The Back Room with Andy Ostroy

Who the hell is better than the inimitable George Hahn?! This actor, writer, podcaster, MSNBC commentator, social media sensation and quintessential bon vivant Manhattan man about town brings his savory snark into The Back Room for a truly fun chat about his Cleveland childhood, work and life in NYC, his nostalgic love of glamour, his big 2020 viral break, his utter disdain for Donald Trump and his MAGA cultists, his epic man-on-the-street rants, and his recent colonoscopy. Plus, a revealing lightning-round and more!

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Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud

Steven Hassan is an author and mental health professional is considered one of the world's foremost experts on mind control and cults. He is the founder of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center which provides training, consulting and support to individuals who are struggling to leave or recover from a cult and to families and organizations that are concerned about cult behaviors. He has been working in the field of relationship, group, and political cults for over 40 years. His latest book is called The Cult of Trump.

Join us for this thoroughly engrossing conversation about the fascinating and dangerous world of cults. Steven shares intimate details of his personal cult journey in 1970's New York City as a 19-year-old college student recruited into Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church, where he spent over two years; provides keen analysis and insights into why people join cults, why they stay, and how they may eventually get out; and discusses the impact of the Trump cult on America's cultural and political landscapes.

Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected]

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud

Steven Hassan is an author and mental health professional is considered one of the world's foremost experts on mind control and cults. He is the founder of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center which provides training, consulting and support to individuals who are struggling to leave or recover from a cult and to families and organizations that are concerned about cult behaviors. He has been working in the field of relationship, group, and political cults for over 40 years. His latest book is called The Cult of Trump.

Join us for this thoroughly engrossing conversation about the fascinating and dangerous world of cults. Steven shares intimate details of his personal cult journey in 1970's New York City as a 19-year-old college student recruited into Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church, where he spent over two years; provides keen analysis and insights into why people join cults, why they stay, and how they may eventually get out; and discusses the impact of the Trump cult on America's cultural and political landscapes.

Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected]

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud

Mary L Trump is a trained Clinical Psychologist with a PhD from The Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies. She’s the author of two New York Times best-selling books… Too Much and Never Enough and The Reckoning. She is host of The Mary Trump Show podcast and is well-known as the niece and outspoken critic of former president Donald Trump.

It's always a real-eye-opener when Mary's in The Back Room! Join us for this fun, insightful chat about her 4-time indicted uncle and what may lie ahead for him; the ongoing threat of Trumpism; the first Republican debate; and more!

Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected]

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud

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.

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Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud

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.

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Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud

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.

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Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud

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.

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Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud

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.

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Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud

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]

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud