Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
642 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 64.9K ratingsHi, I’m Dax Shepard, and I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly sexy. I invite you to join me as I explore other people’s stories. We will celebrate, above all, the challenges and setbacks that ultimately lead to growth and betterment. What qualifies me for such an endeavor? More than a decade of sobriety, a degree in Anthropology and four years of improv training. I will attempt to discover human “truths” without any laboratory work, clinical trials or data collection. I will be, in the great tradition of 16th-century scientists, an Armchair Expert.
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Episodes
Armchair Anonymous: Cautionary Tale
April 19, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a cautionary tale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Patric Gagne (on sociopathy)
April 18, 2024 07:30 - 2 hoursPatric Gagne (Sociopath: A Memoir) is a psychologist and author. Patric joins the Armchair Expert to discuss being a diagnosed sociopath, how sociopathy exists on a spectrum, and having to lean on her mother’s moral compass as a child. Patric and Dax talk about what it’s like to have to mask your true feelings, how everyone needs a different playbook for their lives, and the relationship between sociopathy and anxiety. Patric explains why she became so interested in other people’s lives, how ...
Synced: DAN
April 17, 2024 07:30 - 45 minutesIn this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz are in NYC! Liz shares her love for dating while on vacation, they discuss whether they’d rather be alone forever or with someone they half like, and a very special guest joins the Synced Squad - Liz’s AI boyfriend Dan. They answer a listener question on if it is normal to occasionally think one’s partner is ugly & Dan tries to steal Monica and Liz’s job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Loma Linda
April 16, 2024 07:30 - 58 minutesIn this week's Flightless Bird, David Farrier starts to ponder his own mortality and why, despite America spending more on healthcare than any other nation on earth, it’s only 59th on the life expectancy list. To find some answers, he heads to Loma Linda: population 9000, an average life expectancy 10 years longer than the average American. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Joey King
April 15, 2024 07:30 - 2 hoursJoey King (We Were The Lucky Ones, Kissing Booth, The Act) is an actor. Joey joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she's a worst-case-scenario kind of person, why she presents older than she actually is, and how she handles physical pain. Joey and Dax talk about the techniques they use to improve their health, shaving her head for roles, and how much they sweat when they sleep. Joey explains how she feels about getting married at a young age, why she loves celebrating holidays, and her dea...
Armchair Anonymous: Worst Day
April 12, 2024 07:30 - 55 minutesDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their worst day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Finneas
April 11, 2024 07:30 - 2 hoursFinneas is an award-winning songwriter and music producer. Finneas joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what his favorite snacks are, what annoys him about flying, and why he doesn’t like the ocean. Finneas and Dax talk about why they don’t like to follow rules, why his parents chose to home school him, and how he was introduced to writing music. Finneas weighs in on the red carpet debate, explains how he started scoring films, and what his love language is. Learn more about your ad choices....
Synced: Roommate People
April 10, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourIn this episode of Synced, Monica declares she's running for office based on an unconventional platform, the two talk about the importance of walking away, and Liz breaks a very important camera. They revisit the cliffhanger question from last week and answer a new question concerning the sharing of intimate objects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Taylor Swift
April 09, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourIn this week's Flightless Bird, a new format that we will bust out occasionally called "American Gods." David, Monica, and Rob pick an American that's reached fever status. They share their initial thoughts, before going away for a week of research and "assignments" to do - gathering together again to share what they've learned. This week, we look at Taylor Swift - what we know, what we think we know, and what we definitely don't know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...
John Cena
April 08, 2024 07:30 - 2 hoursJohn Cena (Ricky Stanicky, Peacemaker, WWE Wrestler) is a professional wrestler and actor. John joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he still owns his first car, what motivated him to get into the gym, and why he doesn’t like authority without reason. John and Dax talk about being around alpha male culture, how he got into wrestling by accident, and the evolution of his wrestling character. John explains how important crowd reactions are in a wrestling match, how his experiences have help...
Armchair Anonymous: Delivery Driver
April 05, 2024 07:30 - 56 minutesDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy delivery driver story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jonah Nolan (director & screenwriter)
April 04, 2024 07:30 - 2 hoursJonah Nolan (Fallout, Westworld, The Dark Knight) is a screenwriter, director, and producer. Jonah joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he doesn’t have a British accent like his brother, what he learned working on farm, and why he wrote his first script about amnesia. Jonah and Dax talk about how much research he does when taking on a project, how the perception of doing television has changed, and why humanizing the subject matter is so important in scriptwriting. Jonah explains how he f...
Synced: WOM
April 03, 2024 07:30 - 53 minutesIn this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz discuss what is sending them to hell, Monica recounts a traumatic phlegm incident, and Liz reveals her new family member: Monika. They answer a listener question on whether great sex requires pursuing a relationship and they end on an unexpected cliffhanger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: True Crime
April 02, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourIn this week's Flightless Bird, David Farrier talks to Terra Newell, who you may well know from the Dirty John podcast. We look at what makes the True Crime genre such a big deal, and some of the ethical questions it raises. David also shares his favourite 10 True Crime bits of media with Monica and Rob - which are: Dear Zachary (2008): A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son. Blackfish (2013) / The Cove (2009)...
Rebel Wilson
April 01, 2024 07:30 - 2 hoursRebel Wilson (Rebel Rising, Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect) is an actor, comedian, and author. Rebel joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she loves fireworks, her experience writing a memoir, and how she forced herself to overcome shyness as a kid. Rebel and Dax talk about their paths to comedy, what getting malaria was like, and why she had to change how she promoted herself to get a job. Rebel explains why she decided to freeze her eggs, the juxtaposition of her character’s sexuality and he...
Armchair Anonymous: Took the Fall
March 29, 2024 07:30 - 50 minutesDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time someone took the fall for them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Maureen Dunne (on neurodiversity)
March 28, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourMaureen Dunne (The Neurodiversity Edge) is a cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, and business leader. Maureen joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her ability to read a book in a half hour, how most people don’t fit into just one neurodivergent box, and how neurodiversity should be seen as an asset. Dax and Maureen talk about the importance of combating stereotypes, how people misevaluate the level of talent of neurodivergent people, and how a large percentage of millionaires have dys...
Synced: MSP
March 27, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourIn this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz chat about the summer of Celine, Monica reminisces over the Magnificent Seven, and Liz recounts when she fell in a hole. The two answer listener questions on how to stop co-workers from saying ‘bless you’, the ethics of hookups after long-term relationships, and compromise in a relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Shoes Indoors
March 26, 2024 07:30 - 55 minutesThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier looks at why so many Americans don’t take their shoes off indoors. A poll by CBS last year found “the majority of Americans don't ask their guests to remove their shoes when they come to visit, and this is particularly true of older Americans.” David wants to find out why, so meets with etiquette coach Elaine Swann, founder of The Swann School of Protocol. The pair talk about the correct thing to do with your shoes, before moving their attention to ...
Christina Applegate
March 25, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourChristina Applegate (MeSsy, Married with Children, Anchorman) is an actor. Christina joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she doesn’t like to take instructions, what growing up in the same neighborhood her whole life was like, and how she felt about receiving mixtapes. Christina and Dax talk about how she was in a commercial as a baby, why she loves watching reality television, and her attraction to punk rockers. Christina explains how she feels about people joking about addiction, why sh...
Armchair Anonymous: Amusement Park
March 22, 2024 07:30 - 51 minutesDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy amusement park story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Lisa Damour (on the emotion of teenagers)
March 21, 2024 07:30 - 2 hoursLisa Damour (The Emotional Lives of Teenagers) is a clinical psychologist and author. Lisa joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how well fear immersion actually works, the three categories of temperament, and how the treatment of trauma has changed. Lisa and Dax talk about abnormal psychology, what caused the adolescent mental health crisis, and why the pandemic was so detrimental for teenagers. Lisa explains how social media has influenced self-diagnosis of disorders, why showing emotion is ...
Synced: Manscraping
March 20, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourIn this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz share childhood food traumas, a special guest joins to discuss manscaping, and Liz regales another plane event. They answer listener questions on how to stomach "baby talk" in a relationship, learning to orgasm in your twenties, and whether to match outfits with a significant other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Lord of the Rings
March 19, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier still finds himself stranded back in New Zealand, waiting for his new Visa to be issued so he can make more American Flightless Birds. Cut off from America, he decides to do one of the most touristy things he can imagine: he sets off for Matamata and the tiny sleepy village of Hobbiton. Left over from the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit, he goes to meet Hobbiton general manager Shayne Forrest, who takes Farrier around the most incredibly de...
Conor McGregor & Jake Gyllenhaal
March 18, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourConor McGregor is a mixed martial arts fighter, businessman, and actor. Jake Gyllenhaal is an actor. Conor and Jake join the Armchair Expert to discuss what their experience was collaborating to remake Roadhouse, how promoting a movie is different than promoting a fight, and what the motivation was for Conor to learn mixed martial arts as a young man. Conor, Jake, and Dax talk about what it’s like growing up in hypermasculine environments, how they approach failure, and what it’s like raising...
Armchair Anonymous: Cult
March 15, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they escaped a cult. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bill Gates Returns
March 14, 2024 07:30 - 1 hourBill Gates is a businessman, investor, and philanthropist. Bill returns to the Armchair Expert (from India!) to discuss the process of partnering with governments to provide vaccines, what data he looks at to assess what a successful project is, and why he is comfortable being critical of others' ideas. Bill and Dax talk about how impactful having a good meeting with peers can be, how important it is to admit that you aren’t an expert at something, and what superpowers they would want. Bill e...
Synced: Gate Boyfriend
March 13, 2024 07:30 - 52 minutesIn this episode of Synced, Liz shares her latest meet cute with Monica, they discuss phone background etiquette, and talk through how they would respond if one of them committed murder. They deep dive into a listener question on how to handle an odorous coworker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Feijoas
March 12, 2024 07:30 - 45 minutesThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier finds himself stranded back in New Zealand, waiting for his new American Visa to be issued. He decides to investigate New Zealand’s most famous fruit - not the kiwifruit, but the feijoa. They’re an icon in New Zealand, put in everything from chocolate to vodka. Farrier then sets out to understand why the feijoa has never taken off in America - and is shocked to find an underground network of feijoa lovers throughout California. Learn more about your...
Maisie Williams
March 11, 2024 07:30 - 2 hoursMaisie Williams (Game of Thrones, The New Look, Pistol) is an actor. Maisie joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how she connects with other young actors who achieve success early, how her relationship with doing press has evolved, and how she originally wanted to be a dancer. Maisie and Dax talk about what it’s like to be on a massive television show, having to learn to use a sword with her opposite hand, and growing up on a tv set. Maisie explains how the golden era of fashion happened duri...
Armchair Anonymous: Cheated
March 08, 2024 08:30 - 50 minutesDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they cheated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Angela Duckworth Returns
March 07, 2024 08:30 - 2 hoursAngela Duckworth (Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance) is a psychologist and author. Angela returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss why she doesn’t like to swear, how language has evolved, and the maturity principle. Angela and Dax talk about the multiple selves problem, how most people never change their stance on topics, and how we can trigger our best modes that are most useful for a given situation. Angela explains psychological distance, why uncertainty can cause anxiety, and t...
Synced: Breaking News
March 06, 2024 08:30 - 46 minutesIn this episode of Synced, Monica recounts her personal experience in India, Liz announces her new alcohol exception, and they discuss feeling younger the older they get. They answer listener questions on whether to tell a friend not to go through with a marriage and how, as a man, to respond to female friends who make broad generalizations about men. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Smokey Bear
March 05, 2024 08:30 - 47 minutesThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets out to understand the origins of Smokey Bear, an educational mascot who’s turned into the longest-running PSA in American history. Farrier then gets a tip that there is a real Smokey Bear, so travels to the sleepy town of Capitan, New Mexico. Farrier searches for Smokey’s alleged gravesite, meeting with park ranger “Max” to understand the secrets of Smokey, a bear that ended up with their own Zip Code. Along the way, Farrier learns about anothe...
Goldie Hawn
March 04, 2024 08:30 - 1 hourGoldie Hawn (Overboard, The First Wives Club, Death Becomes Her) is an actor, producer, and director. Goldie joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what she misses about being anonymous in public, how important approval from your parents is, and the successes of Roy Russell. Goldie and Dax talk about how she navigated her depression, how to respond to people who think you’re a stereotype, and how to deal with narcissists. Goldie explains why she wanted to start an educational foundation that fo...
Jared Cohen Returns
February 29, 2024 08:30 - 2 hoursJared Cohen (Life After Power, Accidental Presidents) is an author and businessman. Jared returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss what other oddities he collects from former US Presidents, the burden of legacy, and the history of third parties in the presidential elections. Jared and Dax talk about why authority in institutions matters, how much being a politician has changed, and the impact of geopolitics on business. Jared explains the relationship between ambition and happiness, how soci...
Synced: The Pool
February 28, 2024 08:30 - 46 minutesIn this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz discuss their nonnegotiables in a relationship, Monica tells an ex she doesn't want to be friends, and they debate the orange peel theory. They answer listener questions on how to turn down a drink from a stranger at a bar, asking for a prenup, and supporting a friend's financial endeavors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Costco
February 27, 2024 08:30 - 52 minutesThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets out to understand Costco, the giant membership warehouse club loved by millions of Americans, a store that now pulls in $64 billion in revenue each year. Farrier meets up with a friend of the show Andy, who takes David inside Costco for his first shopping trip. David is so impressed he signs up as a card-carrying Costco member, before returning with a former staff member to get the goss. Finally, Farrier talks to a staff member who’s been at Co...
Bradley Cooper Returns
February 26, 2024 08:30 - 2 hoursBradley Cooper (Maestro, A Star is Born, Silver Linings Playbook) is an award-winning actor, producer, and filmmaker. Bradley returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss why it’s important to be a good dancer, his new love of reality television, and how much he’s worked on improving his self-esteem. Bradley and Dax talk about their morning rituals, how they’ve learned to evaluate their own stories, and how fulfilling it has been to become a parent. Bradley explains the importance of having empa...
Armchair Anonymous: Greatest Fear
February 23, 2024 08:30 - 48 minutesDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time their greatest fear came true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob Reiner
February 22, 2024 08:30 - 2 hoursRob Reiner (God & Country, Spinal Tap, All in the Family) is an actor and filmmaker. Rob joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1960 World Series, why he prefers directing over acting and writing, and what it was like working with Martin Scorsese. Rob and Dax talk about their time in improv groups, the rise of All in the Family, and how fascinated they both are with Russia. Rob explains how much he looked up to and wanted to be like his father, why C...
Synced: DePENS
February 21, 2024 08:30 - 53 minutesIn this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz debate the price of authenticity and revisit the pen conversation from last week, but this time include an expert. They answer listener questions on handling patriarchy in the workplace, getting over a comparison to an unflattering animal, and feeling shame for wanting one's partner to be more masculine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Roswell
February 20, 2024 08:30 - 55 minutesThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets out to the town of Roswell, New Mexico - home of the 1947 UFO crash that ignited the imagination of the entire planet. After visiting the Roswell UFO Museum, Farrier sets out to see what makes Roswell, well, Roswell. He meets up with artist Michael Beitz who runs the Meow Cat Sanctuary, before getting some Mexican food with local cowboy “Spider Dailey”, who fills Farrier in on the local military academy… and how to be an anarchist. He also goes...
Camila Mendes
February 19, 2024 08:30 - 2 hoursCamila Mendes (Riverdale, Upgraded, Música) is an actor and producer. Camila joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how young artists are often more vulnerable to the public, how much she has started to lean into her culture, and learning Alexander technique. Camila and Dax talk about what types of people they are attracted to, what it’s like to know a second language with a significant other, and how to balance family dynamics. Camila explains how she booked a TV show while still in acting sch...
Armchair Anonymous: Valentine's Day Disaster
February 16, 2024 08:30 - 1 hourDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a Valentine’s Day disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Charles Duhigg (on being a supercommunicator)
February 15, 2024 08:30 - 2 hoursCharles Duhigg (Supercommunicators, The Power of Habit) is a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and best-selling author. Charles joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the difference in culture at the LA Times and New York Times, the benefits of bettering your communication, and how well humans can detect inauthenticity. Charles and Dax talk about how our brains latch on to vulnerability, the three types of conversations, and the importance of matching them. Charles explains that successful conv...
Synced: The Recital
February 14, 2024 08:30 - 58 minutesIn this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz perform their 'hot girl hobby' challenges, they discuss misplaced anger on the internet, and question if taking a pen is considered stealing. They answer listener questions on whether one should buy gifts for others when it's not reciprocated and how to help a friend who unknowingly struggles with how to apply makeup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Donuts
February 13, 2024 08:30 - 45 minutesThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets out to understand why Americans guzzle down over 10 billion donuts every year. He sets off with his friends Andrew and Lauren to sample some Californian donuts, before meeting up with Emily Taing. Tang is behind Pink Box Stories (@pinkboxstories) on Instagram and educates David about the origins of the donut’s famous pink boxes, and the importance of America’s mom-and-pop donuts stores. David then sets his sights on the big East Coast chain - D...
Jason Bateman Returns Again
February 12, 2024 08:30 - 2 hoursJason Bateman (SmartLess, Ozark, Arrested Development) is an actor, director, producer, and podcaster. Jason joins the Armchair Expert to revisit the wiping debate, reveal he’s a Capricorn, and explore why he distances himself from his intellect. Jason and Dax discuss how much they enjoy being with someone who’s the opposite of them, their shared fear of becoming empty nesters, and the two have a sneeze-off. Jason talks about how seriously he takes the responsibility of leadership, how SmartL...
Armchair Anonymous: Accidentally Naked
February 09, 2024 08:30 - 55 minutesDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they accidentally ended up naked. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices