Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Rerelease: Nikki Glaser
Release Date: Dec 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this deeply candid, laugh-out-loud episode, Dax Shepard and Monica Padman sit down with comedian, actor, and television host Nikki Glaser. The conversation explores themes of vulnerability, imposter syndrome, body image, addiction, and the nuanced messiness of being human, particularly in the entertainment industry. Nikki opens up about her insecurities, her journey with sobriety and eating disorders, her experiences with fame (including a much-discussed joke at the Golden Globes), and her perspective on growth and apology—especially how she made amends with Taylor Swift. The episode ebbs and flows between self-deprecating humor, profound insight, and relatable confessions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Imposter Syndrome, Performance Anxiety & Preparation

• Nikki shares the anxiety she feels before high-stakes events, often stacking her commitments to avoid overthinking:

  “Everything in my life is five minutes before every appointment. My assistant will be like, do you want 30 minutes between that? I go for what, to think about what I’ve just done?”
  —Nikki Glaser (05:14)

• Dax reflects on preparing for interviews (like Howard Stern) and managing personal insecurities during public events.
• The paradox of preparation:

  “I tend to under prepare so that when it goes poorly, I have an excuse.”
  —Nikki (05:57)

2. Navigating Roasts, Jokes, and Celebrity Feelings

• Dax and Nikki recount Golden Globes material and mutual anxiety about being roasted or offending others:
  • Nikki explains she cut a planned joke about Dax because it didn’t land as intended, reflecting sensitivity to others’ feelings.
  • Dax’s internal dialogue:

    “No one is as mean to me as me.”
    —Dax Shepard (08:27)

  • Discussing the fine line between comedic roasting and genuine hurt, and how both have learned from past gigs about the impact of their humor.

3. Insecurity, Body Image, and the Human Condition

• Everyone feels ugly sometimes:

  “There's nothing worse than feeling ugly. And I feel ugly a lot too.”
  —Nikki (10:13)

• Nikki’s childhood stories: bullied for teeth and appearance, leading to a desire to be invisible in school.
• The pressure to “fix” perceived flaws with cosmetic procedures and the cultural baggage attached to beauty.

4. Belonging & Self-Worth in Fame

• Imposter syndrome even at the top—from award shows to TV gigs, Nikki and Dax ruminate on never feeling like they truly belong.
• Notable exchange:

  “I can't accomplish enough to not feel that way 100%.”
  —Dax (11:24) “I was hosting the Golden Globes and was like, I’m a fraud. I don’t belong here.”
  —Nikki (11:47)

5. Asking for Things, Support Systems, and Emotional Patterns

• Dax explains his learned reluctance to ask for help due to childhood family dynamics (single mom, being self-sufficient).
• Nikki counters:

  "Everyone needs people, you guys, everyone needs. And people like being asked for things."
  —Nikki (14:46)

• The trio dissects why it's so hard to accept support and how needing things from others isn't a moral failing.

6. The Desperate Pursuit of Validation & The Cost of Fame

• Award show hangover: Nikki admits feeling low after “magical” nights, noticing the shared insecurity even among the most famous.
• Fame as a reflection of self-worth: Nikki discusses her early fixation on being on TV to prove she was “extraordinary.”
• The dangers of seeking validation externally—from looks, talent, or career milestones.

7. Addiction, Sobriety, and Self-Acceptance

• Nikki’s journey:
  • Used Alan Carr's “The Easy Way” to quit smoking and drinking.
  • Details her battle with eating disorders and the transition from anorexia to binge eating.
  • The importance of honest self-assessment and community (12-step) support.
• Dax reflects on addiction, recognizing that giving up substances is just the beginning—the reasons underneath must be addressed.

8. Apology, Regret, and Making Amends (Taylor Swift Story)

• Nikki publicly apologizes after becoming part of a negative montage in Taylor Swift’s documentary, realizing how jealousy and insecurity colored her words.
• Taylor’s compassionate response:

  "Wow, I appreciate this so much. One of the major themes of the doc is that we have the ability to change our opinions over time, to grow to learn about ourselves. I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve struggled with some of the same things I’ve struggled with."
  —Taylor Swift (112:24)

• Nikki finds freedom in admitting flaws:

  "I love apologizing now when I can really get down to why it happened and own it."
  —Nikki (68:32)

9. Comedy as Catharsis & Empathy

• The relationship between insecurity and humor:

  "You almost need to be insecure to be funny in this way…You have to have them to be able to spot them in other people."
  —Dax (22:05)

• Nikki shares she only “burns” people if she knows there’s consent (roasts, invites), and tends to avoid mean jokes unless they're gentle or have been cleared with the target.

10. Growth and the Joys of Aging

• The panel reflects on how age brings perspective and, sometimes, relief from the desire to please or impress.
• Nikki on hard work:

  "The difference between great and good is just hard work. Someone can be great, and some people are just naturals, but mostly anyone can reach those levels if you just work hard enough."
  —Nikki (56:53)

• Dax notes that, over time, the “freedom as a dude” means less obsession with appearance, but recognizes this is changing for men too.

11. The Universality of Human Messiness

• Final reflection: As vulnerable as Nikki and Dax are about their insecurities, shortcomings, and obsessive thoughts, the message is clear—these struggles are what make them (and us) human, relatable, and connected.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the cruelty of self-talk:

  “I’ve bullied myself more than anyone possibly could.”
  —Nikki (08:35)

• On imposter syndrome at the Golden Globes:

  "I'm embarrassed these people even have to listen to me. These are all a-listers. Ralph Fiennes has to know my name now."
  —Nikki (11:47)

• On belonging:

  “You can't help that we feel that way…That's your own feeling.”
  —Nikki (10:27)

• On apologizing to Taylor Swift:

  “...She just got it. She only got what I was doing. And I love apologizing now when I can really get down to why it happened and own it and be like, I was just insecure. I was jealous that you're thin. I want to be your friend. I didn't see myself fitting in and I lashed out.”
  —Nikki (68:32)

• On comedy and insecurity:

  “When I write roasts, I'm like, what would I want not said about me? And how do I say that about someone else?”
  —Nikki (22:29)

• On addiction recovery:

  “For me, I could have maybe white knuckled it over the last 20 years, but I would have missed out on so much shit. Learning how to be honest with myself. Learning what my fears were. Learning how to say sorry to people.”
  —Dax (77:51)

• On letting go of perfection:

  “The more exhausting it gets to be anyone but myself, the better. For me, that is the best thing about aging...”
  —Nikki (72:00)

Significant Timestamps

• 04:12 — Nikki opens up about pre-interview anxiety and imposter syndrome.
• 07:11 — Dax worries about Nikki’s jokes at the Golden Globes.
• 14:15 — Dax discusses his aversion to asking people for things; Nikki insists people like being asked.
• 21:00 — Nikki describes the emotional toll of celebrity roasts.
• 41:06 — Nikki confides her childhood dream: fame as a marker of worth.
• 43:33 — Nikki recounts initial triggers leading to disordered eating.
• 54:30 — Dax and Nikki dissect a joke from Nikki’s special involving Dax.
• 66:13 — Nikki discusses her comments featured in the Taylor Swift documentary and the subsequent apology.
• 75:25 — Nikki describes using Alan Carr's “Easy Way” method for smoking and drinking cessation.
• 77:51 — Dax and Nikki discuss the purpose and benefits of 12-step and recovery programs.
• 83:47 — Nikki on selling out venues, imposter syndrome amid career highs.
• 105:15 — Monica and Dax discuss the phrase “gracious loser face” via Friends reference.

Tone & Takeaways

The podcast maintains a vulnerable yet comedic tone, blending deep confessions with humor and camaraderie. Nikki Glaser proves refreshingly open about insecurities, flaws, and the loneliness that can accompany public success. Dax and Monica bring both empathy and humor, adding their perspectives on self-worth, recovery, and the ongoing search for belonging.

For Listeners:

If you haven’t listened, this episode will make you laugh, cringe with recognition, and walk away with new compassion for yourself and others grappling with human messiness. It’s a relatable, warm, and inspiring discussion about the paths to growth, accountability, and the glories of imperfection.

For tour info and more on Nikki Glaser: nikkiglaser.com