Episodes

Jake Gyllenhaal (Guy Ritchie's The Covenant, Brokeback Mountain, Donnie Darko) is an actor. Jake joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it was like to grow up in the celebrity world, how close he has always been with his family, and what instigated him to act so young. Jake and Dax discuss where his work ethic came from, how much he's always loved performing, and how authentically he felt playing the role of Donnie Darko. Jake talks about the impact of Brokeback Mountain, Guy Ritchie's BBQ, a...

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

Rick Rubin (The Creative Act: A Way of Being, American Recordings) is an 8x Grammy Award-winning music producer, record executive, and author. Rick joins the Armchair Expert to discusshis creative process for producing music, why he is interested in many different genres of music, and how important it is to be true to yourself. Rick and Dax talk about their relationships with spirituality, what happens when artists have that magic moment in the recording studio, and how important it is to pay at...

Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyer's Club, Interstellar, True Detective) is a Golden Globe & Academy Award-Winning actor, author, and producer. Matthew returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss how he decides to slow down or speed up in life, how he wants to address conflicts people are struggling with, and how he approaches the aging process. Matthew and Dax talk about the differences in their alcohol tolerances, how taking a break from acting changed their perspectives, and how they deal with f...

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

Paul Bloom (The Sweet Spot, Just Babies, Psych: The Story of the Human Mind) is a psychologist, professor, and author. Paul returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss how our most important force as humans is our capacity to reason, the reconstructive nature of memory, and how to decide which studies we should believe in. Paul and Dax talk about the natural asymmetry between elation and agony, repressed memories, and how much chance events shape us. Paul explains his thoughts on right brain vs le...

Barbie Ferreira (Euphoria, The Afterparty, Nope) is an actor and model. Barbie joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her experience auditioning for Euphoria, how she got into modeling, and her relationships were with her maternal role models. Barbie and Dax talk about being defensive of their characters, what their feelings towards their dads are, and what kind of car she drives. Barbie explains how she is a perfectionist, what types of people she is attracted to, and how she has learned to advoc...

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

Alison Roman (Sweet Enough, Home Movies) is a chef and author. Alison joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her experiences working in commercial kitchens, how she got into creating her own content, and her approach for pastries. Alison and Dax talk about how people use food to express themselves, what's in Dax's spaghetti recipe, and why she didn't finish college. Alison explains whether she's an introvert or extrovert, what growing up near Los Angeles was like, and why she loves old-school rest...

Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Citadel, Quantico, Love Again) is an actor and producer. Priyanka joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her immigrant experience coming from India to America, her inherited burdens, and how returning to India for school prepared her for fame. Priyanka and Dax discuss the equity of lighter skin in India, her journey with pay disparity, and the incredible evolution of Bollywood. Priyanka talks about her transition from Bollywood to Hollywood, how being single gave her clarity...

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, I...

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....

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...

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 Stanfo...

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 c...

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...

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 th...

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 ...

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 doe...

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...