Gabriel Tennen, Ph.D., is a historian, educator, museum professional, and author whose work explores urban political power, democracy, and culture in modern America. Born in Manhattan and raised in Queens and New Jersey, he developed an early fascination with New York City’s history and its larger-than-life personalities. His doctoral research examined the 1969 Mailer–Breslin “51st State” campaign, earning recognition for reframing it as a serious political intervention rather than a literary stunt. Tennen brings both scholarly rigor and personal passion to the story of one of New York’s most unconventional campaigns.

On this episode, Kevin and Gabriel discuss the origins of the Mailer–Breslin campaign, the bold proposal to make New York City the 51st state, the use of humor and imagination as political tools, and what the campaign reveals about democracy, policing, and power—then and now.

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James Duff is an American television writer and producer, best known as the creator of The Closer and Major Crimes. Originally from New Orleans, Duff built a career in theater and television while navigating the deeply personal challenges of the AIDS crisis, including the loss of his partner, David Camacho. His work and life experiences have been profoundly shaped by themes of resilience, empathy, and storytelling.

Allen Roskoff is a veteran gay rights activist and longtime friend of legendary columnist Jimmy Breslin. A central figure in New York’s LGBTQ+ political scene since the early 1980s, Roskoff has fought tirelessly for equality and visibility, often bringing public figures—including Breslin—into the heart of the movement. His activism during the AIDS epidemic was instrumental in pushing political leaders and media voices to confront the crisis with compassion and urgency.

In this episode, Kevin, James, and Allen discuss the power of empathy in journalism, the impact of the AIDS crisis on New York’s gay community, Jimmy Breslin’s unexpected role as a chronicler of that struggle, and the enduring importance of activism and storytelling in shaping cultural change.

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Denis Hamill is a journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and TV writer. As a journalist at the Village Voice, he won the prestigious Meyer Berger Award from Columbia University for best NYC reporting. His columns for New York magazine, the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, the Boston Herald American, New York Newsday and 24 years at New York Daily News became an integral part of each city's life. In addition, he is the author of ten novels, several screenplays, movies, and TV shows/series.

In this episode, Kevin and Denis discuss Jimmy Breslin’s fascination with gangsters, the colorful characters of New York’s underworld, and how Breslin’s storytelling changed the way we see both crime and the city itself & more.

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