Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Episode: Listen Now: BETH’S DEAD

Release Date: October 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode introduces "Beth's Dead," a new true crime limited podcast series produced by Monica Padman, co-host and producer of Armchair Expert. The series explores the dark and unexpected consequences of parasocial relationships between podcast hosts and their listeners, centering on the mysterious disappearance of popular podcast hosts Elizabeth and Andy from "Nobody’s Listening, Right?" and a shocking incident involving the death of a listener. Through personal anecdotes and compelling storytelling, this teaser sets the stage for a harrowing tale of connection, boundaries, and the unpredictable outcomes when those lines are blurred.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Exploring Parasocial Relationships

• Parasocial relationships are described as one-sided attachments audiences develop with public figures—like podcasters and influencers. Monica and Dax highlight that these relationships are often harmless but can become complex and even dangerous in rare cases.
• Quote (00:01):
  • Announcer (A):
    “Parasocial relationships are seemingly unavoidable these days, whether with our favorite YouTubers, influencers or podcasters. And sometimes those relationships can become a two way street.”
• The series promises to delve into how these relationships can unexpectedly escalate, impacting both audience and hosts.

2. The Disappearance of Elizabeth and Andy

• Monica shares her deep personal connection to Elizabeth and Andy’s podcast, describing them as her “go-to comfort podcasters,” and recounts her distress when, in 2016, the show “just all of a sudden stopped.”
• Quote (00:27):
  • Monica (B):
    “Elizabeth and Andy are my go to comfort podcasters and they've been a constant in my ear since 2010. So it was really upsetting when in 2016 it just all of a sudden stopped podcasting.”
• The narrative details how the abrupt discontinuation of "Nobody's Listening, Right?" left listeners—including Monica—wondering if something terrible happened.

3. The Shocking Truth – Locks Changed, Police Involved, And a Listener’s Death

• When Monica finally met Elizabeth and Andy and asked what happened, she was shocked by their story, which involved real danger:
  • They had to change their locks.
  • The LAPD became involved.
  • The death of a listener connected to their podcast community.
• Quote (00:55):
  • Announcer (A):
    “It's a crazy story. It involves Elizabeth and Andy having their locks changed, the LAPD stepping in, and the death of a listener.”
• The production team’s goal was clarity on the past, but the exploration led them down unanticipated, unsettling paths.

4. Emotional Reactions and Regrets

• Elizabeth and Andy, revisiting the events, express how emotionally taxing the ordeal was and how reopening old wounds made them uneasy.
• Quote (02:01):
  • Andy (B):
    “I went through my notes this morning and I was getting teary eyed how upsetting it was. Revisiting this has made me uneasy. And then I'm like, if I'm gonna find out a bunch of bad shit, is it gonna make me feel more unease? This feels dangerous. I wished I hadn't gotten involved beyond just the pod.”
• The teaser leverages Elizabeth and Andy’s raw vulnerability, as Monica and the production team grapple with their own discomfort unraveling the story.

5. Glimpses of Surreal Listener Interactions

• The trailer includes bizarre and emblematic snippets of communication from listeners, exemplifying both the intimacy and inappropriateness parasocial bonds can invite.
• Quote (01:53):
  • Announcer (A):
    “Oh my God. The subject of the email is: you may recognize my vagina.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Monica Padman, on her fandom (00:27):
  • “Elizabeth and Andy are my go to comfort podcasters and they've been a constant in my ear since 2010...”
• Announcer, highlighting danger (00:55):
  • “It's a crazy story. It involves Elizabeth and Andy having their locks changed, the LAPD stepping in, and the death of a listener.”
• Andy, on emotional toil (02:01):
  • “Revisiting this has made me uneasy. And then I'm like, if I'm gonna find out a bunch of bad shit, is it gonna make me feel more unease? This feels dangerous.”
• Humorous yet disturbing listener interaction (01:53):
  • “Oh my God. The subject of the email is: you may recognize my vagina.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01 – Introduction to "Beth’s Dead" and the topic of parasocial relationships
• 00:27 – Monica Padman’s connection to Elizabeth and Andy; the mystery of their podcast’s sudden end
• 00:55 – Preview of the shocking truth: police involvement, locks changed, listener death
• 01:46 – Elizabeth and Andy’s reflections on responding to listeners and repercussions
• 01:53 – Noteworthy, bizarre listener email example
• 02:01 – Andy on the emotional impact of revisiting the story
• 02:29 – Where to find "Beth's Dead" and how to listen

Tone & Delivery

The episode teaser strikes a balance between vulnerability, dramatic intrigue, and dark humor—characteristic of Armchair Expert’s style. Monica’s honest emotional reactions draw listeners in, while snippets of Elizabeth and Andy’s discomfort make the stakes and risks of parasocial relationships feel real. The inclusion of quirky real-world anecdotes blended with genuinely harrowing implications sets the stage for a compelling listen.

Summary

"Beth’s Dead" stands at the intersection of true crime and the digital age’s complicated social dynamics. This Armchair Expert episode teases a deep dive into the messy, fascinating, and sometimes dangerous world of parasocial relationships—promising a series full of emotional revelations, ethical quandaries, and a cautionary tale for content creators and fans alike.

Find Beth’s Dead wherever you get your podcasts, with episodes released weekly or available for binge-listening.