jul 03, 202453 min

At Least Insanity is Honest

Yesterday's primary results kicked out Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman, but welcomed back Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, because the Dems have standards. Plus, polls show more voters, somehow, think Donald Trump will be better for Democracy than President Biden, but can the current president turn things around with tomorrow's debate? Will Saletan subs in for Sarah on today's episode! Go to lumen.me/THENEXTLEVEL to get 15% off your Lumen! Save 83% percent on IPVanish's 2-Year subscription by visit...

Jun 26, 202446 min
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