Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
642 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 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
The Good Place Week: Mike Schur
September 26, 2018 08:00 - 1 hour - 110 MBEpisode 3 of The Good Place week shines a light on the man behind the curtain, Mike Schur. Mike (The Office, Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn 99) sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his philosophy on always “punching up”, he breaks down white privilege, details the many facets of showrunning and he gives a sweet anecdote that sums up Regis Philbin’s character. Dax and Mike discuss the virtues and pitfalls of Andrew Dice Clay, they talk about Mike’s attraction to equality and they com...
The Good Place Week: D'Arcy Carden
September 25, 2018 08:00 - 1 hour - 99.4 MBThe Good Place week episode 2 is brought to you by American actress, comedian, and most lovable robot, D’Arcy Carden. D’Arcy sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss her epiphany about confidence, she reveals which bodily function made her husband fall in love with her and she talks about the struggle with making a non-human character resonate with humans. The two talk about the ethical dilemma of student/teacher relationships, D’Arcy perfects the O’Reilly jingle and Dax, as to be expe...
The Good Place Week: Ted Danson
September 24, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 118 MBThe Good Place week commences with American actor, producer and National Treasure, Ted Danson. Ted sits down with the Armchair Expert to reminisce on his early years in an unconventional upbringing, he explains the juxtaposition between playing a cool guy on TV despite feeling profoundly uncool in life and he discusses his ride through life on the back of a pickup truck. Dax refers to the first time he met Ted on the street in 1996 and he laments being unable to pronounce Ted’s name. Ted rev...
Ike Barinholtz
September 17, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 124 MBIke Barinholtz (Mad TV, The Mindy Project, Neighbors, Blockers) is an American comedian, screenwriter, actor and most likable human. Ike sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his time on Mad TV, he recalls lying to his parents about dropping out of college and he details a demoralizing job as a telemarketer. Dax attributes his current sense of humor to a young encounter with men on work release and Ike is too tired to make love at night. Dax and Ike do impressions of nearly every hum...
Kathryn Hahn
September 10, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 153 MBKathryn Hahn (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Step Brothers, Bad Moms, Transparent) is an American actress, comedian and special soul. Kathryn sits down with the Armchair Expert to talk about her early experience with facades and vulnerability, she discusses the different facets of monogamy and she enlightens us on her young obsession with the Amish. Dax and Kathryn fall in love with each other over their shared taste in music, they discuss defensiveness in the current political clim...
EXPERTS ON EXPERT: Keith Morrison
September 06, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 115 MBIn this episode of Experts on Expert, the Armchair Expert speaks with broadcast journalist and Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison about the difference between Canadian journalism and American journalism, his reluctance to appear self-aggrandizing and his most haunting experience as a journalist. Dax praises Keith's spectacular ability to craft language and Keith tells the story of how he cut off his thumb. The two discuss the impossible role of a step-parent, the correct way to evade spou...
Matthew Lillard
September 03, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 127 MBMatthew Lillard (Serial Mom, Scream, Scooby Doo, The Descendants, Good Girls) is an American actor, voice actor, director, producer and human lighthouse. Matthew sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his early experience as a mime named TTAM, having to reinvent his life after an inexplicable period of not working and he labels his ultimate pursuit to remain artistic. Dax decides Matthew was the right man to date the love of his life and Matthew tells the story of how he was cast as t...
Jason Bateman
August 27, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 128 MBJason Bateman (Arrested Development, Silver Spoons, Juno, Ozark) is an American actor, director, producer and longtime friend of the Armchair Expert. Jason sits down with Dax to discuss tales of sobriety, parenthood and the formula for a deadpan delivery. Jason reveals his many idiosyncrasies and Dax credits Jason for proposing to Kristen. The two of them chat about their mutual ex-scumbaggery, they reminisce on Dax's nude scene in This is Where I Leave You and Dax defends his unique style o...
Colin Hanks & Allison Tolman
August 20, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 160 MBIn this special FARGO combo episode of Armchair Expert, Colin Hanks (Orange County, King Kong, Life In Pieces) and Allison Tolman (Downward Dog, Krampus, Good Girls) sit down with the armchair expert to discuss one of Dax and Monica's favorite TV shows, Fargo. Colin discusses the balance between work and family, how he was almost cast as Dax's role in Zathura and the misconceptions people assume about his life and childhood. Allison talks about what it was like doing press with an animal, he...
Seth Rogen
August 13, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 134 MBSeth Rogen (Freaks and Geeks, Knocked Up, Superbad, Pineapple Express, Steve Jobs) is a Canadian actor, voice actor, comedian, writer, producer, director and one of the most prolific humans to walk into the attic. Seth sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss how karate gave him an incongruous level of confidence, he talks about his relationship to marijuana and doing stand up comedy at the age of 13. Dax commends Seth's healthy relationship with money and Seth shares his personal feeli...
Vincent D'Onofrio
August 06, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 117 MBVincent D’Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket, Daredevil, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) is an American actor, producer and one of Dax’s acting heroes. Vincent sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his struggle during childhood, the series of events that led to Full Metal Jacket and his aversion to sports metaphors. Dax refuses to accept he wasn’t cast in Vincent’s movie and Vincent is disturbed by the dog print in the attic. They talk about their mutual reluctance to owe others in any capacit...
EXPERTS ON EXPERT: Jon Favreau
August 02, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 110 MBJon Favreau an American political commentator, creator and co-host of Pod Save America and the former Director of Speechwriting for President Barack Obama. In this chapter of Experts on Expert, Jon discusses his heartbreak on the 2004 Kerry campaign, his devotion to the democratic ideal of persuasion and he details his farcical experience sharing a name with the other Jon Favreau. Dax chooses to see America as two spouses in a rocky marriage and Jon shares the story of his first meeting wit...
David Harbour
July 30, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 156 MBDavid Harbour (Stranger Things, The Green Hornet, Revolutionary Road) is an American actor and the man Dax deems the most masculine man to walk into the attic. David sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his proclivity for denouncing intellectuals, his fear that we are losing our empathy and his experience with bipolar disorder. David debunks the misconception that affliction is necessary for creativity and Dax details the mechanics of the microwave oven. Dax and David bond over the...
Mila Kunis
July 23, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 147 MBMila Kunis (Black Swan, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, That 70’s Show, Friends with Benefits) is an American actress, producer and self-proclaimed armcherry. She sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss her immigration to America at the age of seven, her commitment to exploring various roles and her personal evolution to knowing her worth. Mila talks about her decision to openly embrace her flaws and Dax is shocked by Mila’s startlingly high level of adjustment. The two discuss Mila’s relat...
Nick Kroll
July 16, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 126 MBNick Kroll (Kroll Show, The League, Big Mouth) is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer and Dax’s favorite person to run into on the street. Nick sits down with the armchair expert to discuss his inability to stay awake, his first game night at Kristen Bell’s house and how his family’s wealth informed his current relationship to money. Nick talks about his most informative working experience and Dax shares his run-in with Mike Tyson. The two bond over a shared proclivity to say the e...
EXPERTS ON EXPERT: David Sedaris
July 12, 2018 08:00 - 1 hour - 108 MBIn this episode of Experts on Expert, the Armchair Expert speaks to author and humorist, David Sedaris about behavioral tics, and value of writing without preciousness and his provocative encounters at book signings. David talks about the authors he is inspired by and Dax tells a story about why he can't drink Pellegrino. The two of them breakdown the dilemma of sharing family stories, the current culture of sensitivity and their mutual path to sobriety. David Sedaris -- is the author of B...
Portugal. The Man (John Gourley & Zachary Carothers)
July 09, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 111 MBJohn Gourley and Zachary Carothers are members of the American Rock Band, Portugal. The Man. They sit down with the Armchair Expert to discuss the pressure of following up a Grammy, dog sled culture in Alaska, and the value of paying homage to other artists. Zach and John give insight into recording artists they admire and Dax is baffled at their general lack of jackassery. They talk about the elusiveness of a pop hit, the highs and lows of being "known" and Monica and Dax reach new levels o...
Dax's Mom (Laura Labo)
July 02, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 146 MBLaura Labo (Dax's Mom) is an American entrepreneur, businesswoman and Dax's #1 love of his life. In this special episode, Laura sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss her life story, the mistakes that made her and the struggle of raising a family as a single mother. Dax describes the many reasons he loves her and Laura talks about the recent death of her husband. The two of them travel down memory lane in a delightful and endearing lovefest in which they talk about Laura's bouts with ...
Mae Whitman
June 25, 2018 08:00 - 2 hours - 125 MBMae Whitman (Parenthood, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Hope Floats, Good Girls) is an American actress and singer, but paramount to all of that she is Dax's sweet bebe. Mae sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss her 28 year long career as an actress, how she juggled acting and childhood, and she doubles down on her undying love of Taylor Swift. In this lovefest, Dax gush's over Mae's superior personality and Mae talks about her experience doing full nudity on stage. The two of them rev...
Kaitlin Olson
June 18, 2018 09:00 - 2 hours - 111 MBKaitlin Olson (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Finding Dory, The Mick) is an American actress, producer, comedian and one of Dax's first friends in Los Angeles. Kaitlin sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss a childhood accident that sparked years of insecurity, her need for perfection and her struggle with balancing motherhood and work. Dax and Kaitlin speculate on why they got kicked out of the Groundlings, their mutual undying love for Rob McElhenney and a drug-induced adventure...
Talib Kweli
June 11, 2018 09:00 - 2 hours - 159 MBTalib Kweli is an American hip hop recording artist, entrepreneur and social activist. He sits down with the Armchair Expert where they have an honest debate about many social issues plaguing America today. They touch on all of the topics one would generally avoid at the dinner table including race, gender and religion. In addition, Talib talks about his place in the hip-hop world, his parents' emphasis on education and his counterview to Sam Harris. Dax and Talib reminisce about an altercat...
EXPERTS ON EXPERT: Wendy Mogel
June 07, 2018 09:00 - 2 hours - 111 MBIn this inaugural episode of Experts on Expert, the Armchair Expert speaks to author and child psychologist, Dr. Wendy Mogel about human patterns of behavior, the impact of social media on the family and the importance of free-reign grandparenting. Wendy gives advice on how to speak to children and Dax asks for reassurance on his parenting strategy. The two of them breakdown the moral dilemma of behavioral diagnoses, the role of fear and Wendy discusses a study that uncovered the one thing ...
Erika Christensen
June 04, 2018 09:00 - 2 hours - 123 MBErika Christensen (Traffic, Swimfan, Parenthood) is an American actress and one of Dax's most beloved TV sisters. Erika sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss her journey as a child actor, her emphasis on clarity and recall, and the areas in which Scientology has informed her worldview. Erika details her days as a cyclist and Dax talks about his favorite scene on Parenthood, They discuss some of their earliest memories of one another, the importance of B vitamins and how bystanders co...
Johnny Knoxville
May 28, 2018 09:00 - 1 hour - 96.1 MBJohnny Knoxville (Jackass, Jackass The Movie, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, The Ringer) is an American actor, producer, screenwriter and stunt performer. He sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his early relationship with hospitals, his love of hillbilly culture and the mindset he enters before attempting a stunt. Johnny details some of his notable injuries and Dax reveals why he thought Johnny didn't like him. The two talk about the power of children to save their parents, the imp...
Marc Maron
May 21, 2018 09:00 - 1 hour - 73.2 MBMarc Maron (WTF with Marc Maron, Maron, Glow) is an American comedian, actor, podcast host and the impetus for Armchair Expert. In this episode, Marc discusses his trajectory toward success, the license that comes with playing flawed characters and the particularly intimate connection between podcast hosts and their audience. Dax and Marc hash out an uncomfortable text exchange they had a few months back and the two of them question whether achieving success has the power to heal wounds. The...
Bob Mervak
May 14, 2018 09:00 - 1 hour - 106 MBBob Mervak is an American pianist, vocalist, songwriter and studio writer. He sits down at his keyboard to share some music and conversation with the Armchair Expert. Bob discusses his childhood best friendship with Kristen Bell, the experience of composing a movie score and what it was like to play music for George Clooney. Bob talks about the importance of enjoying music regardless of its technical proficiency and Dax serenades us with a very blue rendition of Silver Bells. The two questi...
Joel McHale
May 07, 2018 09:00 - 1 hour - 81.7 MBJoel McHale (The Soup, Community, The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale) is an American comedian, actor and television host extraordinaire. Joel sits down with Dax to discuss his childhood diagnosis of “slow starter,” the trap of overcommitment and the hang up’s that come from working in reality TV. Joel impresses Dax with his stature and Dax opens up a controversial conversation about societal punishment. The two talk about the evolutionary benefit of dyslexia, their mutual experience with ...
Chris Hardwick
April 30, 2018 09:00 - 1 hour - 103 MBChris Hardwick is an American stand-up comedian, actor, voice actor, television host, writer, producer, podcaster and king of the world. Chris takes time out of his impossibly busy schedule to sit down with the Armchair Expert and discuss his road to sobriety, the Dunning-Kruger effect, the entrapment of confirmation bias and why we should all be referring to bowling alleys as bowling centers. Chris reveals why calculating data is the trick to betterment and Dax unfairly accuses Chris of hav...
Seth Green
April 23, 2018 09:00 - 1 hour - 96.5 MBSeth Green is an American actor, voice artist, comedian, producer, writer, director and one of Dax's true loves of his life. Seth sits down with the Armchair Expert to travel down memory lane and discuss how Seth got Dax cast in Without A Paddle, why Seth was the worst mark in Punk'd history and Seth's affinity for zero gravity. Seth talks about his experience as a first time director and Dax chronicles the 72 hours he spent on their press tour that ultimately led to his relapse. They talk a...
Katie Couric
April 16, 2018 09:00 - 2 hours - 115 MBKatie Couric is an American journalist, author and general badass. Katie sits down with the Armchair Expert to talk about her new documentary series, the current societal emphasis on political correctness, the influx of confirmation bias and her personal experience losing a spouse. Dax debates the efficacy of empathy and Katie implores our listeners to rename her podcast. Dax and Katie discuss her watershed interview with Sarah Palin, the balance between work and motherhood and Monica and Da...
Lauren Graham
April 09, 2018 09:00 - 1 hour - 102 MBLauren Graham (Gilmore Girls, Parenthood, Bad Santa, Even Almighty) is an American actress, author and is Dax's beloved TV sister. Lauren sits down with Dax to discuss her colorful childhood, the fear of slowing down and her lack of a maternal influence. Lauren expresses a reluctance to accept social media and Dax shares a method he implemented to curb addiction. They touch on their mutual appreciation for Parenthood, how Chaz Dean transformed the LA billboard scene, and Dax and Monica have ...
Zach Braff
April 02, 2018 09:00 - 2 hours - 119 MBZach Braff (Scrubs, Garden State, Alex Inc.) is an American actor, writer and producer. In this doppelgänger episode, Zach and Dax discuss the unending hardship of being recognized as the other, the first time they were sexually aroused and their mutual love of Brad Pitt and Natalie Portman. Zach talks about his experience of growing up with therapist parents and Dax details his Shaun Of The Dead moment. The two of them discuss the emotional trap of dating “out of their league”, the uphill b...
Anna Faris
March 26, 2018 09:00 - 1 hour - 102 MBAnna Faris (Scary Movie, The House Bunny, Mom, Anna Faris is Unqualified Podcast) is an American actress, producer and comedian. Anna and Dax crack open a can of Redbull and discuss honesty in parenting, becoming the mayor of The Grove shopping mall and gender roles in partnerships. Dax reveals the details of his open relationship and Anna questions the potential negative effect of pornography. The two of them dissect the pay disparity between men and women, the expectations that come with ...
Van Hunt
March 19, 2018 09:00 - 2 hours - 120 MBVan Hunt is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and one of Dax’s longtime obsessions. Van sits down with the armchair expert to discuss his colorful upbringing, his unconventional musical process and the connection between music and comedy. The two of them bond over a history of strong mothers and they ask the question scholars have been debating since the beginning of time: are blind people really blind? Van explains his acceptance of never fitting into a ...
Ellen DeGeneres
March 12, 2018 09:00 - 53 minutes - 48.8 MBEllen DeGeneres (Ellen, The Ellen DeGeneres show) is an American comedian, daytime talk show host, actress, writer, producer and one of Dax’s true loves. Ellen sits down with Dax in her podcast debut to discuss getting invited to Johnny Carson’s couch, reinventing a career at age 45 and the fall out of her public coming out. Dax admits men are disgusting and Ellen reveals she questioned whether she would make it to adulthood. They talk about what its like to be an unintentional advocate for ...
Adam Scott
March 05, 2018 10:00 - 1 hour - 97.1 MBAdam Scott (Parks and Recreation, Big Little Lies, Step Brothers) is an actor, producer and genuinely one of the nicest people Dax has ever hated. Adam sits down with the armchair expert to discuss how he fell backwards into comedy after seeking a career in dramatic acting, his hero worship of Spike Lee and the two of them discuss why they had a mutual unappreciation for the other before they met. Dax tells the story of how he unpredictably ended up on Letterman and Adam speaks about his st...
Pete Wentz
February 26, 2018 10:00 - 2 hours - 120 MBPete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) is an American musician and the kindest rock star Dax has ever known. In this episode of Armchair Expert, Pete sits down with Dax to examine his journey as a young musician, he explains how his son pulled him out of a depression and he tells the story of how James Gandolfini accidentally promoted his new bar. Dax talks about hitting his rock bottom in Hawaii and Pete reveals his connection to Muhammad Ali. They explore what it’s like to be a normal person turned r...
Jimmy Kimmel
February 19, 2018 10:00 - 1 hour - 109 MBJimmy Kimmel (Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Man Show, Win Ben Stein's Money) is a late night host, comedian and one of Dax's best friends who he never sees. In this episode of Armchair Expert, Dax and Jimmy discuss the origin of Jimmy Kimmel Live and why tomatoes are fascinating. Jimmy recounts how he accidentally learned to play the clarinet, the time he willed a tsunami into existence and he reveals Dax's next birthday present. Dax talks about his scariest adult moment to date and how Jimmy is ge...
Joy Bryant
February 14, 2018 10:00 - 2 hours - 122 MBJoy Bryant (Parenthood, Good Girls Revolt, Antwone Fisher) is an actress, writer, model and played Dax's TV wife for 6 years on NBC’s Parenthood. In this episode of Armchair Expert, Joy and Dax touch on their favorite subject: race in America. They also discuss their sense memory of government cheese, how humans code switch to match their environment, the sociological experience of doing drugs and how to reframe negative perspectives of their childhood. Most importantly they acknowledge thei...
Ashton Kutcher
February 14, 2018 09:30 - 2 hours - 114 MBAshton Kutcher (The Ranch, That 70's Show) is an actor, investor and the prime person Dax credits for his break into Hollywood. In this episode of Armchair Expert, Ashton and Dax discuss their time on Punk'd together, feeling stuck in the cultural zeitgeist as one particular role and the sisyphean climb to satisfaction. Ashton discusses commerce, art, and the importance of social influence in entertainment. They, also, talk about what it's like to be married to powerhouse ladies, the differe...
Kristen Bell
February 14, 2018 09:00 - 2 hours - 111 MBKristen Bell (The Good Place, Veronica Mars, Frozen, Bad Moms) is an actress, singer, philanthropist and married to the most handsome man in the universe. In this inaugural episode of Armchair Expert, Kristen and Dax discuss what makes their marriage work and Dax recounts why he assumed Kristen had breast implants for the first three months of dating. Kristen explains her life philosophy and how it dictates her every decision and she warns people of why they should never sit next to her in a...
Introducing: Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
February 06, 2018 21:00 - 3 minutes - 3.47 MBWhat 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.