Stay Tuned with Preet

Why People Do Bad Things (with Patrick Radden Keefe)

Jul 7, 2022

Patrick Radden Keefe, a renowned investigative journalist and author, discusses his obsession with crime and the intricacies of human behavior. He explores the motivations behind bad actions, drawing from his latest book 'Rogues.' The conversation touches on the January 6th insurrection, the legal implications of intent, and the ethical challenges journalists face. Keefe highlights the delicate balance of empathy in storytelling and reflects on how personal dynamics influence moral decisions, offering a nuanced view of societal issues.

01:19:13

Episode guests

Patrick Radden Keefe

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

3min

Gun Violence and Accountability

8min

Examining Intent: The Legal Ramifications of January 6th

3min

Understanding Rogues: Stories of Complexity and Morality

14min

Journalism, Ethics, and Reality Politics

16min

Debating the Implications of Political Hearings

3min

Power, Perception, and Persuasion in Leadership

3min

The Complexity of Bad Faith Arguments

23min

Reflections on Immigration and the State of America

6min

Patrick Radden Keefe is a staff writer at the New Yorker and the author of books including Say Nothing and Empire of Pain. His new essay collection, Rogues, features several of his most widely-read New Yorker articles, with a particular focus on criminals and con artists. Preet speaks with Keefe about the craft of long-form investigative journalism, what fascinates him about crime and corruption, and what motivates people to do bad things.

Plus, Preet discusses the January 6th Committee hearings and the importance of establishing former President Trump’s criminal intent in inciting the Insurrection.

For show notes and a transcript of the episode, head to: https://cafe.com/stay-tuned/why-people-do-bad-things-with-patrick-radden-keefe/

Tweet your questions to @PreetBharara with hashtag #askpreet, email us at staytuned@cafe.com, or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail.

Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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