Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard · September 16, 2026 · 01:49:26

Eric Goode (documentary filmmaker)

Eric Goode, the filmmaker behind Tiger King, Chimp Crazy, and Monsters of God, joins Dax to discuss his unconventional path—from a New Age childhood to friendships with Basquiat and Haring in 1980s New York, and his accidental dive into documentary filmmaking. The conversation explores the purpose found in obsession, why conservation requires uncomfortable dialogue with opponents, and the moral complexity Goode discovered while making Tiger King.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

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Obsession as a Source of Purpose

Eric Goode describes how his obsessive tendencies, rather than being a liability, have driven his creative and conservation work and given his life meaning.

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Conservation Demands Conversations with Opponents

Goode explains that effective conservation requires engaging with people whose views you strongly oppose, rather than only working with allies.

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The Myth of the Clear Villain

After years making documentaries, Goode concludes that stories rarely have a single bad guy; instead, complex systems and incentives shape behavior.

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Misc

✧Grew up in a home filled with animals, which sparked his lifelong interest in conservation.

✧Survived the Northern California New Age movement, which he describes as a formative childhood experience.

✧Was friends with artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring in 1980s New York.

✧Directed several Nine Inch Nails music videos.

✧His investigation into reptile smugglers accidentally led to the creation of Tiger King.

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