Épisodes

  • Patrick Radden Keefe on How He Turns True Stories into Thrillers

    Patrick Radden Keefe on How He Turns True Stories into Thrillers
    Apr 15 2026
    Patrick Radden Keefe joins James Patterson for a conversation about storytelling, journalism, and how nonfiction can carry the suspense of a thriller. Keefe, the acclaimed author of Say Nothing, Empire of Pain, and London Falling, talks about finding stories in unexpected places, building narrative from real events, and why facts alone are not enough to hold a reader. They discuss Keefe’s path from Boston and law school to the New Yorker, the art of reporting deeply without inventing, and the challenge of turning complicated subjects like the Troubles, the opioid crisis, organized crime, and human smuggling into gripping books. The conversation also explores Hollywood adaptations, research, and what makes a true story feel impossible to put down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 min
  • The Wildest Story Maury Povich Ever Saw on His Show

    The Wildest Story Maury Povich Ever Saw on His Show
    Apr 8 2026
    Maury Povich joins James Patterson for a wide-ranging conversation about his unexpected path from serious journalist to one of the most recognizable figures in television history. Before becoming a cultural icon, Maury was covering some of the biggest moments in American history, including the Kennedy assassination, the civil rights movement, and Watergate. He reflects on those early years in journalism and how they shaped his instincts as a storyteller. They also get into the evolution of his talk show, how it shifted over time, and what it was really like behind the scenes of the moments that defined it. Maury shares stories from the show, including one of the most unbelievable paternity results he ever revealed, and explains why he never wanted to know the outcome before opening the envelope on air. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 min
  • How to Handle Disruption in a Changing World with Dr. Patrick Leddin

    How to Handle Disruption in a Changing World with Dr. Patrick Leddin
    Apr 1 2026
    James Patterson sits down with Dr. Patrick Leddin to talk about disruption and why it has become a constant part of modern life. From rapid changes in technology to shifting expectations at work and at home, they explore why so many people feel like they are simply trying to keep up. Drawing from their book Disrupt Everything and Win, they explain why disruption itself is not the problem, but how people respond to it. Instead of avoiding change or reacting out of fear, they argue that individuals and organizations can learn to use disruption as a tool for growth and improvement. Plus, James Patterson gives away $1,000 to one lucky Hungry Dogs fan. To enter, just leave a comment with what you would do with the money (keep it short and sweet). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 min
  • How Viola Davis and James Patterson Wrote a Novel Together

    How Viola Davis and James Patterson Wrote a Novel Together
    Mar 25 2026
    Viola Davis and James Patterson join The New York Times' Sarah Lyall for a conversation about their new novel Judge Stone and the collaboration behind it. They discuss how the project began, what it takes to build a story together, and how their different backgrounds shaped the book. For Viola, it was a return to collaboration after years of working independently in film, while for James it was about finding the right voice and emotional center for the story. The conversation explores how they developed their characters, especially Nova and Judge Stone, and why it was so important to portray them with honesty and care. Viola shares how her own experiences informed the emotional core of the story, and James talks about the importance of voice, structure, and constantly refining scenes until they feel true. They also talk about the challenges of writing about difficult subjects, the role of storytelling in exploring questions of power and justice, and why stories like this matter in moments when people are searching for clarity and meaning. Special thank you to The 92nd Street Y, New York for making this conversation possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 min
  • How Lee and Andrew Child Write Jack Reacher

    How Lee and Andrew Child Write Jack Reacher
    Mar 18 2026
    Lee Child and Andrew Child join James Patterson for a conversation about the creation of Jack Reacher, their unconventional writing process, and how one of the most iconic characters in modern fiction continues to evolve. Lee shares the story of getting fired at nearly 40 and how that moment pushed him to write his first novel, a turning point that ultimately led to the global success of the Reacher series. They talk about how they write together and why they avoid outlines, relying instead on instinct and momentum to guide each scene. For them, writing is less about planning every detail in advance and more about discovering the story as it unfolds. The conversation also explores the philosophy behind Jack Reacher as a character, their belief that writing is a job that requires showing up and doing the work, and how their upbringing shaped their approach to storytelling. They reflect on the transition from books to film and streaming, and what it means to adapt a character like Reacher for a new audience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 min
  • Erik Larson on the Story Behind Devil in the White City, Churchill & Why He Won't Tell You His Next Book

    Erik Larson on the Story Behind Devil in the White City, Churchill & Why He Won't Tell You His Next Book
    Mar 11 2026
    On this episode of Hungry Dogs, James Patterson sits down with Erik Larson, the bestselling author behind Devil in the White City, The Splendid and the Vile, and Thunderstruck. Larson reveals how he stumbled onto the Devil in the White City story through an encyclopedia of murder and a PhD dissertation with incredible footnotes, and why he was convinced the book would end his career the night before it published. They get into why he does all his own research with no assistants, how he discovered secret diary entries about a heartbroken Churchill aide during the Blitz, and the family reunion where his sister told him she wasn't interested in reading his next book. Erik also discusses why Hollywood has optioned his work for over 20 years and still hasn't made the movie and the one rule he never breaks when it comes to upcoming projects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 min
  • Why Life Hacks Don't Work with Charles Duhigg

    Why Life Hacks Don't Work with Charles Duhigg
    Mar 4 2026
    Charles Duhigg joins James Patterson for a conversation about habits, behavior change, communication, and why “life hacks” rarely lead to lasting transformation. Duhigg, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and bestselling author of The Power of Habit, Smarter Faster Better, and Super Communicators, explains the science behind the cue–routine–reward loop and why nearly half of what we do each day isn’t a conscious decision; it’s a habit. They discuss mental habits, deep thinking, storytelling, creativity, and how strong communication skills can combat loneliness and polarization. Duhigg also shares insights on productivity culture, why shortcuts fail, and what it really takes to change behavior for good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    Indisponible
  • Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s Network with Vicky Ward

    Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s Network with Vicky Ward
    Feb 25 2026
    Vicky Ward joins James Patterson for a revealing conversation about Jeffrey Epstein, power, and the systems that allowed him to operate for decades. Ward, one of the first journalists to profile Epstein in 2003, reflects on the intimidation tactics she experienced firsthand and why Epstein’s influence extended far beyond what most people understood at the time. They explore the psychology of Epstein’s world, the powerful figures who surrounded him, and how wealth and access can distort accountability. Ward also shares her perspective on Ghislaine Maxwell, former Prince Andrew, and the many unresolved questions that continue to shadow Epstein’s network. James Patterson also discusses his reaction to being mentioned in the Epstein Files, including email exchanges between Epstein and author Michael Wolff connected to the release of James' 2016 book, Filthy Rich: The Jeffrey Epstein Story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    Indisponible