Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about their most embarrassing fart. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross (Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us) are researchers and authors. Susan and Ivy join the Armchair Expert to discuss how important it is to participate in the arts, why room designs can affect moods, and how technology can be used to improve quality of life. Susan and Ivy explain how humans are feeling beings that have learned to think, that writing down a secret can reduce your stress levels, and what being in a completely silent room would be like. Susan, Ivy, and Dax discuss the importance of play, humans perpetual state of aesthetic fatigue, and why people feel most comfortable in curved spaces. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Letterman (Late Show, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction) is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. David joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his relationship with work and retirement, what his different strategies for interviewing people are, and how having heart surgery has affected his life. David and Dax talk about their experiences with alcohol, how the important lessons we learn are the ones we forget the quickest, and the reverence they have for Howard Stern. David explains what he does when he sees bears on his property, how he got to know Bono & The Edge, and how Matt Damon is the nice guy every American should aspire to be. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy divorce. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jay Shetty (On Purpose, 8 Rules of Love) is an author and podcaster. Jay joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he decided to live as a monk for three years, his journey to becoming a life coach, and how his philosophy of teaching from ancient wisdom. Jay and Dax talk about how Indians are portrayed in pop culture, the problems with hero-worshipping, and how beautiful Jay's eyes are. Jay explains why he stays away from teaching with his own life as an example, that having child-like wonder can stimulate creativity, and how the genuine practice of helping is a constant practice of reflection. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kurtwood Smith (That 90's Show, That 70's Show, Patriot) is an actor. Kurtwood joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he discovered acting in college, his move from the midwest to Los Angeles, and his original reluctance to do comedy. Kurtwood and Dax talk about the dialogue and tone of Patriot, how they became close friends while shooting El Camino Christmas, and their experiences with using opioids for acute pain. Kurtwood explains how he likes to prepare for his scenes, what going to Stanford in the 60s was like, and how much he loves directing students. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time they were caught. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen Dubner (Freakonomics, No Stupid Questions) is an author, journalist, and podcaster. Stephen returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss why people often focus on the negative aspects of experiences, the maker vs manager conflict, and the struggles of religious fundamentalism. Stephen and Dax talk about the frustration of humans' inability to change, what the different types of large cats are, and why people want adoration from others of higher status. Stephen explains why creative people can be more prone to drug use, what a productivity trap is, and what his experience with cognitive behavioral therapy is. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jenna Ortega (Wednesday, Scream, X) is an actor. Jenna joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her relationship with her self-esteem, why she doesn't like watching her own performances, and growing to be very protective of Wednesday. Jenna & Dax discuss the expectations of constant gratitude, the feelings of isolation that come with it, and the juxtaposition of what people see for her vs what she sees for herself. Jenna talks about the iconic dance scene in Wednesday, attending her Disney prom, and her love of murder podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Remnick (editor of The New Yorker) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, journalist, and editor. David joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what working in Soviet-era Moscow was like, how his parents' health affected his upbringing, and his experience interviewing novelist Salman Rushdie. David and Dax talk about why violent sports are so appealing, what the public image of The New Yorker is, and their shared love and admiration of Malcolm Gladwell. David explains what his thoughts are on the current situation in Ukraine, how your political views can change over time, and the New York vs Los Angeles rivalry. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shania Twain is a singer-songwriter. Shania joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what breaking into the country music scene from Canada was like, how she always enjoyed indulging in her creative outlets, and the root of her stage fright. Shania and Dax talk about how their family dynamics shaped their careers, how she allows herself to trust too much, and her relationship with her stepdad. Shania explains how she developed her armor, the pressures of sustaining success, and how processing needs its own moment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy sleepwalking experience. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelly Slater (Make or Break) is a professional surfer. Kelly joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he was drawn to surfing over other sports, what it was like being featured in a documentary series about his career, and how he balances his personal life from his public one. Kelly and Dax talk about their experiences with stepdads, what the mental health journey is like for action sports athletes, and getting a role on Baywatch. Kelly explains what the feeling of winning gives him, what he does if a shark approaches him in the water, and the spiritual sense he gets from competition. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul Rudd (Ant-Man, I Love You Man, Clueless) is an actor. Paul joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the importance of male friendship, why he's gotten more introverted as he's gotten old, and how he doesn't seem to age. Paul and Dax talk about what it's been like for him to join culturally impactful things after they've started, relating to the funny part of dramatic things, and how much his foundation gave him confidence. Paul explains the joy he gets from watching funny people do what they do, how he always looked up to comedians that could use their bodies in funny ways, and how he came to co-own a candy shop. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a pet sitting incident gone wrong. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Andrew Newberg (The Varieties of Spiritual Experience) is a neuroscientist and author. Andrew joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the different levels of enlightenment, what happens to the brain when people connect with others, and how neuroscience does not prove or disprove any religious experiences. Andrew and Dax talk about what happens when people use psychedelic drugs, what the brain is doing when you are dreaming, and the benefits of meditation. Andrew explains the possible causes of dyslexia, how philosophy plays a role in studying the mind, and how different perspectives help society. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face, Russian Doll, Orange Is the New Black) is an actor, writer, director, and producer. Natasha joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how impressed she is with Dax's driving, how men have been trying to sire her children lately, and her thoughts on talking about sobriety publicly. Natasha explains why she is less and less interested in her own story, her desire to try on different perspectives, and her deep curiosity about the future. Dax & Natasha discuss their ability to own their false advertising, trying to find an ultimate state of relaxation while acting, and why Natasha needs to live to be 150 years old. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a Valentine's day disaster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tess Wilkinson-Ryan (Fool Proof) is a law professor, moral psychologist, and author. Tess joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the concept of the sucker narrative, how she approaches teaching contract law to her students, and what societal norms are universally accepted for parenthood. Tess and Dax talk about how much responsibility is on an exploiter versus the victim of a scam, why government is held to a different standard than big business, and the thin line between scammer and sucker. Tess explains why people feel shame when they are duped, the difference in consumer protections for men and women, and the cultural bait and switch of motherhood. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ramy Youssef (Ramy, Mo, Mr. Robot) is an actor, comedian, writer, and director. Ramy joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what his favorite comedies are, the current state of religion, and why he feels American Exceptionalism needs to end. Ramy and Dax talk about being born into a certain culture or faith, their experiences with drugs and alcohol, and how to handle the attention of being recognizable. Ramy explains what he means by people "living in the unseen," his obsession with candy, and how everyone's definition of happiness is unique. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.