Hi, 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.
Follow Armchair Expert on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Armchair Expert early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard/ now.
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy divorce. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jay Shetty (On Purpose, 8 Rules of Love) is an author and podcaster. Jay joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he decided to live as a monk for three years, his journey to becoming a life coach, and how his philosophy of teaching from ancient wisdom. Jay and Dax talk about how Indians are portrayed in pop culture, the problems with hero-worshipping, and how beautiful Jay's eyes are. Jay explains why he stays away from teaching with his own life as an example, that having child-like wonder can...
Kurtwood Smith (That 90's Show, That 70's Show, Patriot) is an actor. Kurtwood joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he discovered acting in college, his move from the midwest to Los Angeles, and his original reluctance to do comedy. Kurtwood and Dax talk about the dialogue and tone of Patriot, how they became close friends while shooting El Camino Christmas, and their experiences with using opioids for acute pain. Kurtwood explains how he likes to prepare for his scenes, what going to Stanfo...
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they were caught. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Stephen Dubner (Freakonomics, No Stupid Questions) is an author, journalist, and podcaster. Stephen returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss why people often focus on the negative aspects of experiences, the maker vs manager conflict, and the struggles of religious fundamentalism. Stephen and Dax talk about the frustration of humans' inability to change, what the different types of large cats are, and why people want adoration from others of higher status. Stephen explains why creative people c...
Jenna Ortega (Wednesday, Scream, X) is an actor. Jenna joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her relationship with her self-esteem, why she doesn't like watching her own performances, and growing to be very protective of Wednesday. Jenna & Dax discuss the expectations of constant gratitude, the feelings of isolation that come with it, and the juxtaposition of what people see for her vs what she sees for herself. Jenna talks about the iconic dance scene in Wednesday, attending her Disney prom,...
David Remnick (editor of The New Yorker) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, journalist, and editor. David joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what working in Soviet-era Moscow was like, how his parents' health affected his upbringing, and his experience interviewing novelist Salman Rushdie. David and Dax talk about why violent sports are so appealing, what the public image of The New Yorker is, and their shared love and admiration of Malcolm Gladwell. David explains what his thoughts are on th...
Shania Twain is a singer-songwriter. Shania joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what breaking into the country music scene from Canada was like, how she always enjoyed indulging in her creative outlets, and the root of her stage fright. Shania and Dax talk about how their family dynamics shaped their careers, how she allows herself to trust too much, and her relationship with her stepdad. Shania explains how she developed her armor, the pressures of sustaining success, and how processing needs ...
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy sleepwalking experience. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Kelly Slater (Make or Break) is a professional surfer. Kelly joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he was drawn to surfing over other sports, what it was like being featured in a documentary series about his career, and how he balances his personal life from his public one. Kelly and Dax talk about their experiences with stepdads, what the mental health journey is like for action sports athletes, and getting a role on Baywatch. Kelly explains what the feeling of winning gives him, what he doe...
Paul Rudd (Ant-Man, I Love You Man, Clueless) is an actor. Paul joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the importance of male friendship, why he's gotten more introverted as he's gotten old, and how he doesn't seem to age. Paul and Dax talk about what it's been like for him to join culturally impactful things after they've started, relating to the funny part of dramatic things, and how much his foundation gave him confidence. Paul explains the joy he gets from watching funny people do what they do...
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a pet sitting incident gone wrong. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dr. Andrew Newberg (The Varieties of Spiritual Experience) is a neuroscientist and author. Andrew joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the different levels of enlightenment, what happens to the brain when people connect with others, and how neuroscience does not prove or disprove any religious experiences. Andrew and Dax talk about what happens when people use psychedelic drugs, what the brain is doing when you are dreaming, and the benefits of meditation. Andrew explains the possible causes of ...
Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face, Russian Doll, Orange Is the New Black) is an actor, writer, director, and producer. Natasha joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how impressed she is with Dax's driving, how men have been trying to sire her children lately, and her thoughts on talking about sobriety publicly. Natasha explains why she is less and less interested in her own story, her desire to try on different perspectives, and her deep curiosity about the future. Dax & Natasha discuss their abilit...
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a Valentine's day disaster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Tess Wilkinson-Ryan (Fool Proof) is a law professor, moral psychologist, and author. Tess joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the concept of the sucker narrative, how she approaches teaching contract law to her students, and what societal norms are universally accepted for parenthood. Tess and Dax talk about how much responsibility is on an exploiter versus the victim of a scam, why government is held to a different standard than big business, and the thin line between scammer and sucker. Tess ...
Ramy Youssef (Ramy, Mo, Mr. Robot) is an actor, comedian, writer, and director. Ramy joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what his favorite comedies are, the current state of religion, and why he feels American Exceptionalism needs to end. Ramy and Dax talk about being born into a certain culture or faith, their experiences with drugs and alcohol, and how to handle the attention of being recognizable. Ramy explains what he means by people "living in the unseen," his obsession with candy, and how...
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy rideshare experience. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chris Palmer (Brain Energy) is a psychiatrist, professor, and author. Chris joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he believes mitochondria can be the key to treating mental disorders, how his mother's condition motivated him to become a psychiatrist, and what psychosis is. Chris and Dax talk about how diet plays a role in treating metabolic disorders, their experiences with father figures from their childhood, and the different reasons people experience anxiety or depression. Chris explains h...
Pamela Anderson (Love, Pamela, Baywatch, Barb Wire) is an actress and model. Pamela joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how she got into acting, why she loves writing more than talking, and how she learned to love being by herself. Pamela and Dax talk about love addiction, the culture of misogyny, and how to have fun being sober. Pamela explains why she is passionate about animal welfare issues, how she ended up doing a Broadway musical, and why she loves waking up early in the morning. See Pri...
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their worst honeymoon experience. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Scott Galloway (Adrift: America in 100 Charts, The Prof G Pod) is a professor, author, and podcaster. Scott joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he defines masculinity, the current state of the college admission process, and how humor is the fastest way to communicate intelligence. Scott and Dax talk about their addiction to affirmations from strangers, why young men need guardrails, and how liberating it can be to see the end coming. Scott explains that happiness is a function of the number...
Octavia Spencer (Truth Be Told, The Help, Hidden Figures) is an award-winning actress and producer. Octavia joins the Armchair Expert to discuss being forced to grow up quickly, insecurities around auditioning for roles, and the difference between being nice and being kind. Octavia and Dax talk about being in a comedy troupe together, the time Dax met Samuel L. Jackson, and their fascination with serial killers. Octavia explains why it's important to know your value as an actor, how winning an O...
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their craziest period hijinx. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
José Andrés (Longer Tables, World Central Kitchen) is an award-winning chef. José joins the Armchair Expert to discuss where his passion for cooking came from, why he started filming cooking segments with his family, and his thoughts on fast food. José and Dax talk about their favorite burgers, what all great chefs have in common, and his experience doing humanitarian work in Ukraine. José explains that food should be a universal human right, what the most dangerous thing he did on television wa...
Paul Scheer (Unspooled, How Did This Get Made, The League) is an actor, comedian, and podcaster. Paul joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the magic behind a great movie, how he keeps balance in his relationships, and why he has a problem with board games. Paul and Dax talk about what it's like to have male role models that aren't their fathers, why they still have a frugal mentality when it comes to money, and what the audition process for Saturday Night Live was like. Paul explains why people ...
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their worst experience with a roommate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dr. Sue Johnson (Hold Me Tight) is a clinical psychologist and author. Dr. Sue Johnson joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the differences between practical and theoretical psychology, why acknowledging that people's emotions are real is important, and how humans have an organic need to be social. Dax and Sue talk about how men are taught to not be vulnerable, why people want to feel like they matter to other people, and why humans should be curious about other humans' experiences. Sue explains...
Anna Kendrick (Alice, Darling, Pitch Perfect, Trolls) is an actor. Anna joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her experience being in a toxic relationship, how she feels about the term "gaslighting," and her strategies in dealing with a traumatic event. Anna and Dax talk about apologizing after having fights with friends, why people sometimes need to vent about their problems, and the dynamic of women being the breadwinners in relationships. Anna explains why she has travel anxiety, how it's impo...
Phil Stutz (Stutz, The Tools) is a psychologist, therapist, and author. Phil joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what his experience was being the subject of a documentary, what it was like being a psychiatrist at Rikers Island prison, and how he can tell if someone is a narcissist. Phil and Dax talk about how abstract psychology can be, why people pursue perfection, and why it can be hard to ask for help from others. Phil explains why having structure in life is so important, how the world is ...
