Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: A Little More Potpourri
Date: October 1, 2025
Host: Armstrong & Getty (Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty)
Producer/Contributor: Michael Angelo
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of Armstrong & Getty offers a classic “potpourri” of topics spanning politics, crime, education, pop culture, and sports. The hosts delve into headline-grabbing stories like political corruption, the so-called "Mississippi Miracle" in education reform, the government shutdown, and cultural trends—with their trademark blend of skepticism, wit, and off-the-cuff banter.

Major Discussion Topics & Key Insights

1. Violent Crime and Meth Abuse: The Michigan Mormon Church Shooting

[02:51 – 03:48]

• Armstrong and Getty discuss the background of the Mormon church shooting in Michigan, centering on the perpetrator’s descent after a failed relationship and drug abuse.
• The hosts reflect on whether there is a broader societal meaning, concluding this may just be a personal tragedy.
• Notable Quote (Joe Getty):

  “Angry guy committing suicide and taking people with him.” (03:48)

2. Senator Bob Menendez Scandal & Transactional Relationships

[03:53 – 09:24]

• The conversation shifts to Senator Bob Menendez, his bribery charges, and especially his wife Nadine (whom A&G mockingly refer to as “Mercedes Boobman”). Discussion centers on "transactional" women who attach themselves to wealthy/powerful men.
• The hosts find this lifestyle “exhausting” and “slimy” but acknowledge the mutual benefit and understanding in some such relationships.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Michael Angelo:

    “Both of you know what you're doing. And I find that just so disgusting all the way around...” (05:19)

  • Joe Getty on his friend’s ex:

    “Her mom was too. And that was just the model. See, there’s nothing in my background that would make me think, hey, I’ve got an idea—let’s have this nakedly transactional you’re hot/I’m rich thing.” (06:12)

• Reflection on cynicism in government:

  “His soul deadened throughout the whole, many, many, many years of being around government and probably got cynical enough where he thought, everybody’s getting rich. I might as get rich. Who cares?” (09:04)

3. The “Mississippi Miracle” – Education Reform

[09:24 – 15:52]

• The hosts discuss improvements in Mississippi’s educational outcomes due to the reintroduction of phonics and higher standards.
• Rich Lowry’s commentary is quoted, downplaying the “miracle” aspect and highlighting the predictability of success when using proven techniques.
• Strong criticisms for educational “fads” (like teaching via sight words) and the abandonment of holding students back when they don’t meet standards.
• Getty rails against administrators who promote new unproven theories to justify their jobs:

  “If you come to the school board and say, ‘I’ve got an innovative, great new policy, it’s to do what we’ve always done because it works really, really well,’ then what the hell are you doing there?” (11:54)

• Critique expands to math education and the push for “equity” over excellence.
• Themes: Back to basics, skepticism of “miracles,” and failures of bureaucratic innovation.

4. Contemporary Culture: Transgender Representation in Kids’ Shows

[19:39 – 20:22]

• Armstrong & Getty react with skepticism and sarcasm to a Netflix kids’ show depicting a young boy dancing in a dress with his two gay dads. They interpret this as the mainstreaming of transgender themes for very young children.
• Joe Getty:

  "Because he's a little transgender boy, I'm sure. And that's beautiful and that's good. And he should be transgender and everybody should." (20:22)

• The exchange is dripping with irony, questioning the motivations and social priorities behind such depictions.

5. True Crime Oddity: Robbery Suspect Caught on Live TV

[20:33 – 21:36]

• A lighter moment discussing a robbery suspect who unknowingly walks into a TV crew’s live shot, leading to his immediate arrest.
• Joe Getty:

  "This guy wandered into the live shot and one of the anchors did a double-take...Within 10 minutes, he’d been arrested.” (21:10)

6. Rolling Stones’ New Album and Tour

[21:38 – 23:18]

• Discussion of the surprisingly ongoing careers of the Rolling Stones, their recording process, and speculation as to why, if they love music so much, the band records separately and reunites only for concerts.
• Michael Angelo:

  “Because they treat it like it’s a task that somebody’s making them do.” (22:58)

7. Government Shutdown—How Much Does It Really Matter?

[26:49 – 31:40]

• The hosts argue that government shutdowns are overblown, with most Americans unaffected and quickly forgetting them once they’re resolved.
• Criticism of how media and politicians spin the issue, particularly Democrats, and disputes over Obamacare subsidies and Republican proposals.
• Joe Getty:

  “For that, Hakeem Jeffries...and Chuck ‘I have no soul’ Schumer are trying to pretend like Mike Johnson is scissor-kicking pregnant poor ladies in the mouth if they try to go to the doctor. It’s just horrible.” (30:35)

• Michael Angelo:

  “They somehow believe that voters go to the polls for the next election and vote on the shutdowns. They don’t. We don’t.” (31:04)

8. Portland Protests & Government Trolling With AI

[31:42 – 32:54]

• The Federal Protective Service used an AI-generated Donald Trump voice on a megaphone to order protestors to disperse—Armstrong & Getty are hugely amused.
• Joe Getty:

  “So they've used AI to have Donald Trump read that warning to everybody through the megaphone to troll them. That's right. Hilarious. I love that.” (32:43)

9. Sports: Baseball Playoffs, Cheating, and Declining Interest

[33:27 – 36:54]

• Reflecting on drifting away from baseball and football due to life changes.
• Discussion of the Astros’ cheating scandal, the talents of playoff players, and inside-baseball strategy (pitch counts, big strike zones in blowouts).
• Joe Getty, on blowout games:

  “If it’s 17 to 1, that strike zone’s getting big...Let’s get this beach over with.” (36:25)

10. News Oddities & Bizarre True Crime: Howard Rubin’s Sex Trafficking

[42:48 – 45:16]

• They discuss the case of Howard Rubin, an Epstein-like financier recently arrested for abducting and torturing women with the assistance of a female accomplice (likened to Ghislaine Maxwell).
• Outrage and disgust at the stories of trafficking, violence, and how money enables abuse.
• Michael Angelo, quoting disturbing texts between abusers:

  “‘I went pretty far on this one. We’re gonna have to work really hard to give her enough money for her to keep her mouth shut.’” (44:08)

• Joe Getty:

  “Money can buy a lot. Including that lifestyle, I guess for a while.” (45:11)

11. Partisan Reality Bubbles: The Charlie Kirk Assassination

[45:18 – 46:49]

• Joe Getty notes a left-leaning acquaintance remains convinced that Charlie Kirk’s assassin was a right-winger, reflecting how “facts” diverge along partisan lines.
• Joe Getty:

  “The president of the press college Professors association in America is still claiming Charlie Kirk’s assassin was a right wing kid. It’s amazing.” (46:49)

12. Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

[47:07 – 48:36]

• Each host gives a brief personal reflection, with notes on sports, education, and holiday shopping.
• Joe Getty, on education:

  “Ask if they’re teaching phonics at your kids’ schools and if they’re not, get them out of there. The crazes that took hold in American education over the last 20 years...are just unforgivable.” (48:06)

13. Parting Shots: Satiric Manifesto

[49:08 – 49:32]

• Armstrong & Getty run through a list of progressive slogans (“gender is only a construct...no parental notification...done with that...whiteness is toxic...penises in women’s prisons...welcoming the intifada...done, done, done with that.”), making their opposition clear and poking fun at contemporary leftist orthodoxy.

Memorable Quotes

• “Both of you know what you’re doing. And I find that just so disgusting all the way around...” — Michael Angelo (05:19)
• “His soul deadened throughout the whole, many, many, many years of being around government and probably got cynical enough where he thought, everybody’s getting rich. I might as get rich. Who cares?” — Joe Getty (09:04)
• “If you come to the school board and say, ‘I’ve got an innovative, great new policy, it’s to do what we’ve always done because it works really, really well,’ then what the hell are you doing there?” — Joe Getty (11:54)
• “Shut it down. I’m sure it’ll end just great for you, Chuck.” — Joe Getty (30:35)
• “So they've used AI to have Donald Trump read that warning to everybody through the megaphone to troll them. That's right. Hilarious. I love that.” — Joe Getty (32:43)
• “Money can buy a lot. Including that lifestyle, I guess for a while.” — Joe Getty (45:11)
• “The president of the press college Professors association in America is still claiming Charlie Kirk’s assassin was a right wing kid. It’s amazing.” — Joe Getty (46:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Violent crime & Mormon church shooting: 02:51 – 03:48
• Menendez scandal discussion: 03:53 – 09:24
• Mississippi Miracle/Education: 09:24 – 15:52
• Netflix/trans kid show commentary: 19:39 – 20:22
• Live TV robbery arrest: 20:33 – 21:36
• Rolling Stones talk: 21:38 – 23:18
• Government shutdown: 26:49 – 31:40
• AI/Trump voice in Portland: 31:42 – 32:54
• Baseball, cheating, sports banter: 33:27 – 36:54
• Howard Rubin/sex trafficking: 42:48 – 45:16
• Charlie Kirk assassination reality bubbles: 45:18 – 46:49
• Final thoughts & wrap-up: 47:07 – 48:36
• Satiric manifesto/parting shots: 49:08 – 49:32

Episode Tone

• Irreverent, skeptical, sharply critical of both media narratives and political correctness.
• Banter-heavy, often sarcastic, with a mix of outrage, humor, and personal anecdote.
• Willingness to poke fun at all sides while maintaining clear lines on some cultural and political issues.

This summary offers a comprehensive look at “A Little More Potpourri,” capturing every major topic, key quote, and the Armstrong & Getty style—serving both devoted listeners and newcomers seeking a snapshot of the conversation.