Charles Piller

Thanks so much for having me, Charles.

Thanks so much for having me, Charles.

Appreciate it.

Appreciate it.

Sure. At the risk of dating myself, I am old enough to remember the Watergate scandal with Richard Nixon, and it really inspired a lot of young people. Of course, I was too young to be a reporter back then, but I remember being riveted by the revelations associated with that scandal and really inspired by the

Sure. At the risk of dating myself, I am old enough to remember the Watergate scandal with Richard Nixon, and it really inspired a lot of young people. Of course, I was too young to be a reporter back then, but I remember being riveted by the revelations associated with that scandal and really inspired by the

kind of intrepid legwork that has to go into uncovering the critical information that goes into helping people understand something from a factual and also a most credible perspective. perspective on important issues facing our society.

kind of intrepid legwork that has to go into uncovering the critical information that goes into helping people understand something from a factual and also a most credible perspective. perspective on important issues facing our society.

And so, like so many young people, I was inspired by that, but it took some years to learn and to study and to understand where I might fit in in journalism and to try things. But yes, I was from a pretty young age interested in trying to become an investigative reporter. It's not that easy to do because It's a competitive field. There aren't that many jobs in investigative reporting.

And so, like so many young people, I was inspired by that, but it took some years to learn and to study and to understand where I might fit in in journalism and to try things. But yes, I was from a pretty young age interested in trying to become an investigative reporter. It's not that easy to do because It's a competitive field. There aren't that many jobs in investigative reporting.

Unfortunately, there should be a lot more. But if you're deeply determined and want to put in the work, it can be done.

Unfortunately, there should be a lot more. But if you're deeply determined and want to put in the work, it can be done.

Yeah, I mean, I think if you're doing this kind of work, you have to be prepared for threats and for the consequences of pissing off important people, to put it frankly.

Yeah, I mean, I think if you're doing this kind of work, you have to be prepared for threats and for the consequences of pissing off important people, to put it frankly.

I'm working in an occupation where the articles that I write question and sometimes threaten the careers of people, in this particular case associated with my book, Doctored, scientists who have apparently engaged in misconduct and misrepresentation of important studies. And when exposed, that's a very, very difficult thing for them. But it should be, honestly. If people are engaging in

I'm working in an occupation where the articles that I write question and sometimes threaten the careers of people, in this particular case associated with my book, Doctored, scientists who have apparently engaged in misconduct and misrepresentation of important studies. And when exposed, that's a very, very difficult thing for them. But it should be, honestly. If people are engaging in

in misconduct or engaging in activities that appear to be misconduct that needs to be explored. The public needs to know because it can be very harmful to the pursuit of scientific knowledge and also eventually drug development. So we've all got a stake in it. And for me, The threats and the pushback and the kind of public claims about disputes about my work, that comes with the territory.

in misconduct or engaging in activities that appear to be misconduct that needs to be explored. The public needs to know because it can be very harmful to the pursuit of scientific knowledge and also eventually drug development. So we've all got a stake in it. And for me, The threats and the pushback and the kind of public claims about disputes about my work, that comes with the territory.

You've got to be prepared to take it. You've got to have a thick skin, and you've got to be prepared to have good lawyers behind you sometimes because anybody can sue for anything, even frivolously, and you just have to be ready for whatever comes.

You've got to be prepared to take it. You've got to have a thick skin, and you've got to be prepared to have good lawyers behind you sometimes because anybody can sue for anything, even frivolously, and you just have to be ready for whatever comes.