Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
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.
26
Woody Harrelson & Ted Danson
Woody Harrelson and Ted Danson (Where Everybody Knows Your Name) are award-winning actors. Woody and Ted join the Armchair Expert to discuss working together on Cheers, their brotherly relationship, and how much shame pains them. Woody talks about his motorcycle accident, how his ambitions have evolved, and why he doesn’t have a cell phone. Ted discusses his codependency, the growing awareness of his self deprecation, and what brought them together to start a podcast.
107 min
27
Armchair Anonymous: Beach Stories
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy beach story.
59 min
28
Alegra Kastens (OCD Specialist)
Alegra Kastens (Books, Looks, and Lobotomies) is a licensed therapist, OCD specialist, and writer. Alegra joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the difference between OCD and OCPD, what having onset OCD is like, and how some compulsive behaviors can be contagious. Alegra and Dax talk about what some of the misinformation is around OCD, what the difference between habitual and obsessive behaviors are, and how OCD is related to other compulsive disorders. Alegra discusses OCD showing up in dreams, the ineffectiveness of thought suppression, and the importance of accepting that you have OCD thoughts.
118 min
29
Synced: aMENds
In this episode of Synced Monica shares a big life update, they talk about the 'four quadrants of dating,' and Liz recounts when she was hit by a car in her early twenties. They answer listener questions on pet names, initialed jewelry, and not being invited to a friend's wedding.
51 min
30
Ke Huy Quan
Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once, Indiana Jones, The Goonies) is an Academy Award-winning actor. Ke joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his experience was like escaping Vietnam after the war, what it was like landing his role in an Indiana Jones at such a young age, and his decision to quit acting in his 20s. Ke and Dax talk about how he struggled to find his identity, how he got into fight choreography, and the impact of asian representation on his decision to come back to acting. Ke explains what it was like to make his comeback with a critically acclaimed independent film, doing animation voiceover work, and having the fear of losing his acting career again.
129 min
31
Armchair Anonymous: Pooped Yourself
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they pooped themselves.
50 min
32
Phil Elwood (on the dark side of PR)
Phil Elwood (All the Worst Humans) is a public relations operative and author. Phil joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what speed debating is, what astroturf organizations are, and how he’s trying to increase media literacy. Phil and Dax talk about his involvement with helping Qatar win the World Cup bid, how he instigated a trade war between Antigua and the US, and his trip to Vegas with a dictator’s son. Phil explains how psychological operatives attain information from their targets, being questioned by the FBI, and the effectiveness of sports washing.
133 min
33
Synced: PJ Buffer
In this episode of Synced Monica is feeling summery, Liz shines light on an a growing health hazard, and they chat about men who ‘raw dog’ flights. They answer listening questions on kissing after oral sex, manscaping, and the merits of joining a bowling league to appease a partner.
56 min
34
Meghan Trainor
Meghan Trainor (Timeless) is a singer and songwriter. Meghan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it was like growing up on Nantucket Island, how she felt about the age gap between her parents, and having to move because of her allergies. Meghan and Dax talk about how she got into producing songs at a young age, why she loves the true crime genre, and song writing competitions. Meghan explains how she deals with negative comments on social media, how she has become more open about her medical conditions, and having dual toilets in her bathroom.
134 min
35
Armchair Anonymous: Near Death
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a near death experience.
53 min
36
The Avett Brothers Return
The Avett Brothers are a Grammy-nominated American folk rock band. They return to the Armchair Expert to discuss how they decide to make big purchases, whether people actually have new thoughts, and the influences for their new self-titled album. Seth and Scott talk about what it’s like to be an opening act at this stage of their careers, how the human voice might be the best instrument, and why people are drawn to the themes of the country genre. They explain how it feels for their music to be accepted by a broader audience, what kinds of stories their dad tells their children, and the experience of being involved with a musical theater production based on their music.
103 min
37
Synced: Mary Katherine Paulson
In this episode of Synced Monica and Liz discuss manifestation, the Synced hierarchy of needs, and fashion dupes. They answer listener questions on the the ethics of masturbating in a relationship, what to do after discovering erectile disfunction medication, and the definition of "exclusive."
58 min
38
Flightless Bird: Chocolate
This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier investigates why American chocolate tastes so different to New Zealand chocolate and more specifically, why Hershey’s chocolate allegedly smells a little bit like vomit. Farrier talks to a former Hershey’s worker to try and get to the truth, learning about various theories, and stumbling on an old rivalry between Hershey’s and Mars. David finds himself talking to flavour expert Barb Stuckey, author of TASTE: Surprising Stories & Science About Why Food Tastes Good. Does he find the answer? Perhaps you need to let your tastebuds decide.
48 min
39
Kirby
Kirby (Sugar, Barry, The Good Place) is an actor. Kirby joins the Armchair Expert to discuss where she got her sense of style, her mom’s love of American celebrity gossip, and how representation is starting to change in television and film. Kirby and Dax talk about how acting careers differ in England and America, what getting negative feedback in drama school does to you, and her relationship with her own appearance. Kirby explains why healthy arguing in relationships is important, how her accent makes people think she’s smarter, and how she got involved in activism.
131 min
40
Armchair Anonymous: Parent-Teacher Conference
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us their best parent-teacher conference story.
49 min
41
Cody Delistraty (on grief)
Cody Delistraty (The Grief Cure) is a writer and journalist. Cody joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how art can differ between cultures, his experience with his mother’s cancer treatment, and what the social function of grieving is. Cody and Dax talk about how grief has become more public with social media, the changes that need to happen to bereavement policies, and how grief can be studied in the same way addiction is studied. Cody explains how he tried using AI to deal with his grief, the ethics behind being able to delete people’s traumatic memories, and his experience with laughter therapy.
117 min
42
Synced: Fair Use Guy
In this episode of Synced, Liz and Monica practice for Miss USA, Liz shares her fears surrounding perimenopause, and they discuss how new porn trends reflect current culture. They answer listener questions on toilet phobias, the ethics of an anonymous vibrator control link, and the value of a 'warm-up date'.
57 min
43
Flightless Bird: Monster Trucks
In this week’s Flightless Bird, David Farrier goes to his first Monster Truck Jam to try and understand why Americans love big vehicles so much. There he meets Krysten Anderson, who drives Grave Digger - and tells David what it’s like to be a female driver in a male-dominated sport. David then joins Dax Shepard who explains why Americans like big wheels and big power, before the two of them watch the Monster Jam World Finals go down. Slowly Farrier begins to understand these oversized vehicles, realizing that to become truly American he must love a 12 thousand pound truck.
48 min
44
Eric Dane
Eric Dane (Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Euphoria, Grey’s Anatomy) is an actor. Eric joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he feels it can be difficult for him to relate to other men, how losing loved ones at a young age affected his social life, and why he believes all trauma should be treated equally. Eric and Dax talk about almost getting in a fight at their AA meeting, their journeys with sobriety, and yelling cut in the middle of a scene. Eric explains how he feels about being an older actor with a younger cast, what it was like playing a villain, and the time he met Paul Newman.
102 min
45
Armchair Anonymous: Embarrassing Sex
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us an embarrassing sex story.
53 min
46
Michael Norton (on rituals)
Michael Norton (The Ritual Effect, Happy Money) is a social psychologist and professor. Michael joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it was like having his parents own a greeting card store, where his interest in psychology came from, and why he loves to design social experiments. Michael and Dax talk about humble bragging, why people don’t like braggers, and why studying people’s rituals can be an insight into their state of mind. Michael explains why people develop irrational habits to avoid admitting failure, why people need a diversity of emotions, and how couples create custom behaviors to show their affection for each other.
117 min
47
Synced: Mommy Issues
In this episode of Synced Liz gives some of her election predictions, Monica shares her frustrations with the Olympics marketing team, and they debate threesome preferences. They answer listener questions on whether it's appropriate for an adult man to refer to his mother as ‘mommy’, and whether a spouse is required to contribute financially to an asset that isn't technically shared.
61 min
48
Flightless Bird: Frozen Food
In this week’s Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets off to understand America's frozen food obsession. Each year Over 80% of American households will eat frozen dinners this year - making the frozen food market worth over $65 billion dollars. Monica Padman takes Farrier frozen food shopping, introducing him to her favorite frozen foods. They then put on a fancy dinner for their friends featuring nothing but frozen foods.
45 min
49
Ilana Glazer
Ilana Glazer (Babes, Broad City, The Afterparty) is an actor and comedian. Ilana joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what growing up in the suburbs of Long Island was like, being part of an anti-drug Christian group when she was younger, and why she was good at being a telemarketer. Ilana and Dax talk about going through puberty at a young age, why they were attracted to being comedians, and what the rules are when working with bears on set. Ilana explains her aim to take pleasure in the process, how people’s personalities are a combinations of experiences and genetics, and how scary it was to end a successful show.
122 min
50
Armchair Anonymous: Dad Stories
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us their best dad story.
45 min