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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Maureen Dunne (on neurodiversity)
28/03/2024 Duration: 01h28minMaureen Dunne (The Neurodiversity Edge) is a cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, and business leader. Maureen joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her ability to read a book in a half hour, how most people don't fit into just one neurodivergent box, and how neurodiversity should be seen as an asset. Dax and Maureen talk about the importance of combating stereotypes, how people misevaluate the level of talent of neurodivergent people, and how a large percentage of millionaires have dyslexic traits. Maureen talks about the disproportionality between talented people and meaningful opportunities, how codification and conduct drive culture, and the value of integrating cognitive diversity into the workforce. 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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Christina Applegate
25/03/2024 Duration: 01h55minChristina Applegate (MeSsy, Married with Children, Anchorman) is an actor. Christina joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she doesn't like to take instructions, what growing up in the same neighborhood her whole life was like, and how she felt about receiving mixtapes. Christina and Dax talk about how she was in a commercial as a baby, why she loves watching reality television, and her attraction to punk rockers. Christina explains how she feels about people joking about addiction, why she wanted to start a podcast around her MS diagnosis, and why people like to watch other people fail. 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: Amusement Park
22/03/2024 Duration: 48minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy amusement park story. 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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Lisa Damour (on the emotion of teenagers)
21/03/2024 Duration: 02h01minLisa Damour (The Emotional Lives of Teenagers) is a clinical psychologist and author. Lisa joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how well fear immersion actually works, the three categories of temperament, and how the treatment of trauma has changed. Lisa and Dax talk about abnormal psychology, what caused the adolescent mental health crisis, and why the pandemic was so detrimental for teenagers. Lisa explains how social media has influenced self-diagnosis of disorders, why showing emotion is so difficult for boys, and how distraction has a place in our lives. 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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Conor McGregor & Jake Gyllenhaal
18/03/2024 Duration: 01h52minConor McGregor is a mixed martial arts fighter, businessman, and actor. Jake Gyllenhaal is an actor. Conor and Jake join the Armchair Expert to discuss what their experience was collaborating to remake Roadhouse, how promoting a movie is different than promoting a fight, and what the motivation was for Conor to learn mixed martial arts as a young man. Conor, Jake, and Dax talk about what it's like growing up in hypermasculine environments, how they approach failure, and what it's like raising children as a fighter. Conor and Jake explain what training for a fight does for your physical health, what it takes to create believable fight scenes, and how much they love being creators. 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: Cult
15/03/2024 Duration: 01h05minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they escaped a cult. 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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Bill Gates Returns
14/03/2024 Duration: 01h47minBill Gates is a businessman, investor, and philanthropist. Bill returns to the Armchair Expert (from India!) to discuss the process of partnering with governments to provide vaccines, what data he looks at to assess what a successful project is, and why he is comfortable being critical of others' ideas. Bill and Dax talk about how impactful having a good meeting with peers can be, how important it is to admit that you aren't an expert at something, and what superpowers they would want. Bill explains why he loves the history of science, how much of his foundation's research goes towards world health, and what impacts A.I. will potentially have on the global economy. 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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Maisie Williams
11/03/2024 Duration: 01h59minMaisie Williams (Game of Thrones, The New Look, Pistol) is an actor. Maisie joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how she connects with other young actors who achieve success early, how her relationship with doing press has evolved, and how she originally wanted to be a dancer. Maisie and Dax talk about what it's like to be on a massive television show, having to learn to use a sword with her opposite hand, and growing up on a tv set. Maisie explains how the golden era of fashion happened during World War II, how early fashion designers contributed to movements like feminism, and what actors above 50 she'd want to date. 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: Cheated
08/03/2024 Duration: 48minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they cheated. 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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Angela Duckworth Returns
07/03/2024 Duration: 02h12minAngela Duckworth (Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance) is a psychologist and author. Angela returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss why she doesn't like to swear, how language has evolved, and the maturity principle. Angela and Dax talk about the multiple selves problem, how most people never change their stance on topics, and how we can trigger our best modes that are most useful for a given situation. Angela explains psychological distance, why uncertainty can cause anxiety, and the protective wall of human community. 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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Goldie Hawn
04/03/2024 Duration: 01h55minGoldie Hawn (Overboard, The First Wives Club, Death Becomes Her) is an actor, producer, and director. Goldie joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what she misses about being anonymous in public, how important approval from your parents is, and the successes of Roy Russell. Goldie and Dax talk about how she navigated her depression, how to respond to people who think you're a stereotype, and how to deal with narcissists. Goldie explains why she wanted to start an educational foundation that focuses on child brain development, why she has an aversion to marriage, and the time she got a telegram from Fred Astaire. 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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Jared Cohen Returns
29/02/2024 Duration: 02h12minJared Cohen (Life After Power, Accidental Presidents) is an author and businessman. Jared returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss what other oddities he collects from former US Presidents, the burden of legacy, and the history of third parties in the presidential elections. Jared and Dax talk about why authority in institutions matters, how much being a politician has changed, and the impact of geopolitics on business. Jared explains the relationship between ambition and happiness, how social media algorithms accelerate the radicalization process, and how he convinced Adam Grant to become his unofficial therapist. 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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Bradley Cooper Returns
26/02/2024 Duration: 02h03minBradley Cooper (Maestro, A Star is Born, Silver Linings Playbook) is an award-winning actor, producer, and filmmaker. Bradley returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss why it's important to be a good dancer, his new love of reality television, and how much he's worked on improving his self-esteem. Bradley and Dax talk about their morning rituals, how they've learned to evaluate their own stories, and how fulfilling it has been to become a parent. Bradley explains the importance of having empathy as an actor, the talent of Leonard Bernstein, and what makes him cry. 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: Greatest Fear
23/02/2024 Duration: 45minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time their greatest fear came true. 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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Rob Reiner
22/02/2024 Duration: 02h03minRob Reiner (God & Country, Spinal Tap, All in the Family) is an actor and filmmaker. Rob joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1960 World Series, why he prefers directing over acting and writing, and what it was like working with Martin Scorsese. Rob and Dax talk about their time in improv groups, the rise of All in the Family, and how fascinated they both are with Russia. Rob explains how much he looked up to and wanted to be like his father, why Christian Nationalism is a danger to the country and Christianity, and Dax tells him how much he sounds like best boy, Jimmy Kimmel. 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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Camila Mendes
19/02/2024 Duration: 02h23minCamila Mendes (Riverdale, Upgraded, M�sica) is an actor and producer. Camila joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how young artists are often more vulnerable to the public, how much she has started to lean into her culture, and learning Alexander technique. Camila and Dax talk about what types of people they are attracted to, what it's like to know a second language with a significant other, and how to balance family dynamics. Camila explains how she booked a TV show while still in acting school, how romantic comedies have changed, and how teasing someone can be a form of affection. 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: Valentine's Day Disaster
16/02/2024 Duration: 58minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a Valentine's Day disaster. 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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Charles Duhigg (on being a supercommunicator)
15/02/2024 Duration: 02h07minCharles Duhigg (Supercommunicators, The Power of Habit) is a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and best-selling author. Charles joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the difference in culture at the LA Times and New York Times, the benefits of bettering your communication, and how well humans can detect inauthenticity. Charles and Dax talk about how our brains latch on to vulnerability, the three types of conversations, and the importance of matching them. Charles explains that successful conversations are ones where you understand one another at the end, how laughter shows your willingness to connect, and how to loop for understanding. 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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Jason Bateman Returns Again
12/02/2024 Duration: 02h14minJason Bateman (SmartLess, Ozark, Arrested Development) is an actor, director, producer, and podcaster. Jason joins the Armchair Expert to revisit the wiping debate, reveal he's a Capricorn, and explore why he distances himself from his intellect. Jason and Dax discuss how much they enjoy being with someone who's the opposite of them, their shared fear of becoming empty nesters, and the two have a sneeze-off. Jason talks about how seriously he takes the responsibility of leadership, how SmartLess handles three big personalities hosting the show, and how his bare feet will never touch a hotel room. 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: Accidentally Naked
09/02/2024 Duration: 52minDax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they accidentally ended up naked. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.