The Back Room with Andy Ostroy
by Produced by RFR and Andy Ostroy
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Latest episode
Ruth Ben-Ghiat on the Midterms, Democrat Control and Accountability…
Ruth Ben-Ghiat on the Midterms, Democrat Control and Accountability…
About this podcast
The Back Room with Andy Ostroy presents a humorous, honest take on politics and pop culture featuring notable guest interviews, a shit-ton of righteous indignation, and rip-roaring repartee with co-producers Matty Rosenberg and Jen Hammoud. We're havin' a ball, and so will you!
Got somethin' to say?! Email us at [email protected]
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Twitter: @AndyOstroy
Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Music by Andrew Hollander
Design by Cricket Lengyel
Episodes
The newest 50 of 572 episodes
- Ruth Ben-Ghiat on the Midterms, Democrat Control and Accountability, and Trump's Autocratic Overreach as his Time is Running Out · 56 min · Episode 572Ruth 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…
- Elie Honig on the NVIDIA Scandal, Trump, Blanche, the Midterms, the New DOJ/WH Counsel Threats to Democrats, and More · 55 min · Episode 571Elie Honig is CNN’s Senior Legal Analyst. He previously worked for 14 years as a federal and state prosecutor. He is also the national bestselling author of three books, “Hatchet…
- Matthew Cole on his Terrific New Book "Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohammed bin Zayed's Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East" · 30 min · Episode 570Matthew Cole is an investigative journalist and the author of Code Over Country: The Tragedy and Corruption of SEAL Team Six. He has covered national security for more than two…
- Julie Roginsky on the Midterms, Trump, Hegseth, Corruption and Accountability, "Gas and Ass", "Gay Trump", and So Much More! · 1 h 5 min · Episode 569Julie Roginsky is the co-founder of the Mayday Media Network on YouTube and the author of the Salty Politics newsletter on Substack. She has nearly three decades of public and…
- Susan Glasser and Peter Baker on the Midterms · 20 min · Episode 568Susan B. Glasser is a staff writer at The New Yorker based in Washington, D.C., writes a weekly column on life in Washington and is a host of the Political Scene podcast. Her…
- Gretchen Carlson on the Midterm Results · 45 min · Episode 567Gretchen Carlson is an internationally recognized advocate for women’s rights, whose bold actions against Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes helped pave the way for the global #MeToo…
- Paul Begala's Midterms Predictions · 36 min · Episode 566Paul Begala is a political commentator, professor of public policy, NY Times bestselling author, and political strategist. He is a commentator for CNN, and he’s been a frequent…
- Rep. Jason Crow on Trump, Hegseth, the Midterms, Corruption and Accountability and More · 58 min · Episode 565Rep. Jason Crow represents Colorado’s 6th Congressional District and serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Armed Services Committee, on…
- George Hahn on the "Is Trump Gay?" Question and Thoughts on the Midterms · 49 min · Episode 564George Hahn is a humorist, satirist, social media sensation, host of The Week podcast and reader of No Mercy/No Malice, both on Prof G Media, and host of The George Hahn Show…
- Norm Ornstein on Trump, the Midterms, and the Critical Importance of Pursuing Accountability in a Democratic-Controlled Congress · 35 min · Episode 563Norman Ornstein is an author, political scientist and emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. He’s a contributing editor and writer for The Atlantic, contributor…
- CA AG Rob Bonta on Trump, the Midterms, and the Efforts to Protect Democracy Before, On, and After Election Day · 1 h 5 min · Episode 562Rob Bonta is Attorney General of the State of California. He previously spent more than eight years serving in the State Assembly. Prior to that he worked as a Deputy City…
- Alex Gibney on his Terrific New Film MUSK · 32 min · Episode 561Alex Gibney is an award-winning filmmaker who's been called “the most important documentarian of our time” by Esquire Magazine. His work has been the recipient of an Academy…
- MI Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist on Protecting the Midterms and his Campaign for Secretary of State · 40 min · Episode 560Garlin Gilchrist is Michigan's Lt Governor and is running for Secretary of State to succeed Jocelyn Benson who's running for governor. Prior to serving as Lt Governor he worked…
- Frank Rich on his Latest New York Magazine Essay "Trump's Shameless Collaborators" · 59 min · Episode 559Frank Rich is a journalist, author, and television producer. A writer-at-large for New York magazine, he was previously chief drama critic and an OpEd columnist for the New York…
- Dana Bash on the Midterms and her Fascinating New Book "The Elections That Changed the World: Fifteen Pivotal Moments That Shaped How We Live" · 30 min · Episode 558Dana Bash is CNN's chief political correspondent, anchor of “Inside Politics with Dana Bash” and co-anchor of CNN’s“State of the Union”. She is based in Washington, D.C., where…
- Kerry Kennedy on her Terrific New Book About her Mother: "Ethel Kennedy: The Extraordinary Life and Bold Legacy" · 41 min · Episode 557Kerry Kennedy is a human rights lawyer, activist, New York Times-bestselling author, and daughter of Ethel Skakel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. Kerry is the president of the…
- James Henson on Texas Politics, the Midterms, and Whether the Lone Star State is Finally Turning Blue · 55 min · Episode 556James Henson teaches in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the founder and executive director of the Texas Politics Project, a hub of…
- George Conway on Trump, the Midterms, and Whether the 'Inflection Point' is Finally Here · 49 min · Episode 555George Conway is an attorney, political activist, and legal and political commentator. He’s a founder of the Lincoln Project, and is a contributing writer to The Bulwark. He…
- Cait Conley on her NY-17 House Campaign Against Trumper Mike Lawler · 46 min · Episode 554Cait Conley is a fourth-generation Hudson Valley native and the daughter of a postal worker and a construction worker. She applied to West Point the day after 9/11 and went on to…
- Nikki Fried on Florida's Key Midterm Races and Democrats' Chances of Winning the House and Senate · 26 min · Episode 553Nikki Fried is the Chair of the Florida Democratic Party. She served as Florida’s 12th Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services from 2019-2023. She is a lifelong…
- Marc Levin on his Terrific New Documentary DAUGHTERS OF 9/11 · 34 min · Episode 552Marc Levin is an award-winning, independent filmmaker. He has made over 50 films, including documentaries, TV series, dramatic feature films and episodic television. He’s won…
- Rick Wilson on Trump, the Midterms, and If a Blue Tidal Wave is Coming · 50 min · Episode 551Rick Wilson is co-founder and board member of The Lincoln Project. He’s a renowned political strategist, infamous award-winning ad-maker and podcast host, writer, speaker, and…
- S.E. Cupp on Trump, the MAGA Meltdown, the Midterms, the Media Ban, and More · 39 min · Episode 550S.E. is a nationally syndicated columnist, author, podcaster and TV commentator. She hosts Off the Cupp, a podcast which focuses on mental health, and which features interviews…
- Dr. Zaldy Tan on his New Book "What to Remember When You Are Forgetting: How to Live and Thrive with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, and Other Dementias" · 32 min · Episode 549Dr. Zaldy Tan is Professor, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and the Director of the Memory & Healthy Aging Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His aging and dementia…
- Tara Setmayer Says "Please Dems Don't Blow It!": Trump, the Midterms, and the Fight to Save Democracy · 1 h 7 min · Episode 548Tara Setmayer is co-founder of the bipartisan superpac The Seneca Project. She’s a former GOP Communications Director on Capitol Hill and most recently served as a Senior Advisor…
- Stephanie Grisham on Trump's Second-Term Behavior; the Midterms and Election Integrity; Natalie Harp; and More · 52 min · Episode 547Stephanie 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…
- Mark McKinnon on 9/11, 'Trump-a-palooza', Paxton v Talarico and Texas Politics, the Midterms, and More · 1 h 2 min · Episode 546Mark McKinnon is a political advisor, reform advocate, columnist, and television producer. He was the creator and co-host of Showtime's Emmy-nominated hit documentary series "The…
- Jessica Tarlov on her New Book, Role on The Five, and if Civil Discourse is Possible in Donald Trump's America · 33 min · Episode 545Jessica Tarlov is a liberal co-host of The Five on FOX News, the most watched show in cable news. In addition to co-hosting The Five, Jessica plays an integral role in special…
- Michelle Kinney on the Drama, Chaos, and Danger of Trump 2.0 As We Head Towards the November Midterms · 48 min · Episode 544Michelle Kinney is co-founder of The Mayday Network and a democratic strategist. Prior to that she was at The Seneca Project, which she co-founded.She previously served as the…
- Michael Steele on Trump, DSA, Republican Incompetence, the Midterms, and More · 54 min · Episode 543Michael Steele is the co-anchor of MS NOW’s The Weeknight and previous co-host of The Weekend. Prior to joining MS NOW as a political analyst, he was elected Lt. Governor of…
- Julie Roginsky on DSA, Michigan, Florida, the Midterms, and Natale Harp and the Divinity of Donald Trump · 1 h 15 min · Episode 542ulie Roginsky is the co-founder of the Mayday Media Network on YouTube and the author of the Salty Politics newsletter on Substack. She has nearly three decades of public and…
- Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar on the Trump/Republican Attempt to Steal the Midterms and the Fight to Stop Them · 30 min · Episode 541Cisco Aguilar serves as Nevada’s Secretary of State, as well as chair of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State. As Secretary, he is focused on three major…
- MI Attorney General Dana Nessel on Trump's Assault on Our Electoral System and the Battle to Protect the Midterms · 43 min · Episode 540Dana Nessel has served as Attorney General for the state of Michigan since 2019. Prior to that she served as a Wayne County Prosecutor for over a decade. In her private practice…
- Adrienne Elrod on the Democrats' Establishment vs Progressive/DSA Rift and It's Potential Impact on the Midterms · 47 min · Episode 539Adrienne Elrod is a political strategist, government affairs expert and communicator with over 25 years of experience working on Capitol Hill, the executive branch and advising…
- Lee Kirk on his New Green Day Film NIMRODS · 32 min · Episode 538Lee Kirk is a filmmaker and playwright whose feature films as writer/director include Ordinary World, starring Billie Joe Armstrong, Selma Blair, Judy Greer, and Fred Armisen…
- Tom Nichols on Trump 2.0, the Iran War, the Midterms, Abdul El-Sayed and More · 51 min · Episode 537Tom Nichols is a staff writer at The Atlantic and a contributor to the Atlantic Daily newsletter. In this episode, Tom and I discuss Trump 2.0, the status of the Iran war, the…
- Amy Littlefield on her Book Killers of Roe: My Investigation into the Mysterious Death of Abortion Rights · 54 min · Episode 536Amy Littlefield has reported on abortion rights for over a decade. She is the abortion access correspondent for The Nation. She has contributed to The New York Times Opinion and…
- Dr. Annie Andrews on her Campaign to Flip Lindsey Graham's South Carolina Senate Seat · 51 min · Episode 535Dr. Annie Andrews is a pediatrician who in May of 2025 launched her campaign to flip the U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina held by the late Lindsey Graham. She won the…
- Miles Taylor on Lindsey Graham, Trump, Iran, Israel and Netanyahu, Ukraine, the Midterms, and More · 36 min · Episode 534Miles Taylor is a national security expert, NYT bestselling author, and co-founder of defiance.org. He previously served as chief of staff at the US Department of Homeland…
- S.E. Cupp on Trump 2.0, Iran, Hegseth, MAGA, the Midterms and More · 1 h 11 min · Episode 533S.E. Cupp is a nationally syndicated columnist, author, podcaster and TV commentator. She hosts Off the Cupp, a podcast which focuses on mental health, and which features…
- Joe Walsh on Trump, the Parties, MAGA, Midterms, Democracy and More · 47 min · Episode 532Joe Walsh is a former Republican Congressman from Illinois elected to Congress in the TEA Party wave of 2010. Following his service in Congress, Joe became one of the most…
- MI Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on her Campaign for Governor, Election Integrity, and the Upcoming Midterms · 49 min · Episode 531Jocelyn Benson is Michigan's 43rd Secretary of State and is running for governor. She has become one of the nation’s most prominent leaders in ensuring elections are secure and…
- Dan Osborn on his Independent U.S. Senate Campaign in Nebraska. And Stick Around for the Trump, Sanders and Jimmy Stewart Impressions! · 30 min · Episode 530Dan Osborn is a former union leader who gained national attention leading the 77-day Kellogg's strike in Omaha in 2021. A U.S. Navy veteran and father of three, he's spent the…
- Cait Conley on her Campaign to Beat Mike Lawlor and Flip NY's 17th Congressional District · 32 min · Episode 529Cait Conley is a fourth-generation Hudson Valley native, daughter of a postal worker and a construction worker, a decorated combat veteran and national security expert. And she’s…
- Brian Tyler Cohen on Trump, SCOTUS, the Midterms, Democracy, Platner, Mamdani, Iran, and his Terrific New Book The Day After · 46 min · Episode 528Brian Tyler Cohen is a progressive YouTuber, podcaster, and host of the No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen podcast. He’s built an audience of millions across platforms and billions of…
- Emily Suttle-Braun on Dating Graham Platner and her Newsweek Op-ed About Believing his Accusers · 32 min · Episode 527Emily Suttle-Braun is the founder and CEO of Doodle Mom Strategies, a growth and sales partner for political tech companies, agencies, and data platforms. She has over 15 years…
- Suzanne Vega on Life, "Luka", her Recently Released Film LOVER, BELOVED, and More · 44 min · Episode 526Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has…
- Rina Shah on Being a "RINO" and How America Can Ultimately Have a Functioning Two-Party Political System Again · 52 min · Episode 525Rina Shah is a Washington, DC-based geopolitical risk adviser, political strategist, and frequent on-air commentator. She is the Founder of Vental Strategic Advisory Group. With…
- Jyllian Gunther and Stephanie Schwam on Their Terrific New Documentary BANG MY BOX: THE ROBIN BYRD STORY · 45 min · Episode 524Before the internet and the ubiquity of social media influencers, there was Robin Byrd – the spirited, anything-goes New York City public access host, clad only in her signature…
- Robert Stone on his Terrific Documentary About the 1974 Patty Hearst Kidnapping and its Special Screening/Q&A July 1 in Rhinebeck, NY · 45 min · Episode 523Robert Stone is a critically acclaimed, multi-award winning documentary filmmaker. He is an Oscar nominee for Best Feature Documentary and a three-time Emmy nominee for…
