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 11, 2022 • 1h 24min
Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders, Batman Begins, Red Eye) is an actor and producer. Cillian joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how Irish culture can be both rebellious and obedient, how he wanted to play music before becoming an actor, and what being a father to two boys is like. Cillian and Dax talk about how his character on Peaky Blinders has evolved, how his relationship with Christopher Nolan has progressed over the years, and why he doesn't like to talk about acting when he's not at work. Cillian explains why he moved his family back home to Dublin, who his favorite musicians were growing up, and how excited he is about his new role in the upcoming film Oppenheimer.
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Apr 7, 2022 • 1h 29min
Anna Lembke (psychiatrist on addiction)
Anna Lembke (Dopamine Nation) is a psychiatrist and professor at Stanford University. Anna joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why the opioid crisis has been so dangerous, how language is shifting when talking about people with addictions, and how being addicted to romance novels affected her personal life. Anna and Dax talk about how addiction drives people into isolation, how social media and drugs stimulate the same parts of the brain, and how nature, nurture, or neighborhood can affect peoples' likelihood of forming an addiction. Anna explains how people rationalize their addictions in their own minds, what specific chemicals affect our moods, and how we need to explore reframing our concept of pain.
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Apr 4, 2022 • 1h 34min
Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore (In Real Life, This Is Us, A Walk to Remember) is a singer, songwriter, and actress. Mandy joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how she was discovered singing the national anthem at a basketball game, what the circumstances surrounding her parents' divorce were, and what going on tour with famous boy bands as a kid was like. Mandy and Dax talk about what they remember about the time she was on Punk'd, what they love about working on a TV show consistently, and how she met her husband on Instagram. Mandy explains how she is feeling about going out on tour again, what growing up in suburban Orlando was like, and that no one has ever said she looks like someone else.
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Mar 31, 2022 • 1h 28min
Brian Cox (physicist)
Brian Cox (Horizons: A 21st Century Space Odyssey) is a physicist and former musician. Brian joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how we know the Big Bang actually happened, what actually happens when information is sent into a black hole, and how time moves differently in spacetime. Brian and Dax talk about where the end of time exists, how science is taught to kids in different parts of the world, and how social science differs from the science of physics. Brian explains how we have learned so much about the universe since the release of the movie Interstellar, how astronauts are actually falling when they are orbiting the Earth, and having dinner with Succession actor Brian Cox.
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Mar 28, 2022 • 1h 22min
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon (The Tonight Show, Nana Loves You More) is a comedian, actor, author, and television host. Jimmy joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he ended up hosting The Tonight Show, where his style of comedy comes from, and how he shifted his identity to being a parent. Jimmy and Dax talk about the culture of drinking, how they feel about their movie careers, and how Jimmy gives off Bradley Cooper vibes. Jimmy explains what it was like being raised Catholic, how he didn't have a serious girlfriend through high school, and how he comes up with new songs for his talk show.
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Mar 24, 2022 • 1h 38min
Daniel Pink (The Power of Regret)
Daniel Pink (The Power of Regret) is a New York Times best-selling author. Daniel joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how people having no regrets in their life is the wrong mentality to have, how people can underachieve if they are over-pressured to perform, and his findings on free will. Daniel and Dax talk about how to confront moral regrets, how self-compassion is more constructive than self-criticism, and how to approach the regrets of action versus inaction. Daniel explains what happens when people are incentivized to work, how growing up in the Midwest shaped his personality, and what usually happens when you reach out to reconnect with people in your life.
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Mar 21, 2022 • 1h 35min
Tony Hawk & Sam Jones
Tony Hawk is a professional skateboarder and entrepreneur. Sam Jones is a photographer and director. Tony and Sam join the Armchair Expert to discuss collaborating to make a documentary about Tony's life, how they have always seen skateboarding as an art form, and their thoughts on the inherent dangers of being a skater. Tony talks about how his style was always different than his peers, his relationship with his dad throughout his career, and how he didn't get into skating for the fame. Sam explains how he met Tony skating at the same park, how skate videos changed the perception of the sport, and how it's weird to hear the sound of your own voice.
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Mar 17, 2022 • 1h 55min
Monica Aldama (cheerleading coach)
Monica Aldama (Cheer, Full Out) is a cheerleading coach and author. Monica joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how her life changed because of the Netflix documentary, what she feels makes a great leader, and how she is often motivated by people doubting that she can succeed.Monica and Dax talk about supporting victims of abuse, how they both won't read the comment sections, and why head protection isn't required for cheerleading like in other sports. Monica explains how difficult being on Dancing with the Stars was, the double standard for female coaches, and how much she hates to fail at anything.
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Mar 14, 2022 • 1h 29min
Seth Meyers Returns
Seth Meyers (SNL, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Documentary Now) is a comedian, writer, and television host. Seth returns to discuss what his process was writing a children's book, how the pandemic sparked his creativity, and why he has embraced doing stand-up comedy again. Seth and Dax talk about code-switching when they are talking to their kids, where people in their hometowns went to fight, and how they will never give up coffee. Seth explains what foods are horrible to serve in a drive-thru, how hard it is to write a screenplay, and why he has no desire to write an autobiography.
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Mar 10, 2022 • 1h 52min
Roy Choi (chef)
Roy Choi (Broken Bread, The Chef Show, Kogi) is a chef, author, and television personality. Roy joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he went from having a gambling addiction to being an award-winning chef, what Asian immigrants had to do to navigate the American system, and how important food is to Korean culture. Roy and Dax talk about what happened to restaurants during the pandemic, how most people in America are a product of fast food advertising, and what reforms he would like to see in the food industry. Roy explains what his experience was like teaching English in Korea, that he has never been a collector of material things, and that he believes there isn't enough Asian representation in American media.
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