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.

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.

Episodes

Armchair Anonymous: Hotel

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a crazy hotel story. 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 https://ar...

Oct 25, 202448 minEp. 806

Kimberley Quinlan (on anxiety and self-compassion)

Kimberley Quinlan is a therapist and anxiety specialist. Kimberley joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her self-compassion test, her techniques in treating anxiety disorders, and what orthorexia is. Kimberley and Dax talk about how much stress people can feel over their food choices, why having acceptance of your own personality traits is important, and the connection between OCD and eating disorders. Kimberley explains what olfactory reference syndrome is, what happens to your body when you cr...

Oct 23, 20242 hrEp. 805

Keegan-Michael Key

Keegan-Michael Key (Transformers One, Key and Peele, Keanu) is an actor and comedian. Keegan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the lore of the Milford panther, growing up in Detroit, and gives a masterclass on the history of sketch comedy. Keegan and Dax talk about dark underbelly of Key and Peele comedy, how most characters are based on basic archetypes, and getting emotional while hosting SNL. Keegan explains how important it is to stay connected with your audience as a comedian, how social...

Oct 21, 20242 hrEp. 804

Armchair Anonymous: Social Media Fail

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a story about a social media fail. 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 Pr...

Oct 18, 202444 minEp. 803

Michael Morris (cultural psychologist on tribalism)

Michael Morris (Tribal) is a cultural psychologist and author. Michael joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the misconceptions he had about the Midwest, fundamental attribution error, and the differences between individualism and collectivism. Michael and Dax talk about where the concept of tribalism came from, how language can affect behavioral choices, and why we learn to absorb the culture of whatever community is nurturing us. Michael explains what peer, hero, and ancestor instincts are, the...

Oct 16, 20242 hr 3 minEp. 802

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges (The Old Man, The Big Lebowski, True Grit) is an Academy Award-winning actor. Jeff joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he broke his mom’s heart as a teenager, learning how to stage fight, and why he travels with his own chair. Jeff and Dax talk about when parents show you their “feet of clay,” the secret to keeping a healthy relationship, and how near death experiences can snap you out of your identity. Jeff explains how he came to terms with death when he was sick, findin...

Oct 14, 20241 hr 55 minEp. 801

Armchair Anonymous: Horrible Boss

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a story about a horrible boss. 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 ...

Oct 11, 202452 minEp. 800

Malcolm Gladwell Returns Again

Malcolm Gladwell (Revenge of the Tipping Point) is a 5x New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and podcaster. Malcolm joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he thinks people don’t talk about money enough, what he learned about covid superspreaders, and why he decided to write an antidote to his previous book. Malcolm and Dax talk about how many outsiders a group needs before it changes, how bad actors can hijack systems for their own gain, and how much they love a digression. Malcolm e...

Oct 09, 20242 hr 15 minEp. 799

Halle Berry

Halle Berry (Never Let Go, The Union, Monster’s Ball) is an Academy Award-winning actor, producer, and director. Halle joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the longevity of her romantic relationships, her experience with stepdads, and what winning a beauty pageant did for her confidence. Halle and Dax talk about the moment you finally see your parent as human, how beauty is often subjective, and why it was important for her to get the role playing a drug addict. Halle explains why she loves dire...

Oct 07, 20242 hr 20 minEp. 798

Armchair Anonymous: Convenience Store

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a crazy convenience store story. 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 a...

Oct 04, 202452 minEp. 797

Max Bennett (on the history of intelligence)

Max Bennett (A Brief History of Intelligence) is a researcher and author. Max joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his lack of an academic background, how he became interested in the way the human brain works, and why neurons evolved. Max and Dax talk about reenforcement learning, how emotions developed in the human brain, and how artificial intelligence is being designed to have curiosity. Max explains the paper clip conundrum, how language allows us to transfer thoughts, and chain of thought p...

Oct 02, 20242 hr 18 minEp. 796

Kathryn Hahn Returns

Kathryn Hahn (Agatha All Along, Bad Moms, Glass Onion) is an Emmy-nominated actor. Kathryn returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss the Swedish art of death cleaning, whether limousines are embarrassing or not, and the line between hoarder and collector. Kathryn and Dax talk about losing their fathers, the relationship of their story once they had kids, and why fecal transplants have become so popular. Kathryn explains why menopause should be talked about more, what being married for 30 years i...

Sep 30, 20242 hr 3 minEp. 795

Armchair Anonymous: Church

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a crazy church story. 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 https://a...

Sep 27, 202437 minEp. 794

Maren Morris

Maren Morris (Intermission, Humble Quest, GIRL) is a Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter. Maren joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why some people are attracted to their therapists, why she doesn’t like to be confrontational, and how people adapt to their environment. Maren and Dax talk about how publishing music has changed since streaming, dealing with rejection early in her career, and what influences she draws from for her songs. Maren explains what’s fueling her recent creativity, ...

Sep 25, 20242 hr 11 minEp. 793

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Nyong’o (The Wild Robot, Mind Your Own, Black Panther) is an actor. Lupita joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how her father’s political activism affected her childhood, feeling homeless and homesick wherever she is, and growing up on American television. Lupita and Dax talk about the internal battle of developing her American accent, the identity crisis that it caused, and how much she loves earnestness. Lupita explains how she learned to shed her ego, the importance of allowing yourse...

Sep 23, 20242 hr 10 minEp. 792

Armchair Anonymous: First Day/Lunchroom

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a first day of school or lunchroom 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 Cali...

Sep 20, 202443 minEp. 791

Cat Bohannon (on the female body and evolution)

Cat Bohannon (Eve) is a researcher and best selling author. Cat joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why strangers want to tell her about their bodies, the reasons women often live longer, and how the medical industry doesn’t study women as much as men. Cat and Dax talk about why women are often seen as having more anxiety, how important females are to the success of a society, and why men have difficulties hearing women’s voices. Cat explains how working night shifts affects the human body, why...

Sep 18, 20241 hr 51 minEp. 790

Kristen Bell & Adam Brody

Kristen Bell & Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This) join the Armchair Expert to discuss what types of dogs they like most, what words take a lot of effort to say, and how they handle having disagreements with others. Kristen, Adam, and Dax talk about what shows they’ve never seen but should have, the importance of anticipation before a kiss, and why Adam has so many opinions about things. Adam and Kristen explain how much their spouses are involved in career decisions, how excited they are for mor...

Sep 16, 20241 hr 49 minEp. 789

Armchair Anonymous: Blessing in Disguise

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a blessing in disguise.  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 P...

Sep 13, 202450 minEp. 788

Bill Lawrence

Bill Lawrence (Bad Monkey, Ted Lasso, Scrubs) is a writer, director, and show runner. Bill joins the Armchair Expert to discuss not watching his friends’ shows, how powerful the concept of story can be, and what having a renaissance later in life is like. Bill and Dax talk about what it’s like to be related to a famous family, the path to being a comedy writer, and how hard it is to build a world on screen. Bill explains why he wanted to transition from network to streaming, how difficult it is ...

Sep 11, 20242 hr 2 minEp. 787

Vince Vaughn

Vince Vaughn (Bad Monkey, Wedding Crashers, Swingers) is an actor and producer. Vince joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he feels about taking advice from others, how he strives to be competent in his craft, and what movies he related to as a kid. Vince and Dax talk about their academic struggles, how they dealt with bullies, and how he feels about being results oriented. Vince explains why he drove a Firebird for so long, how he feels about the current state of comedies, and the importanc...

Sep 09, 20242 hr 9 minEp. 786

Armchair Anonymous: Internship

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about an internship 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 Notice at h...

Sep 06, 202451 minEp. 785

Doctor Mike

Doctor Mike (The Checkup with Doctor Mike) is a family medicine doctor and YouTube’s #1 Doctor. Doctor Mike joins the Armchair Expert to discuss being the son of immigrants, how his social media presence started, and what it was like being auctioned off for charity. Doctor Mike and Dax talk about the dangers of hyper body optimization, the misinformation out there around healthcare, and how wealth affects a person’s access to their health needs. Doctor Mike explains how he feels about surgery as...

Sep 04, 20242 hr 37 minEp. 784

Without a Paddle Reunion

Seth Green and Matthew Lillard join the Armchair Expert for a very special episode celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Without a Paddle. Seth and Matthew discuss the advice they would give to young actors, how the style of comedy movies has changed, and why they were afraid to take their shirts off on set. Seth, Matthew, and Dax talk about how many of their own stunts they did, what working with Burt Reynolds was like, and their idea of fame early in their careers. Seth and Matthew explain how t...

Sep 02, 20242 hr 15 minEp. 783

Armchair Anonymous: Worst Parenting

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

Aug 30, 202450 minEp. 782

Andrew Newberg Returns (on Sex, God, and the Brain)

Dr. Andrew Newberg (Sex, God, and the Brain) is a neuroscientist and author. Andrew joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how philosophy and science can work together, how the study of seizures has changed over time, and why he started to take a more spiritual scientific approach to his research. Andrew and Dax talk about how human rituals developed, how religion and sex shaped the evolution of civilization, and the biochemistry of god and sex. Andrew explains why happens to the body during inten...

Aug 29, 20241 hr 59 minEp. 781

Sam Richardson

Sam Richardson (Sausage Party: Foodtopia, Veep, Detroiters) is an Emmy award-winning actor and comedian. Sam joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his thoughts on the institution of marriage, how his parents met in Ghana, and going to a Jesuit school. Sam and Dax talk about famous Michiganders, his time on the Second City cruise ship, and local Detroit commercials. Sam explains how much Veep taught him about being on set, having to fight the regrets of his convictions, and his favorite ride at Ce...

Aug 26, 20241 hr 58 minEp. 780

Armchair Anonymous: Grocery Store

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

Aug 23, 202445 minEp. 779

Dan Slepian (on The Sing Sing Files)

Dan Slepian (The Sing Sing Files, Dateline) is a journalist, television producer, and author. Dan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he liked to watch the news as a child, who some of his favorite talk show hosts were, and how he landed his first internship at NBC. Dan and Dax talk about how Dateline segments are produced, why he chose to focus on helping people that don’t have a voice, and how he chooses the stories he pursues. Dan explains how convictions are overturned, the hidden epide...

Aug 22, 20242 hr 10 minEp. 778

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo (Sing Sing, Euphoria, Rustin) is an actor, playwright, and director. Colman joins the Armchair Expert to discuss dancing and culture, being a shy kid in school, and why he feels like he’s his best self right now. Colman and Dax talk about how some people make social choices to not feel different from others, the experience of going to acting class, and what is was like stepping into the world of Euphoria. Colman explains when he felt like he needed to make a life change, why he st...

Aug 19, 20241 hr 59 minEp. 777
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast