Episodes

  • Peggy Noonan on Why Certainty Is Dangerous in History

    Peggy Noonan on Why Certainty Is Dangerous in History
    Jan 21 2026
    James Patterson sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winning writer Peggy Noonan for a wide-ranging conversation about history, uncertainty, and writing in divided times. Noonan reflects on her decades-long career at The Wall Street Journal, her years inside the Reagan White House as a speechwriter, and what she learned watching leadership up close during a pivotal moment in American history. They discuss how writers observe power from the outside, what leadership looks like when character is tested, and why moments of absolute certainty are often the most dangerous in public life. Drawing on her time writing for Ronald Reagan and later reflecting on his presidency, Noonan shares lessons about decency, civic life, political courage, and what it means to remain intellectually honest when the country feels unsettled. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 mins
  • Michael J. Fox on Optimism, Acceptance, and Moving Forward

    Michael J. Fox on Optimism, Acceptance, and Moving Forward
    Jan 14 2026
    James Patterson talks with Michael J. Fox about optimism, acceptance, and choosing how to move forward in the face of uncertainty. Fox reflects on writing his memoir Future Boy, why acceptance does not mean resignation, and how understanding what is allows you to keep going rather than give up. They discuss living publicly with Parkinson’s, using humor as a survival tool, and why action matters more than false positivity. Fox also shares how the Michael J. Fox Foundation has helped transform Parkinson’s research, why skepticism is healthy but cynicism is corrosive, and how investing in people and science can create real, lasting change. 00:00 Intro 01:11 Acceptance and Resilience 02:12 Michael J. Fox's Writing Journey 07:19 Rock and Roll Fantasies 08:23 Friendship with Muhammad Ali 16:20 Parkinson's and Advocacy 20:12 Family and Personal Reflections 24:22 Living in New York 25:08 Career Reflections 26:17 Writing and Storytelling 28:25 Dealing with Bullies 29:58 Health Challenges and Optimism 34:40 Philanthropy and Research 40:20 Today's Politics Try Novelium today and get your first month free at https://novelium.so/ with code PATTERSON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 mins
  • James Clear on Atomic Habits, Identity, and Becoming the Person You Want to Be

    James Clear on Atomic Habits, Identity, and Becoming the Person You Want to Be
    Jan 7 2026
    James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, joins James Patterson on today's episode of Hungry Dogs to talk about why habits matter more than motivation and how small actions shape who we become. Clear reflects on recovering from a life-changing injury, learning to value small wins, and why every habit is a vote for the type of person you want to be. They discuss identity-based habits, the difference between motion and action, optimism versus cynicism, and how reading, environment, and consistency influence long-term success. Clear also shares practical insights on building better systems, parenting, education, and why five good minutes can be enough to reset a day. 00:00 Intro 00:59 The Atomic Habits Workbook 02:30 James Clear's Personal Journey 04:06 The Importance of Small Wins 06:21 The Deeper Reason Habits Matter 12:41 Disrupting the Norm: Positive Changes 15:16 The Four Laws of Behavior Change 17:54 Navigating the Job Market with Atomic Habits 19:42 Identity Change Through Small Actions 23:06 The Importance of Quality Content 25:54 Applying Atomic Habits in Family Life 32:35 The Value of Five Good Minutes 33:10 Thinking Long Term, Acting Short Term Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Tara Westover on Educated and the Challenge of Telling the Truth

    Tara Westover on Educated and the Challenge of Telling the Truth
    Dec 31 2025
    James Patterson talks with author Tara Westover, known for her bestselling memoir Educated, about memory, self-education, and learning how to write truthfully about your own life. Westover reflects on growing up in a radical, isolated household in rural Idaho and how education became both her escape and her reckoning. They discuss the challenge of writing about family when memories conflict, how she moved from academic writing to storytelling, and why short stories helped her find her voice. She also shares how her understanding of learning has changed over time and offers a glimpse into what she is exploring in her next book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Matthew McConaughey on Looking Back to See the Future (Part Two)

    Matthew McConaughey on Looking Back to See the Future (Part Two)
    Dec 24 2025
    Matthew McConaughey returns for Part Two of his conversation with James Patterson on Hungry Dogs. He reflects on how looking back while writing Greenlights helped him better envision the future he wanted. They also discuss the beauty of college sports, possible paths forward for higher education, and why investing in people and communities matters far beyond immediate results. 00:00 Intro 02:49 Exploring Poetry and Literature 08:29 What Does Faith Mean to You? 10:47 The Beauty of College Sports 14:59 The Importance of Public Service 22:28 Would Matthew McConaughey Ever Write a Novel? Try Novelium today and get your first month free at https://novelium.so/ with code PATTERSON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Matthew McConaughey on Writing, Belief, and Finding the Right Rhythm (Part One)

    Matthew McConaughey on Writing, Belief, and Finding the Right Rhythm (Part One)
    Dec 17 2025
    Matthew McConaughey joins James Patterson for a wide-ranging conversation about writing, belief, and living with intention. McConaughey discusses his books Greenlights and Poems and Prayers, why he thinks of writing as music, and how finding the right rhythm can unlock both storytelling and life. They talk about skepticism versus cynicism, faith and responsibility, and why belief is different from hope. McConaughey reflects on resisting labels like the “rom-com guy,” choosing disruption with values, and why education, reading, and practical experience matter more than rigid systems. They also touch on college sports, leadership, and what it means to stand for something without preaching. Try Novelium today and get your first month free at https://novelium.so/ with code PATTERSON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Josh Gad on Olaf, Robin Williams, and Learning to Live with Anxiety

    Josh Gad on Olaf, Robin Williams, and Learning to Live with Anxiety
    Dec 10 2025
    James Patterson talks with actor and comedian Josh Gad about comedy, anxiety, and finding warmth in the cold. Best known as the voice of Olaf in Disney’s Frozen, Gad opens up about living with anxiety, using humor to cope, and how performing helped him support his family and himself through hard times. He reflects on his friendship with Robin Williams, what he learned from working with legends like Mel Brooks, and the deeply personal stories in his new memoir In Gad We Trust. Gad shares how writing the book helped him rethink fear, grief, and identity, and why vulnerability has become his greatest strength. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Patricia Cornwell on the Upcoming Kay Scarpetta TV Series, Grief, and the Truth in Fairytales

    Patricia Cornwell on the Upcoming Kay Scarpetta TV Series, Grief, and the Truth in Fairytales
    Dec 3 2025
    James Patterson talks with bestselling author Patricia Cornwell about grief, storytelling, and the upcoming Kay Scarpetta TV series inspired by her groundbreaking forensic novels. Cornwell reflects on how loss, solitude, and faith have shaped her writing, and why she believes every mystery is really a fairytale in disguise. They discuss her new book Sharp Force, the decades-long evolution of Scarpetta, and how real science, compassion, and curiosity keep her searching for truth on and beyond the page. The Scarpetta universe will soon come to life as an Amazon Original Series starring Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis, but Cornwell’s focus remains on the stories that connect us through loss, resilience, and imagination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins