When a company’s values don’t match its actions, the impact can be devastating. Kim and Amy speak with investigative journalist Gardiner Harris about his book, No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson. Harris uncovers how a company once seen as the gold standard of integrity used its famous “Credo” to build emotional trust while covering up harmful practices—from baby powder linked to cancer to its role in the opioid crisis. The conversation goes beyond one company, raising bigger questions about accountability, transparency, and the systems meant to keep us safe. It’s a candid look at how misplaced trust can cause lasting damage—and what it really takes to create a culture where honesty and responsibility come first.
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:
Connect:
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Kim and Amy introduce Gardiner Harris, investigative journalist and author.
(00:01:01) No More Tears
Why Gardiner’s book hasn't been widely covered by the media.
(00:07:35) Hidden Dangers of Products
Overview of Johnson & Johnson’s vast range of dangerous products.
(00:15:13) Antipsychotics in Nursing Homes
How antipsychotics were pushed to sedate elderly patients.
(00:16:58) Opioids & Corporate Responsibility
The role Johnson & Johnson played in the opioid epidemic.
(00:24:04) The Power of Branding & Emotional Trust
The exploitation of emotional branding to avoid accountability.
(00:27:28) Incentives, Conflicts, & Complicity
How financial incentives corrupted doctors, researchers, and hospitals
(00:39:12) Breaking Points & Speaking Up
Stories about the individuals affected by Johnson & Johnson.
(00:47:27) The Cult of the Credo
How J&J weaponized its corporate credo to silence whistleblowers.
(00:52:19) How J&J Got Away With It
The ways J&J avoided accountability and hid decades of misconduct.
(00:57:36) Tylenol, Safety, & the Illusion of Trust
The FDA’s inability—or unwillingness—to enforce safety despite evidence.
(01:03:29) Hope, Oversight & Individual Action
How individual action and awareness can drive systemic change.
(01:08:10) Conclusion
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
