Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Armchair Umbrella
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.Follow Armchair Expert on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Armchair Expert early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard/ now.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 22, 2024 • 2h 10min
Dan Slepian (on The Sing Sing Files)
Dan Slepian, a journalist and television producer renowned for his work on Dateline, shares captivating insights from his career and his new book, 'The Sing Sing Files'. He discusses the emotional complexities of wrongful convictions and the inefficiencies of the criminal justice system. Delving into the ethical challenges of storytelling, he highlights the importance of advocating for marginalized voices. The conversation also touches on the impact of flawed eyewitness testimony and the necessity of rehabilitation in reducing recidivism, offering a blend of serious reflection and lighthearted anecdotes.
Aug 19, 2024 • 1h 59min
Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo, acclaimed actor and playwright known for roles in 'Euphoria' and 'Rustin', shares his journey from a shy child to a confident artist. He dives into the complexities of cultural identity and the transformative power of dance. Colman discusses making pivotal life changes, the importance of kindness in a competitive acting world, and his passion for storytelling. He reflects on his time in 'Euphoria' and the significance of genuine connections in navigating Hollywood, all while revealing his current sense of personal fulfillment.
Aug 16, 2024 • 52min
Armchair Anonymous: Airplanes II
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about the craziest thing that ever happened to them on an airplane, again. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 15, 2024 • 2h 2min
Raj M. Shah & Christopher Kirchhoff (on the military-industrial complex)
Raj M. Shah, a tech entrepreneur and former director at the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit, and Christopher Kirchhoff, founder of the Pentagon’s Silicon Valley office, delve into the military-industrial complex. They tackle the lag between military and civilian tech, emphasizing the potential of collaborations with Silicon Valley. Raj and Christopher discuss the rise of drones in warfare, the bureaucratic hurdles in military contracts, and the need for modernization. They also express optimism about young innovators driving change in military technology.
Aug 12, 2024 • 2h 5min
Julianne Hough
Julianne Hough (Everything We Never Knew, Dancing with the Stars) is an actor, dancer, and choreographer. Julianne joins the Armchair Expert to discuss growing up in the Mormon church, going to live with a Russian family to dance when she was 9 years old, and her relationship with perfectionism. Julianne and Dax talk her ambitions to act and sing, her addictive loop, and her pursuit to be a country music singer. Julianne discusses her identity being tied to the shows she’s on, going through her divorce during covid, and why she wanted to open up about her struggles with loss and grief. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 9, 2024 • 51min
Armchair Anonymous: Cooking Disaster
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a cooking disaster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 8, 2024 • 1h 59min
Richard Isaacson (on Alzheimer’s prevention)
Dr. Richard Isaacson, a renowned neurologist specializing in Alzheimer's prevention, shares insightful perspectives on brain health and disease. He emphasizes the importance of preventative medicine and how diet impacts cognitive function, particularly through carbohydrate intake. Richard reveals the role of genetics in Alzheimer's risk and advocates for personalized healthcare approaches. The conversation also highlights innovative ideas like home-testing for brain health and lifestyle modifications to empower individuals in their fight against dementia.
Aug 5, 2024 • 2h 22min
Jack Black
Jack Black (Borderlands, Kung Fu Panda, High Fidelity) is an actor and musician. Jack joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he feels about being shouted at on the street, getting started in the alternative comedy scene, and having two brainiac parents. Jack and Dax talk about their experiences with drug use, how theater saved his life, and what bands influenced his music career. Jack explains when he feels like he found his acting voice, why he loves acting in movies adapted from video games, and chronological music marathons.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aug 1, 2024 • 2h 15min
Marion Jones (Olympic track-and-field athlete)
Marion Jones is an Olympic track-and-field athlete and professional basketball player. Marion joins the Armchair Expert to discuss growing up in Sherman Oaks, her first exposure to the Olympics, and when she knew she wanted to be an Olympic champion. Marion and Dax talk about how much her mom helped guide her career, the feeling of winning her gold medals, and getting the call from federal prosecutors about performance-enhancing drugs. Marion explains her decision to come clean, what her experience was being incarcerated, and how failure doesn’t have to be forever. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 29, 2024 • 1h 55min
Teddy Swims
Teddy Swims, a soulful singer-songwriter celebrated for his unique style, shares his journey from small-town Georgia to music stardom. He recounts meeting Dave Chappelle and reflects on the significance of personal relationships and self-acceptance. The conversation dives into his evolving relationship with body image, the importance of tattoos as personal expression, and his experiences with sobriety amidst the music business. Teddy emphasizes celebrating pain through music, revealing its transformative power in his artistic journey.
