Armchair Expert Umbrella is a media/podcast network comprised of all shows produced by Armchair Expert.
Angela Duckworth Returns
Angela Duckworth (Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance) is a psychologist and author. Angela returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss why she doesn’t like to swear, how language has evolved, and the maturity principle. Angela and Dax talk about the multiple selves problem, how most people never change their stance on topics, and how we can trigger our best modes that are most useful for a given situation. Angela explains psychological distance, why uncertainty can cause anxiety, and the protective wall of human community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Synced: Breaking News
In this episode of Synced, Monica recounts her personal experience in India, Liz announces her new alcohol exception, and they discuss feeling younger the older they get. They answer listener questions on whether to tell a friend not to go through with a marriage and how, as a man, to respond to female friends who make broad generalizations about men. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Smokey Bear
This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets out to understand the origins of Smokey Bear, an educational mascot who’s turned into the longest-running PSA in American history. Farrier then gets a tip that there is a real Smokey Bear, so travels to the sleepy town of Capitan, New Mexico. Farrier searches for Smokey’s alleged gravesite, meeting with park ranger “Max” to understand the secrets of Smokey, a bear that ended up with their own Zip Code. Along the way, Farrier learns about another local legend, Billy the Kid - leading to the question: Who is the most famous local? Smokey Bear, or Billy the Kid? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Goldie Hawn
Goldie Hawn (Overboard, The First Wives Club, Death Becomes Her) is an actor, producer, and director. Goldie joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what she misses about being anonymous in public, how important approval from your parents is, and the successes of Roy Russell. Goldie and Dax talk about how she navigated her depression, how to respond to people who think you’re a stereotype, and how to deal with narcissists. Goldie explains why she wanted to start an educational foundation that focuses on child brain development, why she has an aversion to marriage, and the time she got a telegram from Fred Astaire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jared Cohen Returns
Jared Cohen (Life After Power, Accidental Presidents) is an author and businessman. Jared returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss what other oddities he collects from former US Presidents, the burden of legacy, and the history of third parties in the presidential elections. Jared and Dax talk about why authority in institutions matters, how much being a politician has changed, and the impact of geopolitics on business. Jared explains the relationship between ambition and happiness, how social media algorithms accelerate the radicalization process, and how he convinced Adam Grant to become his unofficial therapist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Synced: The Pool
In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz discuss their nonnegotiables in a relationship, Monica tells an ex she doesn't want to be friends, and they debate the orange peel theory. They answer listener questions on how to turn down a drink from a stranger at a bar, asking for a prenup, and supporting a friend's financial endeavors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Costco
This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets out to understand Costco, the giant membership warehouse club loved by millions of Americans, a store that now pulls in $64 billion in revenue each year. Farrier meets up with a friend of the show Andy, who takes David inside Costco for his first shopping trip. David is so impressed he signs up as a card-carrying Costco member, before returning with a former staff member to get the goss. Finally, Farrier talks to a staff member who’s been at Costco for a quarter of a century, meeting his wife at Costo, buying his engagement ring at Costco, and naming their dog after the iconic Costco brand, Kirkland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bradley Cooper Returns
Bradley Cooper (Maestro, A Star is Born, Silver Linings Playbook) is an award-winning actor, producer, and filmmaker. Bradley returns to the Armchair Expert to discuss why it’s important to be a good dancer, his new love of reality television, and how much he’s worked on improving his self-esteem. Bradley and Dax talk about their morning rituals, how they’ve learned to evaluate their own stories, and how fulfilling it has been to become a parent. Bradley explains the importance of having empathy as an actor, the talent of Leonard Bernstein, and what makes him cry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Armchair Anonymous: Greatest Fear
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a time their greatest fear came true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rob Reiner
Rob Reiner (God & Country, Spinal Tap, All in the Family) is an actor and filmmaker. Rob joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how he helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1960 World Series, why he prefers directing over acting and writing, and what it was like working with Martin Scorsese. Rob and Dax talk about their time in improv groups, the rise of All in the Family, and how fascinated they both are with Russia. Rob explains how much he looked up to and wanted to be like his father, why Christian Nationalism is a danger to the country and Christianity, and Dax tells him how much he sounds like best boy, Jimmy Kimmel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Synced: DePENS
In this episode of Synced, Monica and Liz debate the price of authenticity and revisit the pen conversation from last week, but this time include an expert. They answer listener questions on handling patriarchy in the workplace, getting over a comparison to an unflattering animal, and feeling shame for wanting one's partner to be more masculine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Flightless Bird: Roswell
This week on Flightless Bird, David Farrier sets out to the town of Roswell, New Mexico - home of the 1947 UFO crash that ignited the imagination of the entire planet. After visiting the Roswell UFO Museum, Farrier sets out to see what makes Roswell, well, Roswell. He meets up with artist Michael Beitz who runs the Meow Cat Sanctuary, before getting some Mexican food with local cowboy “Spider Dailey”, who fills Farrier in on the local military academy… and how to be an anarchist. He also goes to see Nancy Fleming who runs the Miniatures & Curious Collections Museum, and stops by Roswell’s UFO-themed McDonalds where he meets a man who’s had a close encounter of his own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Camila Mendes
Camila Mendes (Riverdale, Upgraded, Música) is an actor and producer. Camila joins the Armchair Expert to discuss how young artists are often more vulnerable to the public, how much she has started to lean into her culture, and learning Alexander technique. Camila and Dax talk about what types of people they are attracted to, what it’s like to know a second language with a significant other, and how to balance family dynamics. Camila explains how she booked a TV show while still in acting school, how romantic comedies have changed, and how teasing someone can be a form of affection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Armchair Anonymous: Valentine's Day Disaster
Dax and Monica talk to Armcherries! In today's episode, Armcherries tell us about a Valentine’s Day disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Charles Duhigg (on being a supercommunicator)
Charles Duhigg (Supercommunicators, The Power of Habit) is a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and best-selling author. Charles joins the Armchair Expert to discuss the difference in culture at the LA Times and New York Times, the benefits of bettering your communication, and how well humans can detect inauthenticity. Charles and Dax talk about how our brains latch on to vulnerability, the three types of conversations, and the importance of matching them. Charles explains that successful conversations are ones where you understand one another at the end, how laughter shows your willingness to connect, and how to loop for understanding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices