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
Sep 12, 2022 • 1h 52min
Lili Reinhart
Lili Reinhart (Riverdale, Look Both Ways) is an actress and producer. Lili joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her struggle with social anxiety, why she started writing poetry, and how she defines fame. Lili and Dax talk about their relationship with body dysmorphia, their OCD tendencies, and being pessimistic by nature. Lili explains what she would have wanted to be if not an actor, the reason she finished high school online, and why she likes gory horror movies.
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Sep 9, 2022 • 37min
Armchair Anonymous: Heroic
Join Dax and Monica as they celebrate everyday heroes who have saved lives in extraordinary ways. Hear thrilling accounts of daring rescues, like a pizza delivery driver who thwarted a carbon monoxide threat. Reflect on intense childhood moments involving near-drownings and the lessons learned about safety and responsibility. The conversation also touches on men's mental health and the importance of breaking the stigma. Packed with emotion, humor, and inspiration, this episode showcases the remarkable impact individuals can have in critical moments.
Sep 8, 2022 • 1h 51min
Jamie Fiore Higgins (on her experience as a manager at Goldman Sachs)
Jamie Fiore Higgins (Bully Market: My Story of Money and Misogyny at Goldman Sachs) is a former finance executive and author. Jamie joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her experience being a managing director at Goldman Sachs, why she feels she was a perfect fit for the job, and how she dealt with the toxic culture of the business. Jamie and Dax talk about how stressful work environments can lead to drug addiction, how family life is often sacrificed to one's ambitious goals, and how making more money doesn't always equal happiness. Jamie explains how she coped with the PTSD from the events of 9/11 in New York, how getting bonuses works on Wall Street, and why she eventually decided to leave her job.
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Sep 5, 2022 • 2h 1min
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks (Pinocchio, Forrest Gump, Cast Away) is an actor and filmmaker. Tom joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what his approach was playing a beloved Disney character, what he loves most about making movies, and how he tries to remember everyone he meets. Tom and Dax talk about the effect Tom's films have had on pop culture, what working with Robert Zemeckis is like, and what it's like to see your own billboards. Tom explains how he used to tell time by what was on television, how amazed he is with what technology can create on screen, and what it's like to be at a dinner party with him.
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Sep 1, 2022 • 1h 27min
Erin Kimmerle (forensic anthropologist)
Erin Kimmerle (We Carry Their Bones) is a forensic anthropologist and author. Erin joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what we can learn by studying the bones of the deceased, her work investigating possible war crimes, and how she got involved in excavating mass burial grounds. Erin and Dax talk about what happened to the kids who were incarcerated at the Dozier School, the difficulties she had determining their causes of death, and how those who survived dealt with the trauma. Erin explains how she got into the human rights side of anthropology, how some systems were designed to control the movements of certain people, and how society was affected by child labor laws.
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Aug 29, 2022 • 1h 45min
Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris (Uncoupled, How I Met Your Mother, Doogie Howser) is an Emmy and Tony-award-winning actor, singer, writer and producer. Neil joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the escape hedge maze he's building in his backyard, his time as the President of the Magic Castle, and how Doogie Howser created imposter syndrome in him. Neil talks about his desire to build things out of wood, how his biggest fear is inadvertently making someone feel bad, and how much he struggles with bandwidth. Dax and Neil discuss how uncomfortable it is to be naked on camera, how helpful it is working with an intimacy coordinator on set, and Neil's first time playing a gay man as the lead role in Uncoupled.
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Aug 26, 2022 • 37min
Armchair Anonymous: Coitus Interruptus
Join the hosts as they dive into hilariously awkward interruption tales during intimate moments. From pets' comedic antics to unexpected childhood memories that blend guilt and humor, the discussions flow effortlessly. The nostalgia of teenage years and the complexities of personal desires create a reflective yet lighthearted vibe. With chaotic encounters and a sprinkle of relatable banter, the episode balances laughs with genuine insights into emotions and mental health, all served with a side of tasty snacks.
Aug 25, 2022 • 2h 2min
George Monbiot (climate activist)
George Monbiot (Regenesis, The Guardian) is a climate activist and author. George joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what the restoration story narrative is, how obsessed he is with the idea of high luxury in public spaces, and how we can achieve low-impact high-productive farming. George and Dax talk about the differences between simple and complex systems, how technology and politics have to work together to achieve solutions, and what the concept of Neo-Liberalism is. George explains the impact of grassfed beef on the environment, how wild ecosystems affect the planet, and how world events can severely alter our food supply.
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Aug 22, 2022 • 1h 57min
Zoey Deutch
Zoey Deutch (Not Okay, Buffaloed, Zombieland) is an actor. Zoey joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it was like growing up on movie sets, how she is obsessed with other people's drinking habits, and how she feels about the idea of public shaming. Zoey and Dax talk about who their favorite Formula 1 drivers are, what actors they love right now, and doing things that embarrass them. Zoey explains why she has so many names, how she was bullied in school, and how much she loves playing unlikeable characters.
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Aug 19, 2022 • 36min
Armchair Anonymous: Wedding Mishap
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us the craziest thing they've ever witnessed at a wedding.
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