Dax Shepard Reveals ‘Deep Fear’ of Never Loving Again After Nine-Year Split

Dax Shepard Invites Ex-Girlfriend Briegh Morrison to Discuss Emotional Aftermath of Nine-Year Relationship

In a candid and deeply personal episode of his popular podcast, Armchair Expert, actor and host Dax Shepard opened up about the profound emotional turmoil he experienced following the end of his nine-year relationship with ex-girlfriend Briegh Morrison. The 50-year-old star, who recently celebrated his 12th wedding anniversary with wife Kristen Bell, revealed that the breakup left him with a significant and crippling worry about his future.

Shepard, known for his willingness to explore vulnerability and addiction on his podcast, invited Morrison, who is now married and a mother, to discuss the complexities of their long-term romance and the difficult transition period that followed its conclusion.

The Weight of a Nine-Year Split

The central revelation came as Shepard discussed the immense emotional investment he had made in the relationship with Morrison. Ending a partnership that spanned nearly a decade created a void that he struggled to imagine filling, leading to a specific, paralyzing anxiety about his ability to connect deeply again.

“I had a deep fear that I would not love again,” Shepard admitted during the conversation with Morrison. “That was the biggest fear I had after we broke up. It felt like I had used up all my love and that I wouldn’t be able to feel that way about someone else.”

This admission provides a rare glimpse into the intense emotional landscape of high-profile breakups, particularly those that occur before finding a permanent partner. For Shepard, the end of the relationship with Morrison represented not just a loss of a partner, but a fundamental challenge to his belief in his own capacity for enduring love.

Contextualizing the Conversation

The decision to host an ex-partner on Armchair Expert aligns with the podcast’s established format, which often delves into the messy, human aspects of life, relationships, and recovery. The episode served as a reflection on how past relationships shape current ones, offering listeners a nuanced perspective on closure and personal growth.

Key aspects of the discussion included:

• The Duration: The nine-year length established the relationship as a foundational period in Shepard’s adult life.
• The Fear of Finality: The expressed fear of never loving again highlights the psychological impact of major life transitions.
• Current Status: Morrison’s participation, alongside her current married status, demonstrated a level of mutual respect and mature closure, allowing for an honest retrospective.

Moving Forward: Finding Love with Kristen Bell

Shepard’s eventual relationship with Kristen Bell began after the period of fear and transition he discussed. Their relationship, which started in 2007, has become one of Hollywood’s most candid and celebrated partnerships, known for its transparency regarding couples therapy, commitment, and mutual support.

By discussing the difficulty of moving on from Morrison, Shepard implicitly underscored the significance of his relationship with Bell. The fact that he did find love again, and sustained it for over a decade (celebrating their 12th anniversary in 2025), provides a hopeful counterpoint to the initial dread he felt.

Shepard and Bell have consistently emphasized that healthy relationships require continuous effort and vulnerability—a theme that permeates the Armchair Expert episode with Morrison.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion

The conversation between Dax Shepard and Briegh Morrison offered valuable insights into the process of healing after a significant breakup:

• Emotional Honesty is Crucial: Shepard’s willingness to admit his deepest fears validates the intense emotions many people feel after long-term relationships end.
• Closure Through Reflection: The podcast format allowed both individuals to reflect on their shared history from a place of maturity and distance.
• Past Shapes the Present: The episode reinforces the idea that previous relationships, even when painful, contribute to the foundation of future successful partnerships.
• The Power of Vulnerability: By sharing this intensely personal history, Shepard reinforced the core mission of Armchair Expert—to normalize human imperfection and struggle.

The episode serves as a powerful reminder that even successful, long-term celebrity marriages often follow periods of profound emotional uncertainty and recovery.