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The Back Room with Andy Ostroy

The Back Room with Andy Ostroy

505 episodes — Page 9 of 11

Ep 105Chrissy Carroll

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Chrissy Carroll is one of the people I affectionately refer to as my "tragedy buddy". One of the awesome folks I've met and befriended along the way who share with me the loss of a loved one due to a sudden, tragic death such as murder. On a beautiful Summer night in August of 2017, Chrissy and her husband George--both actors and playwrights--were walking along a Brooklyn Street near their home when horror struck. They encountered a group of menacing men loitering outside an apartment building, words were exchanged, and George was fatally stabbed. This is Chrissy's story. From the nightmare of that fateful night, to navigating through the hellish trial, and her ongoing journey of rebuilding her life as a crime survivor. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Aug 22, 2023

Ep 104Anthony DiMaria

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Anthony DiMaria is an actor, director and producer. His New York theatre affiliations include Circle Rep Lab, Actors Studio and The Barrow Group. His film and TV credits include Woody Allen's Cafe Society, Ray Donovan, Deadwood, CSI and The Sopranos. In 2020 he directed and produced the documentary JAY SEBRING....CUTTING TO THE TRUTH, about his uncle who was murdered along with actress Sharon Tate and three others in the notorious Manson Family murders of August 8, 1969. He is currently writing a book on Jay life, legacy and the distortion fallout perpetuated after his murder and the killing of all ten Manson murder victims. Don't miss this riveting conversation which takes us back to Hollywood in the counterculture 60's; the illustrious life and tragic death at 35 of pioneering celebrity men's hair designer and entrepreneur Jay Sebring; and the gruesome LA crimes which shocked the nation, became the definitive end of the 'peace and love' decade, and remain a pop culture obsession fifty-four years later. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Aug 19, 2023

Ep 103Mike Richter

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Mike Richter spent 15 years with the New York Rangers where he was a three-time NHL All-Star, a Stanley Cup Champion, and an Olympic Medalist. He retired in 2003 and was named to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame 5 years later. He is currently the President of Brightcore Energy and a key spokesperson for environmental issues and a leader in the arena of sustainability. Mike is a legendary athlete and truly solid citizen whose life work is now dedicated to conserving and protecting the environment. Join us for this inspiring chat about achieving greatness, overcoming adversity and the successful journey through reinvention. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Aug 15, 2023

Ep 102Christine Emba

Christine Emba is an opinion columnist and editor at The Washington Post, where she focuses on ideas, society, and culture. She is also a contributing editor at Comment Magazine and an editor at large at Wisdom of Crowds, which includes a podcast and newsletter. Her book, Rethinking Sex: A Provocation, is about the failures and potential of the sexual revolution in a post-#MeToo world. She was named one of the World’s Top 50 Thinkers by Prospect Magazine in 2022. Christine's been in the spotlight recently for her column, "Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness". Join us for this important, timely and thought-provoking conversation regarding masculinity and the challenges men struggle with as they search for understanding, relevance, direction and what it means to be a "man" in today's ever-changing world. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Aug 12, 2023

Ep 101Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

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Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr. is an author, political commentator and educator who examines the complex dynamics of the American experience. He is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor; former chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University; and former president of the American Academy of Religion. He frequently appears in the media as a columnist for TIME Magazine and regularly appears on MSNBC and Meet the Press. His most recent book is 2020’s Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own. He is also host of the History is Us podcast. Please join us for this brutally honest conversation about race and racism in America today, and the role played by Donald Trump and Trumpism in stoking the flames of hatred. Eddie also takes us back through his childhood, his complicated relationship with his father, the challenges he faced in his youth, his early inspirations and his journey to academic and literary success. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Aug 8, 202349 min

Ep 100Elie Honig

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Elie Honig is an attorney and CNN senior legal analyst and the bestselling author of Hatchet Man and the just released Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It. He’s a former assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of New York. He also hosts podcasts and writes for CAFE and Vox Media. Amid the media madness of Indictment Week, we're thrilled that Elie was able to hit The Back Room (especially for our 100th episode!) to help unpack Trump's latest legal quagmire and how this new indictment and all the other trials may play out over time...including why Trump will likely never see the inside of a prison. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Aug 5, 2023

Ep 99Michael Cohen

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Michael Cohen is host of the Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen podcast and is a two-time New York Times best-selling author. His latest book is Revenge: How Donald Trump Weaponized the US Department of Justice Against His Critics. He’s also Principal of crisis management firm Crisis-X. And he’s most notable for having served for many years as Donald Trump’s personal attorney and also as an executive in the Trump Organization. Michael's back in The Back Room unpacking the mounting legal troubles of the Thief-in-Chief, his disgraced former lawyer #Giuliani and his other crooked cronies! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jul 31, 2023

Ep 98Michael Steele

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Michael Steele is the former Republican National Committee Chairman, former Lt. Governor of Maryland, MSNBC political analyst and host of the Michael Steele Podcast. Join us for this truly fun, insightful, compelling chat about Trump, Trumpism, the GOP, and the 2024 presidential election. We also explore Michael's childhood, his early influences, his initial desire to become a priest and he answers the burning question of why he became a Republican! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jul 29, 2023

Ep 97Donovan X. Ramsey

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Donovan X. Ramsey is a journalist and author who writes about issues of identity, justice, and patterns of power in America. His reporting has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, GQ, WSJ Magazine, Ebony, and Essence, among other outlets and he’s been a staff reporter at the Los Angeles Times, NewsOne, and theGrio. He just released to much critical acclaim his debut book When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era, which explores how Black America survived the crack epidemic. Join us for this extremely important, riveting conversation which explores the origins of the crack epidemic of the 1980's and early 90's; the "war on drugs" and "just say no" era; criminal injustice and racism; the current opioid and fentanyl crisis; and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jul 25, 2023

Ep 96Rep. Eric Swalwell

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Eric Swalwell represents California's 14th Congressional District. A former prosecutor, he serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee. He was appointed by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve as an Impeachment Manager for Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial. Rep Swalwell is known for being tough on his Republican opponents, Trump and Trumpism. He speaks truth to power in this insightful chat about the House, the GOP and its threat to democracy, and where the country is headed as we approach yet another critical election. We also talk about balancing parenting and work, and the benefits of membership in the House Dad's Caucus. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jul 22, 2023

Ep 95Taylor Lorenz

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Taylor Lorenz is an author and Washington Post columnist covering technology and online culture. Before joining The Post, she was a technology reporter for the New York Times' business section. She was also previously a technology reporter at the Atlantic and the Daily Beast. Her first book Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet, will be released this October and is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org, simonandschuster.com, etc. Taylor shares her thoughts on META's new Threads app; the fate of Twitter; the Zuckerberg vs Musk battle (in and out of the cage-match ring!); her own sparring with Musk; Musk's new AI company; the real threat(s) from TikTok; and discusses her book, which is described as "the inside, untold story of what we have done to the internet, and what it has done to us" Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jul 18, 2023

Ep 94Lucas Kunce

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Lucas Kunce is a 13-year Marine veteran, national security expert, and antitrust advocate running against Missouri’s Republican Senator Josh Hawley. After three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Lucas was stationed at the Pentagon, where he served on the Joint Staff to contain the threat of nuclear and chemical weapons around the globe, and later represented the U.S. in arms control negotiations with NATO and Russia. After active duty, he became the National Security Director for the American Economic Liberties Project, a non-profit which advocates corporate accountability legislation and aggressive enforcement of anti-trust regulations. He currently serves in the Marine Corps Reserves. Join us for this inspiring chat about family and community. About overcoming childhood poverty and family health challenges. About the fight to kick Mr. FistPump McManhoodBook to the curb and take power back for everyday, working-class families in Missouri and across America. About what Democrats can do to defeat Republicans, Trump and Trumpism in the 2024 election. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jul 15, 2023

Ep 93Kat Abughazaleh

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Kat Abughazaleh is a senior video producer at Media Matters and a well-known Fox News watcher. She's a prominent social media personality who's become very popular through her TikTok videos and similar political content on Twitter. She regularly posts biting videos citing the dishonest, bizarre and often sexist, homophobic, racist behavior of Fox hosts, the network itself, and ex-Fox host Tucker Carlson. Kat's back in The Back Room for a seriously fun, insightful chat about Threads vs Twitter, Musk vs Zuckerberg, Trump vs reality, Kat vs TikTok and more! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jul 11, 2023

Ep 92Pam Hemphill

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Former Trump supporter and "MAGA Granny" Pam Hemphill says she was "brainwashed", in a "cult" and eventually served two months in prison for her role inside the U.S. Capitol during the January 6th insurrection. She's now full of regret and remorse, and is passionately fighting against her former cult leader, his cohorts and minions, and their gaslighting and dangerous rhetoric. This is her fascinating story of how and why she joined the cult, what it was like inside, and how she eventually got the motivation and courage to leave. It's a rare window into the MAGA mind and a truly don't-miss conversation.... Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jul 8, 2023

Ep 91Saverio "Mocha Joe" Guerra

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Saverio Guerra is an actor and writer best known for playing Mocha Joe on HBO's CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and Bob on the long-running Ted Danson CBS series BECKER He has appeared on many other television shows including Law & Order, Billions, The Goldbergs and The Detour. His film credits include SUMMER OF SAM, BAD BOYS, SLEEPERS and LUCK YOU. Join us for this truly fun, hilarious chat about acting, growing up in Brooklyn, Larry David and so much more! Come for the CURB, stay for the Pacino impression! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jul 5, 2023

Ep 90Harry Sisson

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Harry Sisson is a 20 year old Gen Z activist. He started his work in politics at a local level by interning with his councilwoman and State Senator. He then began utilizing social media to help get young people out to vote in the 2020 presidential election. Since then, he’s amassed over 800,000 followers across all platforms, he’s worked with President Obama, the White House and more. Young folks like Harry are the future. He's incredibly tough, smart, articulate, passionate and focused like a laser on what's wrong with the Republican Party and how Democrats can capitalize and win everything. Join us for this fun, insightful chat about today's wild political and judicial landscape. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jul 3, 2023

Ep 89Ruth Ben-Ghiat

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Ruth Ben-Ghiat is Professor of History at New York University. She writes about fascism, authoritarianism, and propaganda. She is the recipient of Guggenheim and other fellowships; an advisor to Protect Democracy; an MSNBC opinion columnist and television commentator; and publishes Lucid, a newsletter on threats to democracy. Her latest book, Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present looks at how illiberal leaders use propaganda, corruption, violence, and machismo --and how they can be defeated. Join us for this truly fascinating, insightful conversation about Trump, Trumpism, Ron DeSantis and the chilling parallels between their demagoguery and hateful rhetoric and that of Hitler, Mussolini and other dictators past and present. How fascism and Neo-Nazism is on the rise domestically and abroad, and its impact on American politics and culture. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jul 1, 2023

Ep 88David Corn

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David Corn is the Washington, D.C. bureau chief for Mother Jones Magazine, an MSNBC analyst and author of the best-selling book "American Psychosis: A Historical Investigation of How the Republican Party Went Crazy”. Join us for this informative, insightful chat about Trump, Trumpism, the No Labels dark money group, right-wing extremism and more. He also shares his childhood inspirations and has a helluva funny Nixon encounter as a 13-year-old McGovern supporter! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jun 28, 2023

Ep 87Rep. Jimmy Gomez

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Congressman Jimmy Gomez represents California’s 34th Congressional District. He sits on the Committee on Oversight and Accountability and serves as an Assistant Whip of the Democratic Caucus and Deputy Whip for the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He is also the Founder and Chair of the Congressional Dads Caucus and is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and Future Forum. Prior to his election to Congress in June of 2017, he served four and a half years in the California State Assembly where he served as Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Rep. Gomez's life and career is the embodiment of the American dream. Born and raised in Southern California, he is the proud son of working-class Mexican immigrants who went from being held back in the 3rd grade to earning his master's degree from Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Rep. Gomez's journey from childhood through Congress is a truly fascinating, inspiring story. of overcoming social, cultural and economic challenges to achieve one's goals. He also shares his thoughts on Trump, Trumpism, the Republican-led House craziness, immigration, his incredible Dad's Caucus and more. I absolutely love this conversation, as it's such a positive reminder of how great our country can be. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jun 26, 2023

Ep 86Rick Wilson

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The inimitable Rick Wilson's back in The Back Room! Rick's a renowned political strategist, infamous ad-maker, writer, speaker, political commentator, co-founder of the political action committee The Lincoln Project and a two-time New York Times bestselling author. It's always fun when Rick joins the conversation with his razor-sharp wit and wisdom! In this episode he shares his thoughts on Donald Trump's indictment, Judge Aileen Cannon and the challenges facing the Department of Justice and its Miami trial; the ongoing threat to America of Trump and Trumpism; President Joe Biden and Democrats; and the '24 presidential race. It's a chat you don't wanna miss! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jun 20, 2023

Ep 85Jake Tapper

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Jake Tapper is the lead DC anchor and chief Washington correspondent for CNN. He is also an accomplished author who’s written two New York Times bestselling novels, The Hellfire Club and The Devil May Dance, as well as the bestselling nonfiction book The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor, which was turned into a critically acclaimed film in 2020. His latest novel, the thriller All the Demons Are Here, will be released July 11th. It's a real treat to have Jake with us in The Back Room to celebrate our one-year anniversary! He shares his keen insights on Donald Trump, Trumpism and the 2024 presidential race; reflects back on his childhood aspirations (guess who he wanted to be when he grows up?); and takes us through his journalistic and creative-writing journeys. We also get an exciting preview of his page-turning new book, which has an overall story, various subplots and characters with so many fun, fascinating parallels to today's American political and media worlds. And of course, what would a convo with Jake Tapper be without discussing Taylor Swift?! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jun 17, 20231h 15m

Ep 84Peter Riegert

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Peter Riegert has been acting, writing, directing and producing for over 50 years. His films include: ANIMAL HOUSE, LOCAL HERO, CHILLY SCENES OF WINTER, CROSSING DELANCEY, TRAFFIC and THE MASK. His television credits include: SUCCESSION, THE SOPRANOS, DAMAGES, LAW AND ORDER SVU, THE GOOD WIFE, ONE TREE HILL, SHOW ME A HERO, UNBREAKABLE KIMMIE SCHMIDT and DISJOINTED. Peter's directorial debut landed him an Academy Award nomination for the short film, BY COURIER. Peter then wrote, directed and starred in his first feature film, KING OF THE CORNER. On Broadway Peter starred in David Mamet’s THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD, AN AMERICAN DAUGHTER, THE NERD and DANCE WITH ME. His Off-Broadway credits include: SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO, THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, MOUNTAIN LANGUAGE, and ISN'T IT ROMANTIC. Please join us for this super-fun, insightful chat about Peter's childhood and early inspirations; his big break landing ANIMAL HOUSE; a behind the scenes look at that film and why it became a cultural phenomenon and cult classic; his overall acting journey and working with legends like John Belushi, Donald Sutherland and Burt Lancaster; living in the Hudson Valley; and more. And, you might just get his thoughts on a certain twice-indicted/arrested former president! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jun 15, 2023

Ep 83Stephanie Grisham

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Stephanie Grisham is the New York Times bestselling author of “I’ll Take Your Questions Now, What I Saw in the Trump White House.” During the Trump Administration she served as White House press secretary and director of communications for both the President and First Lady, Melania Trump. She is the only person in history who has held three senior roles at once, while representing both the east and west wings. Steph takes us on a fascinating peek inside the minds of Trump, Melania, Ivanka, Eric and Don Jr following the latest indictment of the former Thief-in-Chief. She also shares her keen, first-hand insights into the sycophantic loyalty to Trump that still exists in the Republican Party, and breaks down the pros and cons of the 2024 GOP candidates. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jun 12, 2023

Ep 82Elie Honig; Joe Walsh

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Elie Honig is an attorney and CNN senior legal analyst and the bestselling author of Hatchet Man and the just released Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It. He’s a former assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of New York. Honig also hosts podcasts and writes for CAFE and Vox Media. Joe Walsh is a former Illinois Congressman, a former nationally syndicated far-right talk-radio host, 2020 Republican candidate for President, author, host of the White Flag with Joe Walsh podcast and is a frequent political commentator on CNN and MSNBC. It’s a terrific two-fer in The Back Room! First up is Elie, who helps unpack the new Trump indictment, and then the inimitable Joe talks Trump, Trumpism, the Republican Party and 2024. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jun 10, 2023

Ep 81J. Smith-Cameron

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J. Smith-Cameron is an Emmy and Tony-nominated stage, film, and television actress who most recently starred as “Gerri Kellman” on HBO’s SUCCESSION. She can be seen starring in the Peacock film THE YEAR BETWEEN, as well as the miniseries WACO: THE AFTERMATH on Showtime. Her film credits include VENGEANCE, 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD, HARRIET THE SPY, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME and MARGARET. On tv she’s had recurring roles on RECTIFY, TRUE BLOOD and DIVORCE and has appeared in countless others. Her Broadway credits include Lend Me a Tenor, Our Country’s Good, Night Must Fall and After the Night and the Music. Her extensive Off-Broadway work includes As Bees in Honey Drown, for which she won an Obie Award, Fuddy Meers, The Starry Messenger, Sorry, Juno and the Paycock and Peace for Mary Frances. I LOVE this chat! J shares her journey from childhood through the season finale of SUCCESSION. It's a master class in acting and a truly fun-filled conversation with fascinating insights, funny anecdotes and inside tidbits from one of the most beloved, successful television shows of all-time. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jun 5, 2023

Ep 80Rep. Maxwell Frost

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Maxwell Alejandro Frost is the U.S representative for Florida's 10th congressional district. Elected in 2022 at the age of 25, he is the youngest and first Gen Z member of Congress. He sits on the powerful Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. As a young, Afro-Latino, he brings a fresh, progressive perspective to an institution formerly out of reach for young, working Black and Latino Americans. He’s previously held leadership roles at ACLU and March for Our Lives, and has made gun reform a top priority He is also focused on housing affordability, healthcare, abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, transportation, justice reform, climate change and more. Join us for this insightful conversation about life and politics, including his childhood, his early influences and activism, his decision at 25 to run for Congress, Trump and Trumpism, Biden's presidency, the debt ceiling, the Republican Party's intransigence, gun violence, immigration, the 2024 election, term limits and Israel. We also talk drums, music and his top 5 artists of all time! (Rumor has it we even chat about the current Taylor Swift tour!) Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Jun 3, 202348 min

Ep 79Michael Cruz Kayne

Michael Cruz Kayne is a comedian, actor and writer based in NYC. He is a staff writer on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and is currently performing his one-man show, Sorry For Your Loss, at NYC's Minetta Lane Theater. His acting credits include HBO’s “The White House Plumbers” and “High Maintenance,” as well as Apple TV’s “Severance” and “Helpsters,” among others. Michael also hosts A Good Cry, a Signal Award-winning and Webby-nominated podcast about grief. Michael shares his deeply personal, emotional journey following the 2009 death of his son Fisher just 34 days after he was born. It's a brutally honest, inspirational conversation about unfathomable loss; navigating through overwhelming grief; the concept of 'closure'; the cathartic benefits of humor; and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 31, 2023

Ep 78S.E. Cupp

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S.E. Cupp is a CNN political commentator and most recently host of CNN's SE Cupp Unfiltered. Before joining CNN she co-hosted MSNBC's The Cycle. She's a nationally syndicated political columnist, culture critic, author and consultant who regularly writes for the New York Daily News, Glamour and CNN.com. She was previously a consultant for Apple TV+'s The Morning Show starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell and HBO's hit series, The Newsroom. Join us for this fun, insightful chat about the big DeSantis Twitter disaster; Trump and Trumpism; Tim Scott, Glenn Youngkin, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie and the 2024 election; the GOP culture wars; the future of the Republican Party; and...why S.E. has a huge photo of Al Gore and his kids on her wall! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 27, 2023

Ep 77Dawn Porter

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Dawn Porter has emerged in the entertainment industry as a leader in the art of storytelling; directing and producing critically acclaimed films and series. A two-time Sundance film festival director, Porter’s work has been featured on HBO, Netflix, CNN, PBS, MSNBC, ESPN, Discovery, National Geographic and others. Porter’s latest film, "The Lady Bird Diaries," an all-archival documentary about Lady Bird Johnson will debut at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival. Her next project “Supreme,” is a four-part docuseries, exploring the history of the United States Supreme Court, the justices, decisions, and confirmation battles that have shaped America. Her prior films include "Gideon’s Army", "Bobby Kennedy For President", "John Lewis: Good Trouble" and "The Way I See It", about photojournalist and former Obama and Reagan chief White House photographer Pete Souza. Join us for this truly fascinating conversation about Dawn’s successful journey from corporate entertainment lawyer to one of America’s most prominent documentary filmmakers. We also revisit her childhood, her early influences, sexism, racism and the state of the documentary film business today. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 25, 2023

Ep 76Ben Smith

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Ben Smith is a journalist, author, and co-founder of the global news organization Semafor. He’s the former media columnist for the New York Times and founding editor-in-chief of the now-defunct BuzzFeed News. His book Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral has just been released. Ben and I discuss the ever-changing news business and the role of digital journalism; the impact of social media on our culture and the political landscape; Donald Trump; the Durham Report; George Santos; as well as a little trip back in time to childhood, his early influences and what he does with his time when he's not working! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 23, 2023

Ep 75Olivia Nuzzi and Peter Strzok

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Olivia Nuzzi is New York Magazine’s Washington correspondent, covering the White House, presidential campaigns and political media, among other topics. She joined New York in 2017 as its first-ever Washington correspondent and reported on the Trump administration and 2020 election. She’s an award-winning journalist who contributes regularly to Intelligencer, the magazine’s news and politics vertical, in addition to writing features and columns for the magazine. Olivia and I chat about a range of subjects including her childhood, early acting journey, and her early journalism experiences and influences; Donald Trump and Trumpism (and the stunningly appropriate comparison of him to Sunset Boulevard's Norman Desmond); the broken Republican Party; Rudy Giuliani; Ron DeSantis; Watergate, and her hosting gig on White House Plumbers, the companion podcast to the new HBO limited series. And maybe, just maybe, we also get some intel into her hobbies and non-writing passions! . But first up is Peter Strzok, former deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division and the architect of the "Crossfire Hurricane" Russia probe, who's back in The Back Room for a quick assessment of the Durham Report which was released this week. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 20, 2023

Ep 74Erin Merryn

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Erin Merryn is an internationally recognized author, speaker, and child abuse advocate and activist. She earned her MSW from Aurora University. For six years of her childhood she was sexually abused, keeping her secret locked away in her childhood diary. Before graduating high school Erin published her diary into a book called Stolen Innocence. She has since published 4 more books. In 2013 in her home state of Illinois she succeeded in getting Erin’s Law passed, which requires personal body safety taught in public schools. It is currently in 38 states. Since 2004, Erin has shared her story in over two hundred publications and appeared on Oprah, OWN, Today, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, CNN, Fox, Katie Couric, Tamron Hall, and MSNBC among others. In 2015 she was featured in the documentary Breaking the Silence on TLC. Glamour magazine named Erin Woman of the Year and People magazine named her one of fifteen women changing the world Erin is a truly remarkable woman on an incredibly important, inspiring journey. Her story is one of survival, perseverance and tremendous accomplishment. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 16, 2023

Ep 73Rachel and Dr. Alexander Vindman

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Rachel Vindman is an Opinion Columnist at USA TODAY and a member of the USA Today Board of Contributors. She co-hosts the Suburban Women Problem podcast, and is an advisory board member for the Renew Democracy Initiative. She’s a prominent activist and plain-spoken political commentator on Twitter, where you can follow her @natsechobbyist. Dr. Alexander Vindman is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel who was most recently the director for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Russia on the White House’s National Security Council. He previously served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as an attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia. He is the author of The New York Times bestselling memoir Here, Right Matters and also frequently appears on NPR, MSNBC and CNN. Please join us for another fun, fascinating chat with these two awesome people that includes Ukraine/Russia, the gun-violence epidemic, Ron DeSantis and the GOP culture wars, "parental rage" and "parental rights", Donald Trump, the 2024 election and…Lizzo! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 14, 2023

Ep 72Molly & Dr. Grant Rubesh

Molly Rubesh is the author of the children's grief book Is Heaven Farther Than the North Pole? Through the desire to nurture her young stepsons following the passing of their mother, as well as her own father’s death, Molly was inspired and moved to write the book to help children cope with grief at a level they could understand. The book is the beginning of what she hopes will be a series of books that address such challenging topics as divorce and addiction, as well as the loss of a pet or friend. Please join Molly and I, and her husband Grant, for this deeply personal, emotional conversation about life, love and loss, especially when it involves young children experiencing the pain and grief following the death of a parent. How do we explain death? What do we say? How do we together navigate that loss and move forward with life? Can there ever be 'closure'? It's a very important, compelling chat about the universal subject of grief. Molly's website is www.Mollyrubesh.com Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 10, 2023

Ep 71Peter Strzok

Peter Strzok served in the FBI from 1996 to 2018, rising to the deputy of its Counterintelligence Division. During his career, he worked around the world against national security threats from China, Russia, Iran, Cuba and others, including countering state-sponsored disinformation, prosecuting acts of economic espionage and theft of intellectual property, and combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Prior to the FBI, he spent four years on active duty in the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division. He’s an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, is the NY Times bestselling author of Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J Trump, and co-host of the Cleanup On Aisle 45 podcast. Join us for this riveting conversation about Peter's role as the architect of the "Crossfire Hurricane" Russian-collusion investigation; his thoughts on Putin's manipulation of Trump and the possible dirt he has on him; the Muller investigation and former Attorney General Bill Barr's protection of Trump; Trump's role as mastermind of the January 6th insurrection, his overall corruption and mounting legal troubles; the continued impact of Trumpism and its racist foundation on our culture; the Proud Boys trial, seditious conspiracy and domestic terrorism; the Supreme Court ethics violations; 2024 and the existential threat of another Trump presidency; and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 8, 2023

Ep 70Glenn Kirschner

Glenn Kirschner is a former assistant U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C. and is an NBC News and MSNBC legal analyst. He's tried hundreds of cases in his 30 years as a prosecutor, including more than 50 murder trials, multiple lengthy RICO trials and precedent-setting cases. He teaches criminal law at George Washington University and has a YouTube channel and podcast called "Justice Matters with Glenn Kirchner". We happened to chat with Glenn amid breaking news as the verdicts were announced in the Proud Boys trial. In this real-time conversation Glenn dissects and explains the seditious conspiracy verdicts and potential sentences and the impact of these convictions on Donald Trump and the federal investigation into his role in the attempt to overturn the election and overthrow the government. Glenn also shares his thoughts on the overall effectiveness and timeliness, or lack thereof, of Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice; reflects back on the Mueller Report; weighs in on the tarnished Supreme Court and the Clarence Thomas ethics scandals; and discusses the Homicide Victims Families Rights Act, a 2022 law he helped draft and pass with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA). Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 6, 2023

Ep 69Taylor Lorenz

Taylor Lorenz is an author and Washington Post columnist covering technology and online culture. Before joining The Post, she was a technology reporter for the New York Times' business section. She was also previously a technology reporter at the Atlantic and the Daily Beast. Her first book Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet, will be released this October and is now available for pre-order. Taylor brings her extensive expertise and keen insights into our in-depth conversation about the internet and social media and their impact on society, which is the subject of her book; Elon Musk, Twitter and the alt sites Post, Mastodon and Bluesky; the future of Facebook and Instagram; TikTok and the potential ban; the increasing appeal of LinkedIn; the concerns over AI and ChatGPT; and she also takes us back to her childhood, early influences and artistic background. It's a thoroughly entertaining and interesting chat! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 3, 2023

Ep 68Robert F. Kennedy Jr

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an environmental attorney, writer, author, activist and 2024 presidential candidate. Join me for this fascinating, historical, brutally-honest and, at times, intense discussion. Bobby and I discuss the impact on him of his father's assassination; how America and the world would be different had his dad and uncle, President John F. Kennedy, not been killed); his journey through addiction and self-destructive behavior; his early influences and personal heroes; his reflections on life as a 69-year-old; his thoughts on the British Royal Family and comparisons to the Kennedys as 'America's Royalty'; his newly announced presidential campaign and what his first 100 days would look like; and his controversial positions on vaccines, which have been uniformly refuted by the scientific and medical communities. It’s a convo you definitely don’t wanna miss. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

May 1, 2023

Ep 67Rep. Dan Goldman and Kat Abughazaleh

Rep. Dan Goldman serves New York’s 10th Congressional District. In 2019, he served as lead counsel for the impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump for abusing his office for his personal interest regarding Ukraine. Prior to that, Goldman served for a decade as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. Join us for this in-depth chat about the Congressman's reasons for entering politics; his first 100 days in office and the issues most important to him; his thoughts on Trump and Trumpism; the tarnished Supreme Court; Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene, George Santos and the House craziness; the debt ceiling showdown; racism, anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial; and his all-important Bagel Caucus and the success of Bagel Diplomacy! But before that, Fox News watcher Kat Abughazaleh pops into The Back Room for a quick, fun chat about the awesome firing of Tucker Carlson! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Apr 29, 2023

Ep 66The Good Liars

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The Good Liars, Jason Selvig and Davram Stiefler, have cultivated a large audience with their unique brand of hilarious pranks and interviews. Their videos have garnered well over half a billion views. In their 2016 election comedy, Undecided: The Movie, they pranked every presidential candidate. The Wrap said Undecided “May be the funniest movie you haven’t seen yet.” They’ve filmed at major events including DC on January 6th, 2021, CPAC, The RNC, The Iowa Caucus, QAnon Conferences, The March for Life, Trump rallies and recently, the 2023 NRA Conference. Jason, Davram and I had a lot of fun revisiting their childhood, their early comedy years together, their creative process, their favorite videos (and mine!) and whether JFK Jr. is in fact alive and an accountant living in Pittsburgh who drives his van to Trump rallies. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Apr 26, 2023

Ep 65Katie Hill

Katie Hill is a former Congresswoman from California’s 25th District. At 31, she was as one of the youngest members of the historic freshman class that flipped the House and served as the Vice Chair for the House Oversight and Reform Committee and on the powerful House Armed Services Committee. Prior, Katie worked as Executive Director of PATH (People Assisting The Homeless), the largest homeless services organization in California. After resigning from Congress in 2019 over an admitted affair with a young female campaign staffer, and leaked nude photos, Katie founded the PAC Her Time, whose mission is to help elect women and young people -- the long-shot candidates who have the vision and drive needed to make lasting, systemic change in America. She is also the author of the 2020 book She Will Rise: Becoming a Warrior in the Battle for True Equality. Katie opens up about her past, what the future holds for her and whether she'll run again, and what she thinks about the current political landscape. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Apr 24, 2023

Ep 64Elizabeth Holtzman

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Elizabeth Holtzman is an attorney, writer, author, tv commentator and former politician. She served for nearly three decades in government, including 20 years as an elected official. She was the youngest woman elected to Congress, a record she held for 42 years, and subsequently became the first woman elected Brooklyn DA and the first and only woman to be elected NYC Comptroller. During her four terms in Congress she captured national attention for her role on the House Judiciary Committee where she voted to impeach President Richard Nixon. Liz is a champion of women’s rights, authoring many laws including extending the deadline for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, the Rape Privacy Act and, in exposing the U.S. government’s inaction on Nazi war criminals living in America, forced the Justice Department to create a special Nazi-hunting unit that won world-wide acclaim. The issues that mattered deeply to Liz and first brought her to Congress 50 years ago are among the same critical issues challenging America today and have her as fired-up and engaged as ever. Join us for this spirited, insightful conversation about women's rights and the attack on abortion and reproductive rights; anti-Semitism, racism and ageism; the GOP culture wars; Trump and Trumpism; the impact of the Fox/Dominion settlement; Clarence Thomas and the tarnished Supreme Court; preserving our democracy; and a fascinating look back on Nixon and Watergate. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Apr 22, 2023

Ep 63Ken Burns

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Ken Burns has been making documentary films for over forty years. Since the Academy Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, he’s directed and produced some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made including The Civil War; Baseball; Jazz; The War; The National Parks: America’s Best Idea; Prohibition; The Roosevelts: An Intimate History; The Vietnam War; Country Music; and, most recently, The U.S. and the Holocaust. His future film projects include The American Buffalo, Leonardo da Vinci, The American Revolution, Emancipation to Exodus, and LBJ & the Great Society, among others. Ken’s films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including sixteen Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Oscar nominations. Please join us for this in-depth, insightful and truly riveting conversation about Ken's childhood, the death of his mother at 11; his early inspirations; American history, racism, bigotry and the current political landscape; and how it's all intricately woven together into his overall thinking and decisions as a filmmaker. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Apr 18, 20231h 3m

Ep 62Kat "Abu" Abughazaleh

Kat Abughazaleh is a senior video producer at Media Matters and a well-known 'Fox News Watcher'. She's a prominent social media personality who's become very popular through her Tik Tok videos and similar political content on Twitter. She regularly posts biting videos citing the dishonest, bizarre and often sexist, homophobic, racist behavior of Tucker Carlson and other Fox hosts as well as the network itself. Please join us for a fun, funny, spirited chat about her childhood and family; her work with Media Matters and producing her own videos; Trump, the GOP, and its culture wars, and the current political landscape; the impact and importance of Gen Z voters; the "woke" debate"; and she answers the critical question, "Who is dumber, Sean Hannity or Brian Kilmeade?" Kat also reveals her favorite tv shows, her Top 5 musical artists, which musical instrument she plays and how she spends her free time! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Apr 15, 20231h 9m

Ep 61Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang was a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and a 2021 candidate for mayor of New York City. Named by President Obama as a Presidential Ambassador of Global Entrepreneurship, he is the founder of Humanity Forward. Venture for America, and the Forward Party. Yang’s New York Times bestselling book The War on Normal People helped introduce the idea of universal basic income into the political mainstream. Join us for a spirited, no-holds-barred chat about Andrew's childhood, family life, his pre-politics legal and business career, his often erroneous public perception, his lightening-rod status, his run for the White House and NYC mayoral campaign, Trump and Trumpism, the current two-party primary system and the ongoing debate over whether his new Forward Party is helping or hurting America's fragile democracy. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Apr 11, 2023

Ep 60Paul Begala

Paul Begala is a CNN political commentator, consultant and NY Times best-selling author. Along with his partner James Carville, he was one of the masterminds behind Bill Clinton's winning presidential campaign in 1992 and later served as Counselor to the President, serving as one of President Clinton's closest aides, and coordinating policy, politics, and communications. In the 2012 campaign, Paul was a senior adviser for the pro-Obama Super PAC, making Begala one of the few people to play a critical role in electing two different presidents. Paul is back in The Back Room sharing his inimitable wit and wisdom on a range of critical subjects including Trump, his mounting legal problems and the Republican Party's increasing and dangerous march towards authoritarianism; the '24 presidential race and his predictions for Ron "DeStuntis", Tim Scott, Pence and others; Lindsey Graham's unraveling; the "Tennessee Three" debacle; the big Wisconsin Supreme Court Democratic victory; racism; out-of-control gun violence; Hillary Clinton's support for Obama; and the huge accomplishment for President Biden of Finland joining NATO. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Apr 8, 20231h 8m

Ep 59Griffin Dunne

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Griffin Dunne is an accomplished, award-winning and Oscar-nominated actor, director and producer. His feature film directorial debut was 1997's "Addicted to Love," starring Meg Ryan and Matthew Broderick. In 2017 he directed and produced the acclaimed Netflix documentary “Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold”, about his Aunt. His film credits include "Dallas Buyers Club”, "Last Night” and "Broken City” and he’s appeared on TV in “House of Lies”, “Red Band Society”, "I Love Dick", “This is Us” and others too many to mention. He will soon appear in a new HBO Max series called “The Girls on the Bus”. Griffin take us back to his childhood and family life, the 1982 murder of his sister Dominique, grief and the concept of 'closure,' the importance of humor in his life, his early acting influences, his stellar carer in film and television, acting vs directing, gun violence, Donald Trump, living in Upstate New York's Hudson Valley and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Apr 5, 2023

Ep 58Rep. Jasmine Crockett

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Jasmine Crockett is an attorney, former member of the Texas House of Representatives and currently serving as the US Representative for Texas’s 30th Congressional District. Elected as a freshman last Fall, her district covers much of the city of Dallas and parts of Dallas and Tarrant counties. She is a member of the House Oversight and Agriculture Committees. Rep. Crockett discusses her decision to run for Congress, her early political inspirations, her role in the the recent Oversight Committee's 'bi-partisan' delegation to visit January 6th rioters in jail (she was one of two Democratic 'chaperones'), the chaos in the House, Donald Trump's indictment and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Apr 3, 2023

Ep 57Elie Honig

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Elie Honig is a CNN senior legal analyst and the bestselling author of Hatchet Man and the recently released Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It. He’s a former federal and state prosecutor. From 2004 to 2012, he was an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of New Yorkshire he successfully prosecuted over 100 members and associates of the Mafia, including bosses and other high-ranking members, on murder, racketeering, and other charges. In 2022, he was nominated for an Emmy Award in the category Outstanding News Analysis: Editorial and Opinion. Honig also hosts podcasts and writes for CAFE and Vox Media, teaches at Rutgers University, and is Special Counsel at a New Jersey law firm. Join us for a very timely conversation as Elie unpacks and analyzes this week's Trump indictment by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. Elie explains what happens Tuesday when Trump is arraigned; what the actual charges against him might be; Michael Cohen and the strength of Bragg's case; Trump's possible defenses; the impact of these charges on the Georgia, J6 and Mar A Lago documents cases; and more. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Apr 1, 202352 min

Ep 56Gretchen Carlson

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Gretchen Carlson is an acclaimed journalist, NY Times bestselling author, speaker, and advocate for women’s rights in the workplace. She went public in 2016 with harassment claims against then Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, paving the way for the #MeToo movement. Gretchen spent over 30 years as a journalist and has hosted the Saturday edition of CBS’s The Early Show, Fox & Friends and The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson. She is co-founder of Lift Our Voices, a nonprofit organization fighting to eradicate forced arbitration clauses and non-disclosure agreements in workplace contracts that keep toxic workplace issues silent. Please join us for this extremely important conversation about Gretchen's dedication to helping create safe, welcoming and harassment-free environments in workplaces all across the world; her thoughts on Fox News; her childhood, mastering the violin and attending Julliard; her college years at Stanford, Oxford and competing in, and winning, the Miss America Beauty Pageant; her early broadcast political influences; Trump and today's political landscape; and more! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected] Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Associate producer Jennifer Hammoud Music by Andrew Hollander Design by Cricket Lengyel

Mar 28, 2023