Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Episode: Kristen Bell & Justine Lupe
Release Date: September 29, 2025
Overview
In this energetic and heartfelt episode, Dax Shepard and Monica Padman welcome Kristen Bell and Justine Lupe—a dynamic duo starring in the upcoming second season of the Netflix series "Nobody Wants Us." The conversation explores the pair’s offscreen friendship, hilarious on-set pranks, family backgrounds, acting philosophies, relationships, career anxieties, and the unique pressures and joys that come with creative collaboration. The tone is warm, humorous, and often deeply personal, as the group dives into vulnerability, growth, authenticity, and the delightful messiness of being human.
Main Discussion Sections
1. Introduction & Emmys Fashion Choices
Timestamps: 03:17 – 08:55
- Emmys Shoe Debate: Dax recounts an internal conflict about whether to wear Vans or formal shoes to the Emmys, ultimately opting for the latter out of respect for his wife, Kristen—who was wearing Armani—and the late Giorgio Armani.
- “Should one set their identity aside for… their wife’s moment?” – Dax (04:06)
- The group teases Dax’s fashion quirks, cowboy shirt phase, and the subtle pressures of making the “grown-up” decision at big events.
- Monica and Kristen praise the value of flexibility and supporting a partner’s professional moments.
2. Identity, Compromise, and Relationship Dynamics
Timestamps: 06:30 – 10:12
- Stubbornness & Relationship Compromise: Justine talks about choosing her partner's feelings over catching up with an ex, reflecting on the virtue found in setting aside one’s own preferences for the sake of others.
- “I care so much more about my husband than I care about hanging out with this person for an hour.” – Justine (08:02)
- The group discusses the fine line between trust, stubbornness, and healthy boundaries in relationships.
- Monica asks, “Do you have a justice hangup?” leading Justine to share her name literally means "justice" and how that influences her urge to defend others.
3. ADHD, Astrology, and Quirky Self-Discovery
Timestamps: 09:16 – 13:01
- ADHD & Justice: Dax brings up research linking ADHD with a heightened sense of justice. Justine reflects on her recent therapist’s suggestion she might have ADHD.
- Astrology Playfulness: Astrology comes up—Justine (Gemini), Monica (Virgo), Dax (Capricorn)—with Dax maintaining playful skepticism.
- “I don’t believe in God. I don’t hate God.” – Dax (10:22)
- Sedona Soul Adventures: Justine recounts a wild healing retreat in Sedona, which leads her to leave a significant relationship—“My light got turned back on and I was like, and I’m out.” (13:27)
4. The Epic Urine Prank
Timestamps: 15:54 – 26:18
Highlight Segment
- Set-up: Justine engineers a long-con prank convincing Kristen she’s biohacking by drinking her own urine to improve mineral intake. Kristen, confused but concerned, seeks medical advice, only to learn it’s harmless but unnecessary.
- “She’s drinking her pee and she’s talking a lot about it at work.” – Kristen (21:19)
- Performance and Reveal: The prank escalates, culminating in mason jars filled with “urine” (actually chamomile tea) as a gift, and a final reveal on April Fool’s Day.
- “I have never felt more loved in my entire life than when it occurred to me how long she had been working on this.” – Kristen (26:18)
- Reflection: Both share the joy and meaning found in pranks that require trust, creativity, and commitment.
5. Acting, Juilliard, and Career Challenges
Timestamps: 27:40 – 56:48
- Family & Upbringing: Justine shares about her mother’s intense career in social work and therapy, the supportiveness of her parents, and the activist legacy of her grandmother.
- Justine’s mother: “She can hold space for a lot of dark.” (31:36)
- Juilliard Journey: Justine recounts the rigorous, emotional, and literal blizzard-filled process of getting into Juilliard, with her father heroically supporting her through travel chaos.
- “He drove me through this blizzard... I made it.” – Justine (43:22)
- Acting Philosophy: They debate the merits of “stripping down” acting at Juilliard vs. keeping the natural “sparkle” that makes a performer unique.
- “You want to hold onto the sparkle.” – Justine (46:29)
- “Did you feel it? …It doesn’t matter if you feel it. Is the audience going to feel it?” – Kristen (47:29)
- Professional Pressure & Postpartum: Justine opens up about anxiety and hormonal fluctuations from weaning after pregnancy, and how acting can feel intertwined with self-growth or “something to prove.”
6. "Nobody Wants Us": Craft, Fame, & Collaboration
Timestamps: 50:37 – 62:27
- On-Screen Sisterhood: Kristen and Justine discuss how season two of "Nobody Wants Us" focuses on the evolving love story and codependent bond between their characters, reflecting real-life sisterhood dynamics.
- “If you dislodge one of the sisters, it just doesn’t work.” – Kristen (52:04)
- Ambiguity in Relationships: Dax and the guests analyze on-screen relationship ambiguity, the writers’ room strategies, and the usefulness of not always “knowing” a character’s future, preserving authenticity and drama.
- “Actors are overly interested in being certain about what they want… Life doesn’t really work that way.” – Dax (62:38)
7. Money, Podcast Authenticity, and Behind-the-Scenes
Timestamps: 68:26 – 74:52
- How Much Do Characters Make?: Dax’s “one big question” is how much the fictional podcasters in "Nobody Wants Us" actually make—a detail the show intentionally leaves vague.
- “As someone who’s broke, I’m a little bit like, how’s everyone living?” – Dax (70:02)
- Industry Realism: The group commiserates about the realities of buying homes in LA, success benchmarks in podcasting, and how creative authenticity trumps financial realism in storytelling.
8. Vulnerability, Parenting, and Podcast Boundaries
Timestamps: 75:03 – 80:55
- Personal Boundaries: The hosts and guests discuss the unwritten rules of sharing about relationships and kids on podcasts, the ethical dilemmas of storytelling, and evolving comfort with public vulnerability.
- “It does take a ton of twists and turns, but it ends up... something so poetic.” – Monica, about the new podcast "Beth’s Dead" (104:33)
- Parenting & Privacy: As their children grow, Dax and Kristen reflect on the shifting line of what’s appropriate to share—and the profound ways public honesty forges real connections with listeners.
9. Fan Encounters, Celebrity, and Losing the Illusion
Timestamps: 81:05 – 85:54
- The Duality of Celebrity: Justine and Monica muse about moving from fandom to friendship, and how knowing public figures personally changes perceptions of celebrity.
- “It’s weird how the table putting it all... the real thing’s better.” – Monica (81:38)
- Working with Acting Legends: Justine shares what it was like to be directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman, describing his “force of nature” and relentless pursuit of excellence.
10. Sexiness, Confidence, and Cuteness versus Sexy
Timestamps: 86:11 – 90:47
- Owning Sexuality: The group explores personal and societal inhibitions about owning sex appeal, how “cute” feels safer, and the courage to embrace one’s sexy side.
- “I do have a little bit of crunch in me... but sexiness is right there in there.” – Justine (87:58)
11. Fun Anecdotes, Life Updates & Fact Check
Timestamps: 91:45 – end
- Family Antics & Mysteries: Dax tells a wild story about his dad losing (and re-finding) his wallet, and discusses life hacks for anxiety, parenting, and underestimating project time.
- Astrological Deep Dives: Monica details the meanings of their names and astrological signs, prompting reflection on strengths, weaknesses, and the usefulness (or not) of star charts.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Pranks and Friendship:
- “I have never felt more loved in my entire life than when it occurred to me how long she had been working on this.” – Kristen Bell (26:18)
- On Authenticity:
- “We felt the positive reinforcement of when we were honest and authentic.” – Kristen Bell (80:32)
- On Acting Philosophy:
- “You want to hold onto the sparkle.” – Justine Lupe (46:29)
- “Did you feel it? It doesn’t matter if you feel it. Is the audience going to feel it?” – Kristen Bell (47:29)
- On Perfectionism & Growth:
- “This whole thing is about being a better version of yourself all the time. Becoming a better person..." – Justine Lupe (55:40)
- On Parental Influence & Crisis:
- “She came to the door, she has a carrier of coffee. She has a bunch of children’s books. She sat there for like hours and just talked us through it.” – Justine Lupe, about her mother (32:45)
Key Segment Timestamps
- Emmys Fashion Debate: 03:17 – 08:55
- ADHD & Justice: 09:16 – 13:01
- Sedona Healing Story: 12:06 – 14:36
- Urine Prank Complete Story: 15:54 – 26:18
- Juilliard Journey: 39:10 – 44:26
- Acting Philosophy & Set Dynamics: 46:04 – 50:37
- Sisterhood in ‘Nobody Wants Us’: 50:37 – 52:28
- Industry Realism & Money: 68:26 – 74:52
- Podcasting Boundaries Discussion: 75:03 – 80:32
- Astrology Segment: 133:34 – 139:29
Overall Tone & Style
The episode is a blend of earnest self-reflection, comic digressions, candid confessions, and a spirit of joyful friendship. The language is breezy, intimate, and full of the hosts' signature charm—moving fluidly from sharp banter to deep, sincere moments. Whether dissecting method acting, describing elaborate long-term pranks, or revealing what worries and delights them as partners, parents, or performers, the group strikes a note of openhearted inquiry and mutual respect.
For Listeners New and Old
If you’re catching up, this episode is essential for fans of "Nobody Wants Us" and anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes realities of acting, friendship, and creative partnership. The stories told—especially the unforgettable urine prank—are already classics in the Armchair Expert canon, while the nuanced discussions on relationships, fame, boundaries, and authenticity offer plenty of wisdom and laughs for everyone.