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
1037: The Most Dangerous Part of Trump's Second Term | The Secret Podcast
Nov 28, 2025
Show notes
Note: Sarah and JVL recorded this episode on Wednesday, November 26. JVL and Sarah Longwell break down why pardoning January 6 felons might be the most dangerous move of his presidency yet. By promising protection to anyone who commits crimes on his behalf, Trump is building a loyalty pipeline straight out of a mob movie… and the Supreme Court is giving him the cover he needs.
1036: Why Trump’s “Enemies” Keep Winning
Nov 26, 2025
Show notes
Trump’s revenge crusade is collapsing in real time. Botched prosecutions, clown-car legal teams, foreign bot armies propping up MAGA influencers, and a GOP in full-blown identity crisis. JVL, Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller talk about Trump’s latest humiliations, the Marjorie Taylor Greene detonation, the Mamdani Oval Office shocker, and the wild bot-farm revelations shaking the right. Oh and Trump looks like he can't walk. Just another week!
1035: Legal Orders | The Secret Podcast
Nov 21, 2025
Show notes
Trump crossed a line, again. JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss Trump’s latest tantrum: calling for Democratic senators to be put to death after they released a video reminding service members they don’t have to follow illegal orders. Yes, really.Then we get into the Epstein-email panic, why Trump suddenly pretended to support releasing documents he fought for years, and what’s really pressuring him behind the scenes, Dick Cheney’s funeral, and the singles vaccine. Don’t worry, Sarah WILL BE GETTING IT!
1034: Has Epstein Stopped the Trump 2028 Train?
Nov 20, 2025
Show notes
Trump’s awful month keeps getting worse: the botched Comey indictment, the Epstein files exploding, Trump snapping at reporters, and signs that the MAGA machine isn’t running like it used to. JVL, Sarah, and Tim talk about the panic inside Trumpworld, the fallout from his dictator cosplay with MBS, and why the movement suddenly looks shakier than it has in years. Remember to head to https://ZBiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use the code NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Take our quick listener survey and help us make The Bulwark even better. https://bit.ly/bulwarkaudio
1033: Incentives Matter | Secret Podcast Preview
Nov 15, 2025
Show notes
JVL and Catherine Rampell (filling in for Sarah) dig into the latest Epstein revelations and what they expose about the darker, unsteady corners of the GOP. The conversation traces how a party already splintering under internal contradictions keeps getting dragged into fresh scandals, bad actors, and self-inflicted wounds.
1032: The New Epstein Emails Are UGLY
Nov 12, 2025
Show notes
Sarah Longwell, JVL, and Tim Miller take on the explosive Epstein emails tying Trump to victims, the shutdown fight and ACA fallout, and the MAGA civil war erupting around Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, and Nick Fuentes. Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/NEXTLEVEL
1031: Secret Podcast: JD Vance Can’t Control What He Unleashed
Nov 07, 2025
Show notes
JVL is half-delirious from the shingles vaccine and Sarah Longwell is dragging him through one of the wildest weeks in politics. From massive Democratic wins to Jeff Flake’s fantasy-land op-ed, Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar ego trip, and the jaw-dropping humanitarian fallout from dismantling USAID. They break down why Republicans are in full disarray, how Trump’s SNAP showdown is backfiring, and what new polling says about the road ahead.
1030: Voters Everywhere Strike Back Against Trumpism
Nov 05, 2025
Show notes
In the first major set of elections of Donald Trump’s second term, voters deliver a rebuke to Trumpism. Democrats win gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, and Zohran Mamdani wins the mayoral race in New York City after Trump endorses Andrew Cuomo. JVL, Sarah Longwell and Tim Miller react on Election Night to what these results mean in the fight against MAGA, assess the leverage Democrats may have gained in the government shutdown debate and take stock of the political landscape a year out from the 2026 midterms. Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off Go to https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code NEXTLEVEL for 25% off Go to https://zbiotics.com/NEXTLEVEL and use NEXTLEVEL at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics
1029: Heritage Foundation Americans | Secret Podcast
Oct 31, 2025
Show notes
JVL and Sarah talk about Socialism, Jersey, Virginia, MTG, and the Heritage Foundation’s panic that someone might think they don’t approve of white nationalist Nick Fuentes. It’s a whole thing. You’ll love it.
1028: MAGA’s Tough-Guy Civil War
Oct 29, 2025
Show notes
JVL, Sarah, and Tim talk about the intra-MAGA war inside immigration enforcement, the bizarre fall of Tom Homan, Stephen Miller’s power games, RFK Jr.’s unhinged HHS drama, Trump teasing war in Venezuela, and the new Democratic memo that’s tearing the party apart. Get 30% off your entire order with Soul at https://GetSoul.com and use code THENEXTLEVEL at checkout. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions with RocketMoney at https://RocketMoney.com/THENEXTLEVEL.
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