
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.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.
Latest episodes

Jan 12, 2024 • 1h 2min
Armchair Anonymous: Crazy Concerts
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy concert experience.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 11, 2024 • 1h 50min
Matthew Desmond (on poverty)
Matthew Desmond (Poverty, by America) is a sociologist and author. Matthew joins Armchair Expert to discuss why he became interested in studying poverty in America, how people are being priced out of their own neighborhoods, and what solutions he feels would help unhoused people the most. Matthew and Dax talk about why a wealthy country can have such a large wage gap, what metrics the government uses to define who an impoverished person is, and how some financial institutions are predatory towards people with less money. Matthew explains why people should change their outlook on paying taxes, how welfare dependency is not as common as people think, and what he thinks caused the mass amount of economic inflation.
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Jan 8, 2024 • 2h 1min
Paul Giamatti
Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers, Billions, Sideways) is an actor. Paul joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he felt about living up to his father's accomplishments, how bad he is at math, and why he got into theater. Paul and Dax talk about what their favorite cigarettes used to be, what boarding school culture is like, and what it means to be a lead actor. Paul explains what it's like to play unlikeable characters, what he's learned about historical figures from his roles, and why he is obsessed with fantastical ideas.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 5, 2024 • 53min
Armchair Anonymous: Crazy Gym
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy gym story.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 4, 2024 • 1h 57min
Billie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong (Saviors, American Idiot, Dookie) is a musician and lead vocalist of the rock band Green Day. Billie joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it's like to have a brother 20 years older than him, the evolution of punk music, and his songwriting process. Billie and Dax talk about what it's like to move into a big city from a small town, what it's like to be in love at a young age, and where the name Green Day came from. Billie explains what his experiences with addiction have been, how his wife started a chimp sanctuary, and why the band wanted to produce their latest album in England.
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Jan 1, 2024 • 2h 10min
Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson (The Color Purple, Empire, Hustle & Flow) is an actor, producer, and director. Taraji joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it was like playing a character with a lot of trauma, why she feels it's important to travel, and how she felt about her mom dating. Taraji and Dax talk about how rejection can help someone find success, what having a child in college is like, and why lifting up others is important. Taraji explains why she doesn't like the term black movie, how her foundation is working to improve mental health, and how she wants to play a superhero on screen one day.
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Dec 22, 2023 • 51min
Holiday Spectacular 2023
Join us for our annual holiday spectacular as we open presents, we talk about why this Christmas is bittersweet, we discuss why parents aren't sexy, and we take time to reflect on 2023 and what's to come in 2024.
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Dec 21, 2023 • 58min
Best of Thursdays 2023
On this special episode, we revisit some of our favorite moments from Thursday episodes in 2023.
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Dec 18, 2023 • 1h 17min
Best of Mondays 2023
On this special episode, we revisit some of our favorite moments from Monday episodes in 2023.
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Dec 15, 2023 • 51min
Armchair Anonymous: Holiday Vacation
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a wild holiday vacation.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.