Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Christopher Whitcomb (Broken Plea, Cold Zero, and Black) is a former FBI Hostage Rescue Team sniper, bestselling author, and national security analyst. Christopher joins Armchair Expert to discuss growing up in rural New Hampshire, the winding path from teacher and speechwriter to the FBI, and the unbelievable twists of fate that shaped his storied life and career. Christopher and Dax talk about serving on the FBI's elite hostage rescue team, being at the center of historic events like Ruby Ridge and Waco, and why he decided to revisit the Idaho murders after the suspect's guilty plea. Christopher explains the psychological mindset of elite operators, how life-or-death decisions are judged long after the fact, and why pursuing the truth matters even when the official case appears closed.
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Watch Armchair Expert episodes: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzPEuwClyOzDdlrAmU-IwKncG87qrF7Vw
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About the Show:
Hi, I’m Dax Shepard, and I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly sexy. I invite you to join me as I explore other people’s stories. We will celebrate, above all, the challenges and setbacks that ultimately lead to growth and betterment. What qualifies me for such an endeavor? More than a decade of sobriety, a degree in Anthropology and four years of improv training. I will attempt to discover human “truths” without any laboratory work, clinical trials or data collection. I will be, in the great tradition of 16th-century scientists, an Armchair Expert.
Watch Armchair Expert every MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, and FRIDAY here on Youtube!
Listen to episodes ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/shows/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard
Chapters:
0:00 - No Easy Stories
6:59 - Fighting Domestic Terrorists
9:28 - FBI Hostage Rescue Team
17:50 - Ruby Ridge
35:30 - Playing Cards With Brad Pitt
41:55 - Broken Plea
58:05 - The Only Witness
1:06:25 - An Unknown Substance
1:20:28 - Bryan Kohberger
1:29:50 - Motive, Means, and Opportunity
1:33:42 - It Makes No Sense
1:39:02 - Why Bryan?
1:46:10 - Franks Hearing
#armchairexpert #daxshepard #christopherwhitcomb #chriswhitcomb #idahomurders #BryanKohberger #Kohberger #UniversityOfIdahoMurders #MoscowIdaho #KingRoadMurders #KaylееGoncalves #MadisonMogen #XanaKernodle #EthanChapin #KohbergerTrial #KohbergerGuiltyPlea #KohbergerAppeal #KohbergerWithdrawsPlea #IdahoMurdersCase #Idaho4 #TrueCrimeInterview #FBIProfiler #CrimeExpertAnalysis #netflixdocumentary #IdahoMurdersCollegeNightmare
Christopher Whitcomb (Broken Plea, Cold Zero, and Black) is a former FBI Hostage Rescue Team sniper, bestselling author, and national security analyst. Christopher joins Armchair Expert to discuss growing up in rural New Hampshire, the winding path from teacher and speechwriter to the FBI, and the unbelievable twists of fate that shaped his storied life and career. Christopher and Dax talk about serving on the FBI's elite hostage rescue team, being at the center of historic events like Ruby Ridge and Waco, and why he decided to revisit the Idaho murders after the suspect's guilty plea. Christopher explains the psychological mindset of elite operators, how life-or-death decisions are judged long after the fact, and why pursuing the truth matters even when the official case appears closed.
Take printer ink off your back to school list with HP Smart Tank | hp.com/SmartTank
Check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds: allstate.com
Watch Armchair Expert episodes: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzPEuwClyOzDdlrAmU-IwKncG87qrF7Vw
Follow Armchair Expert on social:
instagram.com/armchairexppod
facebook.com/ArmchairExpPod
twitter.com/armchairexppod
Connect with Wondery
wondery.com/shows/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard
facebook.com/WonderyMedia
twitter.com/WonderyMedia
instagram.com/WonderyMedia
tiktok.com/@wonderymedia
About the Show:
Hi, I’m Dax Shepard, and I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly sexy. I invite you to join me as I explore other people’s stories. We will celebrate, above all, the challenges and setbacks that ultimately lead to growth and betterment. What qualifies me for such an endeavor? More than a decade of sobriety, a degree in Anthropology and four years of improv training. I will attempt to discover human “truths” without any laboratory work, clinical trials or data collection. I will be, in the great tradition of 16th-century scientists, an Armchair Expert.
Watch Armchair Expert every MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, and FRIDAY here on Youtube!
Listen to episodes ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/shows/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard
Chapters:
0:00 - No Easy Stories
6:59 - Fighting Domestic Terrorists
9:28 - FBI Hostage Rescue Team
17:50 - Ruby Ridge
35:30 - Playing Cards With Brad Pitt
41:55 - Broken Plea
58:05 - The Only Witness
1:06:25 - An Unknown Substance
1:20:28 - Bryan Kohberger
1:29:50 - Motive, Means, and Opportunity
1:33:42 - It Makes No Sense
1:39:02 - Why Bryan?
1:46:10 - Franks Hearing
#armchairexpert #daxshepard #christopherwhitcomb #chriswhitcomb #idahomurders #BryanKohberger #Kohberger #UniversityOfIdahoMurders #MoscowIdaho #KingRoadMurders #KaylееGoncalves #MadisonMogen #XanaKernodle #EthanChapin #KohbergerTrial #KohbergerGuiltyPlea #KohbergerAppeal #KohbergerWithdrawsPlea #IdahoMurdersCase #Idaho4 #TrueCrimeInterview #FBIProfiler #CrimeExpertAnalysis #netflixdocumentary #IdahoMurdersCollegeNightmare
