Hungry Dogs with James Patterson

Hungry Dogs with James Patterson

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.

Episodes

May 27, 2026 20 mins
James Patterson sits down with Oscar-winning actor Brendan Fraser to discuss his incredible Hollywood journey from Encino Man toThe Whale. Fraser shares behind-the-scenes insights into his latest historical drama film, Pressure, where he takes on the challenging role of General Dwight D. Eisenhower during the high-stakes lead-up to D-Day. He reflects on the power of leadership, the importance of empathy in storytelling, and how his...
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Bestselling romance author Lucy Score joins James Patterson for a candid conversation about writing, fame, creativity, and building one of the most loyal fanbases in publishing. Lucy opens up about using a pen name, growing up in a book-obsessed family, balancing privacy with success, and how her upbringing shaped her emotionally rich, funny, and addictive novels. James and Lucy also discuss storytelling, the allure of romance book...
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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...
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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 ...
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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. D...
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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 breakou...
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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...
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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 ins...
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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 a...
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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 em...
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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 th...
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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 wh...
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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 ha...
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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 w...
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Brad Meltzer joins James Patterson for a wide ranging conversation about rejection, resilience, and the unpredictable path to success. Meltzer reflects on receiving 24 rejection letters before publishing his first novel and why those early setbacks shaped his career far more than any instant success story. They discuss how comic books helped turn them both into lifelong readers, the hidden lessons inside failure, and the mindset r...
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February 11, 2026 31 mins
James Patterson sits down with Aldis Hodge and Ben Watkins, the star and showrunner of Amazon’s Cross, to talk about bringing Alex Cross from the page to the screen. They discuss what it means to reinterpret one of fiction’s most iconic detectives, why the series focuses on new stories rather than direct adaptations, and how Cross is written as a father, partner, and human being first. Catch the premiere of Season 2 of Cross tod...
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James Patterson sits down with author and Harvard professor Dr. Arthur Brooks for a conversation about happiness, suffering, and what actually makes life meaningful. Brooks explains why true happiness requires pain, why eliminating struggle leads to dissatisfaction, and how learning from failure is essential to growth. They discuss the science behind happiness, the difference between success and meaning, the importance of relations...
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James Patterson speaks with acclaimed novelist Daniel Kehlmann about literature, history, and the quiet decisions that shape moral responsibility. Kehlmann discusses growing up between Germany and the United States, differences in reading culture and education, and why habits of reading matter more than ever. They explore Kehlmann’s novel The Director, which examines how ordinary people become complicit inside authoritarian system...
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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 ...
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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 al...
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