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The Focus Group Podcast

Latest episodes

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Apr 19, 2025 • 58min

S5 Ep14: Trump's Luxury Beliefs (with Scott Lincicome)

Trump has plunged the markets into chaos over the last couple of weeks with his tariffing, and un-tariffing, and possible re-tariffing. The Biden-to-Trump voters we've talked to were a mixed bag on this. Scott Lincicome, author of The Dispatch's economics newsletter Capitolism and Vice President of general economics at the Cato Institute, joins Sarah to listen to how the trade war is trickling down to voters and where it all might go from here. show notes By Scott Lincicome: Capitolism Newsletter This show is #sponsored by OneSkin. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THEFOCUSGROUP at https://www.oneskin.co #oneskinpod
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Apr 12, 2025 • 47min

S5 Ep13: America's Moral Moment (with Lauren Egan)

We've heard from a lot of Democrats who want the party to be more moderate, and many who want the party to be more progressive. But they all agree that the party needs to fight harder in this moment. Lauren Egan, author of The Bulwark's newsletter, The Opposition, joins Sarah to listen to some Democrats talk about the threats they see from the Trump administration, and how they think elected Democrats should respond. By Lauren Egan: Chuck Schumer Is Facing a Biden Moment Where Have All the Pussyhats Gone? Some Weird Alliances Are Breaking Out Among Democrats This show is #sponsored by OneSkin. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THEFOCUSGROUP at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod
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Apr 5, 2025 • 60min

S5 Ep12: Telling MAGA It's Raining (with Will Sommer)

Donald Trump is facing some headwinds. His staff accidentally leaked war plans to a reporter, and the promised price cuts are nowhere to be found. We check in with Biden-Trump voters on Signal-gate, and talk to Trump's base about whether they want him running for a third term, how they feel about the economy (which may surprise you), and the state of the MAGA media ecosystem. The Bulwark's MAGA-knower Will Sommer joins Sarah to sift through it all. show notes By Will Sommer:  When ‘Owning The Libs’ > The Constitution A Crack in Ben Shapiro’s Daily Wire
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Mar 29, 2025 • 1h 19min

S5 Ep11: The Kyrgyzstan PhD Problem (with Jen Psaki)

We're checking in with 2024's non-voters, and Sarah has a (friendly) fight with our guest over whether Kamala Harris should have closed the 2024 campaign with Liz Cheney. They also talk to some of 2024's non-voters, who have some thoughts on how Democrats should be fighting back right now. Jen Psaki, host of MSNBC's Inside with Jen Psaki and the podcast The Blueprint with Jen Psaki, joins the show.
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Mar 22, 2025 • 53min

S5 Ep10: It's Really Good and Really Bad (with Mark Leibovich)

Mark Leibovich, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of insightful political books, joins the discussion on voter sentiments in the age of Trump. He explores the complex feelings first-time Trump voters have, including buyer's remorse. The conversation touches on the Democratic Party's struggles with leadership and the gap between Trump's promises and performance. Additionally, they delve into the impact of economic policies on public sentiment and end with a quirky take on Greenland's surprising geopolitical spotlight.
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Mar 15, 2025 • 59min

S5 Ep9: Unresolved COVID Trauma (with Dr. Leana Wen)

Five years ago this week, the COVID-19 pandemic came to the United States, and with it a level of suffering and distrust of authority (and each other) that we haven't fully reckoned with. Indeed, the pandemic was a major factor in what made Donald Trump's political comeback possible. Dr. Leana Wen, public health expert and author of the Washington Post newsletter The Checkup with Dr. Wen joins Sarah to discuss the lessons learned from the pandemic, how it changed Americans, and its implications for the future of public health. Show notes: The Checkup with Dr. Wen This show is #sponsored by OneSkin. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THEFOCUSGROUP at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod
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Mar 8, 2025 • 42min

S5 Ep8: Free World 'Family Meeting' (with Tommy Vietor)

Trump shouted down Zelensky in the Oval Office last week, and many pro-Ukraine Trump voters wished it hadn't happened like that...publicly, at least. So, we wondered, what did the remaining pro-Ukraine Republicans think of America's role in the world? Pod Save America and Pod Save the World host Tommy Vietor joins Sarah to discuss the future of foreign policy in Trump 2.0.
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Mar 1, 2025 • 50min

S5 Ep7: Raw Audio: Guys Being Dudes

A focus group of young men discusses their political views, revealing how COVID-19 shaped their beliefs and voting habits. They express skepticism towards mainstream media while exploring alternative information sources. The conversation dives into the complexities of modern masculinity, critiquing harmful stereotypes and advocating for a broader understanding of manhood. Additionally, they reflect on personal health choices influenced by the pandemic, balancing individual preferences with public health concerns.
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Feb 22, 2025 • 57min

S5 Ep6: Will the Real POTUS Please Stand Up? (with Kara Swisher)

Kara Swisher, a legendary tech reporter known for her keen insights on Silicon Valley and Elon Musk, joins the conversation to dissect the political clout of tech leaders. She unveils Musk's evolving persona and his MAGA affiliations, scrutinizing how celebrity culture intertwines with politics. The chat reveals contrasting leadership styles of Biden and Trump, particularly in their tech engagements, while raising ethical concerns about data usage and government surveillance. Swisher emphasizes the need for authenticity in leadership amidst a tumultuous political landscape.
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Feb 15, 2025 • 58min

S5 Ep5: 'I'm All For Deportations, But...' (with Adrian Carrasquillo)

Plenty of the newest Donald Trump voters wanted him to fix the border, and to deport criminals. Some are excited by what they're seeing, and some are getting more than they bargained for. Bulwark immigration correspondent Adrian Carrasquillo joins Sarah to discuss voter reactions, and the latest developments in Trump's immigration regime. By Adrian Carrasquillo: The Border Debate Is Over. Dems Lost. Inside Trump World’s Plans To Gloss Up Mass Deportations Trump’s Deportation Dragnet Widens and Puerto Ricans Are Getting Caught in It Trump Wants to ‘End’ Sanctuary Cities. This Mayor Has a Different Idea. Trump Turns Schools Into an Immigration Battleground

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