The Focus Group Podcast cover image

The Focus Group Podcast

Latest episodes

undefined
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.
undefined
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.
undefined
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
undefined
Mar 8, 2025 • 45min

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.
undefined
7 snips
Mar 1, 2025 • 51min

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.
undefined
Feb 22, 2025 • 60min

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.
undefined
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
undefined
Feb 8, 2025 • 1h

S5 Ep4: Winners Make Policy, Losers Go Home (with Adam Jentleson)

Where do Democratic voters want the party to go next? And just as importantly, how does the party need to be thinking differently? Adam Jentleson, former chief of staff to Sen. John Fetterman and aide to Sen. Harry Reid, joins Sarah to discuss the kind of thinking hampering current Democratic elected officials and staff, and they discuss some new ways to campaign and govern as the party looks toward 2026 and 2028. By Adam Jentleson: New York Times Guest Essay: When Will Democrats Learn to Say No? Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy
undefined
Feb 1, 2025 • 54min

S5 Ep3: At Least He's Doing Something (with Sam Stein)

Donald Trump's approval rating is sitting around 50 percent, which is as high as he's ever been, even though he started his term by pardoning January 6 rioters, causing mass confusion across the government, and claiming that DEI caused a plane crash. The voters we talked to in our focus groups are just glad to see someone "taking action." Bulwark managing editor Sam Stein joins Sarah to talk about voters' reactions to Trump's flurry of executive orders (including the January 6 pardons), and how long Trump's "honeymoon" may last.
undefined
Jan 25, 2025 • 52min

S5 Ep2: Getting Out of Our Corners (with Amanda Carpenter)

Anyone who opposes Donald Trump isn't feeling great this week. And where there was "resistance" when Trump took office in 2017, there was more resignation among the voters we talked to this week as he began his second term. Bulwark alum Amanda Carpenter of Protect Democracy joins Sarah to talk about what we should (and should not) be focused on over the next four years.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode