Nate Bargatze - Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard Recap

Podcast: Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Published: 2026-03-23

Guests: Nate Bargatze

What Happened

Nate Bargatze, known for his clean comedic style, reflects on the influence of his father's diverse career as a clown, magician, and motivational speaker. Bargatze's father had a rough childhood and became a teacher and magician, choosing family over a career move to Las Vegas.

Nate Bargatze's journey in comedy began in Chicago with a brief stint at Second City, followed by a move to New York in 2004 inspired by Jerry Seinfeld's documentary 'Comedian'. He started as a barker at the Boston Comedy Club alongside Burt Chrysler, performing for small audiences including a parrot in South Dakota.

Bargatze's career milestones include performing at the Montreal Comedy Festival, Conan, and Live at Gotham, which led to larger venues and eventually arenas. His clean style is influenced by Bill Burr's advice to avoid giving the audience what they expect, focusing instead on universal themes.

Bargatze's new movie, 'The Breadwinner', releasing on May 29th, stars Will Forte, Mandy Moore, and Colin Jost. The family-friendly film is akin to 'Mr. Mom', following a husband managing family duties while his wife pursues a business opportunity.

Nate Bargatze aims to create content that brings people together, regardless of political leanings. He acknowledges the pressure to be politically vocal but chooses to focus on universal, inclusive themes, underscoring comedy's power as a force for good.

Dax Shepard attended the New Orleans Book Festival, where he was interviewed by Anderson Cooper. The event, held in a basketball arena, centered around grief, inspired by Cooper's podcast 'All There Is'. Shepard shared emotional moments, reflecting on New Orleans' diverse cultural influences.

Key Insights

• Nate Bargatze's father, a former magician and motivational speaker, significantly influenced Nate's clean comedic style, opting for family over a potentially lucrative career in Las Vegas.
• Nate Bargatze's comedy career began in New York, where he learned from peers like Bill Burr to stick to his act and avoid roasting audiences, leading to performances at major festivals and TV shows.
• Nate Bargatze's upcoming movie 'The Breadwinner' features a family-friendly storyline with a notable cast, aiming to revive the genre of John Hughes-style movies.
• Dax Shepard's attendance at the New Orleans Book Festival highlighted the emotional connections between fathers and sons, while exploring themes of grief with Anderson Cooper.