Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard Episode Summary: Armchair Anonymous: Wild Card VIII Release Date: June 27, 2025

In this engaging episode of "Armchair Expert," host Dax Shepard delves into a series of wild and personal stories shared by guests Monica Padman, Sharon Beasley, Jordan (Gabby), Kristen, and others. Titled "Armchair Anonymous: Wild Card VIII," the episode features a blend of humorous anecdotes, intense personal experiences, and insightful discussions about mental health and addiction. The episode is structured around the "Wild Card" theme, encouraging guests to share unexpected and unique stories from their lives.

Jordan’s High School Mishap

Timestamp: 03:07 – 11:22

Jordan, introduced as Gabby’s husband from Indianapolis, kicks off the episode with a vivid recounting of a traumatic high school incident. As a 14-year-old freshman in a jewelry class, Jordan was working on a necklace project using a Dremel tool. Without a hair tie to secure her long hair, she encountered a frightening moment when the tool yanked a clump of her hair.

Jordan: "I instantly jerked the tool away from my head, and the Dremel took a clump of my hair with it." [05:17]

The abrupt loss of her hair created a palpable tension in the classroom, leading to a rushed trip to the nurse's office. Although the physical damage was minimal—just a bald spot about the size of her palm—Jordan faced significant emotional distress.

Jordan: "I want to say that I was holding it together pretty good up until that point, but when she started freaking out, I just started bawling." [06:35]

The incident left her with stunted hair growth for a couple of years and a lasting memory of vulnerability and resilience.

Monica Padman’s Neighborhood Stalker Story

Timestamp: 14:51 – 28:47

Monica Padman shares a harrowing story from her teenage years in Texas. In 2006, her father noticed a suspicious man approaching their driveway in the early morning hours. This man exhibited strange behavior, including turning towards Monica's bedroom window, suggesting he was spying on her.

Monica: "He turns on the light and the guy runs away. He tries to act like everything's normal." [20:00]

Determined to protect his family, Monica's father took drastic measures, including taking photographs of the suspect and installing security measures around the house. Despite these efforts, the police later identified the stalker as a neighbor who had been watching multiple girls in the neighborhood. The situation culminated when another girl bravely confronted the stalker, leading to his apprehension by the authorities.

Monica: "He has been watching me for a very long time." [22:00]

This intense experience highlighted the themes of safety, parental protection, and community vigilance.

Gabby’s Emergency Medical Services Encounter

Timestamp: 30:00 – 43:09

Gabby, a nurse working in the Level 2 Trauma Center, recounts a particularly bizarre and tragic EMS call involving a patient who claimed to have masturbated with a gun, resulting in a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the vagina.

Gabby: "The patient was saying she's masturbating with a gun and shot herself in the vagina." [35:55]

As the medical team navigated this confusing scenario, initial reports conflicted, shifting from statements of self-harm to stories of being on a trail shot by an unknown assailant. Upon examination, a bullet was discovered lodged in the patient's pelvis, leading to severe medical interventions, including a hysterectomy and colectomy. The case raised concerns about mental health, substance abuse, and the complexities medical professionals face in discerning truth from trauma-induced narratives.

Gabby: "Any tool that we have. Because as we know, there's not a lot of great options for people. Anything we can do to give people ammunition and finding sobriety is going to be awesome." [49:25]

Kristen’s Medical School Cadaver Incident

Timestamp: 44:29 – 50:02

Kristen, an addiction medicine doctor, shares a cringe-worthy and unforgettable moment from her medical school days. During a cadaver lab session in 2012 at Kirksville, Missouri, Kristen was scrubbing fat off a cadaver’s arm when a piece of fat accidentally flew into her open mouth. This unexpected and unsettling incident left her gagging and overwhelmed with disgust.

Kristen: "I was talking with my teammates, and a piece of fat, probably about the size of a kidney bean, flew off of the cadaver's arm into my open mouth." [45:35]
Kristen: "I rushed out of the anatomy lab room and just stood over the toilet gagging for several minutes." [47:05]

The episode highlights the often-overlooked challenges and unexpected moments faced by medical students, emphasizing the importance of resilience and professionalism in the face of discomfort and repulsion.

Discussions on Mental Health and Addiction Medicine

Timestamp: 49:43 – 50:02

The conversation transitions into discussing the promising role of GLP1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) in addiction medicine, led by Kristen.

Dax Shepard: "Any tool that we have... finding sobriety is going to be awesome." [49:25]
Kristen: "I'm optimistic for the people who are currently struggling." [49:25]

Kristen emphasizes the potential of GLP1 as an innovative tool for aiding individuals in overcoming addiction, despite current limitations like insurance coverage and availability.

Conclusion and Reflections

The episode wraps up with heartfelt exchanges, where guests express their appreciation for the platform to share their stories. Gabby highlights how the podcast has become a valuable resource for her family, teaching her children about life's complexities in a relatable way.

Gabby: "She's either going to learn it on the playground, she's going to learn it from you guys." [43:09]

Dax Shepard closes the episode by reflecting on the importance of sharing vulnerable and honest stories, reinforcing the show's mission to explore the "messiness of being human."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Jordan: "I instantly jerked the tool away from my head, and the Dremel took a clump of my hair with it." [05:17]

• Monica: "He has been watching me for a very long time." [22:00]

• Gabby: "Any tool that we have... finding sobriety is going to be awesome." [49:25]

• Kristen: "I was talking with my teammates, and a piece of fat, probably about the size of a kidney bean, flew off of the cadaver's arm into my open mouth." [45:35]

Key Insights:

1. Resilience in Adversity: Both Jordan and Monica's stories showcase the human capacity to endure and navigate through traumatic experiences, highlighting themes of resilience and family support.

2. Complexity of Trauma: Gabby's recounting of the EMS call underscores the intricate intersection between trauma, mental health, and substance abuse, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems in medical care.

3. Facing Professional Discomfort: Kristen's cadaver lab incident illustrates the often-hidden challenges faced by medical professionals, emphasizing the importance of emotional resilience in healthcare education.

4. Advancements in Addiction Medicine: The discussion on GLP1 reflects ongoing innovations in the field of addiction medicine, promising new avenues for treatment despite current barriers.

5. Importance of Sharing Stories: The episode reinforces the value of openly sharing personal and challenging experiences as a means of collective growth and understanding.

Final Thoughts:

"Armchair Anonymous: Wild Card VIII" masterfully weaves together diverse and compelling narratives, each shedding light on different facets of the human experience. From high school accidents and neighborhood threats to complex medical emergencies and professional misadventures, the episode exemplifies the show's commitment to exploring vulnerability, honesty, and the journey toward personal growth. Through candid storytelling and insightful discussions, Dax Shepard and his guests offer listeners a profound reflection on what it means to be human.