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
Apr 27, 2023 • 2h 1min
Jason Katims
Jason Katims (Dear Edward, Parenthood, Friday Night Lights) is a producer, writer, and showrunner. Jason joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his ability to embrace the ensemble, the relationship between an actor and writer, and what the responsibility of the creator is to the characters of a story. Jason and Dax talk about how much they loved working together on Parenthood, what their early film experiences were like, and how much they value a great crew on a project. Jason explains what it was like to employ his own father as an actor, his pattern of working off of source material, and what starts his creative gears.
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Apr 24, 2023 • 2h 42min
David Sedaris #4
David Sedaris, a celebrated comedian and author, shares his witty insights on everything from annoying trendy sayings to the art of crafting personalized postcards. He explores the parallels between food and drug addictions and reflects on the difficulty of accepting help from others. The conversation takes a humorous turn as they discuss language quirks, the societal value of satire, and the nuances of doing good deeds for strangers, all while celebrating the importance of heartfelt connections.
Apr 21, 2023 • 56min
Armchair Anonymous: Worst Homeshare
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their worst homeshare experience.
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Apr 20, 2023 • 1h 59min
Nita Farahany (on neurotechnology and the law)
Nita Farahany (The Battle For Your Brain) is an author, professor, and scholar. Nita joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the effects of implementing brain wave monitoring, what body politics are, and how AI is currently being used to predict human behavior. Nita and Dax talk about the fears they have surrounding neurotechnology, whether transferring a person's consciousness will be possible some day, and how fast surveillance is normalized. Nita explains why the definition of death is being debated, how privacy practices often don't align with privacy preferences, and what cognitive rights laws could look like in the future.
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Apr 17, 2023 • 2h 22min
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal, an Academy Award nominee known for his roles in films like Brokeback Mountain and Nightcrawler, shares insights from his upbringing in a celebrity family. He discusses the impact of his parents on his artistic journey and the vulnerability required in acting. Reflecting on his authentic portrayal in Donnie Darko, he highlights the emotional weight of his latest film, The Covenant, especially focusing on the plight of interpreters. With a touch of humor, he recounts memorable moments with Paul Newman and the collaborative atmosphere on set, including Guy Ritchie's barbecue rituals.
Apr 14, 2023 • 43min
Armchair Anonymous: Craigslist Debacle
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a craigslist debacle.
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Apr 13, 2023 • 2h 27min
Rick Rubin (record producer)
Rick Rubin (The Creative Act: A Way of Being, American Recordings) is an 8x Grammy Award-winning music producer, record executive, and author. Rick joins the Armchair Expert to discusshis creative process for producing music, why he is interested in many different genres of music, and how important it is to be true to yourself. Rick and Dax talk about their relationships with spirituality, what happens when artists have that magic moment in the recording studio, and how important it is to pay attention to your signals. Rick explains how discipline can bring you more freedom, how the beginner's mind allows for innovation through ignorance, and the importance of embracing creativity in a creative world.
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Apr 10, 2023 • 1h 43min
Matthew McConaughey Returns
Matthew McConaughey, a Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning actor, returns to share his insights on slowing down in life and addressing personal conflicts. He discusses feelings of imposter syndrome, jealousy, and self-awareness, reflecting on how a break from acting transformed his perspective. The conversation delves into the art of storytelling, the complexities of aging, and the importance of trust and integrity in relationships. McConaughey also explores the significance of vulnerability and authenticity in personal growth, intertwined with humor and heartfelt reflections.
Apr 7, 2023 • 37min
Armchair Anonymous: Cremation Disaster
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a cremation disaster.
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Apr 6, 2023 • 1h 52min
Paul Bloom Returns
Paul Bloom (The Sweet Spot, Just Babies, Psych: The Story of the Human Mind) is a psychologist, professor, and author. Paul returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss how our most important force as humans is our capacity to reason, the reconstructive nature of memory, and how to decide which studies we should believe in. Paul and Dax talk about the natural asymmetry between elation and agony, repressed memories, and how much chance events shape us. Paul explains his thoughts on right brain vs left brain, the gendered differences of jealousy, and how to answer the question of nature or nurture.
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