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
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.
9 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 55min
Jake Johnson Returns Again
Jake Johnson, an actor and podcast host known for 'New Girl' and 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,' returns to share insights from his career. He discusses the nostalgic charm of old Hollywood and the joy of rediscovering acting. Johnson reflects on grief after losing a close friend and highlights the importance of male friendships. The conversation touches on his podcast, where he helped find a kidney for a listener, and his thrilling experiences working with Tom Cruise. Johnson emphasizes re-engineering his career out of love, not fear.
17 snips
Dec 5, 2025 • 53min
Armchair Anonymous: Wild Card X
Lydia shares a harrowing childhood tale from Cape Cod, where she nearly drowned in rigging during a sailing mishap. Stacey recounts the shocking discovery of her husband's affair, offering insights into the challenges of confronting infidelity. Sophie's lighthearted story brings laughter as she describes a chaotic 12th birthday party orchestrated by the mischievous babysitter Allison. Lastly, Andrew shares a wild adventure in Suriname involving a bot fly larvae in his eyelid, detailing his improvised medical responses and lessons learned in the field.
Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 46min
James L. Brooks (director and producer)
James L. Brooks, an Emmy and Academy Award-winning director, shares his journey from a high school reporter to a television legend. He recounts his first celebrity interviews with Louis Armstrong and Anne Bancroft and the creation of cultural staples like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Simpsons. Brooks reflects on directing icons like Jack Nicholson, the challenges of adapting novels into films like Terms of Endearment, and his latest screwball comedy, Ella McKay, which flips traditional gender roles. His candid stories about failure and mentorship are both insightful and humorous.
Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 41min
D'Arcy Carden Returns
D'Arcy Carden, an Emmy-nominated actor known for her roles in The Good Place and Loot, returns to share her experiences and insights. She discusses her bond with Sherry Cola while filming Nobody Wants This and her obsession with attending concerts. D'Arcy reveals her struggles with time blindness and how it affects her daily life. She dives into the emotional preparation for her acting roles, including a moving cry playlist, and recounts the most frightening moments of her career, particularly in intense scenes. Her passion for storytelling shines brightly.
5 snips
Nov 28, 2025 • 45min
Armchair Anonymous: Thanksgiving III
Caitlin, a caller from Louisville, shares a wild Thanksgiving mishap when a hot ham pan led to burns and a slippery kitchen during her first hosting experience. Liz from Southern California describes the chaos of hosting relatives who fell ill with norovirus in an 800 sq ft apartment, resulting in a true holiday nightmare. Meanwhile, Devon from Ontario recounts a camping Thanksgiving with a propane-heater explosion and a string of past family injuries, adding a chaotic twist to their annual gathering.
29 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 33min
David Fajgenbaum (on repurposing medicine)
David Fajgenbaum, an immunology researcher and author of "Chasing My Cure," shares his incredible journey of battling Castleman disease, where a promise to his late mother pushed him toward medicine. He discusses his near-death experiences and the breakthrough moment of discovering off-label drugs that led him to remission. Fajgenbaum also highlights his mission with EveryCure, using AI to repurpose existing medicines for other inflammatory diseases. With stories of miraculous drug repurposing, he aims to inspire hope and action in medical research.
16 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 52min
Joel Edgerton
Joel Edgerton, a talented actor, writer, and director, shares insights on his life with an Australian Vogue editor, discussing how he decodes her fashion critiques. He reflects on the awkwardness of masculinity and the emotional grooming of children. Joel reveals anecdotes from working with cinematic giants like George Lucas and dives into his latest film, Train Dreams, exploring themes of loss and labor. With a blend of humor and vulnerability, he also shares his idolization of athletes and the art of directing with tenderness.
9 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 46min
Armchair Anonymous: Dental Disaster
In this episode, Amanda (MK), a zip-line worker, shares her wild story of a freak workplace accident that resulted in a fractured bone above her front teeth. She details the frantic hospital care she received, including temporary braces and root canals. Despite the trauma, Amanda maintains a light-hearted outlook as she recounts missing summer camp but returning to teaching with visible dental hardware. The candid exchange offers both humor and a glimpse into the unexpected challenges of dental disasters.
73 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 47min
Andrew Ross Sorkin (on stock market crashes)
Andrew Ross Sorkin, an award-winning financial journalist and author, dives into the 1929 stock market crash and its modern implications. He shares his early hustle that led to a New York Times internship and his motto of 'chasing interesting' in journalism. Sorkin discusses the impact of consumer credit and margin lending on market volatility, drawing parallels to today's crypto trends. He also emphasizes the importance of transparency in finance and how ethical reporting shapes public trust in media.
