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
Oct 6, 2022 • 1h 44min
Jonathan Abrams (on the history of Hip-Hop)
Jonathan Abrams (The Come Up) is an author and journalist. Jonathan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he wanted to write an oral history of hip-hop, how he became a sports writer, and who some of his all-time favorite rap artists are. Jonathan and Dax talk about which artists shaped the hip-hop landscape, what the different geographic pockets of the industry are, and how sampling influenced the progression of the genre. Jonathan explains the east vs west coast wars, why masculinity is so prevalent among some artists, and how hip-hop broke out into the mainstream.
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Oct 3, 2022 • 1h 54min
Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon (They/Them, City on a Hill, Footloose) is an actor. Kevin joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he thinks Footloose had so much success, what being cool means to him, and why he decided to make the move to television. Kevin and Dax talk about what it's like to do all those interviews to promote movies, why they embraced doing commercials, and how they view playing the role of an unlikeable character. Kevin explains how he views himself in the zeitgeist of American pop culture, what he thinks about being a mentor to young actors, and how working in the horror genre is different than it used to be.
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Sep 30, 2022 • 31min
Armchair Anonymous: Caught Masturbating
Join a lively exploration of embarrassing and humorous childhood moments surrounding masturbation. The conversation dives into the complexities of youthful sexual discovery, personal growth, and navigating societal norms. With playful anecdotes about awkward encounters and ridiculous escapades, the hosts emphasize the importance of open discussion around mental health and self-expression. A lighthearted take on innocence and exploration mixes fun with deeper reflections on intimacy, making it a relatable and entertaining listen.
Sep 29, 2022 • 1h 37min
Saul Kassin (psychologist on false confessions)
Saul Kassin (Duped: Why Innocent People Confess) is a professor and psychologist. Saul joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why some people give false confessions in criminal investigations, what tactics law enforcement use in interrogations, and how the language of memory and inference differ. Saul and Dax talk about why some investigators object to recording the questioning of suspects, why some people offer confessions in high-profile cases, and what the optics of silence often says to the public. Saul explains why the Innocence Project only gets involved with cases with DNA evidence, how the threat of punishment can affect the outcomes of learning, and why some people are afraid to confront authority.
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Sep 26, 2022 • 1h 39min
Jennette McCurdy
Jennette McCurdy (I'm Glad My Mom Died, iCarly) is a writer, director, and actress. Jennette joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what doing Dialectical Behavior Therapy has done for her mental health, how her relationship with her mother motivated the subject matter of her new book, and what being a love addict means. Jennette and Dax talk about why some people develop eating disorders, whether they like to cry or not, and why they seek approval from other people. Jennette explains what it was like growing up in a Mormon household, what she looks for when she is traveling, and how she loved learning about everyone else's jobs on set.
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Sep 23, 2022 • 1h 5min
Armchair Anonymous: Wild Animal
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they fought a wild animal.
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Sep 22, 2022 • 1h 29min
Jared Diamond (geographer, historian, ornithologist)
Jared Diamond is an author, geographer, historian, and ornithologist. Jared joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what his thoughts are on the future state of the world, what motivated him to write books about human societies, and what factors contribute to the rise and fall of civilizations. Jared and Dax talk about why European societies were driven to compete with each other, why some people are obsessed with the "end of days" concept, and what it means to be considered a polymath. Jared explains how he got interested in birdwatching, how the spread of disease affected colonization throughout history, and how many languages he learned over the course of his travels.
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Sep 19, 2022 • 1h 19min
Ice-T
Ice-T (Power, Law and Order: SVU, Split Decision) is a rapper, actor, and producer. Ice-T joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the message of his new book, how he got introduced to the rap industry, and how hip hop changed the world. Ice-T and Dax talk about how crime can be a form of addiction, what their experiences with street fighting are, and how growing up in a tough environment shaped them. Ice-T explains why he joined the Army after high school, why he never liked doing drugs, and why he doesn't go to funerals.
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Sep 16, 2022 • 50min
Armchair Anonymous: Pooped on a Date
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time that they pooped their pants on a date.
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Sep 15, 2022 • 1h 57min
Will MacAskill (philosopher and ethicist)
Will MacAskill (What We Owe the Future) is a professor at Oxford and philosopher. Will joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how our moralities are affected by global ideologies, how fair trade works, and what effect artificial intelligence will have on our future. Will and Dax talk about the fundamentals of effective altruism, how people can figure out who to donate their money to, and what their opinions are on longtermism as it relates to preserving human life. Will explains why he took his ex-wife's grandmother's maiden name, how we can extend the lifespan of the sun, and how anyone can have an impact on making the world a better place.
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