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Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

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.

Michael Norton (on rituals)

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 340 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 01:57:04

Michael Norton (The Ritual Effect, Happy Money) is a social psychologist and professor. Michael joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it was like having his parents own a greeting card store, where his interest in psychology came from, and why he loves to design social experiments. Michael and Dax talk about humble bragging, why people don’t like braggers, and why studying people’s rituals can be an insight into their state of mind. Michael explains why people develop irrational habits to avoid admitting failure, why people need a diversity of emotions, and how couples create custom behaviors to show their affection for each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Synced: Mommy Issues

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 350 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 01:01:21

In this episode of Synced Liz gives some of her election predictions, Monica shares her frustrations with the Olympics marketing team, and they debate threesome preferences. They answer listener questions on whether it's appropriate for an adult man to refer to his mother as ‘mommy’, and whether a spouse is required to contribute financially to an asset that isn't technically shared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Flightless Bird: Frozen Food

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 250 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 45:44

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets off to understand America's frozen food obsession. Each year Over 80% of American households will eat frozen dinners this year - making the frozen food market worth over $65 billion dollars. Monica Padman takes Farrier frozen food shopping, introducing him to her favorite frozen foods. They then put on a fancy dinner for their friends featuring nothing but frozen foods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ilana Glazer

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 300 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 02:02:20

Ilana Glazer (Babes, Broad City, The Afterparty) is an actor and comedian. Ilana joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what growing up in the suburbs of Long Island was like, being part of an anti-drug Christian group when she was younger, and why she was good at being a telemarketer. Ilana and Dax talk about going through puberty at a young age, why they were attracted to being comedians, and what the rules are when working with bears on set. Ilana explains her aim to take pleasure in the process, how people’s personalities are a combinations of experiences and genetics, and how scary it was to end a successful show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Armchair Anonymous: Dad Stories

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 330 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 45:35

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us their best dad story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Erik Larson (historical author)

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 280 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 01:55:45

Erik Larson (The Demon of Unrest, The Devil in the White City) is an author and journalist. Erik joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how the pandemic affected his work, why he identifies himself as a high-functioning introvert, and how he pitches non-fiction books. Erik and Dax talk about how technology has changed his research, why he’s drawn to Russian literature, and wanting to find a witchy element in a home. Erik explains how January 6th fueled his desire to write a book about the Civil War, the correlation between gun ownership and slavery, and why the origins of historical conflicts are important. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Synced: The Push Out

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 270 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 01:05:36

In this episode of Synced Liz talks about how she ran into an upcoming date while on a date with another person, they discuss the hugging theory, and Monica shares what depression feels like for her. They answer listener questions on jealousy among friends, how to handle a partner who under-tips, and whether it's okay to bring a husband to a girls trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Flightless Bird: Top TV Episodes

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 540 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 01:04:31

In this week’s Flightless Bird, Monica, David and Rob discuss their favourite (mostly American) TV shows. Because occasionally on Flightless Bird, we break from the usual format and do something a little bit different. You saw that with Flights of Fancy about a month ago, where we got your expert insights into very American things - and also with American Gods, where we focus on an American legend. And today, we’re doing another new thing that we’ll do from time to time: a Top 10 List. David, Rob and Monica each bring their 3 favourite shows to the table - as well as a runner up (.33). Combined - a magical top 10 list! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amy Poehler Returns

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 550 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 02:18:11

Amy Poehler (Inside Out 2, Women Talkin’ ‘Bout Murder, Parks and Recreation) is an actor, comedian, and director. Amy joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how much therapy means to her, giving advice to your kids, and being reluctant to ask for mentorship. Amy and Dax talk about battling with a loss of relevance, the feeling of knowing someone is upset with you and not confronting it, and pulling hot guys. Amy explains the things she’s most proud of, why she doesn’t like traditional birthday parties, and how she doesn’t hate being embarrassed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Armchair Anonymous: House Sitting

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 530 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 52:33

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a crazy house sitting story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

James Patterson

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 330 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 01:18:55

James Patterson (Eruption, Alex Cross, Along Came a Spider) is a best-selling author. James joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he likes fiction more than non-fiction, what it’s like to have a kid later in life, and how difficult it is for him to describe his writing process. James and Dax talk about how much research goes into finishing a Michael Crichton book, his relationship with his father, and how many hole-in-ones he shot in his life. James explains why he left advertising to be an author, which film adaptions of his books he likes most, and why he loves collaborating with his peers to write novels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Synced: Kiki vs Bouba

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 260 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 01:05:56

In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz are bi-coastal! They chat about heart emojis, death, and hot cartoon characters. They answer listener questions on what direction to face in the shower and if it's worth the risk to tell a teacher that their pole-dancing video playlist is public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Flightless Bird: Chutes and Ladders

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 300 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 49:46

In this week’s Flightless Bird, Farrier sets out to understand why Americans call “Snakes and Ladders” something completely different: “Chutes and Ladders”. Farrier meets with Hasbro’s Brian Baker, senior vice president for board games. Farrier learns the surprising origins of Chutes and Ladders - as well as other popular American board games like Candyland and Monopoly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Costner

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 300 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 01:48:06

Kevin Costner (Horizon, Yellowstone, Dances with Wolves) is an award-winning actor, producer, and director. Kevin joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his standing ovation at Cannes, having the feeling like he was never going to make it, and how important it was to him that he knew where his career was headed. Kevin and Dax discuss the seminal movies he’s starred in, how he handled the pressure after the success of his directorial debut, and his promise to Whitney Houston in the Bodyguard. Kevin talks about his fascination with the West, his role in selling Yellowstone, and taking on the biggest battle of his life at 69 years old. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Armchair Anonymous: Parent's Secret

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 300 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 59:03

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time their parents kept a secret from them as a kid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Orna Guralnik (Couples Therapy)

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 580 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 02:12:21

Orna Guralnik (Couples Therapy) is a clinical psychologist and therapist. Orna joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why therapists often keep details of their private lives from their patients, why she felt like she had to code switch when talking to different groups of people, and how psychoanalysis differs from other forms of therapy. Orna and Dax discuss what systems thinking is, what being in a relationship with someone with dissociation is like, and the relational dynamics of the younger generation. Orna explains why she still has optimistic view of the world, how a person’s perception of someone can change when you know their story, and how her work affects her own personal relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Synced: Indian Summer

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 350 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 55:23

In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz debate who plans a first date, they share their summer gift guide/favorite things lists, and Monica recounts a shower event. They answer listener questions on whether to tell a partner about infidelity, how to handle negative emotions after sexting, and the Synced Squad receives an incredible update on a previous question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Flightless Bird: Bubba Gumps

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 280 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 44:41

In this week’s Flightless Bird, David Farrier goes to eat at iconic American restaurant chain the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Back in 1994, Forest Gump was box office gold - the highest grossing film in America that year. Forrest Gump also did something not many films have ever done - something truly magical - it leapt out into real life. Because on any day of the week in America, you can stroll directly into a restaurant that wouldn't exist without Forrest Gump: The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. To learn about all things Gump, Farrier talks with David Chen from decodingeverything.com who breaks down the significance of the film. He then takes producer Rob to dine in style at Bubba Gumps, before talking to the Vice President & COO of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Jenny Scharbrough. That's right, Jenny! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sebastian Maniscalco

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 390 views
  • 4 months ago
  • 02:16:57

Sebastian Maniscalco. (It Ain’t Right, Bookie) is a comedian and actor. Sebastian joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his first pair of Jordans, why his dad is the focal point of his comedy, and his time waiting tables at the Four Seasons. Sebastian and Dax reopen the Santa Claus debate, talk about children yelling at their parents, and the relevance of comedy in this moment. Sebastian discusses Italian stereotypes, what playing arenas is like, and how he feels about the current state of comedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Armchair Anonymous: Mall Stories

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

  • 370 views
  • 5 months ago
  • 01:00:19

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us a crazy mall story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices