#480: Dax Shepard on the Craft of Podcasting, Favorite Books, and Dancing With Your Demons

Tim Ferriss Show

Podcast Notes Key Takeaways What makes Dax happy today?Exercise plays a major key in his happinessGoing to AA meetings to stay sober Being of service to others is another essential value  Dax’s advice for dealing with a relapse:1) Understand the small steps that led to the relapse 2) Ask yourself, what am I trying to escape?3) Come clean and be honest with everyoneHow did Dax build such a successful podcast?He had an existing audience of fans from years of being a celebrityHe used his connections to get celebrities guests on the showOnce he had a few big name guests on, it became much easier to get more incredible people (like Bill Gates) on the showHe often shares vulnerable moments in his life which helps the guest open up about their life and share things they usually don’t share on other podcastsHe gives guests final say about the recording. The guest has the option to cut out any part of the podcast they want.Advice for young podcasters from Dax and Tim: Talk less and let your guests talk moreDon’t spend time trying to prove to your guest that you’re smartEnjoy the process of podcasting and don’t spend all your time staring at how many downloads you’re gettingPodcasting is a longterm game, you have to like the format of your show (interview, solo, produced, etc.)Talk to people and about topics that you personally find interestingA lot of public speakers and personalities tend to be afraid about getting vulnerable with their audience but Dax has only received positive comments when he’s opened up about his life“I’ve yet to see vulnerability met with shittiness thus far” – Dax Shepard

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Dax Shepard on the Craft of Podcasting, Favorite Books, and Dancing With Your Demons | Brought to you by ButcherBox premium meats delivered to your door, Oura smart ring wearable for personalized sleep and health insights, and Vuori comfortable and durable performance apparel

Dax Shepard (@daxshepard) is an American actor, writer, director, and podcast host. He is known for his work in the feature films Without a Paddle, Zathura: A Space Adventure, Employee of the Month, Idiocracy, Let’s Go to Prison, Hit and Run, and CHiPs, the last pair of which he also wrote and directed, and the MTV practical joke reality series Punk’d. He is also known for portraying Crosby Braverman in the NBC comedy-drama series Parenthood.

Since 2018, Dax has hosted the juggernaut podcast Armchair Expert, 2018’s most downloaded new podcast on Apple Podcasts, and winning “Breakout Podcast” at the 2019 iHeartRadio Podcast Awards. His roster of guests includes Kristen Bell, Ashton Kutcher, Alicia Keys, Chelsea Peretti, Sarah Silverman, Conan O’Brien, Seth Rogen, 50 Cent, Jimmy Kimmel, Alanis Morissette, and hundreds more. You can find Armchair Expert on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Please enjoy!

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