Philip Eil
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phileil.bsky.social
Philip Eil
@phileil.bsky.social
3.7K followers 3.3K following 5.6K posts
Journalist.
Cat dad.
Rhode Islander.
Author of "Prescription for Pain: How a Once-Promising Doctor Became the 'Pill Mill Killer.'"

https://philipeil.com/
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phileil.bsky.social
Something nice that happened this week:

I got a note from a "Prescription for Pain" reader about their partner, who works as a social worker at a big-city public defender's office. Apparently, the reader's partner liked my book so much she bought a copy for the office library. 🥹
A library of book's from a public defender's office. Titles include "The New Jim Crow," "DSM IV," "Sex-Positive Social Work," "Caste," and Philip Eil's "Prescription for Pain: How a Once-Promising Doctor Because the 'Pill Mill Killer.'"
November 22, 2025 at 12:50 PM
phileil.bsky.social
Andrew Cuomo watching clips of Mamdani's visit to the White House:
The left-out meme from "Arthur," showing a girl looking forlornly through a chain link fence.
November 21, 2025 at 10:27 PM
phileil.bsky.social
And if you're wondering: the video took me four takes. 😎

Look out @tednesi.bsky.social!!
A screenshot showing thumbnails for four straight-to-camera videos of Phil Eil of varying lengths.
November 21, 2025 at 10:16 PM
phileil.bsky.social
The @thepvdeye.bsky.social is my first board. (I joined in January.)

And this is my first pledge-drive-adjacent video.

I hope you’ll consider joining me in supporting local, community-driven journalism in our beloved PVD.
November 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM
phileil.bsky.social
I think a lot about this line from Studs Terkel's NYT obit, on his interview style and what he thought was the best question: "And what happened then?”
Text that reads: “It isn’t an inquisition; it’s an exploration, usually an exploration into the past,” he once said, explaining his approach. “So I think the gentlest question is the best one, and the gentlest is, ‘And what happened then?’ ”
November 21, 2025 at 11:42 AM
phileil.bsky.social
Tonight's talk on news and misinformation was at the Coventry, R.I. Public Library, which is in the same building at the Coventry Town Hall. And the library's meeting/presentation room is the city council chamber. 🤩
A selfie next to a screen that reads "News Media in the Age of Misinformation." In the background is a semi-circular desk where a city council holds meetings. An American flag and Rhode Island flag are in the background, with a seal for the town of Coventry, R.I. between them.
November 21, 2025 at 1:46 AM
phileil.bsky.social
Not sure why they have a meme framed at the library but I’m into it.
A selfie with a framed photo of Norman Rockwell’s man-standing-to-say-something painting, which has become a meme.
November 20, 2025 at 11:18 PM
phileil.bsky.social
It can be tough to keep track of this country's descent when so many disturbing things are happening at once. But these two posts from today -- from the Department of Homeland Security and the president -- offer a snapshot of where we are.

It's dark.
A Department of Homeland Security tweet on X, from November 20, that reads: “Rent is too high!” There are tens of millions of criminal illegals in our country. “Groceries cost too much!” There are tens of millions of criminal illegals in our country. “There aren’t enough jobs!” There are tens of millions of criminal illegals in our country. “Women don’t feel safe walking down the street!” There are tens of millions of criminal illegals in our country. “Traffic is terrible!” There are tens of millions of criminal illegals in our country. “Healthcare is too expensive!” There are tens of millions of criminal illegals in our country. “Welfare spending is through the roof!” There are tens of millions of criminal illegals in our country. “I can’t afford a car!” There are tens of millions of criminal illegals in our country. “I can’t afford a house!” There are tens of millions of criminal illegals in our country. Many problems. A simple answer. A November 20 post from Donald Trump on Truth Social that reads: SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!
November 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
phileil.bsky.social
No notes.
An ABC News headline that reads: "Solid gold toilet named 'America' sells at auction for $12M"
November 20, 2025 at 12:33 PM
phileil.bsky.social
The National Press Club's statement on President Trump's ghastly remarks in the Oval Office yesterday is worth a read.
Text that reads: WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 – The National Press Club is deeply troubled by President Trump’s comments today regarding the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mr. Khashoggi’s murder inside a diplomatic facility was a grave violation of human rights and a direct attack on press freedom. That fact is not in dispute. For reporters around the world — and for those who risk their lives to report on powerful figures, governments, and global events — statements that appear to minimize or excuse the killing of a journalist have real-world consequences. They can embolden those who wish to silence reporters, and they can undermine the essential principle that journalists must be able to work without fear of violence or retribution. The National Press Club stands with Jamal Khashoggi’s family, with our colleagues at The Washington Post, and with journalists everywhere who continue to do their jobs under threat. Mr. Khashoggi’s death was a tragedy and a crime. His life and work deserve truth, transparency, and unwavering recognition of the principles he upheld. We urge all world leaders — including our own — to speak with moral clarity about the protection of journalists and to reinforce the universal commitment that a free press is indispensable to a free society.
November 19, 2025 at 3:36 PM
phileil.bsky.social
Related: last month, before my "News Media in the Misinformation Age" talk at the Cranston library, I checked to see if the library had my book on the shelf. And I was delighted to see that lots of "Prescription for Pain" copies from RI libraries are currently on loan! This makes me happy. 😍
A photo of a library terminal screen that shows which libraries in Rhode Island currently have available copies of Phil Eil's book "Prescription for Pain." The text reads: 0 of 1 Cranston Central - Adult Non-Fiction 344.0411 EIL zation / Group 2 of 3 V Fox Point - Adult Non-Fiction 344.0411 EIL t 0 of 1 Mount Pleasant - Adult Non-Fiction 344.0411 EIL 0 of 1 Newport - Adult Non-Fiction 362.29 Eil 0 of 1 North Kingstown - Non-Fiction (Lower Level) 362.29 Eil age 0 of 1 Pascoag - Adult Non-Fiction 362.29 EIL ation Date 0 of 1 Pawtucket - Adult Non-Fiction RM 146.5 E35 2024 I in the Last Lof 1く Rochambeau - Adult Non-Fiction 344.0411 EIL Authors / Creators 1of1 v South Providence - Adult Non-Fiction 344.0411 EIL 0 of 1 0 of 1 Warwick Central - Adult Non-Fiction Westerly - Non-Fiction (2nd Floor-Reference Room) RM 146.5 E35 2024 302.29 E
November 19, 2025 at 1:08 PM
phileil.bsky.social
So I was checking out the events schedule for the RI public library where I'm speaking about news and misinformation tomorrow, and I saw that the library's true crime book club is reading "Prescription for Pain" this week. 🥹
Text, from the Coventry, RI public library's website, that reads: Studies in Crime - FULL In-Person This month we are reading Prescription for Pain: How a Once-Promising Doctor Became the "Pill Mill Killer" by Philip Eil: This haunting and propulsive debut follows a journalist's years-long investigation into his father's old classmate: former high school valedictorian Paul Volkman, who once seemed destined for greatness after earning his MD and his PhD from the prestigious University of Chicago, but is now serving four consecutive life sentences at a federal prison in Arizona. Volkman was the central figure in a massive 'pill mill' scheme in southern Ohio. His pain clinics accepted only cash, employed armed guards, and dispensed a torrent of opioid painkillers and other controlled substances. For nearly three years, Volkman remained in business despite raids by law enforcement and complaints from patients' family members. Prosecutors would ultimately link him to the overdose deaths of 13 patients, though investigators explored his ties to at least 20 other deaths. This groundbreaking book is based on 12 years of correspondence and interviews with Volkman. Eil also traveled to 19 states, interviewed more than 150 people, and filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Administration that led to the release of nearly 20,000 pages of trial evidence. The American opioid epidemic is, like this book, a true crime story. Through this one doctor's story, an era of unfathomable tragedy is brought down to a tangible, and devastating, human scale. Studies in Crime Book Group is a book club that exclusively reads true crime.
November 19, 2025 at 1:04 PM
phileil.bsky.social
Kickstand activated:
A calico kitty named Jill — who is perched on my shoulder — places one paw on my forearm. It looks like a bike kickstand, but cuter.
November 17, 2025 at 7:24 PM
phileil.bsky.social
Good afternoon from Providence.
A selfie with an adorable calico kitty — Jill — on my shoulder.
November 17, 2025 at 7:20 PM
phileil.bsky.social
Yesterday I went for a walk on the East Bay Bike Path without realizing I’d go past the troll.

So I saw the troll.
A view of artist Thomas Dambo's troll sculpture, made from recycled wood, at Kettle Point in East Providence, R.I. A persons stand in front of the troll, with upper Narragansett Bay in the background. A view of artist Thomas Dambo's troll sculpture, made from recycled wood, in East Providence, R.I. Four people stand in front of the troll, with upper Narragansett Bay in the background. An up-close view of artist Thomas Dambo's troll sculpture, made from recycled wood, in East Providence, R.I.
November 16, 2025 at 3:57 PM
phileil.bsky.social
Of course.
Text that reads: Rubiales, 48, is also under scrutiny by Spanish authorities probing his 2020 deal to move the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
November 15, 2025 at 1:43 PM
phileil.bsky.social
This story is completely nuts.

(This is a different uncle.)
Text that reads: Rubiales also had a falling out with another uncle, Juan Rubiales, several years ago when Juan was working for him at the federation.
November 15, 2025 at 1:42 PM
phileil.bsky.social
Holy shit. 500 pages!

And that title!

lol
Text that reads: His book "Matar a Rubiales" (Killing Rubiales) is a 500-page version of his professional demise after kissing Spain forward Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women's World Cup awards ceremony. It was the first time Spain's women's team took home the title. According to its publisher, Rubiales says he was the victim of a "conspiracy of different powers of Spanish public life" including the government and "the profitable world of feminism."
November 15, 2025 at 1:41 PM
phileil.bsky.social
This image should be the American flag.
Logan Roy saying "you are not serious people."
November 14, 2025 at 6:27 PM
phileil.bsky.social
Tonight at @symposiumbooks.bsky.social in Providence, I'll be chatting with Osita Nwanevu about his excellent book, "The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American Founding."

Join us!
A digital flier for author Osita Nwanevu's 11/13 book talk, for "The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American Founding," at Symposium Books in Providence. He will be in conversation with me, RI-based journalist and author, Phil Eil.
November 13, 2025 at 12:36 PM
phileil.bsky.social
In October 2021, the convicted doctor I was reporting on (and later published a book about), Paul Volkman, tried to get me to help him to argue his way out of federal prison.

Here's what I wrote in response.
Paul, I’m not sure why you would think I want to help with your petition for compassionate release. But I have no inclination to do that research on your behalf, or participate in any other way in that process. As a reminder, I’m speaking to you now in my capacity as a journalist who’s writing a book about your life, career, and criminal case. I am not an advocate for you. I am not your research assistant. I am not here to assist in your efforts to plead your innocence or secure compassionate release.  You have asked me for help before numerous times before, and my answers have been consistent.  In September 2011, I told you “I didn’t enter this project for your benefit, nor did I enter this project for your detriment.  I have always – from when I first wrote to you, in September, 2009, to when I write to you now, in September, 2011 – been interested in the truth.” In September 2014, I told you, “I've never approached this case as an advocate on your behalf; I've approached it as an objective journalist and writer fascinated by the case. Why would that change?” In December 2014, in response to your “URGENT!!” demands for me to do PACER research on your behalf, I told you, “It seems you're trying to enlist me as an advocate or legal assistant to work on your behalf. But as I mentioned at the top of the email, that's not what I'm here to do, and it never has been. That seems to me to be a job better suited to a public defender, your daughter, one of your friends, etc.” And today, in October 2021, this stance hasn’t changed.  -Phil
November 12, 2025 at 3:52 PM
phileil.bsky.social
So great to hear this!

I had a lovely event there in September 2024. They let me sign the Author’s Wall!
I’m grinning with joy after signing the Author Wall at Charter Books in September 2024.
November 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
phileil.bsky.social
A snapshot from today's walk in Providence.
A bright yellow ginkgo tree stands in front of the concrete facade of the List Art Building, at Brown University. Taken on November 11, 2025.
November 11, 2025 at 10:08 PM
phileil.bsky.social
What kind of kompromat are Charlamagne and Ben Shapiro wielding over the heads of major news orgs?
A November 4, 2025 skeet from CNN that reads: "Follow Election Night developments with real-time political and cultural analysis from Charlamagne Tha God, Ben Shapiro and more. Watch CNN's Election Livecast starting at 8:30p ET at CNN.com/watch" Below is a graphic for a CNN "ELECTION LIVECAST" featuring Charlamagne and Shapiro.
November 11, 2025 at 3:08 PM
phileil.bsky.social
The casual/formal Winnie the Pooh meme: The top reads "I nuked my career by Sexting with RFK Jr While working as a high-profile national politics reporter." The bottom reads "American Canto."
November 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM