The Back Room with Andy Ostroy

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.

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Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

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!

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Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

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.

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Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

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!

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Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

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?!

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Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

Peter Riegert has been acting, writing, directing and producing for over 50 years.

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!

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Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

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.

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Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

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.

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Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

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.

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Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff

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]

Produced by Andy Ostroy and Matty Rosenberg @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff