Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchSarah’s First Focus Groups
Season 6 Episode 18
Sarah started doing focus groups in 2018 and 2019 hoping to save the Republican Party from Trump—by finding a primary challenger who wouldn’t embarrass themselves. Instead, she discovered voters who …
Published on 3 days, 13 hours ago
America on Tape: A Brutal (and Hopeful) Year
Season 6 Episode 17
A year in review from The Focus Group Podcast: the revealing moments, toughest conversations, and warnings that hit a little harder with hindsight—from swing voters to Democrats to cracks inside MAGA…
Published on 1 week, 3 days ago
MAGA's 'Crunchy' Surprise (with Jonathan Cohn)
Season 6 Episode 16
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' movement and its adherents have done some of the most harm of anyone in Donald Trump's second term. The voters who are motivated by 'MAHA' are al…
Published on 2 weeks, 3 days ago
The Civilian-Military Relationship (with Mark Hertling)
Season 6 Episode 15
The American military used to be one of the more trusted institutions in America. In 2025, it's a major political football. But how much do voters know about the military and its proper use? Bulwark …
Published on 3 weeks, 3 days ago
(Focus) Group Therapy (with Astead Herndon)
Season 6 Episode 14
Swing voters are pretty fed up with politics in general. They’re often “swingy” because they can’t really stand either party. And in our most recent focus group, they all let political leaders HAVE I…
Published on 1 month ago
Just Press The Deflation Button! (with Catherine Rampell)
Season 6 Episode 13
Donald Trump got elected in 2024 because voters felt prices were too high. But, as our guest says, that's not really a great thing for a politician to promise. So, as we head into the holiday season …
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
Epstein Files & Illegal Orders (w/ Will Sommer and Sen. Elissa Slotkin)
Season 6 Episode 12
Donald Trump had to make an about-face on the Epstein Files because some Trump voters were getting…mildly annoyed. Will Sommer joins Sarah to hear them out. Then, Sen. Elissa Slotkin joins the show t…
Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago
The GOP's Life After Trump (with Robert Draper)
Season 6 Episode 11
There's always a possibility that Donald Trump will try to run for a third term. But plenty of Republicans don't even want that...for now. We asked some of Trump's base how they're feeling about a th…
Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago
Gen Z: They're Zooming Apart (with Rachel Janfaza)
Season 6 Episode 10
We've heard a lot about how young men have shifted to the right...but this week's election showed young women moving to the left as well. Gen Z expert Rachel Janfaza, founder of The Up and Up, joins …
Published on 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Virginia: National Politics is Local (with Jeff Schapiro)
Season 6 Episode 9
No election in 2025 has been more impacted by the Trump presidency than the elections in Virginia. This state doesn't vote for MAGA candidates anymore, but their nominee for governor, Winsome Earle-S…
Published on 2 months ago