Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Season 2023
Where to Watch Season 2023
273 Episodes
- Tom HansenE223
Tom HansenTom Hansen is an entertainment lawyer and Dax’s best friend. Tom joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what knowing people from the Dust Bowl era is like, how much he loved working on his grandparent’s farm as a kid, and why he thinks he isn’t a good listener. Tom and Dax talk about why some people just aren’t ambitious in life, why he got into a lot of trouble in school, and their experiences with illicit drugs. Tom explains how going to Europe as a young man altered his perspective, how he was introduced to the world of entertainment law, and how raising daughters changed his definition of what it means to be a man. - Flightless Bird: Fantasy FootballE224
Flightless Bird: Fantasy FootballThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets out to understand the mysterious world of fantasy football. He joins a group of manly men as they do a fantasy football draft in a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, trying to understand the appeal of a game played by 50 million Americans. David then meets sports reporter and ESPN correspondent Mina Kimes who drills down into the finer details of fantasy football, even offering some expert tips. - Synced: Trips & Falls & Pies & CreamsE225
Synced: Trips & Falls & Pies & CreamsIn this episode of Synced, Monica shares her holiday traditions, Liz confesses she went to church for a year, and they talk about loss via addiction. They answer listener questions on how to give oneself grace and how to set boundaries when finding naked photos on a partner's phone. - Barbara Kingsolver (author of Demon Copperhead)E226
Barbara Kingsolver (author of Demon Copperhead)Barbara Kingsolver (Demon Copperhead) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Barbara joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she loved to read as a kid, how there can be truth in writing fiction, and how she went from being a biologist to a novelist. Barbara and Dax talk about the struggle in being creative, the effects of structural classism, and why being an author is the best profession to have. Barbara explains how rural people are portrayed in the media, how her writing was influenced by the opioid epidemic, and how she tries to focus on accessibility in her novels. - Trevor NoahE228
Trevor NoahTrevor Noah (What Now, The Daily Show) is a comedian, writer, and podcaster. Trevor joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why silence scares him, people’s aversion to being blamed, and how language helps you get to the granularity of meaning. Trevor and Dax discuss the false idea that you have to consume the news all the time, the history of the apartheid system in South Africa, and having patience for people only if they’re engaged in the fight. Trevor explains how hyper-vigilance is a form of safety, that life doesn’t happen in snippets, and how important community and connectedness is to him. - Flightless Bird: PinballE229
Flightless Bird: PinballThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets out to understand America’s obsession with pinball. He heads to Long Beach California for a meeting of the Long Beach Pinball League, headed by passionate pinball man Tom Walker. His league is part of the International Flipper Pinball Association which is made up of 96,000 players from 45 countries. David then meets Tom Radar, a man who has been obsessively collecting pinball machines for years. - eff won: Lights Out & Away We Go to VegasE230
eff won: Lights Out & Away We Go to VegasThe Vegas GP is finally here and while no one is sure if the track will be finished, which team will have the edge or how rowdy the fans will be, one things is for sure: the boys will be there to catch all the action. - Synced: T.B.C.E231
Synced: T.B.C.In this episode of Synced, Monica encourages Liz to rethink her relationship to social media to protect her mental health & they discuss Monica's blossoming love life. They answer listener questions on how to disclose an STI to a new partner, asking family to stop using certain language around children, and how to proceed when the love of your life picks out a terrible engagement ring. - Dr. Becky KennedyE232
Dr. Becky KennedyDr. Becky Kennedy (Good Inside) is a clinical psychologist and author. Becky joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she wants to help people understand themselves through their kids, why some traditional parenting techniques aren’t effective, and how to set boundaries with your children. Dr. Becky and Dax talk about how much a person’s past shapes who they are now, why she was compelled to share her ideas on social media, and how expectations of parents can sometimes be unfair. Becky explains how repairing a relationship can be difficult, why people fall into the same patterns consistently, and how behavior can be separated from one’s identity. - Yearbook: Welcome to YearbookE233
Yearbook: Welcome to YearbookIn the inaugural episode of Yearbook, Dax and Monica sit down with Chad Sanders and they discuss season 1 of Armchair Umbrella's new anthology series. They talk about the working process, the reason they wanted to make the show, and the discomfort that accompanies quaking what you believe to be a solid foundation of identity. They prep the audience for what is to come in the following 7 episodes including self-exploration, death, sex, love, and redemption. - Yearbook: The Perfect SchoolE234
Yearbook: The Perfect SchoolChad’s junior year at Blake High School started off like pure magic. Blake was one of those perfect suburban high schools you see on TV and Chad was finally coming into his own. Then a tragedy struck that rocked the school and changed Chad's life forever. - Wiz KhalifaE235
Wiz KhalifaWiz Khalifa (Khali Sober, Khalifa Kush) is a multi-platinum selling rapper and singer. Wiz joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his life growing up as a military kid, why it was tough to grow up scrawny, and what drove him to start writing at a young age. Wiz explains to Dax the difference between a mixtape and an album, how he and Snoop Dogg became friends, and the importance of putting in the work. Wiz discusses how weed changed his creative process, the cultural differences in talking about other people’s business, and his jail selfie. - Flightless Bird: CarsE236
Flightless Bird: CarsThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier begins to notice how much America loves cars. Why do 92% of American households have at least one vehicle? That's so many cars! The country's love of cars has transformed it, with not only roads - but with millions and millions of parking spaces. David becomes obsessed with all of America’s parked cars, sitting down with Henry Grabar - a staff writer at Slate who writes about cars and transportation, urban policy, and housing. Grabar has also been thinking a lot about how much of America is taken up by cars. Why in America, on average, are there up to 6 parking spaces for every car? Why does NY make more money off parking tickets than parking fees? - eff won: What Verstappens In Vegas…E237
eff won: What Verstappens In Vegas……does not always stay in Vegas. The boys did it all in Vegas and made it back to the studio to spill all the juicy details. There was racing on and off the track, raucous fans, loose drain covers, endless walks up and down the Las Vegas Strip, and a dust storm that nearly took everyone out but throw it all together and you’ve got the perfect Vegas GP race weekend. Next up: Abu Dhabi for the final race of the year. - Synced: Morning After Slumber PartyE238
Synced: Morning After Slumber PartyIn this episode of Synced, the ladies chat about Liz's documentary, Monica gives an update on dating multiple people at once, and they rave about 'Couples Therapy'. They answer listener questions about gossip in the workplace, how to address changes in one's sex life when in a committed relationship, and how to respond when not given a plus one for a wedding. - Jedidiah JenkinsE239
Jedidiah JenkinsJedidiah Jenkins (Mother, Nature) is an author and memoirist. Jedidiah joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how being Christian affected his identity, what sexuality could be like without social rules, and practicing not getting a boner. Jedidiah and Dax talk about what it means to be a centrist now, how it’s difficult for him to know when someone is flirting with him, and his relationship with his mother and her faith. Jedidiah explains how he learned to find common ground with people who don’t share the same beliefs, embracing the double helix of the narrative and experiential self, and why he wanted to retrace his mother’s walk across America. - Eva LongoriaE242
Eva LongoriaEva Longoria (Desperate Housewives, Flamin’ Hot) is an actor, producer, and director. Eva joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why she loved having kids later in life, how she views religion versus spirituality, and what growing up on a Texas ranch was like. Eva and Dax talk about what types of people they are attracted to, why acting in soap operas is so much work, and what biohacking techniques they use to improve their health. Eva explains why she wanted to make a film about Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, the importance of Latinos seeing themselves reflected on screen, and how she used Desperate Housewives as her film school. - Flightless Bird: CerealE243
Flightless Bird: CerealThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier investigates America’s extreme love of cereal. He sets out to answer why America needs over 5000 different types of cereal, and why some of the most popular cereals have been discontinued. He meets with YouTube cereal reviewer Thomas Hicks, AKA The Cereal Snob (https://www.youtube.com/c/CerealSnob), to get the lowdown on how much milk should be used in cereal, and what types of cereal are the best. David also discovers that cereal was invented by John Harvey Kellogg in the 1890s, who created the humble cornflake. David finds that Kellogg was trying to create something so bland it would stop people masturbating or having sex! - eff won: That’s a WrapE244
eff won: That’s a WrapThe 2023 season is in the books after a somewhat lackluster race in Abu Dhabi. The boys had the perfect Thanksgiving weekend and Dax gives thanks for his friendship with Jethro and for Max’s utter domination. While the F1 season may be finished, we’ve still got more eff won coming your way. - Synced: Maxing OutE245
Synced: Maxing OutIn this episode of Synced, Liz and Monica discuss an important vacation hack, Monica shares her infamous fetish with Liz, and they debate the validity of a 'twin flame'. The two answer listener questions on giving unsolicited career advice and what to do when you break the trust of a friend. - Daniel MarkovitsE246
Daniel MarkovitsDaniel Markovits (The Meritocracy Trap) is a law professor and author. Daniel joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it was like growing up in different countries, why freedom of speech can sometimes be controversial, and why great art can impact society as much as scientific breakthroughs. Daniel and Dax talk about what it means to study meritocracy, how the landscape of going to college has changed, and how having educated parents affects a child’s development. Daniel explains why there is such a wide gap between the wealthy and the middle class, how some institutions use diversity to exclude people, and how the American marketplace is driven mostly by policy. - Yearbook - Chapter 3: InsecurityE247
Yearbook - Chapter 3: InsecurityLike every high schooler, Chad wanted to be cool and wanted to be liked. He twisted himself in knots trying to be popular, trying to be an athlete, and trying to be a lady’s man. But some kids never get the luxury of normal teenage angst… - eff won: Oscar PiastriE249
eff won: Oscar PiastriDax sits down with McLaren driver, Oscar Piastri. Oscar explains his journey to F1, where he met his girlfriend, and if it’s lonely being a Formula One Driver. Oscar asks Dax for his phone number in Japanese and Dax tells Oscar how he’s helped fund his driving career through HP Tuners. - Jon BatisteE250
Jon BatisteJon Batiste (American Symphony) is a musician and composer. Jon joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why some people feel unworthy of others, why it’s important to feel rejection, and how music can connect all types of people together. Jon and Dax talk about why they want to evolve as artists, how priorities can change when a loved one is sick, and what it’s like to have a relationship in the public eye. Jon explains what obligations he feels when fans approach him on the street, how TV shows can affect people’s view of other cultures, and why he can still accept criticism of his work. - Flightless Bird: American AccentsE251
Flightless Bird: American AccentsThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier seeks to be better understood by his co-hosts by diving headfirst into the American accent. He meets with dialect coach Joel Goldes, who’s helped coach actors like Viola Davis through her various accent roles. As “The Dialect Coach” (www.thedialectcoach.com), Joel teaches David how to place his tongue to sound more American, and takes Farrier through what he’s been doing wrong. Monica, Rob, and David also take an accent quiz to see how good they are at picking American accents (which you can try at home too: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/juliafurlan/pahk-the-cah-nomaaaaaah) - Synced: Vorsh!E253
Synced: Vorsh!In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz debate high school hotness, they role play an important negotiation, and a special guest joins the squad to talk about eating while masturbating & fluid sexuality. They answer listener questions on how to set a boundary with a family member who drinks too much and if one needs to tell their new love interest that they slept with a hometown ex. - Maria SharapovaE254
Maria SharapovaMaria Sharapova is a 5x Grand Slam-winning former professional tennis player, investor, and entrepreneur. Maria joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how her priorities changed after retiring from tennis, her experience as a child moving to the US from Russia, and where her strong work ethic came from. Maria and Dax talk about how isolating success can be, what it takes to be critical of yourself, and how they both approach conflict in their relationships. Maria explains how much pressure there is on individual athletes to perform at a high level, why she wants to be a voice for female empowerment, and her superstitions. - Yearbook - Chapter 4: Local CelebrityE255
Yearbook - Chapter 4: Local CelebrityAs the Blake basketball team roars through its thrilling season, Chad and his teammates experience local stardom. With his newfound status, Chad gets access to all of the hottest house parties…and ends up in white student’s houses for the first time with their parents out of town. Behold, the high school rager. - eff won: Bertone, Brawn, and BernieE257
eff won: Bertone, Brawn, and BernieWith the off-season in full swing, the boys turn to the documentary “Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story” to find out how to trade a pound for 90 million and how thick Ross Brawn’s glasses are. Jethro regals us with stories of riding with Stefan Roser & Travis Pastrana and we learn the villainy of Bernie Ecclestone. - Willem DafoeE258
Willem DafoeWillem Dafoe (Poor Things, Platoon, The Lighthouse) is an actor. Willem joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he doesn’t have the desire to buy things, how being raised by his siblings affected his perspective, and how his parents encouraged him to be ambitious in life. Willem and Dax talk about how one’s identity can be defined by social conditioning, how he loves collaborating with others on a project, and how he feels about playing big characters. Willem explains how good directors make the film process more enjoyable, how he feels about knowing too much about other actors, and what he thinks about being so recognizable. - Flightless Bird: QuiltsE259
Flightless Bird: QuiltsThis week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier takes Monica’s advice from an earlier episode and investigates America’s obsession with quilts. He begins his journey by interviewing quilting podcaster Ashelyn Downs of “The Grateful Thread”. Farrier discovers that quilting is not just oldies sitting by the fire, but that there’s a new movement of younger, more diverse quilters taking over America. He sets off to meet Latifah Saafir, an engineer who now makes some of the most amazing quilts you’ll see, incorporating bits of her culture and life into the quilts she makes. David then stops in on another young quilter, Luke Haines, who has some of his quilts hanging on gallery walls. Luke insists on making a quilt featuring the one and only Monica Padman. - Synced: It's RusticE261
Synced: It's RusticIn this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz discuss the social politics of pooping around others, the difficulties of sharing a bed, and in true sleepover fashion they call all the boys they know. They answer listener questions on how to deal with a narcissistic friend, when it's appropriate to look through a partner's phone, and they break down types of therapists. - Adam FrankE262
Adam FrankAdam Frank (The Little Book of Aliens) is a physicist, astronomer, and writer. Adam joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he dealt with being an outsider in school, why he was drawn to science fiction, and how he discovered a secret language in mathematics. Adam and Dax talk about what the search for intelligent life outside Earth looks like, how common it is for other planets to have water, and what the concept of a liquid brain is. Adam explains why people are so obsessed with UAPs, why looking into space is like looking back in time, and how he thinks climate change is affecting the planet. - Synced: That's What We DoE269
Synced: That's What We DoIn the last episode of the year, Monica and Liz make tea while debating wastefulness and discussing Liz's reintroduction to meat. They answer listener questions on regretting giving out a phone number, obsessing over someone else's divorce, and how to handle being ghosted post-abortion. - Yearbook - Chapter 6: The Hardest Book to ReadE271
Yearbook - Chapter 6: The Hardest Book to ReadChad’s mom said Chad never wanted things sugar-coated as a kid. He wanted the truth. Chad faces a truth he isn’t ready for when he uncovers information about The Driver that had been hiding in plain sight. - Yearbook - Chapter 7: What The Living Can OfferE273
Yearbook - Chapter 7: What The Living Can OfferThe basketball season comes to an unexpected ending, and Chad confronts his dad about a powerful moment in their relationship. Chad wants to close the book on these memories, but Dax and Monica push him to dig deeper on exactly what happened all those years ago.