The Next Level 1023: Secret Podcast: Success in a Failing Country
Oct 11, 2025
Join Sarah and JVL as they have a relaxed chat, reflecting on their personal journeys and career choices. They share insights on loneliness after college and how it shaped Sarah's career. JVL contemplates a shift to medicine amidst today's political climate. The duo discusses how their backgrounds align with The Bulwark’s mission while navigating the challenges of growth. It's a candid look at their experiences and the responsibilities they feel in a changing world.
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Lonely Years That Shaped A Career
- Sarah describes lonely, formative years working in Delaware after college when she read intensely and discovered her politics and identity.
- That isolation accelerated her intellectual development and led her into LGBTQ activism and persuasion work.
Book Tour Eye-Opener
- Sarah recounts working on Rick Santorum's book tour and how that clarified which strain of conservatism she aligned with.
- That experience pushed her toward gay-marriage advocacy and interest in persuasion strategy.
Trusted Voices Can Betray Your Expectations
- Sarah realised many influential people she admired eventually embraced Trump, which destabilized her worldview.
- She says that betrayal by intellectual mentors was a destabilizing and unexpected challenge to prepare for.
