Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Armchair Umbrella
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
16 snips
Dec 31, 2025 • 1h 49min
Rerelease: Nikki Glaser
Nikki Glaser, an acclaimed stand-up comedian and host known for her candid humor, chats with Dax about her career and personal insecurities. They dive into the pressures of looking perfect in Hollywood and Nikki's amusing plea against veneers during an apocalypse. The conversation touches on her journey to sobriety, overcoming negative comments, and her fears of being perceived as a mean girl. With humor, they explore childhood struggles and the complex nature of wanting approval, all while Dax humorously dubs her the 'Taylor Swift of comedy.'
Dec 29, 2025 • 1h 46min
Rerelease: Adam Scott Returns
Adam Scott, celebrated for his roles in 'Parks and Recreation' and 'Severance,' shares his journey through grief and storytelling. He reflects on the nostalgic impact of 80s films like 'E.T.' and 'The Goonies,' linking them to his childhood. Adam humorously recounts mishaps on set and his intriguing experiences during pandemic filming. He emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and journaling as tools for processing emotions, while also exploring the absurdity of modern marketing and the creative struggles in television production.
Dec 26, 2025 • 1h 27min
Best of Friday 2025
Monica shares a horrifying tale of a dead mouse found in her water bottle, while Taylor uncovers surprising truths about her twin DNA that redefine her identity. Jake recounts a chaotic wedding night mishap, and Tess humorously describes sitting in a puddle of human waste on the subway. EMT Daphne reveals a graphic rescue story involving severe leg necrosis. Medical experts Toby and Kim hilariously detail the removal of unusual foreign objects from patients, and Jonathan closes with an embarrassing dining-hall accident that spawns campus rumors.
Dec 24, 2025 • 1h 21min
Best of Wednesday 2025
Scott Payne shares a gripping tale of undercover work, detailing his adrenaline-filled experience during a dangerous wire check. Grammy-winner Mark Ronson reveals his star-studded upbringing, filled with legendary celebrity encounters. Psychiatrist Blaise Aguirre breaks down the nuances between mood and personality disorders, focusing on borderline personality disorder. Menopause expert Mary Claire Haver highlights unexpected symptoms and offers essential care strategies. Investigative journalists Dave Mitchell and Chris Feistl recount their nerve-wracking infiltration of the Cali cartel.
Dec 22, 2025 • 1h 18min
Best of Monday 2025
Dominic Fike, a singer-songwriter, shares his gripping story of releasing a mixtape while in jail and struggles with substance use. Dove Cameron, an actress and singer, opens up about her journey to reconnect with her father amidst complex emotions and mental health challenges. Alexander Skarsgård reflects on his early career struggles in LA and the journey of finding success after years of feeling like an outsider. Their raw, heartfelt conversations delve into family, ambition, and the highs and lows of personal growth.
15 snips
Dec 19, 2025 • 38min
Armchair Anonymous: Holiday Nightmare III
In this chaotic holiday installment, callers share their unforgettable mishaps. Bella recounts a Plano Christmas where her family's attempt to help a stray dog turns disastrous when Uncle Bob accidentally peppersprays everyone. Sasha dives into a wild party experience, culminating in a twisted ankle during a questionable car outing, leading to hilarious family reassessments. Aaron wraps it up with his Christmas trip gone wrong, which includes a car crash and his newborn testing positive for COVID, topped off by a deer strike on their rental. Holiday cheer meets calamity!
9 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 56min
Holiday Dinner 2025
Wobby Wob, a culinary contributor known for his delicious cookies, joins a lively holiday dinner with Dax and friends. They dive into hilarious discussions about Christmas rankings, family drama, and humorous grooming stories, including Jess's mustache mastery. The group tackles the ethics of pretending for inheritance and jokes about cannibalism in survival scenarios. They also explore personal goals for 2025, like letting go of judgment and embracing rest. It's a delightful mix of laughter, reflection, and festive chaos!
14 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 51min
Zooey Deschanel Returns
Zooey Deschanel, beloved actress and one half of She & Him, returns to share insights about her new film, Merv. She recounts the chaos of her parents’ house fire and the lessons learned from evacuation, including the importance of a well-packed go-bag. The conversation touches on her childhood ADHD, the comfort of rewatching New Girl, and the quirks of her tinkerer partner. Zooey also reflects on holiday traditions, shares a heartfelt rendition of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas', and discusses her kids' newfound interest in Elf.
29 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 49min
Armchair Anonymous: Stealing II
Dax and Monica chat with some hilarious Armcherries! Shelly kicks things off with her junior-high caper of stealing a pregnancy test, leading to an unforgettable community reaction. Jack shares his legendary 'greatest beer run' involving a keg heist for a summer bash that goes hilariously wrong. Kelly recounts her wild joyride in her stepdad's car, turning into a family saga filled with consequences. Finally, Trish tells her wild story of being mistaken for a thief after picking up an abandoned purse, culminating in an unexpected court adventure.
Dec 10, 2025 • 2h 14min
Coltan Scrivner (on morbid curiosities)
Coltan Scrivner is a psychologist and researcher specializing in morbid curiosity and horror psychology, and author of "Morbidly Curious." He discusses his preference for hands-on research, including studying fear responses in Danish haunted houses. Coltan introduces his four domains of morbid curiosity, explores the appeal of true crime, and debunks myths connecting horror media to violent behavior. He even shares surprising ghost-hunting experiences. Plus, he provides insights into how children can safely engage with scary content.
