Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Jason Mantzoukas

Jason Mantzoukas (The League, The Dictator, Parks and Recreation, How Did This Get Made Podcast) is an American actor, comedian and improviser. Jason sits down in the attic to talk about Bostonian culture, his early goal of being on The Daily Show and his year abroad studying how cultures use music for medicinal purposes. Dax asks about his deathly food allergy and Jason thinks we are on the brink of a paradigm shift in comedy. Dax wonders if Jason ever feels resentful for his place in the industry, Jason talks about how he never expected to be single in his 40s and Monica feels like a fangirl.

Ryan Hansen

Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars, Party Down, Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes in Television) is an American actor, comedian and best friend of the Armchair Expert. Ryan sits down in the attic to discuss his insecurity about coming on the show, his time as a party pumper and he talks about what it was like to get married at a young age. Dax thanks Ryan for being such a source of joy and light in his life and Ryan commends Dax on his growth as a man. The two travel down memory lane and re-hash Ryan’s spectacular crash on an alpine sled, Ryan remembers the moment Dax met Kristen and Ryan insists he is 6 feet tall despite Dax’s skepticism.

Michael Peña

Michael Peña (Crash, End of Watch, Ant-Man, The Martian, CHiPs) is an American actor and musician. Michael sits down with the armchair expert to discuss his love of rehearsal, feeling like a man without a country and his experience overcoming the lack of Latino roles as an early actor. Dax wonders if he robbed Michael of the "actors bond" during CHiPs and Michael gives the backstory on his character in Observe and Report. Dax and Michael discuss how parenting methods have changed, Michael refuses to believe he's a movie star and Dax accuses Monica and Michael of having rhythm.

Jay Leno

Jay Leno (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Jay Leno Show, Jay Leno's Garage) is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, television host and true legend. Jay sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his early years as a comedian, he recounts the moment Rodney Dangerfield had a stroke on his show and he deems Letterman a master wordsmith. Dax is stunned by Jay's car knowledge and he commends Jay's ability to reach out a helping hand to those in need. Jay tells the story of how he tricked his dad into buying a souped-up car when he was young, he remembers a time when he turned a bad situation into a positive one with the help of Taylor Swift and he pinpoints the sole moment he got nervous before performing.

Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman (Saturday Night Live, The Sarah Silverman Program, Wreck-It Ralph, I Smile Back) is an American stand-up comedian, actress, producer, writer and benevolent goddess. Sarah sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss the sexual double standard between male and female comics, she talks about her experience as a teenage bed wetter and she touches on her commitment to empathy. Sarah reflects on a moment where she used sexuality to gain power and Dax wonders if her attractiveness was a hindrance in the comedy community. The two have a discussion about the curliness of pubic hair, they dissect Sarah’s misophonia and Dax apologizes for a past interaction that still haunts him.

Josh Hutcherson

Josh Hutcherson (Zathura, The Kids are Alright, The Hunger Games) is an American actor, producer, director and prodigal son to the Armchair Expert. Josh sits down in the attic to discuss his brother's obsession with Ken Jennings, why it’s easy to fall in love in love with fellow actors and the joy of living in a foreign country. Josh reveals that he is, in fact, a colonel and Dax is intrigued by Josh’s sexual grandfather. The two talk about some of the negative experiences of fame and they reminisce on a moment when Dax drove a little too fast for Josh’s liking.

Josh Duhamel

Josh Duhamel (Transformers, NBC's Las Vegas, When In Rome, Love, Simon) is an American actor, model and director. Josh sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his dad's breed of tough love, his struggle to become less of a people pleaser and how Steven Spielberg changed his life. Josh recounts the time he beat Ashton Kutcher in a modeling contest and Dax commits to objectifying Josh's body. The two talk about soap opera acting, how men prove their friendship and Dax and Monica reveal the most epic white elephant gift in the fact check.

LIVE FROM BROOKLYN: Jason Biggs

Armchair Expert Live from Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. September 22nd, 2018.

EXPERTS ON EXPERT: Jonathan Haidt

Jonathan Haidt is an author, moral psychologist and Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University's Stern School of Business. He sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss moral panic on college campuses, the benefits of independence in childhood and the inherent difference in moral attitudes between the political left and right. The two talk about the failure of American systems, the ways in which we are breeding a generation of anxiety/depression and Monica and Dax pontificate on whether incest is immoral in the fact check. Jonathan Haidt is the author of The Righteous Mind, The Happiness Hypothesis and The Coddling of The American Mind. Subscribe to Experts on Expert: http://bit.ly/exponexp

LIVE FROM BROOKLYN: Ethan Hawke & Vincent D'Onofrio

Armchair Expert Live from Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. September 22nd, 2018.

EXPERTS ON EXPERT: Sam Harris

Sam Harris is an American author, neuroscientist and podcast host. As the most referenced person on Armchair Expert, Sam enters the attic with an unparalleled reverence. On this special Thanksgiving episode of Experts on Expert, Sam makes our podcast dreams come true. The two discuss Sam’s commitment to honesty, they talk about the country’s political polarization and they consider the idea of separating art from the artist. Dax wonders if Sam operates out of fear, Sam talks about his battle with Batman and Sam attempts to take his foot out of Dax’s mouth.

LIVE FROM DALLAS: Gordon Keith

Armchair Expert Live from Dallas at The Majestic Theatre. August 18th, 2018.

EXPERTS ON EXPERT: Jerry Buting

Jerry Buting (Making A Murderer) is an American criminal defense attorney and author. He sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss the mechanics of the justice system, his perpetual desire to root for the underdog and his recent book- Illusion of Justice. Dax asks Jerry about stereotypes in jury selection and Jerry breaks down the necessity of burden of proof. The two talk about the secret skills of an attorney, ethics in justice, false confessions and how the Steven Avery case catapulted him to dreamboat status. Subscribe to Experts on Expert: http://bit.ly/exponexp

Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham (Girls, Tiny Furniture, Camping) is an American actress, writer, producer and director. Lena sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss body image in Hollywood, how she handles haters on social media and the series of events that led to her showing Brad Pitt her underwear.  Dax and Lena commiserate over their autoimmune disorders and they discuss the process of relationship growth. Lena talks about her recent path that’s led to deep self-exploration and Dax tells of the time he rescued Lesley Arfin from the basement of the Maritime hotel.

Rob McElhenney

Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Fargo) is an American actor, director, producer, writer and one of Dax’s idols. Rob sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss raising young boys, he ponders celebrities role in social media and he details the multiple times he’s drastically changed his body. Dax exalts Rob’s discipline and in response Rob explains why he often sees that trait as a vice not a virtue. Rob and Dax talk about Brazilian jujitsu, they mutually gush over Kaitlin Olson and Dax is obsessed with Rob’s gym.

Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer, Trainwreck, I Feel Pretty) is an American stand-up comedian, actress and Queen of all things. Amy sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss body confidence, how she met her husband and her general contentment with death. Amy talks about the ubiquitous fear women harbor and Dax is excited they both share the title of Class Clown. The two veer into a conversation about gender differences that left Dax feeling regretful after the recording. Monica and Dax discuss the aftermath and resolution of that moment during the fact check.

Seth Meyers

Seth Meyers (Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers) is an American comedian, writer, political commentator, actor, and television host. The Armchair Expert travels to 30 Rock to discuss being beta to their female alpha counterparts and the uncomfortable competition that happens among friends in a sketch environment. Seth talks about the time Brad Paisley saved him from having to dance at his wedding, he discusses the balance between work and family and he details the highest moment during his day. Dax puts Seth at the top of the "hardest workers" list and Seth reveals the secret to getting Lorne Michaels to like you.

Wendi McLendon-Covey

Wendi McLendon-Covey (Reno 911, Bridesmaids, The Goldbergs) is an American actress and comedian. Wendi sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss their time at the Groundlings together, she talks about her family’s initial disapproval in her career and she reminisces on the horror of commercial auditions. Wendi talks about her decision to not have children and Dax tells of the time a hotel had to change their protocol due to one of his sexual encounters. The two touch on the topic of monogamy in Hollywood, they speculate on why there hasn’t been a sequel to Bridesmaids and Monica and Dax go on a field trip for the fact check.

The Good Place Week: Mike Schur

Episode 3 of The Good Place week shines a light on the man behind the curtain, Mike Schur. Mike (The Office, Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn 99) sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his philosophy on always “punching up”, he breaks down white privilege, details the many facets of showrunning and he gives a sweet anecdote that sums up Regis Philbin’s character. Dax and Mike discuss the virtues and pitfalls of Andrew Dice Clay, they talk about Mike’s attraction to equality and they come to the conclusion that Ted, Mike and Kristen would be the perfect threesome to pickpocket.

The Good Place Week: Ted Danson

The Good Place week commences with American actor, producer and National Treasure, Ted Danson. Ted sits down with the Armchair Expert to reminisce on his early years in an unconventional upbringing, he explains the juxtaposition between playing a cool guy on TV despite feeling profoundly uncool in life and he discusses his ride through life on the back of a pickup truck. Dax refers to the first time he met Ted on the street in 1996 and he laments being unable to pronounce Ted’s name. Ted reveals the secret behind being deemed MVP and the two of them share an undying love for Kristen Bell.

Kathryn Hahn

Kathryn Hahn (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Step Brothers, Bad Moms, Transparent) is an American actress, comedian and special soul. Kathryn sits down with the Armchair Expert to talk about her early experience with facades and vulnerability, she discusses the different facets of monogamy and she enlightens us on her young obsession with the Amish. Dax and Kathryn fall in love with each other over their shared taste in music, they discuss defensiveness in the current political climate and they find closure and healing on a previous awkward interaction. Monica battles some demons while Dax battles some gas in the fact check. Listen to an exclusive preview of Ellen on the Go: http://www.wondery.fm/dax

Matthew Lillard

Matthew Lillard (Serial Mom, Scream, Scooby Doo, The Descendants, Good Girls) is an American actor, voice actor, director, producer and human lighthouse. Matthew sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his early experience as a mime named TTAM, having to reinvent his life after an inexplicable period of not working and he labels his ultimate pursuit to remain artistic. Dax decides Matthew was the right man to date the love of his life and Matthew tells the story of how he was cast as the man who stole George Clooney's wife. The two of them travel down memory lane in a sweet recount of their love affair despite Matthew's insistence that they would never remain friends after Without A Paddle.

Colin Hanks & Allison Tolman

In this special FARGO combo episode of Armchair Expert, Colin Hanks (Orange County, King Kong, Life In Pieces) and Allison Tolman (Downward Dog, Krampus, Good Girls) sit down with the armchair expert to discuss one of Dax and Monica's favorite TV shows, Fargo. Colin discusses the balance between work and family, how he was almost cast as Dax's role in Zathura and the misconceptions people assume about his life and childhood. Allison talks about what it was like doing press with an animal, her relationship to fame and she shares her experience with depression. Monica and Dax fact check out of Austin, TX where they discuss the world record for treading water.

Vincent D'Onofrio

Vincent D’Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket, Daredevil, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) is an American actor, producer and one of Dax’s acting heroes. Vincent sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his struggle during childhood, the series of events that led to Full Metal Jacket and his aversion to sports metaphors. Dax refuses to accept he wasn’t cast in Vincent’s movie and Vincent is disturbed by the dog print in the attic. They talk about their mutual reluctance to owe others in any capacity, Dax implores Vincent to move into his house and Monica loves magicians.

David Harbour

David Harbour (Stranger Things, The Green Hornet, Revolutionary Road) is an American actor and the man Dax deems the most masculine man to walk into the attic. David sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss his proclivity for denouncing intellectuals, his fear that we are losing our empathy and his experience with bipolar disorder. David debunks the misconception that affliction is necessary for creativity and Dax details the mechanics of the microwave oven. Dax and David bond over the benefits of AA, their mutual feelings of self-loathing and Monica teaches Dax a new phrase in the fact check.