Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard

In this week's episode of Synced, Monica and Liz talk about the conversational dynamics that exist within different sexual orientations, they revisit the brunch pin, and discuss the ways people in relationships talk to singles. They answer listener questions about whether or not it's okay to leave a partner who is ill, how to handle traveling solo while in a relationship, and how to successfully cut off an ex-sister-in-law. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier tries to understand why his entire street smells like semen. He finds himself in the world of the Callery Pear Tree - also known as the Linden Tree or the Bradford - AKA “the cum tree”. David talks with Theresa Culley, a professor at the University of Cincinnati - who knows a lot about this particular foul-smelling tree. The plant biologist teaches David why the trees smell like that, before diving into an analysis of how American these trees really are. David is shocked to find out one of these trees survived 9/11, and is now found at the 9/11 memorial site. He also discovers the tree - once the darling of US landscapers and gardeners - is now considered an invasive species. With this in mind, David visits LA’s Natural History Museum to meet herpetologist Greg Pauly, who educates David about some of America’s other invasive species, including one particularly loud and annoying frog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heidi Klum (America’s Got Talent, Project Runway) is a model, television host, and producer. Heidi joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the freedom of nudity, how she got into modeling in a small town in Germany, and how she learned to make her face not sweat. Heidi and Dax talk about dealing with negative feedback early in their career, what some of her creative outlets are, and what the energy of doing a live show feels like. Heidi explains how different she is from Howard Stern, her love of creating elaborate Halloween costumes, and what it was like making a song with Snoop Dogg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about the craziest thing they've seen at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Noah Hawley (Fargo, Lucy in the Sky, Legion) is a screenwriter, director, and producer. Noah concludes Fargo Week and joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he balances the tone of comedy and violence, how having a fraternal twin has influenced his writing, and where his version of masculinity comes from. Noah and Dax talk about the importance of mentorship, why it’s important to share in decision-making, and why people don’t like to ask for advice. Noah talks about his awkward breakfast with the Coen Brothers, what the concept of “failing up” is, and how much he loves the creative process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's episode of Synced, Monica and Liz share some of their favorite beauty products, they discuss colorism in the beauty industry, and debate whether or not it's appropriate to let a stranger try on your coat. They answer listener questions on struggling with body image in clothing, and Monica attempts to settle an issue with an old friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Hamm (Fargo, Mad Men, Top Gun: Maverick) is an actor. Fargo week continues with Jon joining the Armchair Expert to discuss meeting multiple times for the first time, giving himself until 30 years old to figure out if he could make it in Hollywood, and his earliest memories of auditioning. Jon talks about how his life changed when his mother passed away, why he played every sport except hockey, and where he discovered his love for reading stories. Dax and Jon discuss how he got into the mindset of Roy Tillman, what it’s like to be fired from a show, and what kinds of cars he is attracted to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Juno Temple (Fargo, Ted Lasso, Killer Joe) is an actor. Juno joins the Armchair Expert to kick off Fargo week and discuss how she doesn’t know how to drive a car, how inspirational her father’s work ethic was, and what it was like growing up in a country with thousands of years of history. Juno and Dax talk about how they dealt with rejection for roles, how nervous they are on sets, and what it’s like to do an iconic accent for a character. Juno explains what it’s like to be on a show that addresses domestic abuse, how she uses creativity to help with anxiety, and why she likes to watch horror movies to go to sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us their greatest underdog story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Finding Your Roots, Gospel, Stony the Road) is a filmmaker, professor, and cultural critic. Henry joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what techniques he uses when interviewing people, how far back he can trace his family heritage, and the sugar plantation slave trade. Henry and Dax talk about what the Salt Thesis is, what their observations were visiting Africa, and how culture mostly drives a person’s development. Henry explains why class is just as important as race, how America is a nation of exiles, and how groups of people are often manipulated to hate each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode of Synced, Monica & Liz are joined by a special guest! They reminisce on fantastic food experiences, Monica gives closet clean-out tips, and they debate the validity of 'being out of someone's league'. They answer listener questions on how to handle differing opinions on a sexual assault story and whether or not it's okay to hide sex toys from a partner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave Burd (Dave, Penith, Professional Rapper) is a rapper and actor. Dave joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he has no sense of direction without GPS, why he thought it was important to share his medical condition with the world, and the comedians he idolized growing up. Dave and Dax talk about how much pressure there is to go to college to achieve success, how he was exposed to content creation, and how much they value the opinions of their peers. Dave explains how he balances making music and a television show, what a hype man is, and how giving love can be as rewarding as receiving it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a resolution gone bad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vanessa Marin (Pillow Talks, Sex Talks: The Five Conversations That Will Transform Your Love Life) is a sex therapist and podcaster. Vanessa joins the Armchair Expert to discuss her experience getting the “the talk” from her parents, why there is often so much shame around sexuality, and how much stress kills libido. Vanessa and Dax discuss how vulnerability and neediness differ, how sex is often more focused on male pleasure, and responsive vs spontaneous desire. Vanessa talks about the psychology involved when initiating sex, the importance of understanding that emotional and physical intimacy go hand-in-hand, and when to best talk to your partner about sex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's episode of Synced, Monica and Liz share their natal charts, they debate the validity of pet psychics, and Liz receives advice from another Uber driver. They answer listener questions on breaking up one's family for 'true' love, how to recover after faking orgasms in a relationship, and how to cope with not feeling wanted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wyatt and Kurt Russell (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters) are actors. Kurt and Wyatt join the Armchair Expert to discuss their memories of spending summers at their lake house, why Wyatt chose acting over playing hockey, and what it’s like to be a violin-maker. Kurt, Wyatt, and Dax talk about what it was like to play the same character as father and son, how Kurt chose his most iconic roles, and how fun it is to work with stunt people on set. Kurt and Wyatt explain their approach when people have preconceived notions about them, what Wyatt learned from his dad about work ethic, and how humbling it can be to run a business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a crazy concert experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matthew Desmond (Poverty, by America) is a sociologist and author. Matthew joins Armchair Expert to discuss why he became interested in studying poverty in America, how people are being priced out of their own neighborhoods, and what solutions he feels would help unhoused people the most. Matthew and Dax talk about why a wealthy country can have such a large wage gap, what metrics the government uses to define who an impoverished person is, and how some financial institutions are predatory towards people with less money. Matthew explains why people should change their outlook on paying taxes, how welfare dependency is not as common as people think, and what he thinks caused the mass amount of economic inflation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz discuss grief, sleepovers, and superstitions. They answer listener questions on setting boundaries with a parent when it comes to one's health, communicating thoughts about thongs and pubic hair to a partner, and advice for someone who just turned 30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers, Billions, Sideways) is an actor. Paul joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he felt about living up to his father’s accomplishments, how bad he is at math, and why he got into theater. Paul and Dax talk about what their favorite cigarettes used to be, what boarding school culture is like, and what it means to be a lead actor. Paul explains what it’s like to play unlikeable characters, what he’s learned about historical figures from his roles, and why he is obsessed with fantastical ideas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices