Rephonic
Artwork for The Focus Group Podcast

The Focus Group Podcast

The Bulwark
Donald Trump
Biden Administration
Tiktok
Focus Groups
2024 Election
Covid-19
Republican Voters Against Trump
Bytedance
Congress
Joe Biden
Data Privacy
Gen Z
National Security
Republican Party
2024 Presidential Election
Swing Voters
Georgia
China
Israel-Hamas War
Michael Steele

Unfiltered, uncompromising, unexpected—The Focus Group is a look into what the average voter thinks about politics, policy, and current events. Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark, has conducted hundreds of hours of focus groups all across the country. She and a series of special guests will take you behind the glass to hear what real focus group participants have to say. www.thebulwa... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes135Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsSociety & CultureNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Focus Group Podcast

Latest Episodes

We saw an ICE officer kill an American citizen for the second time in less than three weeks. This time, it was harder for some of the voters we talked to to make an excuse for it. Bulwark immigration correspondent Adrian Carrasquillo returns to the s... more

Some strange, under-the-radar things are happening on the right. Marco Rubio is experiencing a strange rehabilitation with the Republican base, and some young men are excited about taxing OnlyFans. Meanwhile, JD Vance is still on the struggle bus wit... more

There's a lot of bad news right now—so much that none of it is breaking through that much to the voters we talked to. From the ICE killing of Renee Good to the Epstein files to the criminal investigation into Jerome Powell, Bulwark editor-at-large Bi... more

The United States just captured Venezuela's dictator, and we needed to get some quick voter reactions. Is this REALLY what the newest members of Trump's coalition voted for? We're also sensing growing discontent from them with the state of the countr... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Will Sommer
In-house right wing fever swamp correspondent at The Bulwark, author of the False Flag Newsletter.
The Bulwark
Episode: S6 Ep21: The Heebie Jeebie GOP (with Will Sommer)
Bill Kristol
Editor at large at The Bulwark
The Bulwark
Episode: S6 Ep20: Playing Stupid Games, Winning Stupid Prizes (with Bill Kristol)
Jonathan Chait
Staff writer at The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: S6 Ep19: What a Difference a Year Makes (with Jonathan Chait)
Anne Applebaum
Staff writer at The Atlantic and author of Twilight of Democracy and Autocracy, Inc.
The Atlantic
Episode: S6 Ep17: America on Tape: A Brutal (and Hopeful) Year
Robert Draper
Staff writer for the New York Times Magazine and author of Weapons of Mass Delusion, When the Republican Party Lost Its Mind
New York Times
Episode: S6 Ep17: America on Tape: A Brutal (and Hopeful) Year
Mark Hertling
Lieutenant General and resident military expert at The Bulwark
The Bulwark
Episode: S6 Ep15: The Civilian-Military Relationship (with Mark Hertling)
Astead Herndon
Host and editorial director at Vox, previously host of The New York Times political podcast, The Run Up
Vox
Episode: S6 Ep14: (Focus) Group Therapy (with Astead Herndon)
Senator Elissa Slotkin
A Congresswoman known for winning tough races in Trump districts and for her military background.
U.S. Congress
Episode: S6 Ep12: Epstein Files & Illegal Orders (w/ Will Sommer and Sen. Elissa Slotkin)
Rachel Janfaza
Founder of The Up and Up, a media and research firm
The Up and Up
Episode: S6 Ep10: Gen Z: They're Zooming Apart (with Rachel Janfaza)

Host

Sarah Longwell
Publisher of The Bulwark, and host of The Focus Group Podcast where she leads discussions based on extensive focus group research.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 3.1k ratings
  • ✌️

    I wish the show had an actual HOST who facilitated a discussion with other political ppl about the data from the groups. it's basically Sarah giving her opinions about the content and i'm just not here for that. unfollowing

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    J. Sims, Jr.
    United Statesa month ago
  • JVL was right.

    Trump voters are stupid.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Pene Guapo
    United Statesa month ago
  • Smart Analysis of the Public’s Opinions

    It’s disappointing to hear average citizens speak from their limited education and knowledge of current events, somehow made worse by the spectacularly smart guests on this show who analyze it all and draw such a contrast. I want to believe America is smarter than this but I can’t stop watching. Sarah & co are fantastic!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sffilmfan
    United Statesa month ago
  • Painful and infuriating

    There’s a reason that coming on as a guest of this show is viewed somewhere between an initiation rite and a cruel form of hazing for new Bulwark contributors - it’s painful to listen to the average voter explain their dumb views. Every episode is a horrible reminder of the sad state of education and the alarming levels of mass delusion in America.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sinfjotli43
    United States2 months ago
  • Genuine

    Sarah is real. The shows are not consistent and they oughtn’t be bc some of the people whose opinions she represents are poorly stated or ill formed. She treats ALL their opinions w respect, gives them due consideration wo making apologies… which ain’t easy, given some of what they say. Some of the guests, like today’s retired general, was for me (as an artsie know-nothing liberal) enormously enlightening. Much appreciate what you do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alaleian
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is a strong emphasis on the importance of understanding voter sentiments, making it a valuable resource for engaged listeners.
Many find Sarah Longwell's approach to discussing complex topics refreshing and enlightening.
Some feedback points to frustration over the length and content of discussions, especially regarding frequent advertisements.
Listeners appreciate the authentic voices heard in focus groups, which provide deep insights into voter opinions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#102
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#137
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#208
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#159
Brazil/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#183
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#199
New Zealand/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S6 Ep17: America on Tape: A Brutal (and Hopeful) Year
Q: What do participants think about potential changes to the filibuster?
There were mixed feelings on eliminating the filibuster. While some expressed the need for it to get things done, others argued for the importance of maintaining checks and balances in government processes.
S6 Ep16: MAGA's 'Crunchy' Surprise (with Jonathan Cohn)
Q: What are they doing to deal with this?
Doctors need to meet people where they are and listen to their concerns seriously about vaccines.
S6 Ep16: MAGA's 'Crunchy' Surprise (with Jonathan Cohn)
Q: Is there anything he's doing that's affirmative?
The concept of MAHA, which promotes preventative medicine and health, is something I think would be universally supported by people on both sides.
S6 Ep16: MAGA's 'Crunchy' Surprise (with Jonathan Cohn)
Q: Is there anything that you think has gone uncovered about the way that they have approached public health?
There's been a general problem of the Trump administration that there's so much going on, it's hard to focus.
S6 Ep8: New Jersey: The 'No Narc' State (with Jonathan V. Last)
Q: Do you believe in undecided voters as a thing?
Most were decided; undecided voters often lean partisan and do research on pet issues but tend to know who they're voting for.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Focus Group Podcast

What is The Focus Group Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers an unfiltered look into the thoughts and sentiments of average voters regarding politics, policy, and current events. Each episode features Sarah Longwell engaging in deep discussions with a host of guests, presenting insights gleaned from extensive focus group research conducted nationwide. The format allows listeners to hear the authentic voices of focus group participants, making it unique in its approach to understanding voter sentiment and political dynamics. Episodes tackle a wide range of topics, often exploring the complexities of voter experiences, emotional responses, and the impact of contemporary political landscapes on public opinion.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Focus Group Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Focus Group Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Focus Group Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Focus Group Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Focus Group Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Focus Group Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Focus Group Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Focus Group Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Focus Group Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Focus Group Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Focus Group Podcast:

1. The Next Level
2. The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell
3. Bulwark Takes
4. The Bulwark Podcast
5. The Mona Charen Show

How many episodes of The Focus Group Podcast are there?

The Focus Group Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 135 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Focus Group Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Focus Group Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Focus Group Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Focus Group Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Focus Group Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Focus Group Podcast?

Recent guests on The Focus Group Podcast include:

1. Will Sommer
2. Bill Kristol
3. Jonathan Chait
4. Anne Applebaum
5. Robert Draper
6. Mark Hertling
7. Astead Herndon
8. Senator Elissa Slotkin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days