Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Olivia Fox Cabane (The Charisma Myth, The Net and the Butterfly) is a bestselling author, speaker, and leading authority on the science of charisma. Olivia joins Armchair Expert to discuss growing up in Paris without television or movies, receiving an autism diagnosis in her 40s, and decoding the “secret manual” of human interaction. Olivia and Dax talk about translating charisma research into a teachable system, showing founders why body language can outweigh a flawless pitch, and updating her book with cutting-edge research on digital charisma. Olivia explains why focused listening gives introverts an advantage, why genuine warmth cannot be faked, and how too much charisma can leave powerful people dangerously unaccountable.
Check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds: allstate.com
Take printer ink off your back to school list with HP Smart Tank | hp.com/SmartTank
Watch the fact check: youtu.be/GzDMSGu-0Es
Watch Armchair Expert episodes: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzPEuwClyOzDdlrAmU-IwKncG87qrF7Vw
Follow Armchair Expert on social:
instagram.com/armchairexppod
facebook.com/ArmchairExpPod
twitter.com/armchairexppod
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wondery.com/shows/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard
facebook.com/WonderyMedia
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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 - You’re Not a Bad Horse, You’re a Zebra
4:03 - Charisma Behavior
8:51 - What is Charisma
15:49 - Charismatic and Ugly
18:38 - Optimizing
22:16 - Masking
29:11 - Presence
32:49 - Power
38:35 - Warmth
49:57 - Charismatic Styles
56:42 - Digital Charisma
1:04:40 - Envy
#armchairexpert #daxshepard
Olivia Fox Cabane (The Charisma Myth, The Net and the Butterfly) is a bestselling author, speaker, and leading authority on the science of charisma. Olivia joins Armchair Expert to discuss growing up in Paris without television or movies, receiving an autism diagnosis in her 40s, and decoding the “secret manual” of human interaction. Olivia and Dax talk about translating charisma research into a teachable system, showing founders why body language can outweigh a flawless pitch, and updating her book with cutting-edge research on digital charisma. Olivia explains why focused listening gives introverts an advantage, why genuine warmth cannot be faked, and how too much charisma can leave powerful people dangerously unaccountable.
Check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds: allstate.com
Take printer ink off your back to school list with HP Smart Tank | hp.com/SmartTank
Watch the fact check: youtu.be/GzDMSGu-0Es
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 - You’re Not a Bad Horse, You’re a Zebra
4:03 - Charisma Behavior
8:51 - What is Charisma
15:49 - Charismatic and Ugly
18:38 - Optimizing
22:16 - Masking
29:11 - Presence
32:49 - Power
38:35 - Warmth
49:57 - Charismatic Styles
56:42 - Digital Charisma
1:04:40 - Envy
#armchairexpert #daxshepard
