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Hungry Dogs with James Patterson
Hungry Dogs with James Patterson episodes
- Senator John Kennedy on the Comedy of Washington
In this episode, James Patterson and Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana discuss the Senator’s new book, How to Test Negative for Stupid. Senator Kennedy shares stories from his upbringing in Zachary, Louisiana, his time at Vanderbilt and Oxford, and his experiences as a substitute teacher. They delve into the critical importance of literacy and education reform, as well as the absurdity of federal bureaucracy. Senator Kennedy breaks down why "common sense" is the rarest commodity in the nation's capital.
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35 min - James & Sue Patterson: Secrets to Writing, Marriage, and 40 Years of Success
We're doing something special on this episode of Hungry Dogs in honor of Mother's Day: James Patterson and his wife, Sue Patterson, share the story of their 40-year journey from their first meeting at an ad agency to becoming bestselling co-authors. They dive into the creative process behind their best-selling collaborations, Big Words for Little Geniuses, Things I Wish I Told My Mother, and The Mother-Daughter Book Club.
They also give their advice on parenting, their competitive golf rituals, and why constant communication is the secret to their long-lasting bond.
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21 min - Dana Perino on Why We Should Learn to Listen
James Patterson interviews Fox News anchor Dana Perino about her transition from White House Press Secretary to fiction writer. They discuss her new political rom-com, Purple State, and explore whether personal chemistry can bridge deep ideological and political divides.
Perino shares expert communication strategies, including her "read it twice" rule for dealing with criticism, and the vital importance of being a good listener. Dana and James also provide career and relationship advice for young professionals, and a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process required to pen a bestselling novel.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
37 min - Freida McFadden on Why Great Thrillers Need Cringe
Freida McFadden joins James Patterson for a conversation about twist endings, suspense, and what makes a thriller impossible to put down. The bestselling author of The Housemaid talks about the “cringe factor” she loves in fiction, how she thinks about reader expectations, and why the best twists only work when they feel surprising and inevitable at the same time.
They also discuss McFadden’s path from practicing doctor to breakout thriller writer, how she balances medicine and fiction, and the role authenticity plays in books that draw from real experiences. The conversation touches on outlines, dictation, Hollywood adaptations, pen names, and the strange mix of luck, timing, and craft behind a breakout bestseller.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
32 min - Patrick Radden Keefe on How He Turns True Stories into Thrillers
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
39 min - The Wildest Story Maury Povich Ever Saw on His Show
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
39 min - How to Handle Disruption in a Changing World with Dr. Patrick Leddin
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
38 min - How Viola Davis and James Patterson Wrote a Novel Together
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
50 min - How Lee and Andrew Child Write Jack Reacher
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.
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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
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
40 min
About Hungry Dogs with James Patterson
From the publisher's feed
James Patterson—the world’s bestselling author—created Hungry Dogs to explore the minds of extraordinary people, from authors and musicians to actors and politicians. The podcast features in-depth video interviews with leading voices from across a wide variety of industries, including books, music, film, television, politics and sports.
The title is inspired by Patterson’s maternal grandmother. As Patterson says, “Nan used to always say, 'hungry dogs run faster.' And I’ve been running fast ever since.”
Tune in each Wednesday for interviews with notable guests like Dolly Parton, BJ Novak, Kathy Bates, Stacy Abrams, David Baldacci, and many more.
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