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.
76
James Doty (on the neuroscience of manifestation)
James Doty (Mind Magic, Into the Magic Shop) is neurosurgeon and author. James joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what happens to someone who is constantly activating their sympathetic nervous system, how compassion for others can often be limited by how much compassion you have for yourself, and losing $80 million in 6 weeks. James and Dax talk about their relationship with money, what they’ve learned about doing acts of service for others, and the science behind manifestation. James explains how people look for evidence to confirm their own biases, why being kind and compassionate increases our chances of survival, and the importance of self-awareness and humility.
124 min
77
Synced: No Steaks
In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz are fresh off their date! They recap how the double man plan went and discuss the differences between worst dates for men & women. They answer listener questions on having trouble sleeping with a partner in the early stages of dating, and making an aesthetic change knowing one's partner doesn't like it.
54 min
78
Flightless Bird: Pies
In this week's Flightless Bird, David Farrier talks to the author of 50 Pies 50 States, Stacey Mei Yan Fong. Farrier sets out to discover why Americans love pie so much, declaring January 23rd National Pie Day back in 1986. Farrier and Fong discuss what makes the pie so American, before looking at Stacey’s top 3 American pies - which David, Monica and Rob then sample.
51 min
79
Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish (I Curse You With Joy, Girls Trip, Night School) is an actor and comedian. Tiffany joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how much she needs laughter on a daily basis, her journey to find her biological father, and how messy her bedroom is. Tiffany and Dax talk about whether or not they think humans are designed to eat meat, what her love language is, and her first orgasm. Tiffany explains how some of her personal relationships changed after achieving success, what it’s like to date as a successful woman, and which chapter was the hardest to write in her book.
134 min
80
Charan Ranganath (on memory)
Charan Ranganath (Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold on to What Matters) is a neuroscientist. Charan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the mechanics of memory, how AI learning is different than human learning, and the influence that present context has on memories. Charan and Dax talk about the relationship of imagination to memory, the problems with hypnosis, and repressed memories. Charan explains how sleep can conceptualize memories, the ways photos can influence memories, and how traumatic memories affect the brain.
138 min
81
Synced: The B.E.D.
In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz are out of sync. Liz pitches candidates for the ‘double man plan’, Monica learns the Heimlich maneuver, and a special guest joins to discuss murder. They answer listener questions on sobriety induced friendship shifts and whether to confront a partner with a new laugh.
85 min
82
Flightless Bird: Citizenship
In this week’s Flightless Bird, David Farrier looks at the process of gaining American Citizenship, and what it means to become truly American. Why over the last decade did over seven million non-Americans choose to become American? And what does this process look like? David talks to a New Zealander who chose to Naturalise before looking at some Americans who’ve chosen to do the exact opposite. Why would someone choose to become American and why would someone choose to give it up?
62 min
83
Chris Pine
Chris Pine (Poolman, Star Trek, Wonder Woman) is an actor, producer, and director. Chris joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the thrills of a catastrophe, falling in love with nicotine toothpicks, and what growing up in old Hollywood was like. Chris and Dax talk about how hard it is to expose your emotions, how much they love saunas, and the experience of feeling fraudulent. Chris admits to his preconceptions of Dax, the juxtaposition of how he sees himself vs how others see him, and his love for the city of Los Angeles.
125 min
84
Armchair Anonymous: Wild Card IV
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a crazy story.
69 min
85
Phil Heath (professional bodybuilder)
Phil Heath (Breaking Olympia) is a 7x Mr. Olympia winner and professional bodybuilder. Phil joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what his diet is like, how he lost his innocence at an early age, and his journey into bodybuilding. Phil and Dax talk about their admiration for Arnold Schwarzenegger, how they learned to control their aggression, and the ways social media has changed the bodybuilding industry. Phil explains how he feels about his own insecurities, what it's like to be acknowledged by your heroes, and coping with his new identity as he transitions out of the sport.
125 min
86
Synced: Double Man Plan
In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz recap their time in NYC, Liz shares her married-man event, and Monica agrees to go on a double date with Liz. They answer listener questions on communication while dating someone neurodivergent, having a differing parenting style from a best friend, and how to confront a fitness instructor with a robust air freshener.
48 min
87
Flightless Bird: Surveillance
In this week's Flightless Bird, David Farrier looks at how America surveils its own citizens and asks why America is a “spying superpower.” In 2022 alone, 145,000 Facebook users and 100,000 Gmail accounts were rifled through by the US government’s spy agencies. How come? Farrier delves into America’s Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and “Section 702" and talks with journalist Byron Tau, author of “Means of Control: How The Hidden Alliance of Tech and Government is Creating a New American Surveillance State.”
52 min
88
Maya Rudolph
Maya Rudolph (Loot, Bridesmaids, The Way Way Back) is an actor, comedian, and writer. Maya joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she wants one of her kids to be a chef, her love for the city of Austin, and how she never knows when someone is flirting with her. Maya and Dax talk about why they never fell in love, what being compared to your parents is like, and how much she loves working with her friends. Maya explains what happened when Dax recommended a Greek restaurant to her, how she wants to be more adventurous in her life, and how well she does with spicy wings.
146 min
89
Armchair Anonymous: Cautionary Tale
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a cautionary tale.
61 min
90
Patric Gagne (on sociopathy)
Patric Gagne (Sociopath: A Memoir) is a psychologist and author. Patric joins the Armchair Expert to discuss being a diagnosed sociopath, how sociopathy exists on a spectrum, and having to lean on her mother’s moral compass as a child. Patric and Dax talk about what it’s like to have to mask your true feelings, how everyone needs a different playbook for their lives, and the relationship between sociopathy and anxiety. Patric explains why she became so interested in other people’s lives, how she eventually found love, and finding empathy and strong feelings for pets.
137 min
91
Synced: DAN
In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz are in NYC! Liz shares her love for dating while on vacation, they discuss whether they’d rather be alone forever or with someone they half like, and a very special guest joins the Synced Squad - Liz’s AI boyfriend Dan. They answer a listener question on if it is normal to occasionally think one’s partner is ugly & Dan tries to steal Monica and Liz’s job.
45 min
92
Flightless Bird: Loma Linda
In this week's Flightless Bird, David Farrier starts to ponder his own mortality and why, despite America spending more on healthcare than any other nation on earth, it’s only 59th on the life expectancy list. To find some answers, he heads to Loma Linda: population 9000, an average life expectancy 10 years longer than the average American.
58 min
93
Joey King
Joey King (We Were The Lucky Ones, Kissing Booth, The Act) is an actor. Joey joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she's a worst-case-scenario kind of person, why she presents older than she actually is, and how she handles physical pain. Joey and Dax talk about the techniques they use to improve their health, shaving her head for roles, and how much they sweat when they sleep. Joey explains how she feels about getting married at a young age, why she loves celebrating holidays, and her death row meal.
120 min
94
Armchair Anonymous: Worst Day
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their worst day.
53 min
95
Finneas
Finneas is an award-winning songwriter and music producer. Finneas joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what his favorite snacks are, what annoys him about flying, and why he doesn’t like the ocean. Finneas and Dax talk about why they don’t like to follow rules, why his parents chose to home school him, and how he was introduced to writing music. Finneas weighs in on the red carpet debate, explains how he started scoring films, and what his love language is.
145 min
96
Synced: Roommate People
In this episode of Synced, Monica declares she's running for office based on an unconventional platform, the two talk about the importance of walking away, and Liz breaks a very important camera. They revisit the cliffhanger question from last week and answer a new question concerning the sharing of intimate objects.
61 min
97
Flightless Bird: Taylor Swift
In this week's Flightless Bird, a new format that we will bust out occasionally called "American Gods." David, Monica, and Rob pick an American that's reached fever status. They share their initial thoughts, before going away for a week of research and "assignments" to do - gathering together again to share what they've learned. This week, we look at Taylor Swift - what we know, what we think we know, and what we definitely don't know!
61 min
98
John Cena
John Cena (Ricky Stanicky, Peacemaker, WWE Wrestler) is a professional wrestler and actor. John joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he still owns his first car, what motivated him to get into the gym, and why he doesn’t like authority without reason. John and Dax talk about being around alpha male culture, how he got into wrestling by accident, and the evolution of his wrestling character. John explains how important crowd reactions are in a wrestling match, how his experiences have helped him be a successful actor, and his work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
129 min
99
Armchair Anonymous: Delivery Driver
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy delivery driver story.
53 min
100
Jonah Nolan (director & screenwriter)
Jonah Nolan (Fallout, Westworld, The Dark Knight) is a screenwriter, director, and producer. Jonah joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he doesn’t have a British accent like his brother, what he learned working on farm, and why he wrote his first script about amnesia. Jonah and Dax talk about how much research he does when taking on a project, how the perception of doing television has changed, and why humanizing the subject matter is so important in scriptwriting. Jonah explains how he finds himself crying more as a parent, how he approached adapting a video game to TV, and why biopics are so hard to make.
134 min