Show Notes
In this wide-ranging episode, American political commentator, retired talk-show host, and author Chris Matthews joins Gentry to discuss his new book, Lessons from Bobby: Ten Reasons Robert F. Kennedy Still Matters. Matthews lays out why RFK’s moral courage, coalition-building, and willingness to risk political capital still resonate—and what those lessons mean for the country now.
Grab the book here: Buy Lessons from Bobby. Simon & Schuster
Beyond the book, Chris shares a remarkable story from his younger years hitchhiking across Africa, then pivots to an unflinching conversation about the Kennedy legacy—with a special focus on Bobby. He and Gentry also unpack today’s political flashpoints: the new New York mayor and Assembly member Zohran Mamdani, the evolving crises between the U.S., Israel, and Palestine, and the brutal realities of the Russia–Ukraine war.
It’s candid, timely, and steeped in history—an essential listen for anyone who cares about American politics and the ideas that still shape it.
More from Backstage With Gentry Thomas
In this exciting episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, Gentry sits down with Darryl Bell and Cornell Young IV to talk about the return of one of television’s most beloved shows, A Different World. The new Netflix continuation brings fans back to Hillman College, the iconic fictional HBCU that helped define style, culture, friendship, and social conversation for a generation.
In this nostalgic and wildly fun episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, legendary TV host Marc Summers joins Gentry to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Double Dare, the messy, groundbreaking game show that helped put Nickelodeon on the map and became a defining piece of childhood for an entire generation.
In this fascinating episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, legendary actor Kelsey Grammer joins Gentry to talk about his new sci-fi mystery film, Lars Shrike Walks the Night. In the film, Grammer plays Lars Shrike, a mysterious character who may have escaped from a writer’s imagination and must navigate the real world with only fragments of understanding. The film arrives on digital platforms July 24.
In this nostalgic and fun-filled episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, actor and legendary voice performer John Ratzenberger joins Gentry to talk about his return to the world of Pixar in Toy Story 5. The new film brings the beloved toys back for a fresh adventure where classic, old-fashioned playthings face off against modern technology. Disney describes the story as “Toy meets Tech,” with Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang navigating a world where screens and gadgets are changing the way kids play.
In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, country music icon Wynonna Judd joins Gentry to talk about her Raised on Radio Tour with Melissa Etheridge. The tour brings together two legendary voices for a night built around the songs, stories, and radio memories that shaped their lives and careers. Fans can find tour dates and buy tickets here: Wynonna Tour