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 cultivate your own solitude, and how romantic matchmaking isn’t what it used to be.

In this episode of Synced, Monica & Liz deep dive into the difference between anxiety & intuition, they chat about codependency, and another strange man talks to Monica. They answer listener questions about having different expectations around sex in a relationship and give advice to a 30 year old virgin.

This week on Flightless Bird David Farrier investigates whether we have America to thank for the modern laundromat. After all, there are over 30,000 laundromats in the US - employing 39,000 people, making $5 billion in revenue each year. To help him in his investigation David meets with Brain Wallace of the Coin Laundry Association to discuss how on April 18th,1934 a Texan named CA Tannahill opened the world's first coin-operated laundromat. David then discovers how laundromats mean different things to different people in America. He then talks with Jason Sowell, who is very enthusiastic about the importance of the American laundromat and runs a non-profit called “Current Initiatives” which helps people do their washing. David also learns why Americans have a phobia of clotheslines.

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 from moving to India, and how she strove to carve her own path in life.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a failed romantic pursuit.

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, his pathway to wholeness, and that being aware of the truth is what actually liberates people.

In this episode of Synced, Monica talks about temporarily giving up drinking, they contemplate Liz's trusting nature, and debate the deliciousness of club soda. A special guest joins for listener questions about tardiness and if a sixteen year age gap is too much between romantic partners.

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 is not objective, what the motivation was to start a science-based podcast, and how relationships can truly grow.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a waxing debacle.

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 people find partners, why there is a stigma around family estrangement, and what her experience was finding effective therapy.

In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz chat about naked bodies, Liz teaches Monica about underwater hockey, and they debate how one never knows what is going on behind closed doors or social media captions. They discuss listener questions about whether there is such a thing as too much therapy, would they want to know if their parents cheated, and how much should parents contribute financially to a wedding?

After two American surgeons told David he needed back surgery, he fled back to his home of New Zealand where healthcare was less scary! What he discovered in New Zealand surprised him. David calls up journalist Luke O’Neil (writer of the Welcome to Hellworld newsletter and new book A Creature Wanting Form) to chat through what he discovered: two very different medical systems with vastly different approaches.

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, what he would ask Trump in an interview, and how long the text messages from his dad are.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a school dance disaster.

Mustafa Suleyman (The Coming Wave) is an artificial intelligence researcher, co-founder of DeepMind, and author. Mustafa joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he became interested in the concept of universal human rights, what deep learning is, and how machines can actually become creative. Mustafa and Dax talk about how close artificial intelligence is getting to matching the human brain, how people might feel about computers creating all content, and how AI might revolutionize the energy industry. Mustafa explains why the fear of government regulation exists, why people need to be involved in decisions about technological advancements, and how certain biases are corrected in AI programs.

In this episode of Synced, Liz and Monica explore the change in the air regarding women's culture and Monica gives an update on her egg freezing journey, all while her dad's sim works overtime. They discuss listener questions on should one speak up when they don't like their close friend's significant other, when given the chance should one choose the gender of their child, and how to trust oneself when trying to move on while grieving a spouse. They also give a new dad advice on his daughter's first period.

Idina Menzel is a singer and actor. Idina joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her scary theater accident, how her dad was a pajama salesman, and her feelings about the Happy Birthday song. Idina and Dax talk about how much pride goes into parenting, what being in relationships with other successful people is like, and her strategy for performing day after day. Idina explains how she views being a voice for people that she didn’t intend to be, why she has always wanted to do a stage dive, and how she is always messing up well-known sayings.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, international Armcherries tell us about their worst trip to the USA.

Amy Edmondson (Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well) is a professor and author. Amy joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she was drawn to studying organizational learning, what psychological safety is, and how systems exist to make societies better. Amy and Dax talk about why working groups can have different interpersonal climates, the definition of learning behaviors, and what the three types of failure are. Amy explains that vulnerability can actually be a desirable trait, how to take smart risks, and why apologies exist.

In this episode of Synced, Liz explains “girl dinner”, they debate whether singles should set up other singles, they hear a very special voice memo and Monica peels back the layers of her “fear of the streets”. They discuss a listener’s question on how to cook the perfect roast chicken.

This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier investigates pizza, one of America’s favorite foods. He discovers that around 76,000 pizza joints bring in $44 billion dollars each year in the US - where every day 13% of the population will eat a slice of pizza. David begins his journey in Los Angeles, as Rob takes him and Monica to a fancy pop-up called “Chain”. Here, chefs riff on chain food but with their own upgraded twists - and tonight it’s Pizza Hut! Next, David heads to New York to eat a variety of NY pizzas, from the cheap slices of Joe’s, to Pauly Gee’s famous Hellboy pizza. What makes a good pizza? There is no clear answer, but Farrier attempts to find out, before going to one last joint - Ops - an upmarket take on what a pizza should be. Along the way, Farrier meets some of those eating the pizza - New Yorkers - who truly love their city.

Jake Johnson is an actor, director, and podcaster. Jake returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss what he remembers about being on the show in the early days, why he stopped going to casinos, and how much he respects AA. Jake and Dax talk about why they wanted their daughters to learn self-defense, how they feel about doing manual labor, and how hard it can be to see the red flags in some situations. Jake explains how he is usually 5 years late to trends, what kind of advice he gives on his podcast, and how he thinks it’s funny when someone calls him out for being wrong.

Jim Farley is the CEO of Ford. Jim joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what growing up in Argentina was like, how much he loved watching car races as a kid, and the time his dad sold the car he gifted him. Jim and Dax talk about their shared car nightmare, the stereotypes of being a car guy, and how to achieve positive car karma. Jim explains the hurdles of reengineering cars for electric, how Ford joining the Red Bull Formula 1 team came to be, and the generational differences in car culture.

In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz chat about circumcision, power dynamics in relationships, and Liz shares details of her week-long second date. They discuss listener questions on inviting a toxic friend back into one's life, and how to handle one partner doing a 180 on the idea of having children.

Tig Notaro is a comedian, actor, and podcaster. Tig joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what she thinks about cold plunges, how much she hates texting, and how having unconventional parents influenced her outlook on life. Tig and Dax talk about how much they value a sense of humor, how they pictured having kids, and their shared love of Edie Brickell. Tig explains why she started sharing her personal medical history on stage, her views on being a people-pleaser, and what she thinks being handsome means.