James O'Keefe has spent more than a decade making undercover investigative journalism his life's work, first as founder of Project Veritas and now leading O'Keefe Media Group. When James O'Keefe joined Sean Kelly on the Digital Social Hour, the conversation centered on why he chose this path and how he has handled the attention that comes with it.
Rather than rehashing any single investigation, the two talk about O'Keefe's motivations, his account of landing on a public 'Hall of Shame' list, and what he says has changed about his approach to reporting over the years.
About James O'Keefe
James O'Keefe is an investigative journalist who founded Project Veritas in 2010, building it into one of the best-known names in undercover reporting before departing the organization in February 2023. He went on to found O'Keefe Media Group, where he continues the same style of hidden-camera investigative work.
O'Keefe describes his mission as holding large institutions and corporations accountable through undercover reporting, an approach that has drawn both a dedicated following and consistent public scrutiny over the years. He has also spoken about having his phone tapped, an experience he says only reinforced his commitment to the work.
What James O'Keefe and Sean Kelly Talked About
- Why James O'Keefe says undercover investigative journalism became his life's work
- His account of landing on a public 'Hall of Shame' list and how he responded
- What he has said about discovering his phone had been tapped
- What led him to found O'Keefe Media Group after departing Project Veritas
- How he describes his approach to investigating large institutions and corporations
- His perspective on why undercover reporting remains central to his work
- What more than a decade of high-profile investigative work has taught him about staying the course
Why This Conversation Matters
This conversation centers less on any single investigation and more on the person behind more than a decade of undercover reporting: why James O'Keefe chose this path, how he has handled public attention, and what keeps him doing the work. It's a candid look at a career built around scrutiny, told in his own words.
▶ Watch the full episode on YouTube
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About Sean Kelly & the Digital Social Hour
Sean Kelly is an entrepreneur and the host of the Digital Social Hour, one of the fastest-growing interview podcasts in the world, where he sits down with entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, and cultural voices for candid, long-form conversations. The show draws over 100 million views a month across platforms. Explore more guest features on SeanKelly.io.
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