The Back Room with Andy Ostroy

Latest Episodes:

Jonathan Greenblatt on the Alarming Rise of Antisemitism and Hate Crimes; Israel, Gaza and Lebanon; Trump and Iran; Mamdani; and More Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Since 2015 Jonathan A. Greenblatt has served as the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, more commonly knows as the ADL…and is its sixth National Director. He leads all aspects of the world’s leading anti-hate organization…whose mission since its founding in 1913 is to fight the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. In 2022, Jonathan released It Could Happen Here, a book that sounds an alarm, warning that hate and systemic violence is gathering momentum in the United States – and that violence on a more catastrophic scale could be just around the corner.

Jonathan's back with us to discus the alarming rise of antisemitism and hate crimes in the U.S. and abroad; the impact of October 7, the Israel-Gaza war, and the wars in Iran and Lebanon on this increase; NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's response (or lack thereof) to the rise of antisemitism in the city; and more.

Got somethin' to say?!
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Leave us a message: 845-307-7446
Twitter: @AndyOstroy

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Design by Cricket Lengyel

Adrian Fontes on Defending and Protecting the Election Process as We Head Towards the Midterms Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Adrian Fontes was elected in 2022 as Arizona's 21st Secretary of State. He’s a Marine Corps veteran who served from 1992 to 1996. After graduating from law school, he worked as a prosecutor with the Denver District Attorney and then at the Maricopa County Attorney’s office. He later led the International Prosecution Unit at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. He practiced law for 15 years before running for office in 2016 when he was elected Maricopa County Recorder, where he revolutionized the election system through enhanced ballot tracking technology and increased process transparency, winning him recognition and awards from election organizations across the country. In 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 crisis and amidst violent protests, Maricopa County saw record voter turnout, as well as record numbers of new voters registered for both parties. He later testified before Congress about threats facing election officials.

Adrian and I discuss the lingering 2020 "rigged election" claims; Trump and the Republican Party's current assault on the election process; what he and his state are doing to protect voters in November; and what individual Americans across the country can do to help ensure free and fair midterm elections.

Got somethin' to say?!
Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com
Leave us a message: 845-307-7446
Twitter: @AndyOstroy

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Design by Cricket Lengyel

Rick Wilson on the Iran War, Epstein, MAGA, the Midterms, and Trump v Pope Apr 11, 2026

Show notes

Co-founder and Board Member of The Lincoln Project, Rick Wilson is a renowned political strategist, infamous award-winning ad-maker and podcast host, writer, speaker, and political commentator on MSNBC, CNN, ABC News, NPR, Real Time with Bill Maher, and various American and international news national outlets. A 30-year veteran of national Republican politics, Rick got his start in the 1988 Presidential campaign of George Herbert Walker Bush and has produced groundbreaking and award-winning political advertising, strategic counsel to winning political candidates, SuperPACS, state parties, the national campaign committees, and corporate, association, and government clients across the nation and around the world. Rick has authored two New York Times bestsellers – Everything Trump Touches Dies and Running Against The Devil – A Plot To Save America from Trump And Democrats From Themselves – and often writes for The Washington Post, Politico, Rolling Stone, The Hill, The Bulwark, and the London Spectator.

Rick and I discuss the Iran war, Trump's unconscionable 'genocide' threat, the Epstein cover-up, MAGA, the midterms, and the Trump's bizarre assault on the Pope and the Vatican.

Got somethin' to say?!
Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com
Leave us a message: 845-307-7446
Twitter: @AndyOstroy

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Design by Cricket Lengyel

Andrew Goldberg on his New Documentary WHITE WITH FEAR Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Goldberg is an Emmy Award-winning investigative producer, has directed 14 prime-time documentary specials for PBS, and both long and short-form segments for CBS Sunday Morning, ABC News, Live From Lincoln Center, NPR and others. His films include The Armenian Genocide, Anti-Semitism in the 21st Century: The Resurgence, and The Iranian Americans. His work has appeared on major networks on every continent and has been supported by more than 250 foundations, corporations and major donors around the world. His new film is the documentary WHITE WTH FEAR, which he wrote, produced and directed, and is now streaming on PBS, Apple, Amazon and other platforms.

Andrew joins me to discuss the film and the current state of race and fear in America

For more info on Andrew, this film, and his other work please visit www.somuchfilm.com

Got somethin' to say?!
Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com
Leave us a message: 845-307-7446
Twitter: @AndyOstroy

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Design by Cricket Lengyel

Cait Conley on her NY District 17 House Campaign, Trump, Hegseth and the Illegal Iran War Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Cait 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 running for the House in NY’s 17th Congressional district.

Cait and I discuss her campaign, the June 23 primary, the goal of taking on Republican Mike Lawlor and flipping this seat in November. We also discuss the Iran war and how its being illegally and incompetently waged by Donald Trump and SecDef Pete Hegseth and is making America, the Middle East and the world less safe.

Got somethin' to say?!
Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com
Leave us a message: 845-307-7446
Twitter: @AndyOstroy

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Design by Cricket Lengyel

Shawn Harris on his Georgia 14 Campaign to Replace Marjorie Taylor Greene Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

Shawn Harris spent 40 years in the military and retired as an Army Brigadier General. He and his wife Karla have five children and four grandchildren. They live in Rockmart, Georgia, where together they run their first-generation grass-fed cattle farm. He's running for Congress in Georgia's 14th district, the seat vacated by Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Shawn and I discuss his stellar background, his reasons for running, the issues most important to his district's voters and voters throughout Georgia and the U.S., and how the campaign is effectively reaching across party lines to attract supporters with the goal of flipping this critical House seat.

Got somethin' to say?!
Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com
Leave us a message: 845-307-7446
Twitter: @AndyOstroy

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Design by Cricket Lengyel

Elie Honig on the Legality of the Iran War, SCOTUS and Birthright Citizenship, Bondi's Epstein Subpoena, Trump's Pursuit of Tish James, and the META Rulings Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Elie 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 two books, “Hatchet Man: How Bill Barr Broke the Prosecutor’s Code and Corrupted the Justice Department” and “Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It”. He writes a weekly column for New York magazine and for Cafe.com, and he hosts two podcasts for Vox Media. He teaches at Rutgers University and is special counsel to New Jersey law firm Lowenstein Sandler. His latest book is, When You Come at the King: Inside DOJ’s Pursuit of the President, From Nixon to Trump, will be published September 16th.

Elie and I discuss the legality of the Iran war, Birthright Citizenship and this week's Supreme Court arguments, Attorney General Pam Bondi's Epstein subpoena, Trump's relentless pursuit of NY Attorney General Letitia James, and the future impact of last week's META negligence court rulings.

Got somethin' to say?!
Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com
Leave us a message: 845-307-7446
Twitter: @AndyOstroy

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Design by Cricket Lengyel

S.E. Cupp on the Iran War, MAGA, the Midterms, and the General Chaos, Dysfunction and Danger of Trump 2.0 Mar 28, 2026

Show notes

S.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 with celebrities and newsmakers. She is a columnist at the New York Daily News and has also been published in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Washington Post and many other publications. She is currently a political commentator at CNN. She regularly interviews authors for CSPAN's BookTV, and is a regular guest on The View, Real Time w/Bill Maher, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Watch What Happens Live and others. SE has also consulted on Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom and AppleTV's The Morning Show, and has made cameos on House of Cards and SNL. As an author SE has written two books, Losing Our Religion: The Liberal Media's Attack on Christianity, and co-authored Why You're Wrong About the RIght. She is on the Advisory Board of Cornell University's Institute of Politics and Global Affairs and INARA.org, and is a No Kid Hungry ambassador

S.E. and I discuss the Iran war, MAGA, the midterms, and the general chaos, dysfunction and danger of Trump 2.0. But whenever S.E.'s around, there also has to be a some silly fun too, so there's also some chit-chat about AL Gore, French strikes, and her new "Pee Poo" pod with Adam Kinzinger!

Got somethin' to say?!
Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com
Leave us a message: 845-307-7446
Twitter: @AndyOstroy

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Design by Cricket Lengyel

Survivor Jess Michaels on the Latest Epstein Developments Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Jess Michaels is a 3x Founder, TEDx speaker, Advocate, and 1991 Jeffrey Epstein survivor who has lived with PTSD for 30+ years. She is founder and CEO of 3Joannes Inc and the #withyoutoo Social Safety App, which guides users to "know what to do when someone says #metoo”.

Jess joins me for another critical discussion of the latest developments involving the Epstein files and the survivors' ongoing quest for accountability and justice.

Got somethin' to say?!
Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com
Leave us a message: 845-307-7446
Twitter: @AndyOstroy

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Design by Cricket Lengyel

Bill Kristol on Trump's Iran "Excursion" (War), How and When it Might End, What Comes Next, and More. Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

For three decades, Bill Kristol has been a leading participant in American political debates and a widely respected analyst of American political developments. He served in senior positions in the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush Administrations and as a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. He is the founding director of Defending Democracy Together, an organization dedicated to defending America’s liberal democratic norms, principles, and institutions, focusing on issues ranging from American foreign policy to the future of the Republican Party and the meaning of American conservatism. Bill is editor-at-large of The Bulwark, frequently appears on all the major television talk shows, and also is the host of the highly regarded video series and podcast, Conversations with Bill Kristol.

Bill and I discuss Trump's Iran "excursion" (war), how and when it might end, what comes next, and more.

Got somethin' to say?!
Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com
Leave us a message: 845-307-7446
Twitter: @AndyOstroy

Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud
@ Radio Free Rhiniecliff
Design by Cricket Lengyel

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