Synopsis
Hi, Im 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 peoples 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.
Episodes
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Best of 2022
19/12/2022 Duration: 02h46minOn this special episode, we revisit some of our favorite moments from 2022. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Richard Branson
15/12/2022 Duration: 01h37minSir Richard Branson is a businessman, entrepreneur, and adventurer. Richard joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he became interested in starting businesses, why he is involved with global social issues, and how he enjoys being considered an underdog. Richard and Dax talk about their experiences with dyslexia, how they learn more from people's failures, and their respect for artists. Richard explains why he is a thrill seeker, why someone's reputation is so important, and how he was never obsessed with making money. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Edward Norton Returns
12/12/2022 Duration: 02h01minEdward Norton (Glass Onion, Motherless Brooklyn, Fight Club) is an actor and filmmaker. Edward joins the Armchair Expert again to discuss the concept of intellectual humility, the differences between cynicism vs skepticism, and how he feels about not being the first choice for roles. Edward and Dax talk about what type of strength it takes to surf, why people look to improve their appearance, and what their favorite shows are right now. Edward explains why he loves well-written monologues, how much work goes into producing your own projects, and what makes a great murder mystery. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Armchair Anonymous: Holiday Nightmare
09/12/2022 Duration: 51minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a nightmare holiday experience. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Gloria Mark (on attention spans)
08/12/2022 Duration: 01h58minGloria Mark (Attention Span) is a professor, author, and researcher. Gloria joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what attention is, how email can be a main source of stress, and what the study of Informatics is. Gloria and Dax talk about the concept of flow, what social capital on the internet is, and what the fallacy in multi-tasking is. Gloria explains how being an artist prepared her for studying psychology, how well-being should be prioritized over productivity in the workplace, and how self-interruption is a major culprit of distraction. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Victoria Beckham
05/12/2022 Duration: 02h01minVictoria Beckham is a fashion designer, singer, and television personality. Victoria joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she wanted to start a line of makeup and skincare products, how she always wanted to be a dancer and singer from a young age, and why being a fashion designer is so important to her. Victoria and Dax talk about the differences between high-quality clothing and fast fashion, what being the breadwinner in a relationship means, and what impact the Spice Girls had on an entire generation of women. In the fact check, Dax and Monica are joined by a very special surprise guest. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Armchair Anonymous: Snow Day
02/12/2022 Duration: 54minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their craziest snow day memory. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Neil deGrasse Tyson (astrophysicist)
01/12/2022 Duration: 02h25minNeil deGrasse Tyson (Starry Messenger, StarTalk) is an astrophysicist, author, and podcast host. Neil joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he first got interested in astronomy, why he loved competing in high school wrestling, and how he became a public figure within the field of science. Neil and Dax talk about what happens to the human body when it is cremated, why Neil decided to leave UT Austin, and what movies accurately portray physics. Neil explains why the sky is blue, how geopolitics drive space exploration, and why he started practicing sound bites for the news. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jordan Peele
28/11/2022 Duration: 01h34minJordan Peele (Get Out, Nope, Wendell & Wild) is an actor, comedian, and filmmaker. Jordan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he loves the horror and comedy genres, why doing films that have meaning is so important to him, and how he approaches character development in his stories. Jordan and Dax talk about the similarities between Punk'd and Mad TV, what growing up with single mothers was like, and how vital interpersonal skills are in the filmmaking process. Jordan explains what he is afraid of, how ego affects the creative process, and why actor performances are essential to make a great film. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Armchair Anonymous: Black Friday
25/11/2022 Duration: 53minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about the craziest thing they've witnessed on Black Friday. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Mark Rober (engineer & inventor)
24/11/2022 Duration: 02h16minMark Rober is an engineer and inventor. Mark joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he became one of the biggest YouTubers in the world, how he got a job with NASA, and how he has learned to reframe failures into successes. Mark and Dax talk about the experience of being recognized in public, what they love most about primates, and why science was a more appealing subject matter in school. Mark explains his glitter bomb video, what he thinks about ASMR, and why he resisted doing a television show for so long. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jerry Seinfeld
21/11/2022 Duration: 01h34minJerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, 23 Hours to Kill) is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. Jerry joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how much he dislikes vacations, why you shouldn't worship your children, and his ability to read people quickly. Dax and Jerry talk about how the algorithm isn't good for the art form of comedy, where their attraction to cars comes from, and the nice ways to scratch your face. Jerry explains how everyone is in the perfect car for them even if they borrowed it, how art is the disguising of art, and why everything in life needs to be edited. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Armchair Anonymous: Thanksgiving
18/11/2022 Duration: 45minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about the craziest thing that happened at Thanksgiving dinner. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Yuval Harari Returns Again
17/11/2022 Duration: 01h59minYuval Noah Harari (Sapiens, Unstoppable Us) is a historian, philosopher and best-selling author. Yuval joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how people create fantasies in their minds about the real world, why he wanted to write a children's book, and how humans are capable of building large collaborative communities. Yuval and Dax talk about how the invention of fire advanced human civilizations, how humans evolved to the top of the food chain, and why people lose their faith in the systems that run their lives. Yuval explains why he doesn't like to hear his own voice, what the concept of social scores based on technology tracking is, and how the stories of religion can change over time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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John Stamos
14/11/2022 Duration: 02h24minJohn Stamos (Full House, Big Shot, ER) is an actor and musician. John joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his DM to Dax about loving the podcast, his fear of putting himself out there and giving 100%, and the time someone tried to set him up with Kristen. John and Dax talk about their shared love of Howard Stern, what the term "epcotting" means, and his experience on daytime soap operas. John explains how he wanted to get famous so he could have bodyguards beat up his high school bully, the hyper-nostalgia of Full House, and John brings Monica a surprise. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Armchair Anonymous: Stuck
11/11/2022 Duration: 55minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about the worst place they've been stuck. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Layne Norton (scientist and bodybuilder)
10/11/2022 Duration: 02h28minLayne Norton, Ph. D. (BioLayne) is a scientist, professional bodybuilder, and physique coach. Layne joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he approaches teaching people about exercise, his thoughts on the artificial sweetener debate, and his views on the use of steroids in bodybuilding competitions. Layne and Dax talk about how diet culture can shape people's identities, how eating disorders can be treated as addictions, and how important the power of habit-forming can be to one's health. Layne explains why tracking what you eat is beneficial, why having accountability with empathy is crucial in weight loss, and how detrimental stress can be to the human body. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Constance Wu
07/11/2022 Duration: 01h49minConstance Wu (Making a Scene, Crazy Rich Asians, Fresh Off the Boat) is an actress. Constance joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she decided to write a book, the importance of having empathy and curiosity toward someone else's experience, and how she discovered her love for acting. Constance and Dax talk about her experiences working in television versus film, what they think being pessimistic means, and how Asian women are often treated on a production set. Constance explains her relationship with going to therapy, what being pregnant during the pandemic was like, and why she started running marathons. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Armchair Anonymous: Dating App
04/11/2022 Duration: 01h02minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their worst dating experience from a dating app. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Will Bunch (on college in America)
03/11/2022 Duration: 01h41minWill Bunch (After the Ivory Tower Falls) is an author and journalist. Will joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he wanted to research the college story in America, why people are so politically divided over the subject of higher education, and why it's so expensive to go to American universities. Will and Dax talk about why it could be argued that college degrees are more about status than knowledge, how the debt relief program could shape the future of many people, and how it's possible for vocational schools to make a comeback. Will explains why some states stopped wanting to fund their public universities, how college is mostly about learning to think critically, and the concept of a credential society. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.