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

Charles Duhigg (on being a supercommunicator)

Charles Duhigg (Supercommunicators, The Power of Habit) is a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and best-selling author. Charles joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the difference in culture at the LA Times and New York Times, the benefits of bettering your communication, and how well humans can detect inauthenticity. Charles and Dax talk about how our brains latch on to vulnerability, the three types of conversations, and the importance of matching them. Charles explains that successful convers...

Feb 15, 20242 hr 8 minEp. 700

Jason Bateman Returns Again

Jason Bateman (SmartLess, Ozark, Arrested Development) is an actor, director, producer, and podcaster. Jason joins the Armchair Expert to revisit the wiping debate, reveal he's a Capricorn, and explore why he distances himself from his intellect. Jason and Dax discuss how much they enjoy being with someone who's the opposite of them, their shared fear of becoming empty nesters, and the two have a sneeze-off. Jason talks about how seriously he takes the responsibility of leadership, how SmartLess...

Feb 12, 20242 hr 14 minEp. 699

Armchair Anonymous: Accidentally Naked

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

Feb 09, 202453 minEp. 698

Molly McNearney

Molly McNearney (Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Oscars) is a writer and executive producer. Molly joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how much respect she has for comedy writers, how growing up Catholic influenced her perspective on dating, and how she originally wanted to be a local news reporter. Molly and Dax talk about her journey to becoming head writer on Jimmy Kimmel Live, how fast-paced it is to produce a late-night bit, and what the goal of a monologue is. Molly explains why the Mean Tweets se...

Feb 08, 20242 hr 49 minEp. 697

Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum (America's Got Talent, Project Runway) is a model, television host, and producer. Heidi joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the freedom of nudity, how she got into modeling in a small town in Germany, and how she learned to make her face not sweat. Heidi and Dax talk about dealing with negative feedback early in their career, what some of her creative outlets are, and what the energy of doing a live show feels like. Heidi explains how different she is from Howard Stern, her love of c...

Feb 05, 20242 hr 53 minEp. 696

Armchair Anonymous: Alcoholics Anonymous

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about the craziest thing they've seen at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feb 02, 202448 minEp. 695

Noah Hawley (Fargo Week)

Noah Hawley (Fargo, Lucy in the Sky, Legion) is a screenwriter, director, and producer. Noah concludes Fargo Week and joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he balances the tone of comedy and violence, how having a fraternal twin has influenced his writing, and where his version of masculinity comes from. Noah and Dax talk about the importance of mentorship, why it's important to share in decision-making, and why people don't like to ask for advice. Noah talks about his awkward breakfast with ...

Feb 01, 20242 hr 46 minEp. 694

Jon Hamm (Fargo Week)

Jon Hamm (Fargo, Mad Men, Top Gun: Maverick) is an actor. Fargo week continues with Jon joining the Armchair Expert to discuss meeting multiple times for the first time, giving himself until 30 years old to figure out if he could make it in Hollywood, and his earliest memories of auditioning. Jon talks about how his life changed when his mother passed away, why he played every sport except hockey, and where he discovered his love for reading stories. Dax and Jon discuss how he got into the minds...

Jan 30, 20242 hr 54 minEp. 693

Juno Temple (Fargo Week)

Juno Temple (Fargo, Ted Lasso, Killer Joe) is an actor. Juno joins the Armchair Expert to kick off Fargo week and discuss how she doesn't know how to drive a car, how inspirational her father's work ethic was, and what it was like growing up in a country with thousands of years of history. Juno and Dax talk about how they dealt with rejection for roles, how nervous they are on sets, and what it's like to do an iconic accent for a character. Juno explains what it's like to be on a show that addre...

Jan 29, 20242 hr 39 minEp. 692

Armchair Anonymous: Underdogs

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

Jan 26, 202456 minEp. 691

Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Finding Your Roots, Gospel, Stony the Road) is a filmmaker, professor, and cultural critic. Henry joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what techniques he uses when interviewing people, how far back he can trace his family heritage, and the sugar plantation slave trade. Henry and Dax talk about what the Salt Thesis is, what their observations were visiting Africa, and how culture mostly drives a person's development. Henry explains why class is just as important as race...

Jan 25, 20242 hr 52 minEp. 690

Dave Burd (Lil Dicky)

Dave Burd (Dave, Penith, Professional Rapper) is a rapper and actor. Dave joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he has no sense of direction without GPS, why he thought it was important to share his medical condition with the world, and the comedians he idolized growing up. Dave and Dax talk about how much pressure there is to go to college to achieve success, how he was exposed to content creation, and how much they value the opinions of their peers. Dave explains how he balances making musi...

Jan 22, 20242 hr 54 minEp. 689

Armchair Anonymous: Resolutions

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

Jan 19, 202442 minEp. 688

Vanessa Marin (sex therapist)

Vanessa Marin (Pillow Talks, Sex Talks: The Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life) is a sex therapist and podcaster. Vanessa joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her experience getting the "the talk" from her parents, why there is often so much shame around sexuality, and how much stress kills libido. Vanessa and Dax discuss how vulnerability and neediness differ, how sex is often more focused on male pleasure, and responsive vs spontaneous desire. Vanessa talks about the psychol...

Jan 18, 20242 hr 29 minEp. 687

Wyatt & Kurt Russell

Wyatt and Kurt Russell (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters) are actors. Kurt and Wyatt join the Armchair Expert to discuss their memories of spending summers at their lake house, why Wyatt chose acting over playing hockey, and what it's like to be a violin-maker. Kurt, Wyatt, and Dax talk about what it was like to play the same character as father and son, how Kurt chose his most iconic roles, and how fun it is to work with stunt people on set. Kurt and Wyatt explain their approach when people have pre...

Jan 15, 20242 hr 50 minEp. 686

Armchair Anonymous: Crazy Concerts

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

Jan 12, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 685

Matthew Desmond (on poverty)

Matthew Desmond (Poverty, by America) is a sociologist and author. Matthew joins Armchair Expert to discuss why he became interested in studying poverty in America, how people are being priced out of their own neighborhoods, and what solutions he feels would help unhoused people the most. Matthew and Dax talk about why a wealthy country can have such a large wage gap, what metrics the government uses to define who an impoverished person is, and how some financial institutions are predatory towar...

Jan 11, 20242 hr 50 minEp. 684

Paul Giamatti

Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers, Billions, Sideways) is an actor. Paul joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he felt about living up to his father's accomplishments, how bad he is at math, and why he got into theater. Paul and Dax talk about what their favorite cigarettes used to be, what boarding school culture is like, and what it means to be a lead actor. Paul explains what it's like to play unlikeable characters, what he's learned about historical figures from his roles, and why he is obsess...

Jan 08, 20242 hr 1 minEp. 683

Armchair Anonymous: Crazy Gym

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

Jan 05, 202453 minEp. 682

Billie Joe Armstrong

Billie Joe Armstrong (Saviors, American Idiot, Dookie) is a musician and lead vocalist of the rock band Green Day. Billie joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it's like to have a brother 20 years older than him, the evolution of punk music, and his songwriting process. Billie and Dax talk about what it's like to move into a big city from a small town, what it's like to be in love at a young age, and where the name Green Day came from. Billie explains what his experiences with addiction have...

Jan 04, 20242 hr 57 minEp. 681

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson (The Color Purple, Empire, Hustle & Flow) is an actor, producer, and director. Taraji joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it was like playing a character with a lot of trauma, why she feels it's important to travel, and how she felt about her mom dating. Taraji and Dax talk about how rejection can help someone find success, what having a child in college is like, and why lifting up others is important. Taraji explains why she doesn't like the term black movie, how her foun...

Jan 01, 20242 hr 10 minEp. 680

Holiday Spectacular 2023

Join us for our annual holiday spectacular as we open presents, we talk about why this Christmas is bittersweet, we discuss why parents aren't sexy, and we take time to reflect on 2023 and what's to come in 2024. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 22, 202351 minEp. 679

Best of Thursdays 2023

On this special episode, we revisit some of our favorite moments from Thursday episodes in 2023. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 21, 202358 minEp. 678

Best of Mondays 2023

On this special episode, we revisit some of our favorite moments from Monday episodes in 2023. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 18, 20231 hr 17 minEp. 677

Armchair Anonymous: Holiday Vacation

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

Dec 15, 202351 minEp. 676

Adam Frank (physicist and astronomer)

Adam Frank (The Little Book of Aliens) is a physicist, astronomer, and writer. Adam joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he dealt with being an outsider in school, why he was drawn to science fiction, and how he discovered a secret language in mathematics. Adam and Dax talk about what the search for intelligent life outside Earth looks like, how common it is for other planets to have water, and what the concept of a liquid brain is. Adam explains why people are so obsessed with UAPs, why loo...

Dec 14, 20232 hr 19 minEp. 675

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe (Poor Things, Platoon, The Lighthouse) is an actor. Willem joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he doesn't have the desire to buy things, how being raised by his siblings affected his perspective, and how his parents encouraged him to be ambitious in life. Willem and Dax talk about how one's identity can be defined by social conditioning, how he loves collaborating with others on a project, and how he feels about playing big characters. Willem explains how good directors make th...

Dec 11, 20232 hr 3 minEp. 674

Armchair Anonymous: Meet Cute

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

Dec 08, 202348 minEp. 673

Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is a 5x Grand Slam-winning former professional tennis player, investor, and entrepreneur. Maria joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how her priorities changed after retiring from tennis, her experience as a child moving to the US from Russia, and where her strong work ethic came from. Maria and Dax talk about how isolating success can be, what it takes to be critical of yourself, and how they both approach conflict in their relationships. Maria explains how much pressure there i...

Dec 07, 20232 hr 52 minEp. 672

Jon Batiste

Jon Batiste (American Symphony) is a musician and composer. Jon joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why some people feel unworthy of others, why it's important to feel rejection, and how music can connect all types of people together. Jon and Dax talk about why they want to evolve as artists, how priorities can change when a loved one is sick, and what it's like to have a relationship in the public eye. Jon explains what obligations he feels when fans approach him on the street, how TV shows ca...

Dec 04, 20232 hr 10 minEp. 671