Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Adam Frank (The Little Book of Aliens) is a physicist, astronomer, and writer. Adam joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he dealt with being an outsider in school, why he was drawn to science fiction, and how he discovered a secret language in mathematics. Adam and Dax talk about what the search for intelligent life outside Earth looks like, how common it is for other planets to have water, and what the concept of a liquid brain is. Adam explains why people are so obsessed with UAPs, why looking into space is like looking back in time, and how he thinks climate change is affecting the planet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Willem Dafoe (Poor Things, Platoon, The Lighthouse) is an actor. Willem joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he doesn't have the desire to buy things, how being raised by his siblings affected his perspective, and how his parents encouraged him to be ambitious in life. Willem and Dax talk about how one's identity can be defined by social conditioning, how he loves collaborating with others on a project, and how he feels about playing big characters. Willem explains how good directors make the film process more enjoyable, how he feels about knowing too much about other actors, and what he thinks about being so recognizable. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a meet cute. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maria Sharapova is a 5x Grand Slam-winning former professional tennis player, investor, and entrepreneur. Maria joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how her priorities changed after retiring from tennis, her experience as a child moving to the US from Russia, and where her strong work ethic came from. Maria and Dax talk about how isolating success can be, what it takes to be critical of yourself, and how they both approach conflict in their relationships. Maria explains how much pressure there is on individual athletes to perform at a high level, why she wants to be a voice for female empowerment, and her superstitions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jon Batiste (American Symphony) is a musician and composer. Jon joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why some people feel unworthy of others, why it's important to feel rejection, and how music can connect all types of people together. Jon and Dax talk about why they want to evolve as artists, how priorities can change when a loved one is sick, and what it's like to have a relationship in the public eye. Jon explains what obligations he feels when fans approach him on the street, how TV shows can affect people's view of other cultures, and why he can still accept criticism of his work. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us their craziest stories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Daniel Markovits (The Meritocracy Trap) is a law professor and author. Daniel joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it was like growing up in different countries, why freedom of speech can sometimes be controversial, and why great art can impact society as much as scientific breakthroughs. Daniel and Dax talk about what it means to study meritocracy, how the landscape of going to college has changed, and how having educated parents affects a child's development. Daniel explains why there is such a wide gap between the wealthy and the middle class, how some institutions use diversity to exclude people, and how the American marketplace is driven mostly by policy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives, Flamin' Hot) is an actor, producer, and director. Eva joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she loved having kids later in life, how she views religion versus spirituality, and what growing up on a Texas ranch was like. Eva and Dax talk about what types of people they are attracted to, why acting in soap operas is so much work, and what biohacking techniques they use to improve their health. Eva explains why she wanted to make a film about Flamin' Hot Cheetos, the importance of Latinos seeing themselves reflected on screen, and how she used Desperate Housewives as her film school. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy piercing or tattooing incident. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jedidiah Jenkins, an acclaimed author known for his insightful memoirs, dives deep into personal identity shaped by faith and sexuality. He explores the nuances of preparation for intimacy while navigating social norms. The conversation touches on finding common ground with differing beliefs and the emotional journey of retracing his mother’s walk across America. With humor and heart, Jedidiah shares how memoir writing has helped him understand complex family dynamics, and the vital role of therapy in overcoming shame and fostering connection.