Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard

David Copperfield is an Emmy award-winning illusionist. David joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how his curiosity about the world led him to discover magic, how he wants his audience to be totally immersed at his shows, and how magic tricks have often influenced future technologies. David and Dax talk about the message behind his Statue of Liberty illusion, what their favorite magic movies are, and what his tactics are for keeping the secrets of his magic. David explains that he often doesn't enjoy the journey of creating a trick but loves the result, how being involved in Broadway improved his show performances, and that it is important for people to still have the ability to be amazed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gwyneth Paltrow (Sex, Love & Goop, Iron Man, The Royal Tenenbaums) is an actress, author, and businesswoman. Gwyneth joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her experience starting her own company, some of her medical ailments, and the topic of female sexuality. Gwyneth and Dax talk about the journey to quit smoking, how infidelity means something different to men and women, and how couples sometimes need to have some uncomfortable conversations. Gwyneth explains that people shouldn't be ashamed to not know something, how her sexuality is a very personal thing for her, and Monica opens up about her sexual history. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Amishi Jha is a neuroscientist and professor of psychology at the University of Miami. Amishi joins the Armchair Expert to discuss growing up as an Indian-American in Chicago, why she started studying neuroscience, and her new book "Peak Mind". Amishi and Dax talk about what percentage of the brain we actually use, how people use confirmation bias to write their own story, and the power of attention on our perception of the world. Amishi explains how she manages her nervousness and anxiety, what the study of mindfulness actually is, and how she defines attentional rubber necking. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ron Howard (Parenthood, The Da Vinci Code, Happy Days) is a director, actor, and producer. Ron joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his personal and professional relationship with his brother, how instrumental his parents were in him becoming a child star, and his experience directing some of the best actors of all time. Ron and Dax talk about what they learned from testing their projects with audiences, what he learned from raising twins, and what mistakes he has made in his career. Ron explains that he was an introvert in high school, how he used to watch wrestling with his dad, and why he decided to write a book about his childhood. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Van Jones is an author, journalist, and lawyer. Van joins the Armchair Expert to discuss choosing activism after graduating from Yale Law School, his perspective on what "having privilege" means, and how he can work with both Democrats and Republicans. Van and Dax talk about how he became friends with Prince, being forced to resign from the Obama Administration, and what it's like to raise black children in America. Van explains that he still feels like a nerd at heart, what it was like being raised by a tough father, and why he's never had a drink of alcohol. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

B.J. Novak (The Office, Inglourious Basterds, The Premise) is an actor, producer, and writer. B.J. joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his time on Punk'd, that he regrets not enjoying his time on The Office more, and what it was like to get cast by his hero Quentin Tarantino. B.J. and Dax talk about how they could never be on a celebrity roast, how Pulp Fiction made him want to be a writer, and that people will always find their way around censorship. B.J. explains that he thinks everyone is actually smart, that he never thinks people are jealous of him, and that one of the most creative things he ever did was write a children's book. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Sedaris is an author and comedian. David joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his new book A Carnival of Snackery, why he can get away with saying things other people can't say, and how he takes five mile walks at midnight. David and Dax talk about the things they would get into before sobriety, knowing where every bathroom in New York City is, and how he is just never offended by anything. David explains that he loves when people are rude to him in real life and what he does when he's solicited for sex on the street. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings, Green Street, No Man of God) is an actor and producer.Elijah joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how New Zealand became his home while shooting Lord of the Rings, the connection he has to other child actors of his generation, and how he learned to form his identity at a young age. Elijah and Dax talk about their shared loved of Austin, quitting smoking after 20 years, and wishing he could have gone to college. Elijah explains that he made a conscious decision to take smaller roles, what his tattoos mean to him, and what it was like playing an FBI agent in his new movie, No Man of God. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Steven Pinker is an award-winning experimental cognitive psychologist, best-selling author, and Harvard professor. Steven joins the Armchair Expert to discuss correlation versus causation, why people have certain beliefs in conspiracy theories, and the difference between individual and collective rationality. Steven and Dax talk about free will, the effectiveness of a dictator's messaging, and how people will often believe their own experience over science. Steven explains that checks and balances are essential for societal accomplishments, how people want to put everything into discreet boxes, and that fear is the most powerful emotion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew Barrymore (The Drew Barrymore Show, E.T., Charlie's Angels) is an actor and producer. Drew joins the Armchair Expert to discuss being a child star in Hollywood, going through treatment for addiction at a young age, and how becoming a parent changed her life. Drew and Dax discuss how alcohol makes you feel invincible, that forgiving yourself can be the hardest thing you will ever do, and how hard dating can be when you have been famous for most of your life. Drew explains how she hates the idea of parent shaming, that work has always been an anchor in her life, and how she has always searched for stability because she never had it as a child. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab) is a neuroscientist and Stanford professor of Neurobiology. Andrew joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how testosterone treatment affects the development of the brain and body, what it means to have "roid rage" and how he considers anorexia the most dangerous disorder someone can suffer from. Andrew and Dax discuss the connection between blinking and our concept of time, going through trauma and what people do to prevent going through it again, and how lowering estrogen levels can have negative effects on the body. Andrew explains how sunlight can affect people's drive to be attracted to one another, alternative sleep aids that he would recommend over melatonin, and what it means to have a dad bod. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina, The Green Knight, Blue Bayou) is an Academy Award-winning Swedish actress. Alicia joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how her ballet training translated to her film career, moving to Stockholm at 15 from a small town, and her experience on the set of Ex Machina. Alicia and Dax talk about the difference between Swedish and American cultures, how we overuse the phrase I love you, and how she was terrified about doing an American accent in her new movie.Alicia explains how her dad can have deep conversations with strangers, how New Orleans is one of her new favorite cities, and that she hopes to have some comedy roles in the future. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz (The Scaffold Effect) is a psychiatrist and founder of the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Koplewicz joins the Armchair Expert to discuss child mental health advocacy, the controversy of medication as treatment for children, and how he deals with parents who don't believe in child psychiatry. Dr. Koplewicz and Dax discuss the problem with calling children normal or abnormal, how young people use alcohol and marijuana to self-medicate their social anxiety, and how dyslexia can be seen as a gift. Dr. Koplewicz talks about how people's attitudes towards science has changed, how certain prescriptions can affect a child's development as an adult, and the new film, Dear Evan Hansen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amanda Peet (The Chair, Saving Silverman, Brockmire) is an actress, producer, and screenwriter. Amanda joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her early dating life, growing up in New York and London, and showing her kids inappropriate movies. Amanda and Dax talk about being Capricorns, how Amanda thinks Dax sounds like Bill Gates, and how difficult is it to be a showrunner. Amanda explains her parenting strategies, that she created her own show because she wasn't happy with the roles she was being offered, and what she thinks about people who named their kids after Game of Thrones. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate Bowler is a New York Times best-selling author, podcast host, and professor at Duke University. Kate joins the Armchair Expert to discuss growing up around Mennonites, the debate over religious authority, and the Christian crisis of conscious. Kate and Dax talk about the many different American religious denominations, going through cancer treatment while still writing a book, and how some people confuse faith with certainty. Kate explains that she strived for a dream job in academia because of her father, that she used to treat life like a problem to be solved, and how the middle class is raised to be optimistic about the future. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Awkwafina (Shang-Chi, Nora from Queens, Crazy Rich Asians) is a Golden Globe award-winning actor, comedian, and rapper. Awkwafina joins the Armchair Expert to discuss being self-conscious about her raspy voice, playing the trumpet because everyone wants to play percussions, and traveling to China to learn Mandarin. Awkwafina and Dax talk about hosting SNL, being rejected from college, and recognizing their parent's regional accents. Awkwafina discusses the pressures of being a first-generation Asian American, her role in an upcoming Marvel movie, and being in a depressive state starting out her rap career. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Carmelo Anthony (Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised) is a 10x NBA All-Star, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Carmelo joins the Armchair Expert to discuss dealing with depression as a child, his relationship with his blue-collar stepdad, and being recruited to play basketball for a Catholic high school. Carmelo and Dax talk about the similarities in growing up in Baltimore versus Detroit, learning how to survive in tough neighborhoods, and how he tried to go by another name when he started a new school. Carmelo explains that he never sought out approval from his older brothers, that he always wanted to see his friends succeed more than they did, and his experience dealing with depression. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brie Larson (Room, Captain Marvel, Learning Lots) is an Academy Award-winning actor, producer, and director. Brie joins the Armchair Expert to discuss being home schooled as a child, how she knows her way around set from being an actor for over 20 years, and how she used to be a touring pop singer. Brie and Dax talk about trying to be people pleasers, learning how to accept success and failures, and whether you should comment on how attractive someone is.Brie explains how indie films rely heavily on strong performances from the actors, how she's trained really hard to be in Marvel movies, and that she sometimes benefits from being mistaken as Alison Brie. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Samantha Bee (Daily Show, Full Frontal, Detour) is an Emmy-nominated writer, comedian and television host.Samantha joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how she never thought her career would pan out, that she used to be very uncomfortable during auditions, and how doing an all-female sketch comedy group helped her confidence.Samantha and Dax talk about her combative interview style, what she learned from her time on The Daily Show, and her objections to ill-informed people trying to bend the world to their will. Samantha explains how she has always had a hard time respecting authority figures and that one of her mom's boyfriends lived in a haunted house. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matthew Rhys (The Americans, Perry Mason) is an Emmy Award-winning actor. Matthew joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his fascination with Ernest Hemingway's overt masculinity, the process of buying and restoring an old boat and wanting to pass on Welsh culture to his kids who are growing up in Brooklyn. Matthew and Dax talk about their newfound love of Formula 1 racing, growing up with a chip on your shoulder, and being drawn to characters who thrive around chaos. Matthew explains why he was overwhelmed by his role on Perry Mason, that the most awkward conversations on The Americans always happened when their characters were in their undercover costumes, and how he perfected his American accent by imitating George Clooney. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.