Hungry Dogs with James Patterson

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. 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

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