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Jared Diamond Returns (on the science of leadership) artwork

Jared Diamond Returns (on the science of leadership)

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

September 30, 2026

Jared Diamond (Profits, Prophets, Coaches, and Kings, The World Until Yesterday, and Guns, Germs, and Steel) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning scientist, historian, and UCLA professor.

Speakers Dax Shepard, Monica Padman, Jared Diamond

TopicsComedyTV & Film

Dax Shepard (0:00)

Welcome, welcome, welcome to Armchair Expert, Experts on Expert. I'm Dan Shepard, and I'm joined by Lily Padman.

Monica Padman (0:05)

Hi.

Dax Shepard (0:06)

Today we have, which is a great honor, for the second time, but this time in the flesh, Jared Diamond. Jared Diamond is a scientist, a historian, a professor, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. I mean, this guy started in the physiology department, then he became the head of the geography department. Talk about a polymath. He's an ornithologist.

Monica Padman (0:28)

I mean, he's one of the smartest people we've talked to.

Dax Shepard (0:29)

Yeah, he really is.

His most famous book, of course, legendary, Guns, Germs, and Steel. If you have not read that book, it is phenomenal. Everyone should read that book. Collapse, The Third Chimpanzee, The World Until Yesterday, Upheaval, and his new book out now called Profits, Prophets, Coaches, and Kings, When Do Leaders Matter?

Monica Padman (0:51)

This was so interesting.

Dax Shepard (0:52)

It's so fascinating. Spoiler, there's not one thing that we can predict an effective leader on. There's many, many things that contribute to whether or not they are. Please enjoy Jared Diamond.

We get support from Quince.

Monica Padman (1:09)

You know what I think about a lot? The stuff in my closet, I actually wear, like not the trendy pieces, the sweater that goes with everything or the pants that fit perfectly, the tee you kind of just throw on without even thinking. That's what Quince does. They make those pieces.

Dax Shepard (1:22)

That's right. They have 100% Mongolian Cashmere sweaters, starting at $60. Organic cotton, merino wool, quality you'd expect from a luxury brand.

Monica Padman (1:33)

Luxury without the luxury price tag. We love that. They skip the middlemen, go direct to ethical factories and pass those savings to you. We're talking 50 to 80 percent less than some more brands.

Dax Shepard (1:43)

I'm so excited for fall simply because I love my cashmere sweaters from Quince. I also got to add that right before I left Nashville, I was assigned the task of putting all the bedding back on my children's bed. I got to fold first the Quince sheets and comforter, then unfold them and put them in. The entire time I was spreading it all out, I was like, by God, they really are so soft. It's crazy.

Monica Padman (2:05)

They are. I also have a pair of sheets from Quince that are really, really good. Honestly, what sets Quince apart is that everything feels intentional. These are timeless, versatile pieces designed to be the dependable stuff you reach for day after day. You're not buying something just for right now, you're buying something that's going to be in your rotation for years.

Dax Shepard (2:22)

They've also got hotel quality bedding and bath, kitchen essentials, even furniture. So if you're doing any kind of refresh at home too, same quality, same prices across the board.

Monica Padman (2:33)

Quince just gets it.

Dax Shepard (2:34)

Find your next fall favorites at Quince. Download the Quince app for app exclusive offers or go to quince.com/dax. Get free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK too. That's quince.com/dax.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Honestly, if I could just flip a switch overnight and be better at one thing, I'd want to be better at handling stress in a healthier way, like not letting the small stuff snowball into this whole thing where I'm tense for the rest of the day over something that didn't even matter. It came to mind immediately because I know I do it. Someone cuts me off in traffic and somehow I'm still thinking about it at dinner. Two seconds, that's all it was. So yeah, that's what I'm working on, and that's where BetterHelp comes in.

Monica Padman (3:22)

You know how I feel about therapy. It's just necessary. In fact, sometimes I know I'm not supposed to say this, I judge you if you never tried it.

Dax Shepard (3:31)

Better is a feeling defined by you, and for BetterHelp, it's a better help therapist who really gets you. It's a focus on global, emotional, well-being with thousands of therapists and millions of members in over 100 countries. It's progress, and it's getting better at letting the small stuff stay small. That's my Better. Sign up and get 10% off at betterhelp.com/dax. That's betterhelp.com/dax.

Oh my goodness, you're already here.

Jared Diamond (4:19)

Yes, I am.

Dax Shepard (4:19)

How are you, sir?

Jared Diamond (4:21)

I'm good. How are you?

Dax Shepard (4:21)

Good. Wonderful to see you in real life.

Jared Diamond (4:24)

Hi. How are you?

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