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. 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.
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Recent Episodes
Coltan Scrivner (on morbid curiosities)
Dec 10, 2025Summary Preview
Psychologist and author Colton Scribner discusses his research on morbid curiosity, explaining why humans are drawn to horror, violence, and true crime. He shares findings from studies at haunted attractions, breaks down the four types of morbid curiosity, explores evolutionary explanations for our fascination with danger, and addresses common misconceptions about horror fans and violent media consumption.
- Introduction to Morbid Curiosity Research
- The Sweet Spot of Fear at Haunted Houses
Jake Johnson Returns Again
Dec 08, 2025Summary Preview
Jake Johnson returns to Armchair Expert to discuss his evolving relationship with acting, the recent loss of his friend Jeff Baino to suicide, and his experiences working with Tom Cruise. The conversation explores themes of control, mental health, male friendship, and finding joy in work again after years of stepping back. Johnson shares insights about his podcast 'We're Here to Help,' his new projects including 'Dink' and working with Dakota Fanning, and reflects on how he's learning to let go of controlling every aspect of production to simply be present as an actor.
- Jake's Return to Acting and Letting Go of Control
- The Loss of Jeff Baino and Male Friendship
Armchair Anonymous: Wild Card X
Dec 05, 2025Summary Preview
A Wildcard episode featuring diverse personal stories including a near-drowning sailing accident, a marriage-ending affair with a neighbor who became a friend, an epic 12th birthday party orchestrated by an unconventionally creative babysitter, and a harrowing tale of botfly larvae infestation in someone's eyelid while working in the Amazon.
- Lydia's Near-Drowning Sailing Incident
- Stacey's Husband's Affair with Her Friend Jenny
James L. Brooks (director and producer)
Dec 03, 2025Summary Preview
Hollywood legend James L. Brooks reflects on his groundbreaking career in television and film, from co-creating The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Simpsons to directing Oscar-winning films like Terms of Endearment and As Good As It Gets. Brooks discusses his difficult childhood with an absent father and hardworking mother, how early trauma shaped his career, his pioneering work featuring strong female characters, and his commitment to authenticity through extensive research. The conversation touches on his collaborations with actors like Jack Nicholson and his role in launching careers from Wes Anderson to the cast of Taxi.
- Childhood Trauma and Early Career Roots
- Breaking Into Show Business
D'Arcy Carden Returns
Dec 01, 2025Summary Preview
Dax Shepard and Monica Padman welcome actor and comedian Darcy Carden for a wide-ranging conversation covering ADHD, relationships, career milestones, and her work on shows like The Good Place, Barry, and Loot. They discuss the complexities of self-diagnosis, navigating transitions from nanny to colleague, and Darcy's dream collaborations with comedy icons like Maya Rudolph.
- ADHD, Self-Diagnosis, and the Spectrum Debate
- Time Blindness and Relationship Management Systems
Armchair Anonymous: Thanksgiving III
Nov 28, 2025Summary Preview
Armchair Expert presents a Thanksgiving disasters episode featuring four memorable stories from listeners across North America. From explosive propane heater incidents to mass norovirus outbreaks, these tales showcase holiday gatherings gone hilariously and terrifyingly wrong. The episodes highlight the chaos that ensues when large families, alcohol, and ambitious hosting plans collide during the holiday season.
- The Ham Juice Ice Rink Disaster
- The Norovirus Thanksgiving Apocalypse
David Fajgenbaum (on repurposing medicine)
Nov 26, 2025Summary Preview
Physician-scientist David Fagenbaum shares his incredible story of nearly dying five times from a rare disease called Castleman disease, discovering his own life-saving treatment through off-label drug research, and founding EveryCure—a nonprofit using AI to match existing FDA-approved drugs with diseases they weren't originally designed to treat. His journey from Georgetown football player to medical pioneer demonstrates how repurposing existing medications could save countless lives while addressing the systemic failures in pharmaceutical research.
- From Football to Medicine: Early Life and Mother's Cancer
- First Illness: Nearly Dying from Castleman Disease
Joel Edgerton
Nov 24, 2025Summary Preview
Dax Shepard and Monica Padman sit down with Australian actor Joel Edgerton for a wide-ranging conversation covering masculinity, family dynamics, career highlights, and his latest film Train Dreams. Joel opens up about his relationship with his stuntman brother Nash, his marriage to Australian Vogue editor Christine Centenera, and working alongside Hollywood legends. The conversation explores themes of male intimacy, fear, and what it means to live an ordinary yet meaningful life.
- Fashion, Watches, and Meeting Christine
- Sibling Dynamics and Nash's Daredevil Nature
Armchair Anonymous: Dental Disaster
Nov 21, 2025Summary Preview
An Armchair Anonymous episode featuring three dental disaster stories: Christy breaks her front teeth diving face-first into furniture while using VR goggles, Amanda projectile vomits ramen noodles during a three-hour crown appointment in an open-concept dental office after using laughing gas, and Elizabeth recounts a mysterious childhood incident where a pool ball somehow landed on her face during a sleepover, shattering her four front teeth.
- VR Goggles Lead to Face-First Furniture Collision
- Ramen Noodles and Laughing Gas Don't Mix
Andrew Ross Sorkin (on stock market crashes)
Nov 19, 2025Summary Preview
Andrew Ross Sorkin, award-winning New York Times journalist, CNBC co-anchor, and author of Too Big to Fail, discusses his new book 1929, which examines the greatest crash in Wall Street history. He shares his remarkable origin story of breaking into journalism as a high school intern, explores the parallels between the 1929 crash and today's financial markets, and discusses the dangerous cycle of speculation, debt, and regulatory guardrails being removed. The conversation also touches on journalistic integrity, the challenges of maintaining trust in media, and Sorkin's unique perspective on covering Wall Street's most powerful figures.
- The Origin Story: From High School to New York Times
- Understanding 1929: The Crash That Changed America
Billy Crudup
Nov 17, 2025Summary Preview
Billy Crudup joins Armchair Expert to discuss his unconventional upbringing, moving nine times before finishing high school, and how his father's unreliability shaped his approach to acting. He reflects on turning down fame in the 90s, his legendary MasterCard voiceover work, navigating a career prioritizing craft over celebrity, and his roles in Almost Famous, The Morning Show, and the new Noah Baumbach film J. Kelly starring George Clooney.
- Early Life and Family Dynamics in Manhasset
- A Carnival Childhood: Moving Nine Times
Armchair Anonymous: Unexpected Orgasm II
Nov 14, 2025Summary Preview
An 'Unexpected Orgasms Part 2' episode featuring four extraordinary stories from callers who experienced spontaneous orgasms in surprising situations. The episodes range from humorous and innocent to medically educational, including a tiger safari incident, a pressure-induced car orgasm, a horseback riding experience, and a woman's eight-year journey with PGAD (Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder). The stories progress from light-hearted mishaps to a genuinely informative medical revelation.
- Tiger Safari Gone Wrong - Betsy's Story
- The Poop Emergency Orgasm - Dylan's Story
Mel Robbins (on the Let Them Theory)
Nov 12, 2025Summary Preview
Mel Robbins, creator, entrepreneur, and bestselling author, joins Dax and Monica to discuss her Michigan upbringing, struggles with debt and alcoholism, the creation of her viral Five Second Rule, and her latest book 'The Let Them Theory.' The conversation explores childhood trauma, ADHD, patterns of control, and finding agency through simple behavioral changes.
- Michigan Roots and Community Values
- Childhood Trauma and Its Lasting Impact
Mom's Car: Larry Trilling
Nov 11, 2025Summary Preview
Dax Shepard and Aaron Weekly welcome director Larry Trilling to Armchair Expert for a wide-ranging conversation about his career directing television (including 60+ episodes of Parenthood), his experiences working with actors, his high school years at Santa Monica High with future stars like Robert Downey Jr. and Charlie Sheen, and his approach to filmmaking. They discuss favorite movies, the differences between directing TV versus film, and share personal stories about friendship, acting, and the entertainment industry.
- Santa Monica High School's Celebrity Alumni
- Breaking Into Filmmaking and Five Years of Struggle
Anthony Hopkins
Nov 10, 2025Summary Preview
Sir Anthony Hopkins joins Armchair Expert to discuss his new memoir 'We Did Okay, Kid.' The legendary actor shares stories from his challenging childhood in Wales, his struggles with alcoholism, his 50-year sobriety journey, and how a working-class boy labeled a 'dunce' became one of cinema's greatest actors. Hopkins reflects on iconic roles including Hannibal Lecter, his photographic memory, his relationship with mentors like Laurence Olivier, and his philosophy that life shouldn't be taken too seriously.
- Childhood Struggles and Finding Acting
- Meeting Richard Burton and Early Career Breaks