Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club, Choke, People Places Things) is an author and journalist. Chuck joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he uses suspense and tension in his novels, how he loves to hear other people's stories, and what absurd existentialism means to him. Chuck and Dax discuss how writers are always looking for the tragedy in stories, how communities can feel pride in their culture, and why so many people suffer from misophonia. Chuck explains what the snowflake analogy in Fight Club really means, that he didn't learn to read until he was 14, and how he once lied to get a job as a diesel mechanic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zooey Deschanel (New Girl, Elf, 500 Days of Summer) is an actor and musician. Zooey joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how doing auditions always made her nervous, how she had to adjust from filming movies to shooting tv shows, and where her sense of fashion came from. Zooey and Dax talk about the double date they once went on together, how success sometimes comes from being obsessed with something, and their favorite cookies. Zooey explains how much fun she is having recording her new podcast, how she used to have dance parties on set, and the results of her food sensitivity test. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Metta World Peace (NBA Champion, All-Star, and Defensive Player of the Year) is a former basketball player. Metta joins the Armchair Expert to discuss staying up until 3 am shooting hoops in his neighborhood, what his experience was like being a part of the Malice at the Palace, and how he has approached dealing with mental health issues over the course of his life. Metta and Dax discover their mutual love for Spades, how one of their favorite pastimes is stargazing, and how they will never stop eating fast food. Metta explains who was the hardest player for him to guard in the NBA, how he would choose to defend himself against a mountain lion, and what the motivation was for him to change his name. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nicholas Hoult (The Great, About a Boy, Mad Max: Fury Road) is an actor. Nicholas joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he got into motorcycle racing, that he often has social anxiety in hindsight, and how he dealt with being a child actor. Nicholas and Dax talk about where they think "dad bods" come from, how embarrassing the choreography for Mad Max was to shoot, and how being raised by women shaped his character. Nicholas explains that he sometimes will lie about having seen a movie, his approach to shooting an awkward sex scene, and what advice Michael Shannon gave him on playing a real person on screen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brené Brown (Atlas of the Heart) is a research professor and author. Brené joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how important language is to express our emotions, how people often incorrectly use the terms envy and jealousy, and the difference between the halo effect and the bandwagon effect. Brené and Dax talk about what the physical symptoms of shame are, how some people are more hardwired for struggle, and if it's possible to have compassion for people who inflict trauma on others. Brené explains how she often races other people when swimming laps, how Schadenfreude can be a predictor of a fragile ego, and why she doesn't want to be seen as a motivational speaker. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kristen Bell (The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window) is an actor and producer. Kristen returns to discuss her new satirical thriller on Netflix, her recent colonoscopy, and how great she is at doing impressions. Kristen and Dax talk about investigating a weird smell in their bedroom, why you shouldn't wash your feet in the shower, and how you can make your favorite scent into a lotion. Kristen explains why she thinks Monica's ears got infected from new earrings, that she dislikes the toilet paper they have in their motorhome, and the custom gift Dax got from a popcorn company. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Schur (The Good Place, The Office, Parks and Recreation) is a television producer and writer. Michael returns to discuss his new book on ethics and what he thinks it means to be a better person. Michael and Dax talk about the difference between guilt and shame, how the world rewards unique people but leaves others behind, and how it's a luxury for people to care about moral issues. Michael explains how he created a Katrina fundraiser from a fender bender accident, how he would go about setting up a new society, and his perspective on abstract versus realistic philosophical arguments. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Arquette (Scream, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ready to Rumble) is an actor. David joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he almost died in a professional wrestling match, what growing up fast in Hollywood was like, and how much he loves Bozo the Clown. David and Dax talk about how they had to learn to not be so hard on themselves, how the new Scream movie is different from the others, and how time moves faster when you get older. David explains how he thinks we live in a society of punishment, that he is a certified Bob Ross instructor, and how he never wants his daughter to do a Google search on him. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brian Klaas is a political scientist and professor. Brian joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the topics of power and corruption, how he got connected to talk to dictators for his research, and the differences between functional and dysfunctional psychopaths. Brian and Dax talk about power-seeking versus power-obtaining behavior, how faces can influence the results of elections, and the story of the Madagascar Yogurt Kingpin. Brian explains how systems of power can be reformed using shadow boards, how police recruiting strategies differ, and how the psychological distance between humans can have an effect on policymaking. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kristen Stewart (Spencer, Twilight, Charlie's Angels) is a Golden Globe-nominated actor and filmmaker. Kristen joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her experience starring in movies at a very young age, how she secretly is really into cars, and the personal similarities she felt when playing Princess Diana. Kristen and Dax talk about how they feel their best movies never make any money, how they listen to the same song over and over if they love it, and how Kristen jumped on Dax's Halloween hayride without him knowing it. Kristen explains that she never remembers the stuff she says during press events, how she thinks horoscopes can be weirdly accurate, and how she learned to stop dreading uncomfortable situations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.