Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard Jake Johnson Returns Again
Dec 8, 2025
Jake Johnson, an actor and podcast host known for 'New Girl' and 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,' returns to share insights from his career. He discusses the nostalgic charm of old Hollywood and the joy of rediscovering acting. Johnson reflects on grief after losing a close friend and highlights the importance of male friendships. The conversation touches on his podcast, where he helped find a kidney for a listener, and his thrilling experiences working with Tom Cruise. Johnson emphasizes re-engineering his career out of love, not fear.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Acting Reborn In The 'Black Box' Era
- The industry shifted from mass-audience hits to niche, black-box theater-style work where actors can quietly experiment.
- Jake says this change rekindled his love of acting because it lets him focus on craft over celebrity.
Balance Between Old Hollywood And New
- The old Hollywood model (big, public hits) is fading but still valuable to taste occasionally.
- Jake and Dax value both eras and choose projects to balance legacy-style visibility and private craft.
Diagnosis Without Change Is Common
- Many people label themselves with ADHD after hearing symptoms, but diagnosis alone doesn't guarantee change.
- Jake and Dax both recognize the traits but choose no treatment, illustrating common inertia after labeling.
