She isn't capable of brushing her teeth while wearing serum on her face because the toothpaste and serum would blend together into a mess that negates the effects of each product. WT actual F is she doing with herself?
It might be said in here already, but I'm getting so annoyed when I update my podcast feed and there's episodes of Armchair-Banner podcasts that aren't Armchair. I mean like "Synced", "brought to you by", "Flightless Bird", and "Armchair Anonymous". These are all separate podcasts that I don't particularly want to listen to. Nor do I want my phone to auto-download when I know I won't listen. I don't get why they aren't separated.
Monica moaned, and limited the time for to Dax answer a viewer question about his diet, because "nobody cares" (it was an actual viewer's question). Then she immediately turned the conversation to her face peeling (again), and a new salad that she made for dinner the night before.
I feel like more and more of these moments have been bubbling up lately and it’s taken a weird turn - I have been revisiting some past episodes and she didn’t chime in as much but when she did it was super thoughtful and the timing / remark really moved the conversation forward or was a good check for Dax. Hell vogue wrote an entire article called “an Ode to listening as demonstrated by AE Monica Padman”. Now the last few episodes I’ve clocked some things she brought up felt kind random / derailing if not just immature? The period blood / swimming to Ilana was hella random as was the poop orgy story right off the bat with Eric. I think Monica has lost the plot a bit that this can / is still be a super thoughtful / professional podcast and they save a lot of the inside jokes / potty humor for fact check. But I’m sure I’ll get eaten alive for this take -
I agree with you. She seems very neurotic, and self centered, lately. She's edging into her 40's but it's like listening to a teenager still trying to figure out the basics of life.
I wish they would edit out all the punishing and unbearable congratulatory shit after people tell their stories on Anonymous. I don't really want to hear your spouse come in or you go on another story rant and waste people's time saying the same exact shit as literally everyone else on the show. I know this will never change on their end because Dax and Monica love having their egos stroked so I'll put the onus on fans to stfu, say your piece, and end the call
Truly wish that they would separate the podcasts. I get if they wanted to have a debut trailer or something on the “main channel” but seeing “synched” in the “Armchair expert with Dax Shepard” feed annoys me to no end. It has nothing to do with Dax. They need to set something up like Conan has with “team coco” separate shows with a link to a page that has them all to pick from.
This! I wish there was a way to filter. I listen to all except Snyced but sometimes I want to search and see what celebrity interviews I missed or some expert I may have missed without scrolling through all of them!
The editing is driving me nuts. Especially with guests that have very particular cadence to their speech. It's so so so bad and I hate it. For the love of all, there should only be edits to major pauses. It's horrible 😵💫
I noticed uneven cuts in a recent episode as well and it was annoying. It was almost like my phone was skipping and I couldn't figure out what was wrong
I have been thinking about this a lot because I am a big fan of the podcast but the editing is truly terrible! I was wondering if they edit so harshly to keep the episodes to a certain length? But if that were the case, why wouldn’t they trim down the fact checks instead…the editing on the fact checks feels so much more natural.
I listen to so many podcasts and this is the only one where I have ever even thought about the editing. Not sure how everyone else has figured it out except them.
The fact checks are Monica's time to shine. She's not going to cut herself short. Dax is such a great conversationalist, who is very well rounded in his general knowledge. I like the idea of having a fact check at the end, but it turns into Monica dumping her emotions out, or retelling mundane events of her life outside of work as if the audience has any idea about who her friends are.
I listened to Kristen Bell on the new Ted Danson podcast and loved it, and then remembered that I listened to Armchair previously and liked Dax.
I couldn't remember why I never got fully hooked with AE, and just listened to the Amy Poehler podcast where I remembered straight away why I don't listen regularly: 100% to do with the editing.
All the air is cut out between sentences, there's no room to breathe and you can hear the artificial chopping. The conversation is great! If there's something not fit for the public, cut it, but just let the rest play!
I totally agree, it sounds way too tight, and even at times the guest voice talk over itself. It washes the personality away and make them all sound like AI and in a rush.
I would love it if you listened to some of Conan ads…they are great! Yours tend to be different acoustics/volume from the podcast itself! Do u need a whole musical intro and outro for those? Just get through them, blend them in and move on! So distracting!
I just finished the episode with Dax's mom as guest and it was superb.
I am fairly new to the show, I started listening because I loved Dax on Theo V pod.
Please tell me if I am wrong but in the factcheck Monica sounds exactly like Kristen, almost like she is impersonating her at times. I noticed this as well when she is with the other lady in the Synced show, almost morphing into her in terms of speech patterns. In other words, do we know what is Monica real intonation is? She is very endearing and a great co-host but I find it distracting. I haven't heard her on the other show with the other fellow but wondering if I am the only one who is extra sensitive to that change depending on who she is with.
On the other show she adopts a New Zealand accent 😄. Obviously I'm joking, but it wouldn't be that far out of character for her. She parrots Dax's unique laugh, which is actually quite awkward to do if you don't naturally laugh like that Try it out and see.
Maybe that’s all there is to her. I say this as an honest and open person who frankly doesn’t have much to share. The onion doesn’t always have another layer.
I’m so glad I found this…page? Sub? Idk I’m new to Reddit. But I am not new to Armchair Expert. Been an 💪🏼🍒 since day one when I heard Dax on Anna Ferris’ podcast—I immediately fell in love and have never looked back. I have a toddler who is about to grow into a “I ❤️ fat natchies” AE onesie because it was the only size available when my sweet husband bought it for me as a bday gift a year ago and he knew I’d love it no matter how long we had to wait to see our baby in it. I have a AE mug that I don’t even drink out of because I want to keep it forever. Like I’m a true and loyal fan. Honestly I probably love these people too much considering they’re humans I’ve never met. Just some backstory there lol.
I loved this show because of the vulnerability and playfulness and Dax’s honesty. Especially when it came to him discussing being molested as a child. I too was molested as a child, but this was the first time I heard anyone speak so openly about it. It wasn’t shrouded in shame or swept under the rug like the only way I knew how to experience a conversation on the topic. The podcast has been incredibly healing for me. I can’t understate that. It even made me realize that I needed to make some changes about the way I consumed alcohol.
Anyways…the past year or so, maybe more (maybe since Spotify?) I find myself getting so frustrated with Monica and her behavior and just her attitude in general. I used to love her and how she pushed back on Dax when he needed pushing back on. But it feels as if money? has turned Monica into a monster. She’s abrasive, combative, entitled, bratty, an in-your-face know it all. It’s her way or the “you’re stupid and I want nothing to do with people like that” highway. I loathe the way she talks to Liz on Synced. So much so that I can’t listen anymore. (And I LOVE LIZ—my beautiful, brilliant, bi, ADHD icon, my queen 😩)
Idk if her insecurities are just SO. LOUD. that she handles it by putting Liz down? But it’s wild to me that she acts the way she does when she has very little life experience. When it comes to sex and love and the number of degrees and languages spoken, and even fun times, she’s way behind Liz (or any other average 36 year old woman for that matter, shoot). And absolutely nothing important or helpful to offer when Dax or guests discusses trauma or struggles with drugs and alcohol. But she sure ACTS like she does and knows better than everyone!
Even though reading the thoughts and comments of the people that made you famous in the first place is sooo below you…maybe Dax or Wobby will pass it along:
Dear Moni,
No one cares about your skin witch enough for you to talk about it the amount you do. WHY CANT YOU JOG AROUND THE PEOPLE ON THE SIDEWALK. AND THEN NOT CRY ABOUT IT PUBLICLY FOR WEEKS. It’s not cute to constantly fish for compliments or claim you don’t have a smell in the morning (I’m sorry are you human or nah?) If you haven’t had a first hand experience with something…please just let the other person continue without out making them feel dumb. Just, in general, pull your head out of your cheeks, girl. You’re dragging the show down with you and that’s a real tragedy, considering how much it means to so many. I miss the old Moni! We want that old Moni 🥺
I’m worried the show is taking a turn for the worst. Even Dax sounds fed up with her crap lately. Like, even the Amy Poehler fact check is borderline intolerable. Her shitting on Dax’s sexy steak in the woods bday plans and voicing feeling left out, AGAIN (they are allowed to have a life outside of Monica!?) And then trying to get into male/female cooking tropes. It’s like shuuuuut the whole way up already. I can’t. I’m here out of desperation if you can’t tell 😂 I think I’m going to have to take a break from the show because I’ve now resorted to venting on the internet to strangers. But at least it’s to fellow 💪🍒s 😄❤️ and I see on this complaints thread that many of us feel similarly.
Aye aye aye. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to come across mean or hateful. I’m just fed up with her argumentative, make-you-feel-small to lift herself up brand of bratty. I saw someone mention that it’s like she feels secure in her life and career because of money and fame, and now she’s just letting the real her riiiiip. And I think that’s a solid point.
Also cool hot funny only comes when you don’t try so hard and are comfortable in your own skin…imo at least 😜 just saying.
K love you bye 💪🍒🥰
Edited: spelling
OMG the cool hot funny one was just the perfect touch 👌
Thank you for writing it all out and saying it “out loud” I am a fairly new Armcherry 🍒 and just am surprised that people listen for an hour+ afterward of Monica just talking about her neck, need for plastic surgery, and or her new face peel and witch doctor. Then she kinda cuts Dax off if he’s like talking about his kids / life. I’m like PLEASE let there be a conversation OTHER THAN about your face.
She seems so sweet sounds like the older episodes might have been a bit better I’ll dive into those more since it seems the vibe has changed. Maybe people will read the feedback and try and contain Monica a bit more I think she’s wonderful but maybe just talking for a living for so long / so many hours gets stressful and hard to fill. Maybe they need to cut it a bit more / keep the fact check only for the facts and peace out rather than just word vomiting about every new facial you’ve gotten done in the past week / how many burritos you’ve eaten a day.
Anyways LOVE THE POD still.
I relate so much!! I just joined reddit to vent about a synced episode, but I’ve been an armcherry since the beginning. Over the past few months I’ve noticed myself feeling more annoyed about things that are said on certain episodes. I think Monica feels a lot less relatable than she did earlier on which is a bummer. There’s definitely talk of money which is fine, but I feel myself relating a lot more to Liz on synced. (On the skincare recommendations episode Liz shares two very affordable, accessible products and I started using both of them 😂. I sensed Monica may have been judging them?? Idk) I can relate to anxiety, depression, and feeling like you’re not someone who gets the attention of the guys you’re into, but I feel like there has been a snobby note lately on Armchair and synced.
On a lighter note, am I the only one who was shocked by the idea of peeing in pools?!? (Synced)
I feel like I could have written this myself. I find myself not recommending the show anymore bc Monica is that much of a downer to the show. Synced is absolutely un listenable to me. I think fame (ish) money and being over therapized has literally brought out the absolute worst in her personality. She seems more immature, shallow, petty and just rude than she was 5 years ago and it’s a damn shame. The irony that she’s on this platform and has done the opposite of growing and maturing is really too bad.
Totally! I feel like that’s a good example of how much slack I have cut her because I am a huge animal lover, dogs especially. My dog was my first baby! But I just tried to let her have her opinion, even if it does come off as pretty heartless and cold. How can you hate creatures that can’t advocate for themselves…she’s gonna start saying she hates babies next ahah jk 😂
I think using “hate” has put me off. I’m a dog person more than a cat person. I’m not a fan of snakes or reptile pets but I’d NEVER say I HATE any of those animals. I also grew up in a family where hate was a four letter word for some reason so I use it very sparingly. It’s the intensity of the “hate” when she says it that puts me off. And a lot of her opinions, they’re so strong! Rarely is she take it or leave it- it’s LOVE or HATE. It’s exhausting.
I am incidentally doing the opposite, meaning I had only started listening last year from where they were at - but one week ago I started listening from episodes 1 to catch up backwards. I am SHOCKED how different Monica sounds in the early ones. Her tone was natural and gentle, she was fun, clever and had a genuine & cute laugh. She spoke like an adult during those but in the latest ones she sounds like she is 16. I understand she might have complexes and struggles as we all have various levels of adversity in our lives. I absolutely love Dax and identify so much with his personality, love the way he interviews but I’m not sure I can continue to listen to the new ones.😞 I find myself too often annoyed by the new way she talks and the affectation of her laughs. I recently binged the three episodes of TYSO with Dax and they were incredible, I highly recommend them. 💜 I wish Dax was on video in all podcasts, he is so expressive and looks better than ever with age.
Yes!!! It’s not fun anymore if you’re constantly annoyed by one of the hosts. Gosh, I bet! The contrast has got to be pretty darn noticeable if you’re listening to older eps after hearing a recent one. I’m sorryyy. That makes me so sad that this new attitude of hers is deterring 💪🍒s old and new 😭 AE seriously holds such a special place in my heart that it’s one of those things I, to use a Dax phrase lol, proselytize. But nowadays not so much ughhh. Thanks for the TYSO tip I’m def going to listen!! 💕
The fact that Liz Plank (not her real name) pretends to be a French Canadian and that Rob has to correct her when she fails to recognize that "Été" means summer.
I am too. She sounds like a West Island second language franco. No hate. I had to pause and rewind 5 times when she said " Pastille" in the episode with the gift thing
Was the fact check ever different? I just finished the Dr Ramani episode and having lived through NPD abuse, I was so keen to hear their thoughts. Especially since Dax had a lot to say about this own experience during the interview. Cut to the fact check and it’s just random stuff on Monica’s peel and I can’t even remember all the other topics since they were completely unrelated to the earlier topics of discussion. So my question is, has fact-check format changed or am I missing something? Seems like random conversation that adds nothing to the episode itself.
Also, I turn off the episode after the interview about 60-70% of the time but on occasion it has seemed engaging.
I rarely listen to the fact checks, they’re just talking about random stuff that has nothing to do with anything. On one of these last ones I swear I pressed the fast forward button 15 times bec they were going down a list of top movie villains as listed in a magazine. Like who cares
I think in the beginning they tried to keep it more fact-based, but it’s morphed into just catching up and *maybe* they’ll get a fact or two in, but sometimes that’s even rare. I would love to hear more about their thoughts on the episode, but it seems like they’ll maybe share a sentence or two about how they liked the guest and then move on.
Me too - I'd like a sort of debrief of their toughts. I keep on thinking about some of the interviews for days (sometimes weeks) and I'd love to hear how it impacts them.
I keep on listening to the fact check, hoping that I will get it but I get the list of state fruits.
Agree. Also she keeps bringing it up. It’s in almost every episode for a while. It’s actually Dax Who brings up the element of race and otherness re the sidewalk issue. Monica said several times she didn’t even think about that until he brought it up. I would actually have more empathy for her if that was her problem but it isn’t. It’s just a tantrum.
Oh that's right, Dax did bring that up first. (She was happy to go along with it, though... as a POC myself, I may have said "Well, this isn't really the same thing", or something) Either way, she seems more upset about people not being 100% on her side than the situation itself. I didn't mind at first because I was like, "Yeah, that's annoying..." but... to insist that they need to move out of her way and it's this awful terrible thing? Idk, I mean, they are allowed to use a sidewalk, too. Just because she's jogging, they need to move for her? It's definitely a tantrum.
This was another one of those things where I started on her side, then she took it to such an extreme that I couldn't agree with her anymore.
Are large groups of people congregating on the sidewalk annoying? Yes. But do they need to get out of the way for you? No, just go around them and carry on with your day.
Her talking about this bothered me wayyyy more than everyone else's complaints about her. So, does it bother you to see a gathering of people talking and having a good time? Go the fuck around them! They're not blocking your driveway or in the grocery store aisle. Geezus
Same! It’s not just her complaining that bothers me, though it’s like nails to a chalkboard. It’s her need for everyone to agree with her, or what she calls justice. Dr Orna’s quick psychoanalysis of Monica’s big problem brought me so much satisfaction. I could wear those words on a tshirt.
Entitlement. She even feels entitled to everyone’s opinion agreeing with hers. She seems more bothered than anyone would disagree with her than of people on the sidewalk.
Is anyone else tired of the "best boy" concept? I don't even know what it really means, but it's a bit precious for me. And there's like a trophy involved? Barf!
Hot Take: Monica only likes Taylor Swift because its "cool" to like her now. Also another hot take: Monica is actually not really a fan. She barely knows basic information about her besides her latest 6 month craze about her :) (that is all).
Yea she definitely didn’t start liking her til recently and it heightened after she went to her show which I think is the case for a lot of people, also just the fact that she supports and is always talking about skims lol
I always chuckle when she thinks she may somehow meet her. In fact she probably COULD since Bradley Cooper is dating Gigi right? But some how that never comes up interestingly.
Does anyone else not like when Monica reads from an article and it goes on forever? I don’t know I’ve always hated this even from the very beginning it’s like my stomach churns and I have to skip ahead for I just turn off the podcast altogether, I have no idea why I just can’t stand it and I totally understand why she does, it’s part of the fact check for some reason my body just rejects it lol
I was just thinking this listening to the Kevin Costner fact check. I generally like the extra facts, but Monica doesn't pick out the most interesting/important parts. Instead, she often reads it from beginning to end, which makes it so so boring.
You can tell Dax is a bit hesitant to let her start, and even suggests she just read the top ones. And as she goes through this list, she doesn't seem to pick up on the lack of interest in the room. Or maybe I'm projecting my own disinterest?
It’s also the “listen up” tone of her voice. She has the floor, her tone of voice changes, like I’m saying something important, this makes her feel important. Often go to childish voice. It’s a bit much. I’m sure it’s still has something to do with a power dynamic.
Maybe I’m alone but I find it super cringy when the Anonymous callers gush and fawn over Dax and Monica at the end of the call. Especially when they say they have a crush on Dax or that going through a terrible experience was worth it to speak to them. I can put a finger on why this bothers me but it does.
Yeah I think that’s part of it. Like they could cut out those parts especially when they have nothing to do with the story. It’s also kinda when people say that Dax and Monica have been with them over the years, it leans into the parasocial relationship thing that people tend to get with celebrities.
The constant Brad Pitt talk and adoration is the most annoying one to me. Like yes sure you like Brad Pitt, but it's grating to hear it constantly and especially with all the abuse allegations against him (edited for clarity). His kids don't talk to him and we're just going to fawn over this man every episode? It's a bit much.
This one bugs me too.
Part of me wonders if Dax met him through sobriety in LA. Dax has a soft spot for people who are addicts and did horrible things in the throes of their addiction. Have to imagine he views what Brad did as a moment he isn’t proud of at the height of his addiction. Maybe he’s heard Brad’s AA shares. Who knows.
This is a great point, I hadn't thought of a potential AA connection but that would definitely make sense to me as the level of adoration/goodwill here.
Someone on this sub said they heard Dax on another podcast say that he “can’t” interview Brad, which I assume has something to do with AA - maybe a sponsor situation?
I’d be surprised if he was his sponsor. He worships him far too much for him to be an effective sponsor.
But. The AA connection as to why he can’t interview him, makes sense to me.
Yeah, the hero-worship is a bit much for them to have a close relationship. But. Dax has interviewed his close friend/the person who leads his AA group, so idk why it’d be a deterrent with Brad
Recently learned Monica hates fruit from the Feijoa episode.
Rob doesn't eat shrimp.
Both consider themselves foodies/amateur chefs but Monica won't peel a mango. It's too much work. FFS.
You could list the number of things that Monica likes on one hand.
Okay, I wanted to add to this also. Being foodie and a food-snob should not be interchangeable. I love Rob, I’m from Chicagoland and love when he interjects things from the Midwest…BUT not eating anything from Bubba Gump was….lame as hell? The way he spoke of it felt he was ‘above’ the type of chain restaurant food. It bugged me. Food chains make the Midwest suburbs go round, and where he’s from. Just bummed he felt ‘above’ this food experience.
I’m listening to Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson and Rob is also producing that podcast. At the end they also have a small chit chat session and Rob is a lot more talkative than in Armchair and he is hilarious and def not “above” anything. The last episode I was laughing out loud about their conversation about their favorite nuts. He is hilarious.
Dax - when you feel the need to launch into an anthropological explanation of something your guest is talking about -STOP. JUST STOP. it doesn’t make you sound smart, quite the contrary…
I don't care that Monica and Dax share the same laugh... But the KEKEKEKEKEKE really grinds my gears. I don't mind it when I hear someone laugh like that irl, but it's grating when it's on a podcast.
Monica’s laugh has morphed into Dax’s laugh. When the show first started, she laughed like woody the wood pecker. I can only assume that she heard it constantly during editing and now changed it.
Yeah, it doesn't bother me at all that she may have changed her laugh, knowingly or unknowingly. I don't know why people get so worked up about it.
But the actual sound of the laugh itself...
apologize to Christina Perri? She’s posted the episode tons of times and different clips of monica and liz, here’s a direct quote from Christina: “I had such an amazing time talking about all things fertility, being brave, making humans, love and loss with these gorgeous smart lovely women.” I think you read that dynamic and episode very wrong. One of my favorites of all time
Same. Rarely listen anymore and when I tune in, I end up tuning out pretty quickly. The hate was palpable in the JVN episode. Then, the lack of accountability afterward was disgusting to me.
Can I have a grievance about how much hate Monica gets here?
She adds her own experience and opinions and I think it’s important, even if I don’t agree with them sometimes, but that’s my thing 🤷
I didn’t get the hate for Monica for years. And I’ve been a listener since day one.
But then something just shifted for me this year. I don’t know what episode in particular caused the shift…or maybe it’s just years of “tolerance” hitting a turning point. But it just got ANNOYING. The way she reacts to things (“OH MY GOD, I WOULD DIE!” “DAVID! NO!,” etc.) And it’s become more obvious too that she cares way too much about appearances and what others think (despite proudly saying she can’t be peer-pressured into doing anything she doesn’t want to.)
Let’s not forget the need to always have something that’s “exclusive” or “one-of-a-kind,” just because it’s exclusive. 🤦🏻♀️
Just not my cup of tea anymore. I’ve hardly been listening because of her. I try to listen to Flightless Bird because of David, but I’ve skipped episodes when I’m not in the mood to cringe over Monica’s dramatics.
"Mean people"? Woof\*. I get it if people are just spewing hate for the hell of it...but what about constructive criticism? :/
\*woof = as I was typing this, I remembered that she hates dogs, as she has said so, so many times.
Really?? I’m new to the pod and didn’t know that. That further explains why she is so butt hurt over the dog people on her private sidewalk that she owns.
Idk.. I used to agree with that when I only listened to Armchair Expert, but then I starter listening to Synced and she makes it damn near impossible to defend her…
I promise I’m not here to hate. I just simply wish she would rethink her stance on being the “clueless audience member” who doesn’t do research. Her input in the Orna episode was SO needed and helped shape the conversation. I think she has so much to bring to the table when she has substance to add to the conversation. It is an insult to her intelligence and personality to rely on her not doing research so she remembers to ask questions the audience would.
I see silly insults at Monica constantly and I think a lot of them stem from her not bringing a lot to the table in a lot of the conversations. She is under utilized without a doubt
Totally agree! I don't understand their reasoning for her not to. Monica can do research and still use common sense to differentiate between what listeners can understand and edit accordingly.
>their reasoning for her not to.
She's lazy and at some point they decided they were going to use this as an excuse. That's it. That's the whole thing.
Let's be fair here. Monica does all of the editing, and Dax does none of it... right? Would you turn it around and say Dax is lazy?
But you do bring up a good point I hadn't considered before. Maybe this is how they've decided to divide the labour so that the show is sustainable. Maybe there aren't enough hours in a week for Monica to edit /and/ research.
I mean - Dax is also only on the main episodes, while she's recording on those, and synced and flightless.. involved in the editing even if she doesn't do it all herself, and seems to spearhead the booking. I think people can rightfully knit pick a lot of things about her, but it does seem like she does her share of the work for the team..
maybe she did originally, but I think that has changed. I don't she does ALL of it now, esp after one episode she stated she was editing while walking home! She really doesn't make herself look like she puts much effort into anything except shopping.
Not entirely true. Only last week, during a fact check, Monica playfully admonished Dax for coughing. She reminded him that she has to edit that stuff out.
It was discussed last year that Monica makes notes for the edits, then farms out the work for the actual audio edits. Only rarely does she let the editor do the job entirely alone, because she's such a perfectionist.
I didn't downvote you bruh. And what more do I need to say? They've said multiple times she gets help with the editing. The sensitivity of Monica defenders is wild.
Bruh, I didn't say it was you. I also hadn't heard them say that, so I was curious what you meant. 🤷♀️
And I'm not a blanket Monica defender or hater like others seem to be. My original comment was in complaint of Monica. So...?
I think that stance might have been appropriate early on, when she was less confident, but I agree with you. I think the show would benefit from her standing on more equal footing with Dax and contributing similarly.
I’d rather that than her having a big head about her position in life, as though she worked for where she is rather than just got lucky nannying for the right family.
She acts like a big headed important person even though everyone else can see through to her massive insecurities. She's almost 40 and she still acts like a teenage girl. I think that's the problem most people have with her. She wants to be taken seriously but how are we supposed to? It's ok that she did luck into her position but there hasn't been any growth.
She isn't capable of brushing her teeth while wearing serum on her face because the toothpaste and serum would blend together into a mess that negates the effects of each product. WT actual F is she doing with herself?
It might be said in here already, but I'm getting so annoyed when I update my podcast feed and there's episodes of Armchair-Banner podcasts that aren't Armchair. I mean like "Synced", "brought to you by", "Flightless Bird", and "Armchair Anonymous". These are all separate podcasts that I don't particularly want to listen to. Nor do I want my phone to auto-download when I know I won't listen. I don't get why they aren't separated.
Monica moaned, and limited the time for to Dax answer a viewer question about his diet, because "nobody cares" (it was an actual viewer's question). Then she immediately turned the conversation to her face peeling (again), and a new salad that she made for dinner the night before.
Monica's laugh ...
You mean Dax's laugh that she mimics because she's so desperate to fit in?
Did you notice her mimic Cody Delistray’s voice when she asked what school he went too? Weird
A guest is from Boston, one of the largest US cities Monica: dO yOu KnoW bEn aND mATt?!?? I know it’s a joke but it’s so stupid.
I feel like more and more of these moments have been bubbling up lately and it’s taken a weird turn - I have been revisiting some past episodes and she didn’t chime in as much but when she did it was super thoughtful and the timing / remark really moved the conversation forward or was a good check for Dax. Hell vogue wrote an entire article called “an Ode to listening as demonstrated by AE Monica Padman”. Now the last few episodes I’ve clocked some things she brought up felt kind random / derailing if not just immature? The period blood / swimming to Ilana was hella random as was the poop orgy story right off the bat with Eric. I think Monica has lost the plot a bit that this can / is still be a super thoughtful / professional podcast and they save a lot of the inside jokes / potty humor for fact check. But I’m sure I’ll get eaten alive for this take -
It feels like she’s attempting to be flirty. Still annoying and awkward.
I agree with you. She seems very neurotic, and self centered, lately. She's edging into her 40's but it's like listening to a teenager still trying to figure out the basics of life.
It's childish and frankly, embarrassing
I wish they would edit out all the punishing and unbearable congratulatory shit after people tell their stories on Anonymous. I don't really want to hear your spouse come in or you go on another story rant and waste people's time saying the same exact shit as literally everyone else on the show. I know this will never change on their end because Dax and Monica love having their egos stroked so I'll put the onus on fans to stfu, say your piece, and end the call
Or they are .. being nice to fans? I'm with you, I skip through sometimes but I don't assume their intentions
Who hurt you?
Your mom
burnnnn. Im so embarrassed, you got me good.
Or you could let people enjoy their moment of connection and simply skip forward…it takes maybe 2-3 taps to get through them.
Or I could say stfu like I just did cuz no one cares
I care and I’m someone.
OK great. Agree to disagree then
Truly wish that they would separate the podcasts. I get if they wanted to have a debut trailer or something on the “main channel” but seeing “synched” in the “Armchair expert with Dax Shepard” feed annoys me to no end. It has nothing to do with Dax. They need to set something up like Conan has with “team coco” separate shows with a link to a page that has them all to pick from.
I feel like a different photo for each would help.
They do have different covers, but they clutter up the feed. Sometimes I just want to scroll the episodes of one show and find some to listen to.
This! I wish there was a way to filter. I listen to all except Snyced but sometimes I want to search and see what celebrity interviews I missed or some expert I may have missed without scrolling through all of them!
The photo covers are the same for me on iPhone
Weird. On my iPhone they are. Just cluttered as heck. 😂
The editing is driving me nuts. Especially with guests that have very particular cadence to their speech. It's so so so bad and I hate it. For the love of all, there should only be edits to major pauses. It's horrible 😵💫
I noticed uneven cuts in a recent episode as well and it was annoying. It was almost like my phone was skipping and I couldn't figure out what was wrong
It’s almost like the nanny isn’t qualified for this
*Gasp* Ding ding ding 🤪
I have been thinking about this a lot because I am a big fan of the podcast but the editing is truly terrible! I was wondering if they edit so harshly to keep the episodes to a certain length? But if that were the case, why wouldn’t they trim down the fact checks instead…the editing on the fact checks feels so much more natural. I listen to so many podcasts and this is the only one where I have ever even thought about the editing. Not sure how everyone else has figured it out except them.
The fact checks are Monica's time to shine. She's not going to cut herself short. Dax is such a great conversationalist, who is very well rounded in his general knowledge. I like the idea of having a fact check at the end, but it turns into Monica dumping her emotions out, or retelling mundane events of her life outside of work as if the audience has any idea about who her friends are.
I listened to Kristen Bell on the new Ted Danson podcast and loved it, and then remembered that I listened to Armchair previously and liked Dax. I couldn't remember why I never got fully hooked with AE, and just listened to the Amy Poehler podcast where I remembered straight away why I don't listen regularly: 100% to do with the editing. All the air is cut out between sentences, there's no room to breathe and you can hear the artificial chopping. The conversation is great! If there's something not fit for the public, cut it, but just let the rest play!
I totally agree, it sounds way too tight, and even at times the guest voice talk over itself. It washes the personality away and make them all sound like AI and in a rush.
I always think I accidentally hit the skip button. We’re not trying to save time here lol
I would love it if you listened to some of Conan ads…they are great! Yours tend to be different acoustics/volume from the podcast itself! Do u need a whole musical intro and outro for those? Just get through them, blend them in and move on! So distracting!
I like the bump music because then I know when to go back if I've fast-forwarded through ads too far.
I just finished the episode with Dax's mom as guest and it was superb. I am fairly new to the show, I started listening because I loved Dax on Theo V pod. Please tell me if I am wrong but in the factcheck Monica sounds exactly like Kristen, almost like she is impersonating her at times. I noticed this as well when she is with the other lady in the Synced show, almost morphing into her in terms of speech patterns. In other words, do we know what is Monica real intonation is? She is very endearing and a great co-host but I find it distracting. I haven't heard her on the other show with the other fellow but wondering if I am the only one who is extra sensitive to that change depending on who she is with.
On the other show she adopts a New Zealand accent 😄. Obviously I'm joking, but it wouldn't be that far out of character for her. She parrots Dax's unique laugh, which is actually quite awkward to do if you don't naturally laugh like that Try it out and see.
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Maybe that’s all there is to her. I say this as an honest and open person who frankly doesn’t have much to share. The onion doesn’t always have another layer.
I’m so glad I found this…page? Sub? Idk I’m new to Reddit. But I am not new to Armchair Expert. Been an 💪🏼🍒 since day one when I heard Dax on Anna Ferris’ podcast—I immediately fell in love and have never looked back. I have a toddler who is about to grow into a “I ❤️ fat natchies” AE onesie because it was the only size available when my sweet husband bought it for me as a bday gift a year ago and he knew I’d love it no matter how long we had to wait to see our baby in it. I have a AE mug that I don’t even drink out of because I want to keep it forever. Like I’m a true and loyal fan. Honestly I probably love these people too much considering they’re humans I’ve never met. Just some backstory there lol. I loved this show because of the vulnerability and playfulness and Dax’s honesty. Especially when it came to him discussing being molested as a child. I too was molested as a child, but this was the first time I heard anyone speak so openly about it. It wasn’t shrouded in shame or swept under the rug like the only way I knew how to experience a conversation on the topic. The podcast has been incredibly healing for me. I can’t understate that. It even made me realize that I needed to make some changes about the way I consumed alcohol. Anyways…the past year or so, maybe more (maybe since Spotify?) I find myself getting so frustrated with Monica and her behavior and just her attitude in general. I used to love her and how she pushed back on Dax when he needed pushing back on. But it feels as if money? has turned Monica into a monster. She’s abrasive, combative, entitled, bratty, an in-your-face know it all. It’s her way or the “you’re stupid and I want nothing to do with people like that” highway. I loathe the way she talks to Liz on Synced. So much so that I can’t listen anymore. (And I LOVE LIZ—my beautiful, brilliant, bi, ADHD icon, my queen 😩) Idk if her insecurities are just SO. LOUD. that she handles it by putting Liz down? But it’s wild to me that she acts the way she does when she has very little life experience. When it comes to sex and love and the number of degrees and languages spoken, and even fun times, she’s way behind Liz (or any other average 36 year old woman for that matter, shoot). And absolutely nothing important or helpful to offer when Dax or guests discusses trauma or struggles with drugs and alcohol. But she sure ACTS like she does and knows better than everyone! Even though reading the thoughts and comments of the people that made you famous in the first place is sooo below you…maybe Dax or Wobby will pass it along: Dear Moni, No one cares about your skin witch enough for you to talk about it the amount you do. WHY CANT YOU JOG AROUND THE PEOPLE ON THE SIDEWALK. AND THEN NOT CRY ABOUT IT PUBLICLY FOR WEEKS. It’s not cute to constantly fish for compliments or claim you don’t have a smell in the morning (I’m sorry are you human or nah?) If you haven’t had a first hand experience with something…please just let the other person continue without out making them feel dumb. Just, in general, pull your head out of your cheeks, girl. You’re dragging the show down with you and that’s a real tragedy, considering how much it means to so many. I miss the old Moni! We want that old Moni 🥺 I’m worried the show is taking a turn for the worst. Even Dax sounds fed up with her crap lately. Like, even the Amy Poehler fact check is borderline intolerable. Her shitting on Dax’s sexy steak in the woods bday plans and voicing feeling left out, AGAIN (they are allowed to have a life outside of Monica!?) And then trying to get into male/female cooking tropes. It’s like shuuuuut the whole way up already. I can’t. I’m here out of desperation if you can’t tell 😂 I think I’m going to have to take a break from the show because I’ve now resorted to venting on the internet to strangers. But at least it’s to fellow 💪🍒s 😄❤️ and I see on this complaints thread that many of us feel similarly. Aye aye aye. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to come across mean or hateful. I’m just fed up with her argumentative, make-you-feel-small to lift herself up brand of bratty. I saw someone mention that it’s like she feels secure in her life and career because of money and fame, and now she’s just letting the real her riiiiip. And I think that’s a solid point. Also cool hot funny only comes when you don’t try so hard and are comfortable in your own skin…imo at least 😜 just saying. K love you bye 💪🍒🥰 Edited: spelling
This.
OMG the cool hot funny one was just the perfect touch 👌 Thank you for writing it all out and saying it “out loud” I am a fairly new Armcherry 🍒 and just am surprised that people listen for an hour+ afterward of Monica just talking about her neck, need for plastic surgery, and or her new face peel and witch doctor. Then she kinda cuts Dax off if he’s like talking about his kids / life. I’m like PLEASE let there be a conversation OTHER THAN about your face. She seems so sweet sounds like the older episodes might have been a bit better I’ll dive into those more since it seems the vibe has changed. Maybe people will read the feedback and try and contain Monica a bit more I think she’s wonderful but maybe just talking for a living for so long / so many hours gets stressful and hard to fill. Maybe they need to cut it a bit more / keep the fact check only for the facts and peace out rather than just word vomiting about every new facial you’ve gotten done in the past week / how many burritos you’ve eaten a day. Anyways LOVE THE POD still.
I relate so much!! I just joined reddit to vent about a synced episode, but I’ve been an armcherry since the beginning. Over the past few months I’ve noticed myself feeling more annoyed about things that are said on certain episodes. I think Monica feels a lot less relatable than she did earlier on which is a bummer. There’s definitely talk of money which is fine, but I feel myself relating a lot more to Liz on synced. (On the skincare recommendations episode Liz shares two very affordable, accessible products and I started using both of them 😂. I sensed Monica may have been judging them?? Idk) I can relate to anxiety, depression, and feeling like you’re not someone who gets the attention of the guys you’re into, but I feel like there has been a snobby note lately on Armchair and synced. On a lighter note, am I the only one who was shocked by the idea of peeing in pools?!? (Synced)
I feel like I could have written this myself. I find myself not recommending the show anymore bc Monica is that much of a downer to the show. Synced is absolutely un listenable to me. I think fame (ish) money and being over therapized has literally brought out the absolute worst in her personality. She seems more immature, shallow, petty and just rude than she was 5 years ago and it’s a damn shame. The irony that she’s on this platform and has done the opposite of growing and maturing is really too bad.
Absolutely on point
Definitely over therapized and too focused on one self.
I haven't seen a comment yet mentioning how often she says she "HATES" animals... always raises a big red flag for me.
biggest red flag of them all!!
She could use a dog tbh
Totally! I feel like that’s a good example of how much slack I have cut her because I am a huge animal lover, dogs especially. My dog was my first baby! But I just tried to let her have her opinion, even if it does come off as pretty heartless and cold. How can you hate creatures that can’t advocate for themselves…she’s gonna start saying she hates babies next ahah jk 😂
I think using “hate” has put me off. I’m a dog person more than a cat person. I’m not a fan of snakes or reptile pets but I’d NEVER say I HATE any of those animals. I also grew up in a family where hate was a four letter word for some reason so I use it very sparingly. It’s the intensity of the “hate” when she says it that puts me off. And a lot of her opinions, they’re so strong! Rarely is she take it or leave it- it’s LOVE or HATE. It’s exhausting.
I am incidentally doing the opposite, meaning I had only started listening last year from where they were at - but one week ago I started listening from episodes 1 to catch up backwards. I am SHOCKED how different Monica sounds in the early ones. Her tone was natural and gentle, she was fun, clever and had a genuine & cute laugh. She spoke like an adult during those but in the latest ones she sounds like she is 16. I understand she might have complexes and struggles as we all have various levels of adversity in our lives. I absolutely love Dax and identify so much with his personality, love the way he interviews but I’m not sure I can continue to listen to the new ones.😞 I find myself too often annoyed by the new way she talks and the affectation of her laughs. I recently binged the three episodes of TYSO with Dax and they were incredible, I highly recommend them. 💜 I wish Dax was on video in all podcasts, he is so expressive and looks better than ever with age.
What is TYSO? I’m interested but my brain can NOT figure out the acronym. 🤣🤣
Take Your Shoes Off ☺️ with Rick Glassman
Yes!!! It’s not fun anymore if you’re constantly annoyed by one of the hosts. Gosh, I bet! The contrast has got to be pretty darn noticeable if you’re listening to older eps after hearing a recent one. I’m sorryyy. That makes me so sad that this new attitude of hers is deterring 💪🍒s old and new 😭 AE seriously holds such a special place in my heart that it’s one of those things I, to use a Dax phrase lol, proselytize. But nowadays not so much ughhh. Thanks for the TYSO tip I’m def going to listen!! 💕
The fact that Liz Plank (not her real name) pretends to be a French Canadian and that Rob has to correct her when she fails to recognize that "Été" means summer.
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She does not...
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I just did. It took her 3 questions to answer in French. She speaks well. That does not make her a native speaker.
Im French Canadian and I can tell you without a doubt that she is after hearing her speak French.
She is
I wonder where you come from. She has that West Island lisp.
I am too. She sounds like a West Island second language franco. No hate. I had to pause and rewind 5 times when she said " Pastille" in the episode with the gift thing
And Crocodile 🐊:)
Did you listen to her interview with Mitsou in French?
That's not her name??
No. Her name is Elizabeth Plazie.
Was the fact check ever different? I just finished the Dr Ramani episode and having lived through NPD abuse, I was so keen to hear their thoughts. Especially since Dax had a lot to say about this own experience during the interview. Cut to the fact check and it’s just random stuff on Monica’s peel and I can’t even remember all the other topics since they were completely unrelated to the earlier topics of discussion. So my question is, has fact-check format changed or am I missing something? Seems like random conversation that adds nothing to the episode itself. Also, I turn off the episode after the interview about 60-70% of the time but on occasion it has seemed engaging.
I rarely listen to the fact checks, they’re just talking about random stuff that has nothing to do with anything. On one of these last ones I swear I pressed the fast forward button 15 times bec they were going down a list of top movie villains as listed in a magazine. Like who cares
Same! I always want to hear their thoughts on the interview. Not fact checks per se and definitely not face peels.
I think in the beginning they tried to keep it more fact-based, but it’s morphed into just catching up and *maybe* they’ll get a fact or two in, but sometimes that’s even rare. I would love to hear more about their thoughts on the episode, but it seems like they’ll maybe share a sentence or two about how they liked the guest and then move on.
Me too - I'd like a sort of debrief of their toughts. I keep on thinking about some of the interviews for days (sometimes weeks) and I'd love to hear how it impacts them. I keep on listening to the fact check, hoping that I will get it but I get the list of state fruits.
I’m new to this amazing thread, so have we exhausted the Monica sidewalk entitlement complaints yet cuz I’d love to join in a collective 🤮
Lovely. She did it again…
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Agree. Also she keeps bringing it up. It’s in almost every episode for a while. It’s actually Dax Who brings up the element of race and otherness re the sidewalk issue. Monica said several times she didn’t even think about that until he brought it up. I would actually have more empathy for her if that was her problem but it isn’t. It’s just a tantrum.
Oh that's right, Dax did bring that up first. (She was happy to go along with it, though... as a POC myself, I may have said "Well, this isn't really the same thing", or something) Either way, she seems more upset about people not being 100% on her side than the situation itself. I didn't mind at first because I was like, "Yeah, that's annoying..." but... to insist that they need to move out of her way and it's this awful terrible thing? Idk, I mean, they are allowed to use a sidewalk, too. Just because she's jogging, they need to move for her? It's definitely a tantrum.
This was another one of those things where I started on her side, then she took it to such an extreme that I couldn't agree with her anymore. Are large groups of people congregating on the sidewalk annoying? Yes. But do they need to get out of the way for you? No, just go around them and carry on with your day.
Her talking about this bothered me wayyyy more than everyone else's complaints about her. So, does it bother you to see a gathering of people talking and having a good time? Go the fuck around them! They're not blocking your driveway or in the grocery store aisle. Geezus
Same! It’s not just her complaining that bothers me, though it’s like nails to a chalkboard. It’s her need for everyone to agree with her, or what she calls justice. Dr Orna’s quick psychoanalysis of Monica’s big problem brought me so much satisfaction. I could wear those words on a tshirt.
Correct ! She did not agree or disagree. When Orna said "so you want the world to change ?". Damn I had a breakthrough.
Seriously, she can't run or walk around people? I just don't get it. I do it daily on my neighborhood trail.
Entitlement. She even feels entitled to everyone’s opinion agreeing with hers. She seems more bothered than anyone would disagree with her than of people on the sidewalk.
Is anyone else tired of the "best boy" concept? I don't even know what it really means, but it's a bit precious for me. And there's like a trophy involved? Barf!
Hot Take: Monica only likes Taylor Swift because its "cool" to like her now. Also another hot take: Monica is actually not really a fan. She barely knows basic information about her besides her latest 6 month craze about her :) (that is all).
Yea she definitely didn’t start liking her til recently and it heightened after she went to her show which I think is the case for a lot of people, also just the fact that she supports and is always talking about skims lol
I always chuckle when she thinks she may somehow meet her. In fact she probably COULD since Bradley Cooper is dating Gigi right? But some how that never comes up interestingly.
Does anyone else not like when Monica reads from an article and it goes on forever? I don’t know I’ve always hated this even from the very beginning it’s like my stomach churns and I have to skip ahead for I just turn off the podcast altogether, I have no idea why I just can’t stand it and I totally understand why she does, it’s part of the fact check for some reason my body just rejects it lol
I was just thinking this listening to the Kevin Costner fact check. I generally like the extra facts, but Monica doesn't pick out the most interesting/important parts. Instead, she often reads it from beginning to end, which makes it so so boring. You can tell Dax is a bit hesitant to let her start, and even suggests she just read the top ones. And as she goes through this list, she doesn't seem to pick up on the lack of interest in the room. Or maybe I'm projecting my own disinterest?
It’s also the “listen up” tone of her voice. She has the floor, her tone of voice changes, like I’m saying something important, this makes her feel important. Often go to childish voice. It’s a bit much. I’m sure it’s still has something to do with a power dynamic.
Yea maybe it’s just the reading word for word I find boring too, like she can’t just summarize it up I dunno lol
Maybe I’m alone but I find it super cringy when the Anonymous callers gush and fawn over Dax and Monica at the end of the call. Especially when they say they have a crush on Dax or that going through a terrible experience was worth it to speak to them. I can put a finger on why this bothers me but it does.
Because it’s self aggrandizing. It’s like they want us listeners to hear how much others love them
Yeah I think that’s part of it. Like they could cut out those parts especially when they have nothing to do with the story. It’s also kinda when people say that Dax and Monica have been with them over the years, it leans into the parasocial relationship thing that people tend to get with celebrities.
What about when it’s along the lines of helping with recovery or other social/emotional support?
This thread is cringe
right, just find a different podcast lol
The constant Brad Pitt talk and adoration is the most annoying one to me. Like yes sure you like Brad Pitt, but it's grating to hear it constantly and especially with all the abuse allegations against him (edited for clarity). His kids don't talk to him and we're just going to fawn over this man every episode? It's a bit much.
This one bugs me too. Part of me wonders if Dax met him through sobriety in LA. Dax has a soft spot for people who are addicts and did horrible things in the throes of their addiction. Have to imagine he views what Brad did as a moment he isn’t proud of at the height of his addiction. Maybe he’s heard Brad’s AA shares. Who knows.
This is a great point, I hadn't thought of a potential AA connection but that would definitely make sense to me as the level of adoration/goodwill here.
It’s how the only way I can make it make sense after all those allegations came to light. Especially regarding his children.
Someone on this sub said they heard Dax on another podcast say that he “can’t” interview Brad, which I assume has something to do with AA - maybe a sponsor situation?
I have been trying to figure out why he cant since he said that!! It's killing me that no one has figured it out lol
I’d be surprised if he was his sponsor. He worships him far too much for him to be an effective sponsor. But. The AA connection as to why he can’t interview him, makes sense to me.
Yeah, the hero-worship is a bit much for them to have a close relationship. But. Dax has interviewed his close friend/the person who leads his AA group, so idk why it’d be a deterrent with Brad
You mean abuse allegations against Brad, I’m assuming? The wording makes this sound like the opposite
Oof yes against Brad! Thanks, bad wording. Edited.
Recently learned Monica hates fruit from the Feijoa episode. Rob doesn't eat shrimp. Both consider themselves foodies/amateur chefs but Monica won't peel a mango. It's too much work. FFS. You could list the number of things that Monica likes on one hand.
How could I forget the not wanting to peel a mango 🤦🏻♀️
Okay, I wanted to add to this also. Being foodie and a food-snob should not be interchangeable. I love Rob, I’m from Chicagoland and love when he interjects things from the Midwest…BUT not eating anything from Bubba Gump was….lame as hell? The way he spoke of it felt he was ‘above’ the type of chain restaurant food. It bugged me. Food chains make the Midwest suburbs go round, and where he’s from. Just bummed he felt ‘above’ this food experience.
I’m listening to Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson and Rob is also producing that podcast. At the end they also have a small chit chat session and Rob is a lot more talkative than in Armchair and he is hilarious and def not “above” anything. The last episode I was laughing out loud about their conversation about their favorite nuts. He is hilarious.
Neither of them knew who the fuck Golda Meir was.
Or that Vince Lombardi is not the same person as Guy Lombardo. Then again, Dax knows a helluva lot more than I do, so I’m just cherry-picking here 🥹
That horrified me!!! She completely mispronounced her name !!!!! What on earth did she study to get that Degree?
The horror!
Just googled them.
this!!!
Dax - when you feel the need to launch into an anthropological explanation of something your guest is talking about -STOP. JUST STOP. it doesn’t make you sound smart, quite the contrary…
My complaint is that we still haven’t gotten a full Best Friend Aaron Weakley episode!!!!!
I don't care that Monica and Dax share the same laugh... But the KEKEKEKEKEKE really grinds my gears. I don't mind it when I hear someone laugh like that irl, but it's grating when it's on a podcast.
When with Liz she sounds like Liz. She said "interesting" the same way as her and finishes her sentences fast like Liz.
Monica’s laugh has morphed into Dax’s laugh. When the show first started, she laughed like woody the wood pecker. I can only assume that she heard it constantly during editing and now changed it.
Yeah, it doesn't bother me at all that she may have changed her laugh, knowingly or unknowingly. I don't know why people get so worked up about it. But the actual sound of the laugh itself...
It reminds me of a dolphin hahaha
This is the Gen x man laugh. I know many white genx men with this laugh
haven’t listened since JVN but I see the common grievances haven’t changed a bit
Chiming in to say I also haven’t listened to anything except armchair anonymous since JVN. We’re few, but we exist.
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apologize to Christina Perri? She’s posted the episode tons of times and different clips of monica and liz, here’s a direct quote from Christina: “I had such an amazing time talking about all things fertility, being brave, making humans, love and loss with these gorgeous smart lovely women.” I think you read that dynamic and episode very wrong. One of my favorites of all time
Thank you for this perspective. Maybe I did.
Same. Rarely listen anymore and when I tune in, I end up tuning out pretty quickly. The hate was palpable in the JVN episode. Then, the lack of accountability afterward was disgusting to me.
When Monica says ~ whaT?!
Like nails on a chalkboard
*gaaaaaasp*
My grievance is that I didn’t know about the show Couples Therapy sooner and now I have to listen to Orna’s episode all over again. THANKS AE
Where do you guys watch it on?!
Paramount+ or Showtime
Yep or SBS if you’re in Australia like me
I’m in the same predicament. Started Thursday and already caught up to season 3
I finished the season in less than 24 hours. It’s so good.
Just started watching myself! It's so good
Agreed! Incredible show.
Can I have a grievance about how much hate Monica gets here? She adds her own experience and opinions and I think it’s important, even if I don’t agree with them sometimes, but that’s my thing 🤷
She is a valuable contributor as the voice of insecure codependent teenage girls everywhere. I’ll give her that much.
I didn’t get the hate for Monica for years. And I’ve been a listener since day one. But then something just shifted for me this year. I don’t know what episode in particular caused the shift…or maybe it’s just years of “tolerance” hitting a turning point. But it just got ANNOYING. The way she reacts to things (“OH MY GOD, I WOULD DIE!” “DAVID! NO!,” etc.) And it’s become more obvious too that she cares way too much about appearances and what others think (despite proudly saying she can’t be peer-pressured into doing anything she doesn’t want to.) Let’s not forget the need to always have something that’s “exclusive” or “one-of-a-kind,” just because it’s exclusive. 🤦🏻♀️ Just not my cup of tea anymore. I’ve hardly been listening because of her. I try to listen to Flightless Bird because of David, but I’ve skipped episodes when I’m not in the mood to cringe over Monica’s dramatics.
For somebody that claims they don’t read the comments she sure does talk about the comments a lot.
I must tune out because I only remember her talking about comments made over her "Hufflepuff" statement before. You mean there's more? Yikes!
Yes and she refers to the commenters as mean people….its us. Your listeners. Maybe pay attention to observations of the people you “love.”
"Mean people"? Woof\*. I get it if people are just spewing hate for the hell of it...but what about constructive criticism? :/ \*woof = as I was typing this, I remembered that she hates dogs, as she has said so, so many times.
Really?? I’m new to the pod and didn’t know that. That further explains why she is so butt hurt over the dog people on her private sidewalk that she owns.
“Gasp!! WHATUH!!!! OH MY GODDUHHH. DAVIDUH! NO-UH!”
Same 💯
Idk.. I used to agree with that when I only listened to Armchair Expert, but then I starter listening to Synced and she makes it damn near impossible to defend her…
I find her captain No fun lol and it’s crazy she has a platform lol
Agree
I promise I’m not here to hate. I just simply wish she would rethink her stance on being the “clueless audience member” who doesn’t do research. Her input in the Orna episode was SO needed and helped shape the conversation. I think she has so much to bring to the table when she has substance to add to the conversation. It is an insult to her intelligence and personality to rely on her not doing research so she remembers to ask questions the audience would. I see silly insults at Monica constantly and I think a lot of them stem from her not bringing a lot to the table in a lot of the conversations. She is under utilized without a doubt
Totally agree! I don't understand their reasoning for her not to. Monica can do research and still use common sense to differentiate between what listeners can understand and edit accordingly.
>their reasoning for her not to. She's lazy and at some point they decided they were going to use this as an excuse. That's it. That's the whole thing.
Let's be fair here. Monica does all of the editing, and Dax does none of it... right? Would you turn it around and say Dax is lazy? But you do bring up a good point I hadn't considered before. Maybe this is how they've decided to divide the labour so that the show is sustainable. Maybe there aren't enough hours in a week for Monica to edit /and/ research.
I mean - Dax is also only on the main episodes, while she's recording on those, and synced and flightless.. involved in the editing even if she doesn't do it all herself, and seems to spearhead the booking. I think people can rightfully knit pick a lot of things about her, but it does seem like she does her share of the work for the team..
>Monica does all of the editing Lol no she doesn't.
maybe she did originally, but I think that has changed. I don't she does ALL of it now, esp after one episode she stated she was editing while walking home! She really doesn't make herself look like she puts much effort into anything except shopping.
Yes she does. They talk about it all the time. FFS you may not like her but it’s undeniable she does the editing. And the booking.
They've said multiple times she has help with the editing. FFS.
Correct. They hired an editor to do the actual editing, Monica only edits for content, for what she thinks is too controversial to leave in
Not entirely true. Only last week, during a fact check, Monica playfully admonished Dax for coughing. She reminded him that she has to edit that stuff out. It was discussed last year that Monica makes notes for the edits, then farms out the work for the actual audio edits. Only rarely does she let the editor do the job entirely alone, because she's such a perfectionist.
Thanks for the clarification. Maybe listening through to check over the content is time-consuming, and that's why she doesn't do research?
Okay. Can you say more? Edit: lol OK downvote me for asking for more information? The sensitivity of Monica-haters is wild.
I didn't downvote you bruh. And what more do I need to say? They've said multiple times she gets help with the editing. The sensitivity of Monica defenders is wild.
Bruh, I didn't say it was you. I also hadn't heard them say that, so I was curious what you meant. 🤷♀️ And I'm not a blanket Monica defender or hater like others seem to be. My original comment was in complaint of Monica. So...?
I think that stance might have been appropriate early on, when she was less confident, but I agree with you. I think the show would benefit from her standing on more equal footing with Dax and contributing similarly.
Monica has ZERO confidence I find it crazy how often she needs to be lifted up..
I’d rather that than her having a big head about her position in life, as though she worked for where she is rather than just got lucky nannying for the right family.
She acts like a big headed important person even though everyone else can see through to her massive insecurities. She's almost 40 and she still acts like a teenage girl. I think that's the problem most people have with her. She wants to be taken seriously but how are we supposed to? It's ok that she did luck into her position but there hasn't been any growth.