The Next Level

The Bulwark

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. www.thebulwark.com

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20 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes20

Newest first

1102: Secret Podcast: You Can See the Bush Line from Your House
Sarah and JVL have a It’s a super-sized, instant classic: The Trump administration is using ChatGPT for everything. Why are Cornyn and Tillis even bothering with their fake protest of Todd Blanche? The Dem Senate map is looking . . . possible? Trump has raised $800 million from “donors” since coming back to office. And JVL finally explains why he’s obsessed with 60 Minutes investigative reporter Ross Douthat. Plus: Emo JVL needs your advice in the comments! Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://hims.com/thenextlevel to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. Full episodes of the Secret Podcast are available to paid members of the Bulwark through Substack, YouTube or Apple Podcasts. Come ride with us!
Friday · 23 min
1101: The WHCD Walked Straight Into Trump’s Trap
Sarah, JVL, and Catherine Rampell discuss: - Mitch McConnell's SECOND proof of life photo, and what's really going on with him. - The White House Correspondents' Dinner do-over, Trump's comments about Kaitlan Collins, why anyone goes to it anymore, and how the whole thing seems to be playing into Trump's hands. - The drama inside the Democratic National Committee, and how (and whether) having a strong national party committee matters anymore. - The proposed new primary calendar for the 2028 Democratic primaries. - The final stretch of the Michigan Senate primary.
Tuesday · 1 hr 8 min
1100: Secret Podcast: The Second Iran War?
Paid members of the Bulwark get access to FULL episodes of the Secret Podcast. You can join via Apple Podcasts, Substack and YouTube. Big show today: It’s the dawn of Streamer JVL? Plus: Some questions for Tom Homan about shooting January 6 insurrectionists; Haley Stevens and authenticity; and the Mitch McConnell conspiracy theory. Also, a conversation about raising good men. But the big topic is the Department of Defense suddenly removing the names of four dead soldiers from the Iran war casualty list because they were killed after Trump declared a ceasefire in April—because there are now apparently two distinct Iran wars. Even though neither of them is, for legal purposes, a “war.” This episode is sponsored by The New York Times.
July 24 · 18 min
1099: This Deranged New Campaign Ad Creeped Us Out!
Sarah, JVL, and Will Sommer (sitting in for Tim) discuss: Whether Laura Loomer is one of the adults in MAGA-land? I'm Ron Burgundy? The state of the Iran War. The ridiculous AI advertisement being run by a Ted Cruz-aligned outside group in Florida (and the whacky candidates in the ad). The unfolding special Republican primary for Senate in South Carolina The Michigan Senate race...and how all of the online conventional wisdom stacks up with reality. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use promo code THENEXTLEVEL. Get 15% off your order with Boll and Branch at https://BollandBranch.com/NEXTLEVEL.
July 21 · 1 hr 2 min
1098: Secret Podcast: Trump Voters Say JD Vance Gives Them the Willies
Sarah Longwell and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) discuss Trump’s tedious (and still scary!) election speech, the documents that undercut his election claims, JD Vance’s cringe appearance on Joe Rogan, Trump voters’ brutal reactions to Vance, and Democrats’ missed opportunities at the Todd Blanche hearing. Finally: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here: https://www.92ny.org/event/sarah-longwell-how-to-eat-an-elephant
July 17 · 27 min
1097: Sarah’s Latest Focus Group Almost Broke JVL’s Brain
The whole gang is back together, for the last time until August. Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss: - Two more killings by ICE officers. JVL asks whether we're getting numb to this. No one on this show is numb. - Trump's aborted plan to toll the Strait of Hormuz--and whether it was an act of war. - Sarah lets Todd Blanche (and Republican senators) have it. - After JVL's wifi goes bad, Tim and Sarah discuss Tim's interview with Pete Buttigieg, and why Tim is glad Josh Shapiro isn't wading into intra-Democratic turf wars. Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepod Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
July 15 · 1 hr 5 min
1096: Secret Podcast: Republicans Screamed About Socialism. Then Trump Did This.
Sarah and JVL are back together, looking at Trump’s NATO disgrace, wondering if Mitch McConnell is really talking to people on the phone about detailed policy questions, and analyzing the factional fight in the Democratic party between the people trying to elect Democrats and the insurgents focused on displacing the establishment. Short version: What if Morris Katz is just the left’s Steve Bannon? Also, there’s some personal stuff at the end. Get quality window treatments that fit your budget with 3 Day Blinds. Head to https://3DayBlinds.com/THENEXTLEVEL for their buy one get one 50% off deal on custom blinds, shades, and drapery. Finally: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC! We are about to sell out the orchestra section—but we want to sell out the balcony, too. It’s a point of pride. Come hang with us. Tickets are here.
July 11 · 27 min
1095: Even Marjorie Taylor Greene Doesn’t Buy the McConnell Story
Tim, Sarah, and Sam Stein (filling in for JVL) take on the political stories dominating the headlines: • Mitch McConnell is alive and taking calls (maybe, probably?)—despite Laura Loomer’s reports to the contrary.. • Platnerdämmerung; the enormous irresponsibility of the Platner candidacy will have real consequences for his movement and for the country; and the messy road ahead in Maine (even if Platner does the right thing and drops out.). • In the wake of the Platner debacle, irony is dead as Trump defenders trip over themselves to claim the moral high ground. Case in point: Kevin McCarthy.. • Mallory McMorrow’s failed Michigan Senate campaign exemplifies the challenges of splitting the difference between the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party.. • Plus, the USMNT’s embarrassing loss to the waffle-eating Belgians in the World Cup Round of 16. Ready to transform your customer support? Go to https://decagon.ai/thenextlevel to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team. Go to https://greenchef.com/50NEXTLEVELGRAZA to get 50% off your first month of healthier meals. Get 30% off select mattresses PLUS an extra $50 off during Leesa’s July 4 sale. Go to https://Leesa.com, promo code THENEXTLEVEL.
July 8 · 1 hr 19 min
1094: Secret Preview: It's 100x Worse Than Watergate—and Republicans Still Won't Quit
Full episodes of the Bulwark Podcast are available to paid members of The Bulwark via YouTube, Substack, and Apple Podcasts. Sarah Longwell and Bill Kristol (filling in for JVL) take on America’s 250th birthday under Trump—and how far the GOP has fallen from Reagan’s “you can become an American” to 2,000 ICE arrests a day. They break down the right-wing meltdown over the birthright citizenship ruling, Megyn Kelly’s race to the bottom, why the “socialist takeover” panic misses what Democratic voters actually want, and who’s really rising in the 2028 field. Read Sarah’s Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-real-reason-the-democratic-socialists-are-surging
July 3 · 31 min
1093: Trump Will Put a PSYCHO on the Court—If He Gets a Chance
Sarah, Tim, and Andrew Egger (filling in for JVL) discuss: -The Supreme Court's ruling upholding birthright citizenship. -NPR's retracted report that Justice Alito was retiring. -The DSA-aligned Democratic candidates winning primaries in New York City, and whether Democrats are headed for a giant fight over socialism in 2027. -Rep. Tom Kean's return to Congress after his depression diagnosis. -The gang pops off on the gut-wrenching story of the false CPS report against Pete Buttigieg -Fresh polling in the Maine and Texas Senate races. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com with code THENEXTLEVEL Join The Bulwark for $86 a year—14 percent off, this week only. Declare your independence today: http://thebulwark.com/july4
June 30 · 1 hr 7 min
1092: Secret Podcast: The Last Temptation of Sarah Longwell
The full episode of Secret Podcast is available to paid members of the Bulwark on YouTube, Substack and Apple Podcasts. It’s a special show this week where JVL gives Sarah a series of impossible choices. Will she choose institutionalism, or Secretary Mayor Pete? Will she endorse the political analysis of [REDACTED]? What will she do when Cletus says that he doesn’t like democracy and wants minority rule? Come find out! Also: There are more tickets to see Sarah and JVL on September 8 in NYC. We’ve moved to a bigger room at the 92nd Y and we need to sell it out. So come hang with us. Tickets are here: https://www.92ny.org/event/sarah-longwell-how-to-eat-an-elephant Visit https://Hims.com/THENEXTLEVEL to get a personalized, affordable weight loss plan that gets you. show notes Catherine Rampell: The Americans Trump Would Rather Not See: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-americans-trump-would-rather JVL’s Traid: What Was Cletus Thinks About Democracy: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/what-cletus-thinks-about-democracy Jim Swift: Haitians Prepare for Disaster: https://www.thebulwark.com/i/203693183/forward-together-backward-by-order This was recorded before Pete's Substack post: https://petebuttigieg.substack.com/p/a-terrible-thing-happened-to-my-family
June 27 · 30 min
1091: JD Vance Called His OWN Iran Policy “Complete Idiocy”
Tim is sick, but he's strapping on his football helmet. Tim, Sarah, and JVL cover: -The mysterious 79 year-old receiving non-public weight loss drugs (and if not Trump, who?) -The latest revelations from Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman's new book. -Tucker Carlson supposedly leaving the Republican Party...or is it all a long game to help JD Vance? -The Trump administration's ongoing capitulation to Iran...and even JD Vance used to think it was stupid! -The latest National Mall reflecting pool drama. -How Pete Buttigieg got 'radicalized' by his time in the Biden administration...and Tim's warning for Democrats. -FINALLY: The Washington Post's monster feature on the cult leader who's been coaching Tulsi Gabbard through her political career. Get your tickets to Sarah's How to Eat an Elephant book tour in September at https://TheBulwark.com/EVENTS. Ready to transform your customer support? Go to https://decagon.ai/thenextlevel to get a personalized demo and see what Decagon can do for your team.
June 24 · 1 hr 7 min
1090: Secret Podcast: JD Vance. Ross Douthat. 'Nuff Said.
The Iran war deal is falling apart (already). Israel is turning on Trump. And the two most insipid trad-Cath poasters in America are podcasting together again. Plus: JVL (finally) explains his disdain for the NYT’s DEI Trump apologist. Read JVL's Triad newsletter: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-iran-hawks-found-a-way-to-love-surrender
June 20 · 20 min
1089: Ben Shapiro's Tears Aren't Enough. The Iran War Hawks Owe Us More.
JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller discuss the Iran "deal" that isn't really a deal—a memorandum of understanding that lifts sanctions immediately and hands Iran $300 billion while punting everything else down the road. Then: the war hawks who drummed up the Iran war—Thiessen, Graham, Levin, the WSJ editorial board — are repositioning and refusing to say they were wrong. Plus: Trump's accelerating decline, the corruption behind the White House UFC fight, and why Trump's DOJ will open a federal investigation on every 2028 Democratic nominee regardless of who it is. Sleep cooler this summer with Boll & Branch during their Annual Summer Event. For a limited time, get 20% off sitewide at https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code nextlevel. Exclusions apply.
June 17 · 1 hr 6 min
1088: Secret Podcast: We've Got a Situation
A super-sized Secret this week: Sarah and JVL are coming to the legendary 92nd Street Y in New York on September 8. Come and hang out with them in JVL’s back yard! It’s possible he’ll have the championship belt! (Tickets on sale here.) JVL actually thinks the Iran deal might be real this time. He’s got a theory. Sarah has a theory of her own about who leaked to Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan about the Trump administration’s big Situation Room summit on how to handle the Epstein files? JVL makes progress on his continuing quest to bring Sarah around on “the free market” and court expansion. Is this the week the dam breaks? It’s a good show, long show.
June 12 · 34 min
1087: LIVE: Booed at the NBA Finals, Stormed Off NBC—Trump Is DOWN BAD
The gang is back together, and the U.S. and Iran are back at war...maybe? Tim, Sarah, and JVL discuss the latest in Iran, Donald Trump storming off of Meet the Press, the 'stolen election' freakout in Los Angeles, Todd Blanche's nomination as Attorney General, and JVL's Triad about former DHS commander Greg Bovino (kinda sorta maybe) eyeing a presidential run. Plus: Graham Platner, Lindsey Graham's primary in South Carolina, and the gang reacts to a completely wild AI-generated ad of...James Talarico in a dress? Finally, Tim debriefs on his interview with a Silicon Valley vibes-whisperer. Read JVL's Triad, here. Watch Tim's interview with Jason Calacanis, here. Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL Get started on your weight loss goals with Hims at https://Hims.com/THENEXTLEVEL. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com with code THENEXTLEVEL.
June 9 · 1 hr 21 min
1086: Even TRUMP Thinks Netanyahu Went Too Far? | The Next Level
Tim Miller, Sam Stein, and JVL talk about the week's biggest stories: Trump installs a meme stock grifter as acting Director of National Intelligence, the $1.8 billion weaponization slush fund may be dying (or just hibernating), Tina Peters walks free and heads straight to Steve Bannon, Scott Pelley goes out swinging at 60 Minutes, and the leaked Trump-Netanyahu call reveals a president trapped by his own unworkable coalition of MAGA, Iran hawks, and Mark Levin all turning at once. Get 25% off select mattresses PLUS an extra $50 off during Leesa’s extended Memorial Day sale. Go to https://Leesa.com, promo code THENEXTLEVEL. Go to https://GreenChef.com/50NEXTLEVEL and use code 50NEXTLEVEL for 50% off your first month, then 20% off for your next two months. Read JVL’s Triad, here: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/thetriad
June 2 · 1 hr 7 min
1085: Secret Podcast: A Cage Fight for America's Soul
Full episodes of The Secret Podcast are available to paid members of the Bulwark, on Apple Podcasts, Substack and YouTube. Sarah and JVL talk about the ongoing meltdown of Trump’s Freedom 250 event; the inappropriateness of putting a UFC cage fight on the White House lawn; John Cornyn’s sudden understanding of what Trump is; and Bari Weiss’s murder of 60 Minutes. It’s a good show / short show because we’re both playing hurt today, so forgive us if we’re not at our most dazzling.
May 29 · 25 min
1084: Texas Primary Results! Megyn Kelly Turns on Trump?!
Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL went live to cover the Texas primary runoff election, Megyn Kelly (maybe?) turning against Trump, and much more. Visit http://upwork.com/THENEXTLEVEL right now and post your job for free.
May 27 · 1 hr 17 min
1083: Secret Podcast: The Walls Are Closing In
Full episodes of The Secret Podcast are available to paid members of The Bulwark via Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Substack. Sarah is in the City of Angels; JVL is in the Big Apple;) and they have A LOT to catch up on. Gas is at $4.65. Trump is at -22 in the latest Fox poll. The Senate said no to the billi for his ballroom. Oh, and maybe we’re going to do regime change in Cuba soon? Plus: They recap the California live shows and go deep on Tina Peters. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to https://quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.
May 23 · 27 min

The Next Level

1102: Secret Podcast: You Can See the Bush Line from Your House

1101: The WHCD Walked Straight Into Trump’s Trap

1100: Secret Podcast: The Second Iran War?

1099: This Deranged New Campaign Ad Creeped Us Out!

1098: Secret Podcast: Trump Voters Say JD Vance Gives Them the Willies

1097: Sarah’s Latest Focus Group Almost Broke JVL’s Brain

1096: Secret Podcast: Republicans Screamed About Socialism. Then Trump Did This.

1095: Even Marjorie Taylor Greene Doesn’t Buy the McConnell Story

1094: Secret Preview: It's 100x Worse Than Watergate—and Republicans Still Won't Quit

1093: Trump Will Put a PSYCHO on the Court—If He Gets a Chance

1092: Secret Podcast: The Last Temptation of Sarah Longwell

1091: JD Vance Called His OWN Iran Policy “Complete Idiocy”

1090: Secret Podcast: JD Vance. Ross Douthat. 'Nuff Said.

1089: Ben Shapiro's Tears Aren't Enough. The Iran War Hawks Owe Us More.

1088: Secret Podcast: We've Got a Situation

1087: LIVE: Booed at the NBA Finals, Stormed Off NBC—Trump Is DOWN BAD

1086: Even TRUMP Thinks Netanyahu Went Too Far? | The Next Level

1085: Secret Podcast: A Cage Fight for America's Soul

1084: Texas Primary Results! Megyn Kelly Turns on Trump?!

1083: Secret Podcast: The Walls Are Closing In