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Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
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Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Author: Armchair Umbrella

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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.


970 Episodes
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Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a dental disaster.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Andrew Ross Sorkin (1929: The Inside Story of the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History) is a financial columnist, TV anchor, and author. Andrew joins the Armchair Expert to discuss a kid telling him when he was young that god drew him wrong, actually working with Aaron Sorkin (no relation) on his show The Newsroom, and landing an unofficial internship at The New York Times as a senior in high school. Andrew and Dax talk about why his motto as a finance journalist was ‘chasing interesting,’ understanding not trusting the stock trading system because it doesn’t deserve to be trusted, and his tips for getting ChatGPT to tell the truth with verifiable facts. Andrew explains writing an exposé on going into debt to buy stocks, shocking and unexpected stories of fallout from the stock market crash of 1929, and parallels he sees in current financial trends accompanied by an argument for transparency.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Billy Crudup

Billy Crudup

2025-11-1702:18:582

Billy Crudup (The Morning Show, Jay Kelly, Almost Famous) is an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor. Billy joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his interpretation of his findings on Finding Your Roots, how he both appreciated and struggled with having a dreamer for a dad, and the story of his parents getting twice married and divorced. Billy and Dax talk about his sentimentality sometimes sneaking up on him, wanting to create for his son the stability and consistency that he didn’t have growing up, and rebelling against his father by getting a master's degree in acting. Billy explains the galvanizing moment when he realized he wanted to pursue acting as a craft, feeling useful when he can tell a good story, and why doing television scared him when he was just starting out.This episode is sponsored by AlexaPlus. Learn more at amazon.com/newalexa.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about an unexpected orgasm.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mel Robbins (The Let Them Theory, The High 5 Habit, The 5 Second Rule) is a podcast host, entrepreneur, and best-selling author. Mel joins the Armchair Expert to discuss feeling every day in college like the only one who couldn’t make it work, how the human brain is wired to avoid what’s hard, and all the attributions kids make growing up in an unsafe environment. Mel and Dax talk about the reason getting out of bed when you don’t feel like it is a skill, why we are one decision away from a different life, and the fact that there’s always an excuse not to do something. Mel explains when she began course correcting her life one five-second interval at a time, the reality that there’s no amount of talking yourself out of what’s meant for you, and The Let Them Theory.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On this week’s episode of Mom’s Car, we welcome acclaimed director of Parenthood and sweetest man Larry Trilling. Larry, Dax, and Best Friend Aaron Weakley talk through attending Santa Monica High School with the entire cast of The Outsiders, catching the directing bug making Super 8 films in middle and high school, directing the first Comedy Central original movie Porn and Chicken, learning how to motivate blocking with storytelling, and the gang discuss their top-five favorite movies and shows of all time.#sponsored by @Allstate. Go to https://bit.ly/momscar to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance.Follow Mom's Car on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Mom's Car ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/plus now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins

2025-11-1001:30:532

Sir Anthony Hopkins (We Did Ok, Kid, The Silence of the Lambs, The Father) is an Academy, Emmy, and BAFTA Award-winning actor. Anthony joins the Armchair Expert to discuss feeling othered and playing the role of the dummy in school, how growing up during a war shaped him, and a chance invitation at the YMCA that changed the trajectory of his life. Anthony and Dax talk about booking his first role the same day James Dean was killed, the advice Laurence Olivier offered after seeing him perform onstage, and doing screen tests with Katherine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole. Anthony explains the mythology behind his first table read for The Silence of the Lambs, his journey to sobriety, and why “We Did Ok, Kid” is a sentiment applicable to everything that’s happened in his life.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a crazy story.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Malala Yousafzai (Finding My Way, I Am Malala, He Named Me Malala) is an education activist, Nobel Prize laureate, and author. Malala joins the Armchair Expert to discuss having a relatively normal life until a militant organization took over her valley in Pakistan, becoming an activist simply to respond to her new oppressive reality, and how lucky she was to have a male ally in her father. Malala and Dax talk about feeling like a fish out of water in a new school after her attack, winning the Nobel Peace Prize at 17 years old, and not being a good student at Oxford because she was more interested in a social life. Malala explains the go-cart meet cute with her now-husband, why girls’ education is the solution to so many world problems including climate change, and coming to the understanding that true bravery is when you go through lows and still stand up for what you believe in.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mom's Car: Ryan Hansen

Mom's Car: Ryan Hansen

2025-11-0449:311

On this week’s episode of Mom’s Car we welcome all-around buddy Ryan Hansen. Ryan, Dax, and Best Friend Aaron Weakley talk through feeling famous from a young age at church, the legend of tough and redheaded Billy, doing bad boy things as a teen as an escape from a rough family life, adventures in attempting to be cool kids in high school, a sex dream about a rock, and Dax’s failed intimate encounter with a pint glass of jello.#sponsored by @Allstate. Go to https://bit.ly/momscar to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance.Follow Mom's Car on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Mom's Car ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/plus now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon

2025-11-0302:10:155

Reese Witherspoon (Gone Before Goodbye, The Morning Show, Big Little Lies) is an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Academy Award-winning actor and producer. Reese joins the Armchair Expert to discuss growing up on a military base in Germany, being surprisingly not cautious when her kids want to chase adrenaline, and originally thinking that acting was a hobby to pay the bills. Reese and Dax talk about her theory on dating and the decline in romcoms, refusing to read during her audition for Election while in character as Tracy Flick, and her experience hosting the first SNL back after 9/11. Reese explains why women make movie stars of men, cowriting her novel Gone Before Goodbye with Harlan Coben, and how her edges have softened over the course of her life.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a bad babysitting experience.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Monica Padman (cohost of the Armchair Expert Podcast) always wondered why her favorite podcasters, Elizabeth Laime and Andy Rosen, abruptly ended their show years ago. When she finally got the chance to ask them in person, she assumed they'd say the usual - they got burnt out or busy with other things, but the truth was a story so shocking and creepy that she knew they had to make a show about it. What she couldn’t have expected is that in listening to their true life cautionary tale, she'd take on the role of a real-life Nancy Drew helping them unravel a mystery they thought was long behind them.  Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Cas Holman (Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity) is a toy creator, play designer, and author. Cas joins the Armchair Expert to discuss creating modular ecosystems of play in her toys, studying in the rainforest as a Banana Slug, and her gender-bending appearance on Maury Povich. Cas and Dax talk about learning how to both fabricate and tell a story in design school, instilling ideals with her adventure playground, and the twelve different play types for adults and children. Cas explains why the subway is such a safe space to cry, how great innovation comes from play, and that continuing to play is also a powerful form of resistance.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On this week’s episode of Mom’s Car we welcome comedic legend and fellow Groundlings alum Tim Lovestedt. Tim, Dax, and Best Friend Aaron Weakley talk through the dish on Brad, working in wine, Tim getting a DUI at the police department where his dad worked, the namesake of The Worker tall boy, being tuned into the male Midwest supper courtship, Tim and Dax’s Sunday Company mythology, and achieving the most comfortable level of fame.#sponsored by @Allstate. Go to https://bit.ly/momscar to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance.Follow Mom's Car on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Mom's Car ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/plus now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Rose Byrne

Rose Byrne

2025-10-2701:58:462

Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, Damages, Neighbors) is an Emmy Award-nominated actor. Rose joins the Armchair Expert to discuss being rejected from every drama school she applied to in Australia, not having the confidence to discern between early roles, and whether she identifies as a people pleaser. Rose and Dax talk about playing the straight man in Bridesmaids, getting into a loose comedic rhythm with longtime collaborator Seth Rogan, and her improv baptism by fire making Get Him to the Greek. Rose explains how much she enjoys seeing a comedic actor do a dramatic part, accepting as she gets older that we all need to dance around the apartment more, and throwing herself deeply into her grueling new film If I Had Legs I Would Kick You.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a crazy military story.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Stephen Dubner Returns Again

Stephen Dubner Returns Again

2025-10-2201:56:151

Stephen Dubner (Freakonomics, When to Rob a Bank, Freakonomics Radio) is an award-winning journalist, author, and radio host. Stephen returns once again to the Armchair Expert to discuss the power and necessity of disgust, the ethics of yelling at AI, and reflecting on the 20th publishing anniversary of Freakonomics. Stephen and Dax talk about being prodded by society into binary thinking, the compulsions in being perpetually online that don’t jibe with human nature, and what he does when presented with a ‘for us or against us’ argument. Stephen explains the concept of the illusion of explanatory depth, why during these times he’s in give-a-stranger-a-hug mode, and being exhausted in a good way about this human world.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mom's Car: Briegh Morrison

Mom's Car: Briegh Morrison

2025-10-2101:03:36

On this week’s episode of Mom’s Car, we welcome Dax’s former longtime partner and forever pal Briegh Morrison. Briegh, Dax, and Best Friend Aaron Weakley talk through the harrowing story of her son’s near-drowning, breast cancer being the catalyst for her getting sober, BFAW’s memory of Briegh’s substance-tinged boat cleaning, she and Dax’s couples therapy leading to their amicable breakup, and why one of her greatest gifts is going deep with people.#sponsored by @Allstate. Go to https://bit.ly/momscar to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance.Follow Mom's Car on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Mom's Car ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/plus now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston

2025-10-2002:15:084

Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show, Cook with Clydeo, Friends) is an Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor. Jennifer joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the hidden messages in children’s literature, why doing podcasts can be like waking up from anesthesia, and the bait and switch of her actor dad deciding to train as a doctor in Greece. Jennifer and Dax talk about her apocryphal encounter with producer Warren Littlefield at a gas station, the cultural significance of why the show would never hurt a Friend, and whether she’s ever disguised herself to be anonymous to the outside world. Jennifer explains her contribution as a dog mother to the kids book universe, the balance she strikes in her character within the world of Morning Show, and why making people laugh becomes the salve that gets us through the world.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.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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Comments (2324)

Erin Brumbley

my kid calls hot dog on a bun, a hotdog sandwich. it's a sandwich!

Nov 19th
Reply

Lo Fox

The editor of this show should really chew on what Stephen is saying around 54:15.

Oct 24th
Reply

Michael McCarthy

Wow. Great episode. I never paid much attention when this was going on, and only learned more about it when enough information was known publicly for the case against her to seem absurd. She seems like a very bright and articulate.person with a deep capacity for empathy and compassion. The fact she found empathy for her prosecutor is proof of that. I would not be so sympathetic to a lawyer who doesn't understand the difference between fact and opinion.

Oct 7th
Reply (1)

Mina Rabiei

I enjoyed the whole episode 🌱 Thank you

Sep 13th
Reply (1)

Mahla

ایول

Sep 7th
Reply

Amirreza Z

It was a nice interview... I enjoyed it 👌🏼👍🏼

Jul 21st
Reply

Doreen DiSalvo

Very interesting about her breast cancer diagnosis and thoughts. I can relate to so much of that part of the story. thanks!

Jul 9th
Reply

ID19619055

The hamster thing is definitely a well-known homophobic urban legend.

Jul 5th
Reply

Jacqueline Williams

How long before we stop protecting fundamentalist psychos stealing children and abusing young women?

Jun 24th
Reply

Mahdi Karimi

سلام من از ایران هستم ایرانی پیدا میشه این جا ؟؟؟

Jun 7th
Reply

wildspirit 67

Mae was on Hope Floats also

May 14th
Reply

Adam Balogh

i hate you enough to kill.... for having a wonderful childhood.... mine wasn't... shut the fuck up about your perfect upbringing before i lose it and eat your fucking heart.... liver.... kidneys.... eyes.... ears.... gall blader... I'm not alone....

May 10th
Reply

hwithoutsound

I was a screamo kid back in the day & still use that term so fair play to story teller # 2

May 4th
Reply

hwithoutsound

I haaaaaaaated when bands called for the wall of death. I always ended up in the middle as I tried to get away. also, high five to another member of the concert induced hearing loss club!

Apr 20th
Reply (3)

hwithoutsound

the lady who claimed to have grown up with pitbulls really reinforced false stereotypes about them. I've had them. currently have 2. other dogs in the fam are banned from gatherings b/c of bite risk - my pitbulls are expected to attend. if you raise them correctly they're no more dangerous than other comparable sized dogs.

Apr 20th
Reply

hwithoutsound

holy crap! I've never heard someone say my specific autoimmune disease correctly on a podcast. I got diagnosed at 32 so I feel for her dad

Apr 7th
Reply

hwithoutsound

as someone who benefited as a child from grandparent's rights it pisses me off that people abuse it & use it as a weapon

Apr 7th
Reply (1)

hwithoutsound

I relate to the track girl so hard. I finished a cross country race & kept running to the trees & puked - turned around & everyone was watching. the next race was worse haha

Apr 5th
Reply

Lee-Ann Doerksen

The episode spontaneously stopped when Johnathan was explaining the 7 different types of thrills...

Mar 14th
Reply

Erin Brumbley

this is not the whole episode. what the heck?

Mar 14th
Reply (1)
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