S7 EP6: Patrick Radden Keefe on the opioid crisis, criminal career longevity and why access is overrated
The Louis Theroux Podcast
Why access is overrated in journalism
Patrick argues that access can distort reporting and explains his preference for independence over flattering interviews.
Joining Louis in the studio today is award-winning writer and investigative journalist, Patrick Radden Keefe. Patrick tells Louis about his investigation into the Sackler family's involvement in the opioid crisis, how professional criminals keep career longevity, and why he thinks access is overrated. Plus he discusses his latest book, London Falling.
Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.
Links/Attachments:
Book: London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth, Patrick Radden Keefe (2026)
https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/patrick-radden-keefe/london-falling/9781035056279
Book: Say Nothing, Patrick Radden Keefe (2019)
Book: Empire of Pain, Patrick Radden Keefe (2022)
TV Show: ‘Say Nothing’ (2024) - Hulu
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/say-nothing
Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0993846/
War Dogs (2016)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2005151/
Nightcrawler (2014)
https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/nightcrawler/umc.cmc.1h8fjzqshxpg22pa0bm7iho27?action=play
American Psycho (2000)
https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/american-psycho/umc.cmc.4k3idfzm0x9j5okdedo2s4l50?action=play
Book: Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks, Patrick Radden Keefe (2022)
https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/patrick-radden-keefe/rogues/9781035001767
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104348/
Article: Larry Gagosian Piece, Patrick Radden Keefe (2023)
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/07/31/larry-gagosian-profile
Book: Hillbilly Elegy, JD Vance, (2017)
https://www.waterstones.com/book/hillbilly-elegy/j-d-vance/9780008220563
Book: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Amy Chua (2012)
Article: The Sinaloa Drug Cartel, Patrick Radden Keefe (2012)
Book: Nazi Billionaires, David De Jong (2023)
https://www.waterstones.com/book/nazi-billionaires/david-de-jong/9780008299798
Book: Some People Need Killing, Patricia Evangelista (2023)
https://www.waterstones.com/book/some-people-need-killing/patricia-evangelista/9781804710081
Book: Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann (2017)
TV Show: Industry (2020 – present) - BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000pb89/industry
Podcast: Wind of Change (2020 – 2022) - Crooked Media
https://crooked.com/podcast-series/wind-of-change/
Song: ‘Wind Of Change’, The Scorpions (1990)
https://open.spotify.com/track/3ovjw5HZZv43SxTwApooCM
Song: ‘Piano Man’, Bill Joel (1973)
https://open.spotify.com/track/70C4NyhjD5OZUMzvWZ3njJ
Book: The Journalist and the Murderer, Janet Malcolm (1989)
https://www.londonreviewbookshop.co.uk/stock/the-journalist-and-the-murderer-janet-malcolm
Article: Carl Icahn, Patrick Radden Keefe (2017)
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/08/28/carl-icahns-failed-raid-on-washington
Credits:
Producer: Millie Chu
Production Manager: Francesca Bassett
Music: Miguel D’Oliveira
Audio Mixer: Tom Guest
Video Mixer: Scott Edwards
Shownotes compiled by Elly Young
Executive Producer: Arron Fellows
A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify
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