Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard - podcast cover

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Armchair Umbrellawondery.com

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.

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Episodes

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives, Flamin' Hot) is an actor, producer, and director. Eva joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she loved having kids later in life, how she views religion versus spirituality, and what growing up on a Texas ranch was like. Eva and Dax talk about what types of people they are attracted to, why acting in soap operas is so much work, and what biohacking techniques they use to improve their health. Eva explains why she wanted to make a film about Flamin' Hot Cheet...

Nov 27, 20232 hr 57 minEp. 668

Armchair Anonymous: Piercing & Tattoos

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy piercing or tattooing incident. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 24, 20231 hrEp. 667

Jedidiah Jenkins (author and memoirist)

Jedidiah Jenkins (Mother, Nature) is an author and memoirist. Jedidiah joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how being Christian affected his identity, what sexuality could be like without social rules, and practicing not getting a boner. Jedidiah and Dax talk about what it means to be a centrist now, how it's difficult for him to know when someone is flirting with him, and his relationship with his mother and her faith. Jedidiah explains how he learned to find common ground with people who don't...

Nov 23, 20233 hr 37 minEp. 666

Wiz Khalifa

Wiz Khalifa (Khali Sober, Khalifa Kush) is a multi-platinum selling rapper and singer. Wiz joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his life growing up as a military kid, why it was tough to grow up scrawny, and what drove him to start writing at a young age. Wiz explains to Dax the difference between a mixtape and an album, how he and Snoop Dogg became friends, and the importance of putting in the work. Wiz discusses how weed changed his creative process, the cultural differences in talking about o...

Nov 20, 20232 hr 14 minEp. 665

Dr. Becky Kennedy (psychologist on parenting)

Dr. Becky Kennedy (Good Inside) is a clinical psychologist and author. Becky joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she wants to help people understand themselves through their kids, why some traditional parenting techniques aren't effective, and how to set boundaries with your children. Dr. Becky and Dax talk about how much a person's past shapes who they are now, why she was compelled to share her ideas on social media, and how expectations of parents can sometimes be unfair. Becky explains ...

Nov 16, 20232 hr 13 minEp. 664

Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah (What Now, The Daily Show) is a comedian, writer, and podcaster. Trevor joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why silence scares him, people's aversion to being blamed, and how language helps you get to the granularity of meaning. Trevor and Dax discuss the false idea that you have to consume the news all the time, the history of the apartheid system in South Africa, and having patience for people only if they're engaged in the fight. Trevor explains how hyper-vigilance is a form of s...

Nov 13, 20232 hr 29 minEp. 663

Armchair Anonymous: Bartending

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy bartending story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 10, 202344 minEp. 662

Barbara Kingsolver (author of Demon Copperhead)

Barbara Kingsolver (Demon Copperhead) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Barbara joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she loved to read as a kid, how there can be truth in writing fiction, and how she went from being a biologist to a novelist. Barbara and Dax talk about the struggle in being creative, the effects of structural classism, and why being an author is the best profession to have. Barbara explains how rural people are portrayed in the media, how her writing was influenced by the ...

Nov 09, 20232 hr 16 minEp. 661

Tom Hansen

Tom Hansen is an entertainment lawyer and Dax's best friend. Tom joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what knowing people from the Dust Bowl era is like, how much he loved working on his grandparent's farm as a kid, and why he thinks he isn't a good listener. Tom and Dax talk about why some people just aren't ambitious in life, why he got into a lot of trouble in school, and their experiences with illicit drugs. Tom explains how going to Europe as a young man altered his perspective, how he was ...

Nov 06, 20232 hr 22 minEp. 660

Armchair Anonymous: Babysitting

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a bad babysitting experience. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 03, 202352 minEp. 659

Dan Ariely (on behavioral economics)

Dan Ariely is a social scientist, professor, and author. Dan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why people often want to regulate other's behavior, what factors can affect workplace employees' motivations, and how people live in different realities from each other. Dan and Dax talk about the funnel of misbelief, what happens when people are excluded from a group, and how to engage people with differing opinions from your own. Dan explains how people proclaim their identities to others, what re...

Nov 02, 20232 hr 57 minEp. 658

Craig Ferguson

Craig Ferguson is a talk show host, comedian, and podcaster. Craig joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he carries extra underwear with him, how diverse Scotland is, and his journey into late-night television. Craig and Dax talk about what they have learned in getting older, who the desert fathers were, and their experiences with meditation. Craig explains what made him want to get sober, how he defines attractiveness, and why he wants to talk to people who aren't comedians. See Privacy Poli...

Oct 30, 20232 hr 3 minEp. 657

Armchair Anonymous: Halloween

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time something crazy happened on Halloween. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 27, 202349 minEp. 656

Adam Grant Returns Again

Adam Grant (Hidden Potential) is an organizational psychologist, professor, and author. Adam joins the Armchair Expert again to discuss how much he misses his family when on a book tour, how most people achieve their goals by being motivated, and the most effective way to teach someone a new language. Adam and Dax talk about how being a perfectionist can stifle someone's learning, how to overcome the fear of public speaking, and what the difference is between receiving advice and feedback. Adam ...

Oct 26, 20233 hr 32 minEp. 655

The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers are musicians, DJs, and producers. Alex and Drew join the Armchair Expert to discuss their anonymity as DJs, how they have maintained a successful partnership, and where they get creative inspiration from. Alex & Drew talk about why they became interested in venture capitalism, their love for performing live, and how they balance who they are on stage versus real life. They explain what their experience has been collaborating with other musicians, how they handle reading misinfo...

Oct 23, 20232 hr 54 minEp. 654

Armchair Anonymous: Generous Hospitality

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about the most generous act of hospitality they've received. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 20, 202351 minEp. 653

Robert Sapolsky (on human behavior and free will)

Dr. Robert Sapolsky (Behave, Determined) is a behavioral scientist and author. Robert joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he was drawn to studying the social habits of baboons, how their behavior relates to human psychology, and what we learned from Phineas Gage. Robert and Dax talk about how conditioning helps people get through stressful situations, how culture affects the development of the human brain, and how child raising is different in a collective society. Robert explains the myth ...

Oct 19, 20232 hr 50 minEp. 652

Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith is an actor, producer, and talk show host. Jada joins the Armchair Expert to discuss where she got her sense of punctuality from, how difficult it can be to share your life with the public, and her experience with abandonment. Jada and Dax talk about what she learned about loyalty from Tupac, what it was like being robbed at gunpoint, and how she feels about asking for help. Jada explains what it's like to have a shared identity with another person, her four-day ayahuasca jour...

Oct 16, 20232 hr 6 minEp. 651

Armchair Anonymous: Teacher/Principal

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their craziest story as a teacher or principal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 13, 202346 minEp. 650

Morgan Neville (documentary filmmaker)

Morgan Neville (The Saint of Second Chances, Roadrunner, Won't You Be My Neighbor) is a filmmaker, producer, and writer. Morgan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why people love documentaries, why he had so many books in his childhood home, and how Los Angeles's history differs from other American cities. Morgan and Dax talk about what it means to be a good singer, what Mr. Rogers did for the perception of masculinity, and why some people are addicted to work. Morgan explains how he selects h...

Oct 12, 20232 hr 20 minEp. 649

Fred Armisen

Fred Armisen (SNL, Portlandia, Documentary Now!) is a comedian, actor, and musician. Fred joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he doesn't speak up when he's uncomfortable, why he will eat something he didn't order, and why he doesn't like to return purchases. Fred and Dax talk about how fun it is to rediscover music that you love, what interviewing your friends is like, and Fred's unique family heritage. Fred explains how his musical career led him to comedy, what living in different cities ...

Oct 09, 20232 hr 59 minEp. 648

Armchair Anonymous: Service Industry

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a crazy service industry story. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 06, 202350 minEp. 647

Vivek Murthy Returns (US Surgeon General)

Dr. Vivek Murthy (House Calls) is the Surgeon General of the United States and an author. Vivek joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he defines loneliness, strategies for strengthening connections, and what hustle culture has done to creativity. Vivek and Dax talk about what it takes for people to confide in each other, how taking time away from work can improve mental health, and the power of service. Vivek explains why incarcerating people for drug use is problematic, what it means to cult...

Oct 05, 20232 hr 29 minEp. 646

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington (Thicker Than Water) is an award-winning actor, producer, director, and writer. Kerry joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her anthropology degree, not feeling like the protagonist of her own story, and finding out the truth about her family. Kerry and Dax talk about what it takes to keep secrets, their experiences with abuse in the household, and James McAvoy in The Last King of Scotland. Kerry explains how her relationship with food has changed over the years, what she learned...

Oct 02, 20232 hr 45 minEp. 645

Armchair Anonymous: Failed Romantic Pursuit

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a failed romantic pursuit. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 29, 202335 minEp. 644

Gabor Maté (on trauma & addiction)

Dr. Gabor Maté (The Myth of Normal) is a physician and author. Gabor joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how most people exhibit addictive behaviors, how the mind is connected to physical health, and how human societies are like lab cultures. Gabor and Dax talk about why airports can be sources of anxiety, what happens to the body when someone goes through trauma, and why children have the expectation to be loved unconditionally. Gabor explains why it's important to confront painful emotions, h...

Sep 28, 20232 hr 43 minEp. 643

Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye, Getting Curious) is a hairstylist, television personality, and podcaster. Jonathan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the idea of older women having younger sexual partners, dealing with skin issues, and how news organizations choose political sides. Jonathan and Dax talk about transgender participation in sports, what it means to challenge progressive ideas, and how state laws around gender-affirming care can differ. Jonathan explains why judging in cheerleading ...

Sep 25, 20232 hr 51 minEp. 642

Armchair Anonymous: Waxing Debacle

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a waxing debacle. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 22, 202350 minEp. 641

Prachi Gupta (on the model minority myth)

Prachi Gupta (They Called Us Exceptional) is a journalist and author. Prachi joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she was grounded for reading fiction, how she views the institution of arranged marriages, and what the American Dream meant to her parents. Prachi and Dax talk about why she wanted to tell her brother's story, how she feels about happiness being correlated to success, and why being emasculated can affect how men treat one another. Prachi explains why dating apps have changed how...

Sep 21, 20232 hr 11 minEp. 640

Jimmy Kimmel Returns

Jimmy Kimmel (Strike Force Five) is a talk show host and podcaster. Jimmy returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss how much the attic hasn't changed in five years, what it's like working with his competition on a podcast, and how much of a temper he doesn't have. Jimmy and Dax talk about the state of trout fly fishing, what they think being retired from show business means, and how much they appreciate a good standup. Jimmy explains that he doesn't accept comparisons to other talk show hosts, w...

Sep 18, 20232 hr 54 minEp. 639