? EARS TO THE GROUND-

Dax Shepard is fascinated by people. In his podcast Armchair Expert, the actor and comedian invites all kinds of guests to talk about their lives and experiences. He’s looking for honesty on how people overcome their struggles to become better people. Having his own battle with sobriety means he has his own meaningful perspective to add and he loves listening to others share theirs.

He doesn’t claim to be an expert, hence the name of the podcast. Instead, he relies on the human connection he has with his guests to stimulate a deeply honest conversation. Because it relies on that kind of discourse, the show is undeniably chatty, and while it’s not educational in a strict sense, it’s always beneficial to hear other people’s stories.

While Shepard is the frontman, Monica Padman is also a host and happens to edit all the episodes. While she is present on air her interjections are kept to a minimum and her role is to listen and clarify when needed. Opinions are mixed on what she brings to the table, but she helps the dynamic along and acts as a mouthpiece for the audience who may not be as familiar with the guests as the frontman.

Jon Batiste’s episode was one of our favorites. The highly decorated musician and composer discusses how music can bring people together and the effects of rejection. He also talks vulnerably about his wife’s battle with cancer and delves into many more sensitive topics.

You can listen onApplePodcasts or Spotify.

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