
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

Nov 20, 2023 • 2h 14min
Wiz Khalifa
Wiz Khalifa (Khali Sober, Khalifa Kush) is a multi-platinum selling rapper and singer. Wiz joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his life growing up as a military kid, why it was tough to grow up scrawny, and what drove him to start writing at a young age. Wiz explains to Dax the difference between a mixtape and an album, how he and Snoop Dogg became friends, and the importance of putting in the work. Wiz discusses how weed changed his creative process, the cultural differences in talking about other people's business, and his jail selfie.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 16, 2023 • 2h 13min
Dr. Becky Kennedy (psychologist on parenting)
Dr. Becky Kennedy, a clinical psychologist and author dedicated to parenting, shares her insights on navigating modern family dynamics. She discusses why traditional parenting techniques may fall short and emphasizes the importance of emotional regulation and boundary-setting. Dr. Becky explains the complexities of repairing relationships with children and the impact of societal expectations on parents. She also reflects on the role social media plays in shaping parenting narratives and encourages a compassionate understanding of children's behaviors.

Nov 13, 2023 • 2h 29min
Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah (What Now, The Daily Show) is a comedian, writer, and podcaster. Trevor joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why silence scares him, people's aversion to being blamed, and how language helps you get to the granularity of meaning. Trevor and Dax discuss the false idea that you have to consume the news all the time, the history of the apartheid system in South Africa, and having patience for people only if they're engaged in the fight. Trevor explains how hyper-vigilance is a form of safety, that life doesn't happen in snippets, and how important community and connectedness is to him.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 10, 2023 • 44min
Armchair Anonymous: Bartending
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy bartending story.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 snips
Nov 9, 2023 • 2h 16min
Barbara Kingsolver (author of Demon Copperhead)
Barbara Kingsolver, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for her impactful works like Demon Copperhead, shares her journey from biologist to novelist. She discusses the truth embedded in fiction and reflects on the complexities of creativity amid structural classism. Barbara emphasizes the importance of portraying rural people authentically and reveals how the opioid epidemic influenced her writing. The conversation also touches on accessibility in literature and the transformative power of storytelling in addressing socio-economic challenges.

Nov 6, 2023 • 2h 22min
Tom Hansen
Tom Hansen is an entertainment lawyer and Dax's best friend. Tom joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what knowing people from the Dust Bowl era is like, how much he loved working on his grandparent's farm as a kid, and why he thinks he isn't a good listener. Tom and Dax talk about why some people just aren't ambitious in life, why he got into a lot of trouble in school, and their experiences with illicit drugs. Tom explains how going to Europe as a young man altered his perspective, how he was introduced to the world of entertainment law, and how raising daughters changed his definition of what it means to be a man.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 3, 2023 • 52min
Armchair Anonymous: Babysitting
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a bad babysitting experience.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 2, 2023 • 1h 57min
Dan Ariely (on behavioral economics)
Dan Ariely is a social scientist, professor, and author. Dan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why people often want to regulate other's behavior, what factors can affect workplace employees' motivations, and how people live in different realities from each other. Dan and Dax talk about the funnel of misbelief, what happens when people are excluded from a group, and how to engage people with differing opinions from your own. Dan explains how people proclaim their identities to others, what responsibility there is to verify data used in research, and the true societal role of a social scientist.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 30, 2023 • 2h 3min
Craig Ferguson
Craig Ferguson is a talk show host, comedian, and podcaster. Craig joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he carries extra underwear with him, how diverse Scotland is, and his journey into late-night television. Craig and Dax talk about what they have learned in getting older, who the desert fathers were, and their experiences with meditation. Craig explains what made him want to get sober, how he defines attractiveness, and why he wants to talk to people who aren't comedians.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 27, 2023 • 49min
Armchair Anonymous: Halloween
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time something crazy happened on Halloween.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.