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

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 opioid epidemic, and how she tries to focus on accessibility in her novels.

In this episode of Synced, Monica shares her holiday traditions, Liz confesses she went to church for a year, and they talk about loss via addiction. They answer listener questions on how to give oneself grace and how to set boundaries when finding naked photos on a partner's phone.

This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets out to understand the mysterious world of fantasy football. He joins a group of manly men as they do a fantasy football draft in a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, trying to understand the appeal of a game played by 50 million Americans. David then meets sports reporter and ESPN correspondent Mina Kimes who drills down into the finer details of fantasy football, even offering some expert tips.

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 introduced to the world of entertainment law, and how raising daughters changed his definition of what it means to be a man.

Dax sits down in the attic with Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner. Christian is a former racer who has won six constructors championships with Red Bull Racing. He also loves Disneyland. Follow eff won with DRS over at https://spotify.link/effwon or search "eff won" wherever you listen to podcasts for new episodes every week.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a bad babysitting experience.

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 responsibility there is to verify data used in research, and the true societal role of a social scientist.

In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz report from a storage closet and a bed. They discuss repeating old family dynamics in relationships, codependency in therapy, and Liz's theory of '5 crushes'. They answer listener questions on navigating jealousy in a friendship and if the first date spark is real.

This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier takes Monica to a haunted house to celebrate Halloween. And not just any haunted house! Each year Universal Studios puts on its Halloween Horror Nights, using its Hollywood tricks to create some of the scariest haunted houses in America. David and Monica meet with John Murdy, the creative director behind the haunted houses. Monica then comes face to face with her ultimate fear: Chucky. And not just one Chucky: Hundreds of Chucky’s.

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.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time something crazy happened on Halloween.

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 explains the importance of having imperfections in the world, what the concept of scaffolding is for improving skills, and how people gain social status in different environments.

In this episode of Synced, Monica introduces Liz to the term 'future surfing', they talk about how friendships have evolved post-pandemic, and they evaluate their relationships to social media. They answer questions from the Synced Squad on how to explore one's sexuality while in a relationship, addressing a suspected domestic abuse situation with a co-worker, and the pros and cons of obsessing over celebrity relationships.

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 misinformation about themselves, and what social media has done for young creators.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about the most generous act of hospitality they’ve received.

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 of grit, how praise and punishment are used to try to shape people, and his view of free will.

In this episode of Synced, Monica goes Pamela Anderson style while discussing her egg retrieval, they explore complicated relationships with food and bodies, and debate THE smell. They answer listener questions about getting PQ's from a friend's husband and if one needs to tell family about a polyamorous relationship.

This week on Flightless Bird David Farrier investigates bail bonds in America, and more specifically - the bail bondsman. With 15,000 bail bond agents in America, it seems to be a thriving private enterprise. In Oklahoma, he meets with Ron Eden, a bail bondsman who inherited the business from his mother. What’s it like to deal with people accused of crimes and the families desperate to get their loved ones out while they await trial? David then brushes up on how you get bail in New Zealand, by talking to criminal lawyer Emma Priest. He then talks to Allie Preston, a senior policy analyst at the Center for American Progress. Allie explains why having to pay for bail is a problem and who it discriminates against - and also points out that paying for bail doesn’t necessarily make you more likely to turn up for court!

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 journey, and how she learned to love herself and others at the same time.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their craziest story as a teacher or principal.

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 his film topics, how the production of documentaries is different than scripted, and what he has learned about his own life while making his films.

In this episode of Synced, Monica shares realizations she's been having on her second egg-freezing journey, Liz raves about 'The Golden Bachelor,' and they have a heart-to-heart while discussing last week's cliffhanger. They answer a listener's question on whether one can cry at work and still be taken seriously, which leads to a very special guest appearance from Rihanna.

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 has taught him, and what it was like to play in Devo.

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