

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
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 18, 2023 • 53min
Between Three Ferns (A TNL Livestream)
Sarah, Tim and JVL went live yesterday during their recording to talk Dem wins in traditionally Republican cities, DeSantis' Iowa trip and his allied PAC walking back criticism of Trump, and the idea that Mike Pence might actually jump into the 2024 race. Plus, the gang takes questions from the audience!
The Bulwark is heading to the Big Apple for a night of politics, laughs and maybe even a few tears—with special guest Molly Jong-Fast of the Fast Politics podcast.
Come meet the gang from The Next Level and fellow Bulwark+ members in Manhattan on Thursday, May 18.
For tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.
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May 14, 2023 • 53min
The Dung Faces of Washington (with David Mandel)
Director, writer and producer David Mandel (Veep, Seinfeld) sits down with Tim to discuss his new HBO miniseries White House Plumbers and his fascination with the behind the scenes of Washington.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Next week's TNL will be streamed LIVE on YouTube on The Bulwark's main channel. Tune in May 17th at 3 pm EST to watch Tim, Sarah, and JVL record in the same room for the first time in ages! The chat will be open to get ready to ask our hosts your burning questions! Join here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVoAmys1Lg
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May 12, 2023 • 26min
How Lindsey Graham Became "That Guy" (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
JVL sits down with Will Saletan to talk about his book on The Corruption of Lindsey Graham. It’s a *much* more free-flowing and philosophical discussion than I’d planned. If you’re game for a journey, you might like it.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Next week's TNL will be streamed LIVE on YouTube on The Bulwark's main channel. Tune in May 17th at 3 pm EST to watch Tim, Sarah, and JVL record in the same room for the first time in ages! The chat will be open to get ready to ask our hosts your burning questions! Join here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVoAmys1Lg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 10, 2023 • 43min
To Elect A Predator
Donald Trump is found guilty of sexually assaulting E Jean Carroll, but no one doubts he's still on a path to the top of the Republican ticket in 2024. The GOP is also sticking by Rep. George Santos after he was indicted by a grand jury on 13 criminal charges. They really know how to pick some good ones!
Plus, what do our hosts think of President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy's standoff over the debt limit? And Tucker Carlson announces his return to spewing propaganda on Twitter, while RFK Jr. does surprisingly well in Democratic polls.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Next week's TNL will be streamed LIVE on YouTube on The Bulwark's main channel. Tune in May 17th at 3 pm EST to watch Tim, Sarah, and JVL record in the same room for the first time in ages! The chat will be open to get ready to ask our hosts your burning questions! Join here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONVoAmys1Lg
The Bulwark is heading to the Big Apple for a night of politics, laughs and maybe even a few tears—with special guest Molly Jong-Fast of the Fast Politics podcast.
Come meet the gang from The Next Level and fellow Bulwark+ members in Manhattan on Thursday, May 18.
For tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 7, 2023 • 57min
Grace, Class, and Poise (with Larry Wilmore)
Tim sits down with Larry Wilmore to talk his career as a comedian, the Democratic party, race in America, and Vice President Kamala Harris on this week’s Sunday show.
Plus, Tim and JVL discuss the killing of a homeless black man in New York City that has, once again, divided the country along party lines.
The Bulwark is heading to the Big Apple for a night of politics, laughs and maybe even a few tears—with special guest Molly Jong-Fast of the Fast Politics podcast.
Come meet the gang from The Next Level and fellow Bulwark+ members in Manhattan on Thursday, May 18.
For tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 5, 2023 • 29min
How Should the Media Cover Trump?
Today Bill Kristol is in for Sarah and he and JVL talk about CNN’s Trump town hall, the latest Ginni Thomas reporting, and the bizarre reaction of Conservatism Inc. to the ongoing Clarence Thomas story.
To get the full episode—and The Secret Podcast every week—join Bulwark+.
Go to: https://thesecretpodcast.thebulwark.com/
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May 3, 2023 • 46min
DeSantis Deflation
The OG trio is back this week to talk the latest poll of GOP primary voters. Spoiler alert: fighting “wokeness” matters, helping Ukraine does not.
Plus, Ron DeSantis is imploding before our very eyes, while Trump’s campaign is actually running a coherent operation. Is a repeat of 2020 truly inevitable?
And in Texas, the tragic murder of a family gets drawn into immigration politics, while Rep. Colin puts his hat in the ring to challenge Cruz for the Senate.
Watch the gang record this episode our official YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgm6vZqPjqA
The Bulwark is heading to the Big Apple for a night of politics, laughs and maybe even a few tears—with special guest Molly Jong-Fast of the Fast Politics podcast.
Come meet the gang from The Next Level and fellow Bulwark+ members in Manhattan on Thursday, May 18.
For tickets go to TheBulwark.com/events.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 30, 2023 • 54min
Undercover BO$$ (with Rep. Abigail Spanberger)
Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a favorite of Never Trumpers everywhere, joins Tim this week to talk appealing to the middle, the battle of the debt ceiling, her career in the CIA (as much as she's allowed to say), what it's like being a mom while in Congress and much more!
Note: This episode was recorded on April 24, 2023.
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Apr 28, 2023 • 23min
The Old Man and the Participation Trophy (The Secret Podcast PREVIEW)
Sarah and JVL talk about Montana Republicans kicking a trans Democrat out of the chamber, the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit, Nikki Haley’s death pool, DeSantis in Israel, Trump and debates. And then we close out with the scourge of participation trophies.
To get the full episode—and The Secret Podcast every week—join Bulwark+.
Go to: https://thesecretpodcast.thebulwark.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 26, 2023 • 52min
Loser Stench (with Amanda Carpenter)
Both Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon have been kicked to the curb by their employers, leaving us political pundits to wonder what their next move means, and what the future holds for Fox and CNN, respectively.
Plus, Ron DeSantis keeps sinking in the polls, while the primary field against Trump has almost evaporated. Will DeSantis even run? And is he trying to match Trump’s crazy by making it easier to enforce the death penalty?
Amanda Carpenter subs in for Sarah to discuss!
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