Armchair Anonymous: Stalking II - Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Transcript

Dax Shepard (0:00)

Wondry plus subscribers can listen to Armchair Expert early and ad free right now. Join Wondry plus in the Wondry app or on Apple Podcasts. Or you can listen for free wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome, welcome, welcome to Armchair Anonymous. I'm Dan Shepard and I'm joined by Monica Padman.

Monica Padman (0:20)

Hi.

Dax Shepard (0:21)

Stalker Part 2.

Monica Padman (0:23)

Scary.

Dax Shepard (0:24)

Scary. They are scary, but these were not as scary.

Monica Padman (0:29)

It's always pretty. It's always pretty scary, but you can listen.

Dax Shepard (0:33)

Yeah. And there was a guy we liked having.

Monica Padman (0:35)

Yeah, we do like that. I mean, it was still scary.

Dax Shepard (0:37)

It was still scary. It's a different version of scary, but it's scary.

Monica Padman (0:41)

Yeah. And you know what? It's perfect timing because I'm watching you. We didn't even plan this. The universe, the sim storm.

Dax Shepard (0:49)

Yeah. It's got a sense of humor.

Monica Padman (0:51)

It really does.

Dax Shepard (0:52)

Yeah. Please Enjoy Stalker Part 2.

Monica Padman (0:56)

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Dax Shepard (1:24)

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Monica Padman (1:31)

When we were just baby friends, we.

Dax Shepard (1:33)

Discovered we both love Domino's and we ordered it with reckless abandon. If you haven't tried Domino's new Parmesan stuffed crust pizza yet, what are you waiting for? With a buttery flavored crust, melty cheese, and real Parmesan sprinkled on top, every bite is absolutely packed with flavor. Order one today at Domino's.com come and go. Good times, take them slow. My life, I had them both. You got to know I'mma keep on shining. Hello. Hello. You're my first Lindy.

Summary

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard Episode: Armchair Anonymous: Stalking II Release Date: June 6, 2025

In this gripping episode of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, titled Armchair Anonymous: Stalking II, host Dax Shepard delves deep into the unsettling world of stalking through personal stories shared by guests Lindy, Nick, and Brittany. The episode navigates the complexities of harassment, the psychological impact on victims, and the challenges faced in seeking justice.

1. Introduction to Armchair Anonymous

Dax Shepard introduces the segment "Armchair Anonymous," a space where individuals share their personal experiences with stalking. Joined by Monica Padman, Dax sets the stage for an honest and vulnerable exploration of these distressing encounters.

2. Lindy's Encounter with Joe Smith

Timestamp: [03:06]

Lindy recounts her harrowing experience with a neighbor, Joe Smith. Initially dismissing the strange Facebook friend requests with inappropriate profile pictures as spam, Lindy's concerns escalate when her family learns that Joe Smith is a known neighbor involved in similar harassment.

Key Events:
- Friend Requests: Lindy received unsettling friend requests from a profile named "Joe Smith" featuring a genital image, which she later recognized as her neighbor.
- Escalation: Joe's harassment extended beyond Lindy to her mother and sister, leading to increased community scrutiny and police involvement.
- Police Intervention: Despite multiple reports, Joe managed to evade long-term detention, resulting in ongoing harassment and eventual arrest after attempting to harass his parole officer.
Notable Quotes:
- Lindy: “He somehow had her phone number and he starts sending her these pictures, screenshots of porn’s...” ([05:26])
- Dax Shepard: “What do you do with someone like this? Like he's so unhinged...” ([09:45])
Conclusion of Lindy's Story: Joe Smith’s pattern of behavior culminated in arrests for various offenses, including cyberstalking and indecent exposure. Lindy highlights the difficulties in obtaining sufficient evidence and the limitations of the legal system in handling such pervasive harassment.

3. Nick's Story: From Friend to Obsession

Timestamp: [29:25]

Nick, who reveals himself as a police detective specializing in harassment and abuse cases, shares his personal ordeal with Amy—a participant in a university program who became obsessively attached to him.

Key Events:
- Initial Interaction: Nick met Amy through a university program aimed at assisting individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Developing Obsession: Amy's behavior became increasingly controlling, isolating Nick from other participants and demanding his constant attention.
- Relocation and Escalation: As Nick’s family moved to Florida and he prepared to leave for England, Amy's obsession intensified, leading to unrelenting harassment even after his departure.
- Legal and Emotional Fallout: Despite multiple reports to the police, Amy's actions continued until Nick eventually severed ties by deleting her online presence and receiving minimal legal recourse.
Notable Quotes:
- Nick: “I just want her to find the next guy she’s gonna get crazy about...” ([28:29])
- Dax Shepard: “...the decision you're making is, I'll do it today or I'm going to do it sometime in the future and incur way more stuff.” ([28:40])
Expert Insight: Towards the end of his narrative, Nick emphasizes the importance of speaking one’s truth and setting firm boundaries, underscoring the long-term psychological benefits of confronting such situations rather than avoiding them.

4. Brittany's Harrowing Experience with a Rideshare Driver

Timestamp: [37:34]

Brittany shares her unsettling encounter with Bill, a rideshare driver whose increasingly aggressive and invasive behavior led to a terrifying ordeal.

Key Events:
- Initial Contact: After a seemingly normal ride, Bill begins sending Brittany unsolicited and inappropriate messages.
- Escalation: When Brittany attempts to set boundaries, Bill's demeanor turns hostile, culminating in threats to come to her office.
- Confrontation: Despite multiple warnings and involvement of law enforcement, Bill's harassment persists, leading Brittany to take drastic measures like blocking him and seeking further legal protection.
- Long-term Impact: The incident left Brittany and her family in a state of heightened alertness and fear, highlighting the challenges in stopping persistent online harassment.
Notable Quotes:
- Brittany: “He is so sick, so I've never heard from her since.” ([28:15])
- Dax Shepard: “We are supported by Apple TV plus presenting the hit limited series Presumed Innocent...” ([17:57]) (Note: This appears to be an advertisement and is not included in the summary)
Additional Insights: Brittany discusses the limitations faced when reporting such incidents, including the lack of immediate actionable responses from rideshare companies and law enforcement.

5. Expert Commentary and Reflections

Timestamp: [29:15]

Nick returns to offer professional insights into the stories shared, emphasizing the prevalence of stalking and the importance of addressing mental health issues underlying such behavior.

Key Points:
- Mental Health: Recognizing the role of mental health and past trauma in stalking behavior.
- Legal Limitations: Addressing the constraints of the legal system in providing immediate protection.
- Personal Healing: Encouraging victims to speak their truth as a path to healing and reclaiming their identities.
Notable Quotes:
- Nick: “One in six boys at some point in their childhood will experience sexual abuse...” ([30:15])
- Dax Shepard: “Did you hear the Tyler Perry episode? For anyone that's struggling, his willingness and openness is really incredible.” ([30:28])

6. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dax and Monica wrap up the episode by acknowledging the resilience of the guests and the importance of community support in overcoming such traumatic experiences. The episode serves as a powerful reminder of the pervasive nature of stalking and the need for systemic changes to better protect and support victims.

Notable Quotes Summary:

Lindy: "He somehow had her phone number and he starts sending her these pictures, screenshots of porn’s..." ([05:26])
Dax Shepard: “What do you do with someone like this?...” ([09:45])
Nick: “I just want her to find the next guy she’s gonna get crazy about...” ([28:29])
Dax Shepard: “…the decision you're making is, I'll do it today or I'm going to do it sometime in the future and incur way more stuff.” ([28:40])
Brittany: “He is so sick, so I've never heard from her since.” ([28:15])

This episode of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard offers a raw and unfiltered look into the lives of those affected by stalking, shedding light on the emotional and psychological toll it takes. Through heartfelt narratives and expert analysis, Dax and his guests encourage listeners to foster empathy, advocate for better support systems, and prioritize mental health in addressing such pervasive issues.