“This interview will be 20 minutes,” Mike Levy says in welcome. “I’ve never sat still for longer than that.” Good thing, too, because, without his legendary energy and his occasional brashness, the founder of Texas Monthly might not have persevered in creating what has become an icon of journalism. As the magazine’s February issue celebrates its 40th anniversary, its first publisher marks nearly four-and-a-half years since he “re-potted” himself. Here, with staccato-like delivery, he discusses – among other things – his law degree, his success, the 1973 infamous article (“Empires of Paper”) on the three big Houston law firms, his view on aging and his life after Texas Monthly.

“This interview will be 20 minutes,” Mike Levy says in welcome. “I’ve never sat still for longer than that.” Good thing, too, because, without his legendary energy and his occasional brashness, the founder of Texas Monthly might not have persevered in creating what has become an icon of journalism. As the magazine’s February issue celebrates its 40th anniversary, its first publisher marks nearly four-and-a-half years since he “re-potted” himself. Here, with staccato-like delivery, he discusses – among other things – his law degree, his success, the 1973 infamous article (“Empires of Paper”) on the three big Houston law firms, his view on aging and his life after Texas Monthly.