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Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcast

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.

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.

 

#140

Flightless Bird: Laundromats

This week on Flightless Bird David Farrier investigates whether we have America to thank for the modern laundromat. After all, there are over 30,000 laundromats in the US - employing 39,000 people, making $5 billion in revenue each year. To help him in his investigation David meets with Brain Wallace of the Coin Laundry Association to discuss how on April 18th,1934 a Texan named CA Tannahill opened the world's first coin-operated laundromat. David then discovers how laundromats mean different things to different people in America. He then talks with Jason Sowell, who is very enthusiastic about the importance of the American laundromat and runs a non-profit called “Current Initiatives” which helps people do their washing. David also learns why Americans have a phobia of clotheslines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

19 hrs Ago

47 MINS

47:29

19 hrs Ago


#139

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington (Thicker Than Water) is an award-winning actor, producer, director, and writer. Kerry joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her anthropology degree, not feeling like the protagonist of her own story, and finding out the truth about her family. Kerry and Dax talk about what it takes to keep secrets, their experiences with abuse in the household, and James McAvoy in The Last King of Scotland. Kerry explains how her relationship with food has changed over the years, what she learned from moving to India, and how she strove to carve her own path in life.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

Yesterday

1 HR 48 MINS

1:48:08

Yesterday


#138

Armchair Anonymous: Failed Romantic Pursuit

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a failed romantic pursuit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

29 Sep 2023

37 MINS

37:35

29 Sep 2023


#137

Gabor Maté (on trauma & addiction)

Dr. Gabor Maté (The Myth of Normal) is a physician and author. Gabor joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how most people exhibit addictive behaviors, how the mind is connected to physical health, and how human societies are like lab cultures. Gabor and Dax talk about why airports can be sources of anxiety, what happens to the body when someone goes through trauma, and why children have the expectation to be loved unconditionally. Gabor explains why it’s important to confront painful emotions, his pathway to wholeness, and that being aware of the truth is what actually liberates people.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

28 Sep 2023

1 HR 46 MINS

1:46:31

28 Sep 2023


#136

Synced: Long End of the Stick

In this episode of Synced, Monica talks about temporarily giving up drinking, they contemplate Liz's trusting nature, and debate the deliciousness of club soda. A special guest joins for listener questions about tardiness and if a sixteen year age gap is too much between romantic partners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

27 Sep 2023

1 HR 21 MINS

1:21:59

27 Sep 2023


#135

Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye, Getting Curious) is a hairstylist, television personality, and podcaster. Jonathan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the idea of older women having younger sexual partners, dealing with skin issues, and how news organizations choose political sides. Jonathan and Dax talk about transgender participation in sports, what it means to challenge progressive ideas, and how state laws around gender-affirming care can differ. Jonathan explains why judging in cheerleading is not objective, what the motivation was to start a science-based podcast, and how relationships can truly grow.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

25 Sep 2023

1 HR 54 MINS

1:54:04

25 Sep 2023


#134

Armchair Anonymous: Waxing Debacle

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a waxing debacle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

22 Sep 2023

52 MINS

52:14

22 Sep 2023


#133

Prachi Gupta (on the model minority myth)

Prachi Gupta (They Called Us Exceptional) is a journalist and author. Prachi joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she was grounded for reading fiction, how she views the institution of arranged marriages, and what the American Dream meant to her parents. Prachi and Dax talk about why she wanted to tell her brother’s story, how she feels about happiness being correlated to success, and why being emasculated can affect how men treat one another. Prachi explains why dating apps have changed how people find partners, why there is a stigma around family estrangement, and what her experience was finding effective therapy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

21 Sep 2023

2 HR 14 MINS

2:14:25

21 Sep 2023


#132

Synced: My Best Friend's Boobs

In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz chat about naked bodies, Liz teaches Monica about underwater hockey, and they debate how one never knows what is going on behind closed doors or social media captions. They discuss listener questions about whether there is such a thing as too much therapy, would they want to know if their parents cheated, and how much should parents contribute financially to a wedding? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

20 Sep 2023

55 MINS

55:08

20 Sep 2023


#131

Flightless Bird: Healthcare II

After two American surgeons told David he needed back surgery, he fled back to his home of New Zealand where healthcare was less scary! What he discovered in New Zealand surprised him. David calls up journalist Luke O’Neil (writer of the Welcome to Hellworld newsletter and new book A Creature Wanting Form) to chat through what he discovered: two very different medical systems with vastly different approaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

19 Sep 2023

52 MINS

52:41

19 Sep 2023


#130

Jimmy Kimmel Returns

Jimmy Kimmel (Strike Force Five) is a talk show host and podcaster. Jimmy returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss how much the attic hasn’t changed in five years, what it’s like working with his competition on a podcast, and how much of a temper he doesn’t have. Jimmy and Dax talk about the state of trout fly fishing, what they think being retired from show business means, and how much they appreciate a good standup. Jimmy explains that he doesn’t accept comparisons to other talk show hosts, what he would ask Trump in an interview, and how long the text messages from his dad are.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

18 Sep 2023

1 HR 57 MINS

1:57:08

18 Sep 2023


#129

Armchair Anonymous: School Dance

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a school dance disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

15 Sep 2023

54 MINS

54:43

15 Sep 2023


#128

Mustafa Suleyman (on artificial intelligence)

Mustafa Suleyman (The Coming Wave) is an artificial intelligence researcher, co-founder of DeepMind, and author. Mustafa joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he became interested in the concept of universal human rights, what deep learning is, and how machines can actually become creative. Mustafa and Dax talk about how close artificial intelligence is getting to matching the human brain, how people might feel about computers creating all content, and how AI might revolutionize the energy industry. Mustafa explains why the fear of government regulation exists, why people need to be involved in decisions about technological advancements, and how certain biases are corrected in AI programs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

14 Sep 2023

2 HR 22 MINS

2:22:31

14 Sep 2023


#127

Synced: September 13th

In this episode of Synced, Liz and Monica explore the change in the air regarding women's culture and Monica gives an update on her egg freezing journey, all while her dad's sim works overtime. They discuss listener questions on should one speak up when they don't like their close friend's significant other, when given the chance should one choose the gender of their child, and how to trust oneself when trying to move on while grieving a spouse. They also give a new dad advice on his daughter's first period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

13 Sep 2023

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:51

13 Sep 2023


#126

Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel is a singer and actor. Idina joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her scary theater accident, how her dad was a pajama salesman, and her feelings about the Happy Birthday song. Idina and Dax talk about how much pride goes into parenting, what being in relationships with other successful people is like, and her strategy for performing day after day. Idina explains how she views being a voice for people that she didn’t intend to be, why she has always wanted to do a stage dive, and how she is always messing up well-known sayings.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

11 Sep 2023

2 HR 28 MINS

2:28:14

11 Sep 2023


#125

Armchair Anonymous: Worst USA Trip

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, international Armcherries tell us about their worst trip to the USA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

08 Sep 2023

57 MINS

57:48

08 Sep 2023


#124

Amy Edmondson (organizational behavioral scientist)

Amy Edmondson (Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well) is a professor and author. Amy joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she was drawn to studying organizational learning, what psychological safety is, and how systems exist to make societies better. Amy and Dax talk about why working groups can have different interpersonal climates, the definition of learning behaviors, and what the three types of failure are. Amy explains that vulnerability can actually be a desirable trait, how to take smart risks, and why apologies exist.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

07 Sep 2023

1 HR 53 MINS

1:53:43

07 Sep 2023


#123

Synced: i drizzle

In this episode of Synced, Liz explains “girl dinner”, they debate whether singles should set up other singles, they hear a very special voice memo and Monica peels back the layers of her “fear of the streets”. They discuss a listener’s question on how to cook the perfect roast chicken. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

06 Sep 2023

40 MINS

40:54

06 Sep 2023


#122

Flightless Bird: Pizza

This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier investigates pizza, one of America’s favorite foods. He discovers that around 76,000 pizza joints bring in $44 billion dollars each year in the US - where every day 13% of the population will eat a slice of pizza. David begins his journey in Los Angeles, as Rob takes him and Monica to a fancy pop-up called “Chain”. Here, chefs riff on chain food but with their own upgraded twists - and tonight it’s Pizza Hut! Next, David heads to New York to eat a variety of NY pizzas, from the cheap slices of Joe’s, to Pauly Gee’s famous Hellboy pizza. What makes a good pizza? There is no clear answer, but Farrier attempts to find out, before going to one last joint - Ops - an upmarket take on what a pizza should be. Along the way, Farrier meets some of those eating the pizza - New Yorkers - who truly love their city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

05 Sep 2023

47 MINS

47:48

05 Sep 2023


#121

Jake Johnson Returns

Jake Johnson is an actor, director, and podcaster. Jake returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss what he remembers about being on the show in the early days, why he stopped going to casinos, and how much he respects AA. Jake and Dax talk about why they wanted their daughters to learn self-defense, how they feel about doing manual labor, and how hard it can be to see the red flags in some situations. Jake explains how he is usually 5 years late to trends, what kind of advice he gives on his podcast, and how he thinks it’s funny when someone calls him out for being wrong.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [podcastchoices.com/adchoices] (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) ... Read more

04 Sep 2023

2 HR 17 MINS

2:17:31

04 Sep 2023