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 something they still haven’t confessed to their parents. 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pri...
Rebecca Lemov (The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyper-Persuasion) is a historian of science, author, and professor at Harvard. Rebecca joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the meet cute with her husband at the cafe where she was struggling to write her dissertation, how she fell under a romantic spell with anthropology as well as opioids, and the relationship between addiction and brainwashing. Rebecca and Dax talk about how Patty Hearst used brainwashing as a defense fo...
Dove Cameron (Too Much, Descendants, Liv and Maddie) is an Emmy Award-winning actor and singer. Dove joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the origins of bloomers, realizing she was a stimulus addict at a very young age, and her fear of offending the gooey duck community. Dove and Dax talk about spending her formative years in India for months at a time, her first music gig singing in the children’s ghost choir for Ryan Gosling’s Halloween band, and recognizing as early as she can remember that h...
Dax and Monica share heartwarming meet-cute stories from Armcherries. Heather recounts a dog bite leading to love, while Megan and Sean discuss a high school compatibility test that sparked their relationship. Julie shares a chaotic concert encounter, and Lee tells a tale of fate in a college dining hall. The hosts also reflect on the podcast's impact and sobriety discussions.
Herman Pontzer (Adaptable: How Your Unique Body Works and Why Our Biology Unites Us) is an evolutionary anthropologist, author, and associate professor at Duke University. Herman joins the Armchair Expert to discuss growing up at the end of a dirt road in a house his dad built, unpacking the dark history of anthropometry, and the ewok chapter of human evolution. Herman and Dax talk about why the brain is the most expensive organ in the body, how the first full human skeleton found being named af...
Eiza González (Ash, Baby Driver, 3 Body Problem) is an actor and singer. Eiza joins the Armchair Expert to discuss whether there is human DNA in hotdogs, how she wanted braces because all the cool girls had them, and being a patriotic Mexican. Eiza and Dax talk about her father’s priority always being for her to learn as many languages as possible, why her dad passing away suddenly influenced her to pursue acting full time, and experiencing insecurity when she started working in America. Eiza ex...
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they fought a wild animal. 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N...
Seth Rogen (The Studio, The Boys, Sausage Party) is an Emmy-nominated writer, actor, and director. Seth returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss Snoop Dogg being the only person that’s ever gotten him too high to function, how he’s a prime target for robbery and embezzlement, and why precision and comedy are hard things to marry. Seth and Dax talk about knowing that he’s drawn in a bad way to the joke he shouldn’t be making, why people want the R-rated version of superheroes on The Boys, and th...
Ike Barinholtz (The Studio, Running Point, The Mindy Project) is a comedian, actor, and writer. Ike returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss how the Declaration of Independence was really the result of one big goon fest, presenting like a dumbass while he’s actually a smartypants, and being one of one in the category of people Dax doesn’t mind being wrong to. Ike and Dax talk about why their leading man potential has only grown as they’ve reached middle age, lung chugging laughing gas while rec...
In this episode of Armchair Anonymous, Dax and Monica delve into listeners' crazy children's party stories, ranging from restaurant mishaps to parental pranks gone awry and accidental invites to child sex offenders. The hosts and guests share their own childhood memories and reflect on the unpredictable nature of celebrations involving kids.
Dr. Mary Claire Haver discusses menopause, HRT, and women's health, debunking myths and highlighting the lack of education in medicine. She emphasizes hormone therapy's benefits, the importance of early intervention, and lifestyle factors for healthy aging. The episode covers symptoms, treatment options, and societal biases affecting women's healthcare.
Andrew Schulz (Life, Schulz Saves America, Flagrant) is a comedian, actor, and podcaster. Andrew joins the Armchair Expert to discuss loving showing off his cha-cha at his mom’s ballroom dance studio, argue the significance of Alexander the Great being either Greek or Macedonian, and why after having a daughter there isn’t any gymnastics recital he doesn’t want to attend. Andrew and Dax talk about whether his confrontational style of comedy is rooted in his yearning to be liked, the fact that yo...
This episode of Armchair Anonymous features listeners sharing their dramatic and often humorous "I Quit" stories. Tales range from quitting after multiple near-death experiences at a wildlife agency to a teen's elaborate fake fall at Kmart. The episode explores themes of workplace frustration, personal safety, and the breaking points that lead to life-altering decisions.
Jonathan Haidt returns to discuss his book, The Anxious Generation, focusing on the impact of smartphones and social media on young people's mental health. He explores overprotection, attention fragmentation, addiction, and social deprivation, proposing solutions like delaying smartphone access and encouraging real-world independence. The conversation navigates complex issues of technology, ethics, and societal well-being, offering insights into the challenges faced by today's youth and potential paths forward.
Lauren Graham revisits Armchair Expert to discuss her new show, "The Z Suite," generational differences, and career pressures, while also delving into friendship dynamics, societal gender issues, and personal anecdotes, including her early career and thoughts on a Gilmore Girls revival.
In this episode of Armchair Anonymous, Dax and Monica share wild stories from listeners, including a flesh-eating bacteria infection after a shot, a disastrous whitewater rafting trip, and a bizarre erotic massage experience in Tanzania. Listeners recount near-death experiences, medical mishaps, and shocking travel encounters. The episode explores themes of resilience, unexpected dangers, and the importance of perspective.
Suzanne O’Sullivan (The Age of Diagnosis: How Our Obsession with Medical Labels Is Making Us Sicker) is a neurologist, clinical neuropsychologist, and award-winning writer. Suzanne joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why epilepsy is a very neglected area of medicine, that we can change the quality of our movements and how our body feels by our scrutiny of them, and how contagious collapse phenomena are a dime a dozen. Suzanne and Dax talk about the scientifically nonsensical myth of the sonic w...
Mindy Kaling discusses her career, cultural identity, and personal life with Dax Shepard, touching on topics such as diversity in Hollywood, motherhood, relationships, and the pursuit of success. They explore the challenges and triumphs of navigating cultural expectations, building a career, and finding personal fulfillment. The conversation is insightful, humorous, and reveals the complexities of Mindy's experiences and perspectives.
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about DIY projects gone wrong. 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ...
Dr. Blaise Aguirre, an expert in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), joins Armchair Expert to discuss BPD, suicidal ideation, and overcoming self-hatred. He explains the emotional dysregulation of BPD, the importance of DBT, and how to help those struggling with self-loathing. The discussion also covers differentiating between mood and personality disorders, trauma's impact, and strategies for managing relationships with individuals who have BPD.
Nikki Glaser (Alive and Unwell, Someday You’ll Die, Not Safe with Nikki Glaser) is a comedian, actor, and television host. Nikki joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why Dax’s name has good joke texture, her plea for people not to have veneers during the apocalypse, and feeling embarrassed that her name had to take up space in Ralph Feinnes’ brain. Nikki and Dax talk about growing up resentful that she wasn’t born as pretty as she could have been, wanting the approval that comes with being extra...
Dax and Monica interview Armcherries about their experiences with DNA testing, featuring stories of surprising family revelations, unexpected connections, and navigating complex relationships. The episode explores themes of identity, family secrets, and the impact of genetic discoveries on personal narratives, with discussions on both heartwarming reunions and shocking parentage revelations.
Dr. Alison Wood Brooks explores the science of conversation, discussing effective communication techniques, the complexity of human interaction, and strategies to improve conversations in various settings. Topics include twin dynamics, negotiation, active listening, vulnerability, and the impact of status hierarchies.
Walton Goggins (White Lotus, Fallout, Hateful Eight) is an Emmy-nominated actor. Walton joins the Armchair Expert to discuss no longer being willing to perpetuate cultural stereotypes of the south, being raised by the real Steel Magnolias, and sharing attraction to volatility on the edge of chaos. Walton and Dax talk about having wives that can walk with kings, the humiliation of poverty, and how an application for an American Express card changed the trajectory of his life. Walton explains lovi...
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a proposal gone wrong. 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at ht...
Nate Silver (On the Edge, The Signal and the Noise, Baseball Between the Numbers) is a statistician, author, and founder of FiveThirtyEight. Nate joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his youthful aspirations for a starter job as US president with a promotion to baseball commissioner, how code-switching as a gay man of his cohort can translate to success, and defying the odds by quitting his first job to play online poker. Nate and Dax talk about learning statistical models as a hobbyist because ...
Chelsea Handler (I’ll Have What She’s Having, Dear Chelsea, Chelsea Lately) is a comedian, producer, and best-selling author. Chelsea returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss appreciating words more than gifts, having the best sex of her life at 50, and how funny it is that people that don’t know us that well give us the most impactful advice. Chelsea and Dax talk about being without toilets a mere three lifetimes ago, our job as humans to find optimism in the dark, and how you always have to b...
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a live sporting event disaster. 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...
Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal (Acquired) are hosts of the critically acclaimed podcast covering business history and strategy. Ben and David join the Armchair Expert on this special Super Bowl episode to discuss the metric of being right more often but having less fun, how the Super Bowl is the best weekend for a wedding, Disneyland, and Costco, and how LA refused to participate in early games due to segregation. David, Ben, and Dax talk about Teddy Roosevelt starting the NCAA in 1905 to preve...
James Marsden (Paradise, Jury Duty, X-Men) is an Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor. James joins the Armchair Expert to discuss paying the price for such a dominant chin, the reality of being an Oklahoman in Los Angeles, and still feeling like every job is his last job. James and Dax talk about the story of meeting after Dax lost a role to James, sharing an enduring appreciation for mens’ bodies, and comparing notes on starring in shows that trick people. James explains that being a middle ch...
