Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard

Nick Offerman (Where the Deer and the Antelope Play, Parks and Recreation, Devs) is an actor, comedian, and carpenter. Nick joins the Armchair Expert to discuss growing up on a farm outside of Chicago, how he is often introduced as a master woodworker, and the story behind Ron Swanson. Nick talks about how his new book is about people getting more in touch with the nature around them, how it was tough to go from the theater scene to the television scene, and how he was once commissioned to make a kitchen table for Rainn Wilson. Nick explains that he has always kept the mentality of a student to keep learning new things and what it means to him to be a patriotic American. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erin Lee Carr (Britney Vs Spears, I Love You Now Die, Mommy Dead and Dearest) is a documentary filmmaker, writer, and producer. Erin joins the Armchair Expert to discuss producing her new documentary Britney Vs Spears, her thoughts on conservatorship reform, and why Britney had such widespread mass appeal. Erin explains how the level of scrutiny on Britney was the same as someone like Princess Diana and how the lawyers in Britney's case took financial advantage of the situation. Erin talks about recently trying to reduce her screen time, her upcoming murder documentary, and what documentaries she and Dax love right now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rachael Ray (This Must Be the Place) is a cook, businesswoman, and best-selling author. Rachael joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how she dealt with losing all her material possessions when her house burned down, how her sense of privacy changed after filming a show from her home, and how she loves to create an experience for people through food. Rachael talks about how she has never cared about money a day in her life, how she has modeled her work ethic after her grandfather and mother, and how teaching a cooking class eventually led to a Food Network deal. Rachael explains that she achieved a lifelong dream to own property in Italy, how she doesn't care at all what people think about her, and that a home is a frame of mind and not the stuff in it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Khalil Gibran Muhammad (Some of My Best Friends Are) is a Harvard professor and historian. Khalil joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how the Civil Rights movement was shaped by the Cold War, how Chicago politics gave black people the opportunity to exercise their political muscles, and how the post-slavery system of institutions sought to control those who just received their freedom. Khalil and Dax talk about how the redlining of the mortgage system disenfranchised many hopeful black homeowners, how the political system fits into the equation of progress, and how interviewing Rodney King influenced him to pursue a career in the legal system. Khalil explains that teaching critical race theory can shape how laws are written in the future, his experience having a white guy as a best friend, and why all Americans should fight against fascism. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stanley Tucci is an actor, writer, and producer. Stanley joins the Armchair Expert to discuss why he decided to move to England, the motivation for writing a cookbook with his parents, and his experience eating and talking all day on his food show. Stanley and Dax talk about the reason Stanley is routinely described as being sexy, making cocktails on social media, and how Italians are very territorial about their food. Stanley explains that understanding the quality of food doesn't make him a snob, the differences between English and American actors, and what it was like to lose his ability to taste from a tumor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul Bloom is a psychologist and professor at Yale University. Paul joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he loves to debunk simple ideas that people commonly have, how a full life requires both logic and emotion, and how people's empathy rarely extends past our own family or friends. Paul and Dax talk about why people seek out suffering in order to find pleasure, the fascination people have with villain types, and why hedonism can often lead to boredom. Paul explains how toxic positivity has actually prevented people from finding true happiness, the differences in the sexual fantasies between men and women, and whether or not having kids makes people happy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ed Sheeran is a Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and producer. Ed joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his experience breaking onto the British music scene, how he documents his achievements on bottles of wine, and how he thinks camera phones are ruining the self-confidence of performers. Ed and Dax talk about British musicians sounding American in their songs, how success should be defined by how much you love your work, and how Ed came to be on Game of Thrones. Ed explains the differences between American and English culture when it comes to sex, how he doesn't care much for award shows, and the reason why he turned an old barn on his property into a pub. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.