Michael Shannon (George and Tammy, Nocturnal Animals, Boardwalk Empire) is an Academy Award-nominated actor. Michael joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what he thinks about non-alcoholic beers, how theater became a refuge for him, and what shooting a movie in a real prison was like. Michael and Dax talk about who their favorite jazz musicians are, the dynamics of having a stepdad, and how they approach taking on different roles in movies. Michael discusses being fired from an acting job, how h...
Jul 10, 2023•2 hr 54 min•Ep. 610
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their craziest fraternity/sorority stories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 07, 2023•45 min•Ep. 609
Valerie Fridland (Like, Literally, Dude) is a professor, sociolinguist, and author. Valerie joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why people dislike the word "moist" so much, how accents are a part of social identity, and where modern English developed from. Valerie and Dax talk about what language prescriptivism is, the issues people have with the use of "like," and how discourse markers in language are used. Valerie explains what linguistic tricks people use to fit in with popular culture, what...
Jul 06, 2023•2 hr•Ep. 608
Minka Kelly (Tell Me Everything, Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) is an actress, model, and New York Times Bestselling author. Minka joins the Armchair Expert to discuss confronting her childhood, her complicated relationship with her mother, and not wanting to sensationalize trauma. Minka and Dax talk about the collateral beauty of growing up the way they did, what it's like to love someone that is the source of your pain, and becoming a master at disassociation. Minka explains her own relation...
Jul 03, 2023•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 607
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they stood up to bully. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 30, 2023•42 min•Ep. 606
Peter Singer (Animal Liberation Now, The Life You Can Save) is a philosopher, professor, and author. Peter joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what the concept of moral relativism is, how philosophy relates to rationality, and what the difference is between being a consequentialist versus a utilitarian. Peter and Dax talk about why ethically raising animals for food is uncommon, whether animals actually feel suffering, and what harm is done to the environment by raising animals on a commercial ...
Jun 29, 2023•2 hr 42 min•Ep. 605
Kelly Clarkson (Chemistry, The Kelly Clarkson Show) is a Grammy award-winning singer, author, and talk show host. Kelly joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she prefers having a small ranch in Montana over a big house in Tennessee, what she thinks about being a rule follower, and how having kids changed her perspective on her own childhood. Kelly and Dax talk about their relationship with coming from reality television, what it was like working with Snoop Dogg, and realize they are opposites...
Jun 26, 2023•2 hr 51 min•Ep. 604
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about an unexpected orgasm. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 23, 2023•50 min•Ep. 603
Chris Paul (Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court) is a 12x NBA All-Star, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist, and author. Chris joins the Armchair Expert to discuss growing up in the Bible Belt, how much he values the relationship between his parents and his kids, and the need for reciprocal relationships. Chris talks about what he learned from working at his grandfather's service station, his experience when his grandfather was tragically killed, and why he was not allowed to go to the ...
Jun 22, 2023•2 hr 30 min•Ep. 602
Robert Downey Jr. (Downey's Dream Cars, Sr., Iron Man) is an actor and producer. Robert joins the Armchair Expert to discuss their journey to becoming soulmates, how important it is to have deep meaningful relationships, and what acting process works best for him. Robert and Dax talk about what it's like to have an addictive personality, finding closure with their fathers, and whether life is a joke or tragedy. Robert explains what prison was like, why he wanted to modernize his car collection, ...
Jun 19, 2023•3 hr 40 min•Ep. 601
Prophet Ezekiel Profit is the original founder of Meaningful Existence, a spiritual community, recently bought by actor Jonah Hill who has disrespectfully repurposed it into a "mental health" endeavor. We discuss Prophet's harrowing and ever-evolving origin story including his birth from a 1x1 square mom, how he found his calling via a Rueben sandwich at Jerry's Deli, and we touch on his critical role in inventing the Queen's brail.We talk about the scandal that ultimately led to the demise of h...
Jun 16, 2023•45 min•Ep. 600
Megan Phelps-Roper (The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling, Unfollow) is a journalist, author, and podcaster. Megan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it was like to leave the Westboro Baptist Church community, her views on organizations who use shame to control people, and what power people can have in asking questions. Megan and Dax talk about why having compassion for people who are different from you is important, being taught to question everything no matter the cost, and why freedom of sp...
Jun 15, 2023•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 599
Natalie Portman (Angel City, Black Swan, Thor) is an Academy Award-winning actress, director, and co-founder of Angel City FC. Natalie returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss what she's currently consuming, the broadening access of content, and to hear about Monica's Paris masseuse story. Natalie and Dax talk about the starkness of the pay discrepancy in sports between men and women, the socialized gender differences in sports, and the importance of having female athletes to idolize. Natalie e...
Jun 12, 2023•2 hr 48 min•Ep. 598
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us their craziest nurse stories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 09, 2023•40 min•Ep. 597
Lee Hood (world-renowned biologist) and Nathan Price (professor) are the authors of The Age of Scientific Wellness: Why the Future of Medicine Is Personalized, Predictive, Data-Rich, and in Your Hands. Lee and Nathan join the Armchair Expert to discuss how artificial intelligence is changing the medical industry, how infectious disease has impacted our world, and the effectiveness of prescriptions. Lee, Nathan, and Dax talk about the ways treating chronic disease has become a business, what syst...
Jun 08, 2023•2 hr 12 min•Ep. 596
Lizzy Caplan (Fatal Attraction, Masters of Sex, Party Down) is an actor and producer. Lizzy joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how hard it is to hang out with friends in LA, how she started dating her husband, and what she thinks about matchmaking. Lizzy and Dax talk about how they dealt with their parents getting cancer, how she views modern parenting culture, and how scary doing comedy can be. Lizzy explains what her favorite sex scenes are, how she feels about reboots, and how much she love...
Jun 05, 2023•2 hr 54 min•Ep. 595
James Comey (Central Park West) is a former FBI director, lawyer, and author. James joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he got into a law enforcement career, his experience investigating mafia families, and what he learned working in the private sector of law. James and Dax talk about how much mafia families are influenced by Hollywood, what the typical stereotype of an FBI agent is, and how he handled the politics of the role as director. James explains what changes he tried to bring to th...
Jun 01, 2023•2 hr 46 min•Ep. 594
Charlie Day (The Super Mario Bros, Always Sunny, Fool's Paradise) is an actor, producer, and podcaster. Charlie returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss what his early dating experiences were, what doing live podcast shows has been like, and what movies influence his own directing projects. Charlie and Dax talk about the last comedies they saw in the theaters, how actors doing commercials has changed, and what happens when you give commencement speeches. Charlie explains his approach to voicing...
May 29, 2023•2 hr 55 min•Ep. 593
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us their craziest stories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 26, 2023•56 min•Ep. 592
Michael Waldman (The Supermajority, The Fight to Vote, The Second Amendment) is an attorney, presidential speechwriter, and author. Michael joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how the U.S. Supreme Court is involved in modern policymaking, what the concept of originalism is, and how extremism is influencing judges rulings on cases. Michael and Dax talk about the changes Congress can make to how justices are appointed, how public hearings have become spectacles for entertainment, and what role th...
May 25, 2023•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 591
The Jonas Brothers (The Album, Happiness Begins, A Little Bit Longer) are a pop rock band. The Jonas Brothers join the Armchair Expert to discuss how faith and spirituality has shaped their lives, what they learned from their musical theater experiences, and how the family dynamic played a role in their career decisions. The Jonas Brothers and Dax talk about their most embarrassing performance moments, what the concept of "the call of the void" is, and how the metrics for measuring successful mu...
May 22, 2023•2 hr 13 min•Ep. 590
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about an emergency public evacuation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 19, 2023•59 min•Ep. 589
Tim Ferriss (The 4-Hour Workweek, Tribe of Mentors, The Tim Ferriss Show) is an author, entrepreneur, and podcaster. Tim joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his perspective on stoicism, why he thinks psychedelic treatment progress has been slow, and how he analyzes taking risks. Tim and Dax talk about how fear plays a role in people's anxiety, how having conversations about trauma has become normalized, and why they love to learn about different subcultures. Tim explains the cost of inaction, w...
May 18, 2023•2 hr 19 min•Ep. 588
Jane Fonda (Book Club: The Next Chapter, Grace and Frankie, 80 for Brady) is an actor, activist, and producer. Jane joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she got involved in activism, how she approaches her romantic relationships, and why she believes friendships are important to mental health. Jane and Dax talk about their experiences with step-parents, how technology has changed how people interact with one another, and why being in a state of laughter is so vulnerable. Jane explains what h...
May 15, 2023•2 hr 55 min
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us their worst TSA stories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 12, 2023•43 min•Ep. 586
Gretchen Rubin (Life in Five Senses, The Happiness Project) is an author and podcaster. Gretchen joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what led her to the happiness space, how important relationships to other people are, and the individualistic nature of happiness. Gretchen and Dax talk about the ways physical activities make your emotions respond, how your sense of smell forces you to stay present, and her prescription for creativity through sight. Gretchen explains how slow time can move when y...
May 11, 2023•2 hr 18 min•Ep. 585
Nicholas Braun (Succession, Zola, Minutemen) is an actor. Nicholas joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he got into show business, doing Meisner acting exercises with his dad, and his car that he named the "Daxi Taxi." Nicholas & Dax talk about packing a lip, the comedic trajectory of Succession, and their love for Friday Night Lights. Nicholas explains how uncomfortable talking about his love life is, how he feels about this being the last season of Succession, and shooting his shot with Ki...
May 08, 2023•2 hr•Ep. 584
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their craziest movie-going experience. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 05, 2023•46 min•Ep. 583
Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy, Bridgerton, Scandal) is a producer, writer, and showrunner. Shonda joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what her experience has been working for a streaming service versus network television, why she loves meeting other showrunners, and her ability to stay unburdened by comparison. Shonda and Dax talk about their relationship with making money, the power of Chicago, and the impact of being interviewed by Oprah. Shonda explains how she is naturally a shy person, how...
May 04, 2023•2 hr 52 min•Ep. 582
Paris Hilton (Paris: The Memoir) is a model, actress, entrepreneur, and New York Times best-selling author. Paris joins the Armchair Expert to discuss playing into stereotypes early in her career, the power of shame, and how therapeutic it was to write her book. Paris and Dax talk about what their early experiences in Hollywood were like, why the bad boy persona is attractive, and how much she relates to Pamela Anderson. Paris opens up about her traumatic reform school experiences, being a new m...
May 01, 2023•2 hr 49 min•Ep. 581
