Hungry Dogs with James Patterson

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 mo...

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 be...

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 s...

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 Ex...

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...

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 lik...

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 Scarp...

David Baldacci joins James Patterson on the latest episode of Hungry Dogs for a conversation about writing, failure, and the long road to success. David opens up about growing up in Richmond, Virginia during segregation and how weekly library trips changed his life. He also recalls the years of rejection before his breakout novel Absolute Power and the moment everything shifted overnight David als...

Stacey Abrams joins James Patterson for a conversation about writing, identity, and finding her voice. She talks about growing up as the first generation in her family born with voting rights, how that shaped her sense of agency, and why a democracy only works when people can truly be heard. Stacey also dives into her work as an author, from her early novels to her latest thriller, Coded Justice,...

Harlan Coben joins Hungry Dogs with James Patterson to talk about the book he co-authored with Reese Witherspoon, Gone Before Goodbye, and the joy and success he’s found through collaboration. They look back at how Coben’s creativity developed—from his writing courses at UMass Amherst, to the early book deals that once felt massive, to the international acclaim he enjoys today. Though the two diff...

Kathy Bates joins Hungry Dogs with James Patterson for a discussion about artistic roots, the long path a creative career requires, and Bates’ experiences and thoughts while filming ‘Matlock’ on CBS. Kathy talks about her first opportunities at SMU in Texas and then in New York, off-Broadway, and how they helped catapult her stage and screen career. They share some of the ways they’ve kept their a...

BJ Novak joins James Patterson on Hungry Dogs for a conversation about ambition, burnout, and storytelling. The Office star and author of The Book With No Pictures reflects on turning down the role of showrunner during the show’s peak, what he learned from doing stand-up comedy, and how working with Quentin Tarantino on Inglourious Basterds shaped his creative outlook. They also dig into the craft...

Dolly Parton joins James Patterson for the first episode of Hungry Dogs in an intimate, funny, and inspiring conversation about hustle, heart, and staying hungry. Dolly opens up about her early days in Nashville, the meaning of “horse sense,” and turning down Elvis Presley’s request to record “I Will Always Love You.” She and Patterson also reflect on their collaboration on Run, Rose, Run, the pow...

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. New episodes every Wednesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices