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

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. 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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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 also shares how law school taught him to think like a storyteller, how he still approaches his craft with gratitude, and why he tells writers to “remember you get paid to make things up.” 00:00 Intro 01:56 David Baldacci's Upbringing and Early Influences 02:57 The Journey to Becoming a Writer 06:11 The Impact of 'Absolute Power' 08:27 The Business of Writing 12:09 Calamity Souls and Other Works 14:04 Competitiveness and Haters 15:10 The Art of Outlining vs. Writing in the Trenches 16:52 Who's David Ford? 19:24 Family and Fame: Balancing Act 22:46 Hollywood Adventures and Misadventures 25:59 The AI Dilemma and Future of Creativity 27:54 Positive Thinking and Life Lessons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, featuring Avery Keene. She and James discuss ambition, storytelling, reading, and how real systems and community experiences influence her fiction. Follow James Patterson: https://.jamespatterson.com/ https://jamespatterson.substack.com/ https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/james-patterson/ https://www.instagram.com/realjamespatterson/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 differ in how they bring their stories to the page, the New York Times bestselling authors find common ground in the struggles it sometimes takes to get the words down. Coben also discusses his collaborations with Netflix and the adaptations of his work abroad. 00:00 Intro 01:24 Back in the Day... 03:26 Early Career Struggles 04:51 Collaboration with Reese Witherspoon 08:37 Hollywood and Netflix Projects 11:36 Success in France and 'Tell No One' 16:27 Discussing the Bad Guy 16:51 Basketball Memories 17:50 High School Days with Chris Christie 19:13 College Years and Notable Classmates 21:50 Tragedy as a Teacher 23:39 Balancing Ordinary Life with Creative Work 27:29 Writing Process and Outlining 28:47 Golf and Life Analogies 30:50 Upcoming Projects and Family Connections Follow James Patterson: https://.jamespatterson.com/ https://jamespatterson.substack.com/ https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/james-patterson/ https://www.instagram.com/realjamespatterson/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 artistic spark lit, and to Kathy that sometimes means “negotiating with yourself”. She also discusses her takeaways from working with director Rob Reiner on the movie adaptation of Stephen King’s Misery, and how her love of reading and words informs her work as an actor.  Follow James Patterson: https://.jamespatterson.com/ https://jamespatterson.substack.com/ https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/james-patterson/ https://www.instagram.com/realjamespatterson/ 00:00 Intro 01:08 Matlock and Career Choices 08:04 Finding Humanity in Characters 12:29 Reflections on Aging and Career Longevity 13:49 Collaborations and Future Projects 20:18 Kathy’s Theater Beginnings 22:48 The Value of Storytelling 24:22 Challenges and Triumphs in Acting 25:40 Lessons from Misery 29:32 American Horror Story and Historical Research 32:23 Directing Experiences and Overcoming Cancer 38:53 The Importance of Reading and Education Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 of writing and directing, why audience humility matters, and the difference between chasing success and finding meaning in your work. 00:00 Intro 01:10 The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak 05:52 Turning Down The Office Showrunner Offer 08:19 Lessons from Mel Robbins, Bill Clinton, and George Bush 13:31 Working with Quentin Tarantino 17:31 Directing and Writing Vengeance 20:08 Directing Advice and the Importance of Tone 22:35 Challenges of Screenwriting in Hollywood 26:48 The Art of Outlining Stories 29:27 Character Development in Writing 31:06 New Projects and Ideas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 power of storytelling in country music, her hit film 9 to 5, her Broadway musical Dolly: An Original Musical, and what keeps her driven after decades of success. 00:00 Intro 1:27 Run, Rose, Run Reminiscing 02:27 Musical Influences and Family 04:38 Dolly's Instrumental Journey 06:11 Moving to Nashville 09:59 James and Dolly First Impressions 15:06 Dolly's Business Acumen 17:27 Dolly vs. Elvis' Manager 18:21 Nine to Five with Burt Reynolds 19:52 An Unexpected Birthday Serenade 21:42 Rock and Roll Collaborations 23:14 The Making of 'Dolly: the Musical' 28:50 Upcoming Projects 31:27 James' Birthday Gift from Dolly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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