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Episode 25 - "Dax's Mom (Laura Labo)"
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If you're gonna host a podcast with a new guest each week, one of those guests is bound to be your mom. Shepard's mom Laura hops on the mic for Episode 25, and it turns out to be a truly special episode. The two get candid about Shepard's upbringing, and they tell each other how much they love each other. Well, if that isn't adorable. On top of that, Shepards's mom reveals that he was a pretty ugly baby, which is definitely a tidbit that we're glad we know now.
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Of course, Dax Shepard would make his wife, Kristen Bell, his first podcast guest. Shepard and the actress/singer have been married since 2013 and have two children together. The trademark of the couple's relationship is their ability to remain brutally honest about the struggles of marriage. And you can bet they brought that honesty straight to the studio. There's plenty of uncomfortable moments, but they remind us that Shepard and Bell are just normal humans. No filter needed. This was a bold first episode move, but its candidness really captures the energy of the show overall.
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There's no denying it — Monica Lewinsky is a big-ticket interview. Her episode is quite serious, as she explains to Shepard and Padman what it's like to be at the center of a national scandal. Lewinsky also goes into her past, revealing her past trauma and how it's shaped her over the years. The silver lining is that her experiences have allowed her to move forward with an anti-bullying platform, which she does through the Childhood Resilience Foundation. It's a life-affirming episode, as they discuss ways to rise above past devastation.
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Actor/director Jason Bateman and Shepard are two peas in a pod. During Episode 35, the pair have quite a lot to talk about. They swap sobriety stories and reminisce on the days when they were both "scumbags". It's nice to hear two longtime friends learn more about each other, and as you listen you'll feel like you know them. This episode is a great example of how celebrities bring their guard down when they enter the attic. No pretense, just honesty.
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The son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, Roanan Farrow is used to the spotlight. Attending college at age 11 and deferring law school until age 18, his child prodigy status has followed him throughout his adult life. Now a journalist, Farrow was instrumental in exposing the power abuse of certain men in Hollywood. In his episode of AE, Farrow regales his experience growing up as one of ten siblings, along with being chased by Russian spies sent by Harvey Weinstein. Shepard wants Farrow to be his best friend.
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Do you consider yourself a fan of ASMR? Then you'll enjoy Episode 178, which features the soothing voice of Will Arnett. Over the course of the episode, Shepard and Arnett discuss sobriety and the importance of a positive attitude. Arnett is best known for his work on Arrested Development and BoJack Horseman, and yet he doesn't consider himself a comedian. This episode balances the serious with the silly in a way that's totally fun to listen to.
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The prolific Seth Rogen joined Shepard for Episode 33 of AE, and it ended up being a great time for both of them. The two talk about working with their wives, weed, teenage stand-up, and more. Like Danny McBride, Rogen shares the belief that karate gave him a huge confidence boost growing up. Rogen's voice and perspective is so singular that it's probably fun to listen to him talk about anything. Overall, there's lots of laughs to be had here, which makes it worth a listen.
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Conan O'Brien is a force to be reckoned with. On his episode, he covers a lot of ground. From bicycle accident funerals to class clowns, O'Brien has a myriad of opinions and he's very comfortable sharing them. The conversation flows, playful verbal punches are thrown, and overall it's a good time. Maybe late night show hosts should be interviewed more often.
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Mila Kunis is famously known for keeping her private life under wraps. So it was shocking when Shepard convinced her to give an unfiltered interview on the podcast. Of course, her tell-all didn't come for free. In exchange for Kunis' account of her trans-continental childhood, Shepard has to retell his famous story involving Jell-O and an STD clinic. Kunis' experiences and worldview are fascinating, but you also have to hear this Jell-O story.
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If you love Game of Thrones, you'll go nuts over this episode of AE featuring Emilia Clarke AKA Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons. But unlike her character on the show, Clarke is as sweet as can be. She has no issues dishing out plenty of GoT info, but the really fascinating part of her interview is where she discusses her brain hemorrhages. That's right, two of 'em. This well-rounded episode is full of tantalizing facts and surprising truths.
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Deciding to invite his Doppelganger to his podcast was an excellent decision on Shepard's part. Zach Braff and Shepard are interchangeable in many people's eyes. People associate Shepard with Scrubs, and Braff receives praise for his time on Punk'd. The pair share their feelings on being compared to each other, as well as dish on their past dating lives. It's just two dudes being dudes, and the resulting episode is a ton of fun.
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Episode 154 - "Kate & Oliver Hudson"
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Not everyone would be brave enough to have their ex-girlfriend on their podcast. Especially when that podcast is dedicated to diving deep into your past and also your feelings. But Shepard is one bold host, and so he has Kate Hudson stop by the attic for a visit. Lucky for both of them, Kate's brother Oliver tagged along. In fact, it's Oliver who dredges up most of the awkward relationship stuff, and it's genuinely funny to listen to. If you're looking for a cringe-worthy laugh, this episode is for you.
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The man, the myth, the legend Will Ferrell graced Shepard's podcast on Episode 110. This can't-miss episode features some gems of wisdom from Ferrell, who talks about how he contradicts comedic stereotypes and reveres being part of a team. Not to mention, we get some much-needed explanation on why Ferrell dressed as security at a Lakers game. Witty and well-spoken this episode features some quality banter from Ferrell and Shepard. Even if Shepard gets a little intimidated.
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What happens when you bring a seasoned interviewer to be interviewed on your podcast? Find out in Episode 5 of Armchair Expert, where Shepard and Padman tackle Jimmy Kimmel head on. Turns out, Kimmel is just as good as answering questions as he is asking them. Listen as they divulge into the subject of Kimmel's progressive attractiveness. It's true! The beard does him good!
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Gilmore Girls fans in the house! Lauren Graham and Shepard have a history of working together on Parenthood, and their rapport is clear on this episode of Armchair Expert. Shepard tells the ultra-cute tale of how Graham and co-star Peter Krause fell in love on set. Plus, we get an inside look at Graham's childhood, which was spent between Japan and Europe. Seriously, Graham has one interesting backstory.
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- Dax Shepard
Ashton Kutcher appeared on Armchair Expert not once, but twice. And the second time is much different from the first. While the first interview was spent reliving Punk'd memories, this second one was much deeper and more intense. Kutcher shared his goals to reform the foster care system in the US as well as eliminate child p*rnography from the Internet. You go, Ashton Kutcher. We believe in you.
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Fans of The Office know Rainn Wilson as the intense, egotistical office assistant Dwight Schrute. But did you know in real life he's actually a really cool, well-adjusted dude? In Episode 170, Shepard and Wilson discuss Wilson's experience bringing art training to children in developing nations, as well as his belief system as a Baha’i. Padman even shares an anecdote about her chance encounter with Wilson at an internship. Your takeaway from this episode? Rainn Wilson is a remarkably kind person.
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Long-time buds Seth Green and Shepard make excellent conversation buddies on this episode of Armchair Expert. The two know each other from working on the 2004 movie Without A Paddle, and bring that familiarity to their segment. Green delves into his extensive career in Hollywood, everything from the highly personal film Changeland to the Adult Swim animated series Robot Chicken. As far as repertoire goes, Green has all the bases covered.
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After listening to Episode 132, you'll most likely have a completely different perspective on actor and writer Danny McBride. He talks about his unconventional Southern upbringing, which informs the characters he plays to an extent. However, he's not nearly as Southern as you think he is. Also, he shares his relationship to karate, and how it helped shape him into who he is today. Overall, it's a solid conversation filled with fascinating tidbits from the life of an interesting guy.
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In Episode 38, actress and comedian Katheryn Hahn takes the mic. She and Shepard bond instantly over their music tastes, which is pretty adorable. Plus, she explores her early-life obsession with Amish culture, which makes her even more likable than she was before. Hahn brings a good balance of humor and honesty, and you'll feel like you've learned something after listening. Who could ask for anything more?
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Actress and Goop owner Gwyneth Paltrow has built quite a name for herself. In fact, it's a name Dax wouldn't mind having — he admits to wanting to trade lives with her. Paltrow keeps it real in her episode, discussing intentional parenting and her relationship to fear. It's off-the-cuff and lighthearted for the most part, but Shepard and Paltrow get to the heart of some deep matters. This episode is a winner.
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Episode 28 - "Nick Kroll"
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The outrageously funny Nick Kroll came on Armchair Expert to swap childhood stories with Shepard. During the episode, they compare their respective upbringings and discuss the messiness of puberty. It only makes sense, considering Kroll is one of the minds behind Big Mouth, which depicts the transitory life stage with brutal accuracy. Kroll is relatably charming, and after you listen to his interview you'll feel like you know the guy. There's a reason why Shepard describes him as his "favorite person to run into on the street."
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It's really hard to not like Adam Scott. He's a terrific comedic actor (despite being trained in drama) and he has a reputation for being a really lovely person. Shepard and Padman talk to Scott about his unique career, which essentially juxtaposes his identity. For such a nice guy, he's often playing prickly parts. Although he's a high profile actor, appearing in Parks & Recreation and Big Little Lies, he's able to lay relatively low in Hollywood. This episode proves that some celebrities really are (mostly) just like us.
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No, Lake Bell isn't Kristen Bell's sister. In fact, she played Shepard's (fictional) wife on the television series Bless This Mess. In this episode, Bell gets personal and shares an intimate story about her nearly unsuccessful home birthing experience. But luckily, her son turned out healthy. Turns out you can be "married" to someone for multiple seasons of a show and still not know their full story.
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Jackass' Johnny Knoxville has one heck of career. He's built an unshakeable reputation of putting his life on the line. Interestingly enough, the actor/writer actually started working in entertainment to support his family. He and Shepard discuss his movie Action Point, which was actually based on a real life theme park called Action Park. And yes, the stunts are equally as dangerous as those seen on Jackass.
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COLLECTION40 LISTS
Must-Hear PodcastsThe podcasts you absolutely must download and/or stream and listen to during your commute, workouts, study breaks, and whenever.
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Must-Hear Podcasts
The podcasts you absolutely must download and/or stream and listen to during your commute, workouts, study breaks, and whenever.
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