Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: A Nut Job Way Of Looking At The World
Date: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty

Overview

This episode features Armstrong & Getty’s trademark blend of humor, cultural commentary, and pointed skepticism as they cover several topics: the turning tides of Gen Z slang, political posturing on economic issues, corporate housing, the challenge of balancing personal principles with policy realities, the indictment of actor Tim Busfield, the roots of envy in wealth politics, and a critical analysis of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the military.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gen Z Slang Breakdown

[02:35–05:15]

• Joe plays a clip of common Gen Z slang alongside their “translations” for older generations—terms like "Ohio" (weird), "skibidi" (random), "Riz" (swag/game), "no cap" (no lie), "busin" (dope), etc.
• Jack and Joe poke fun at their generational gap in understanding youth slang; Jack admits he has little interest but a mild linguistic curiosity.
• “It comes and goes so fast. So I don't try to memorize it or anything.” – Joe Getty [04:24]

2. Political Posturing on Affordability & Housing

[05:35–12:03]

• Discussion shifts to Trump and other politicians making affordability a central midterms issue. Specific policies proposed: banning large investors from buying single-family homes; capping credit-card rates; pressuring the Fed to lower interest rates.
• Skepticism about efficacy and whether proposals are genuine policy or just election talking points.
• Armstrong denounces corporate and foreign conglomerates buying up homes, especially in regulated markets where new housing can’t easily be built:
  “It pains me to make that argument. But I just, I despise the idea of Chinese oligarchs buying up all of these starter homes in an area.” – Jack Armstrong [11:06]
• Armstrong & Getty wrestle with libertarian free-market principles versus the real-world constraints and unintended consequences of government regulation.

3. The Limits of Principles in a Complex World

[12:03–13:28]

• The hosts philosophize about trying to hold steadfast principles in a world with conflicting realities.
  “There are endless examples of where they run into the real world and you have to give a little bit on them to make things work, usually because there are other realities.” – Joe Getty [12:45]
• Example: open borders vs. the existence of the welfare state.
• Jack muses, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, about the futility of being endlessly outraged at government waste and fraud, referencing welfare as “a theft program that is occasionally exploited by the needy.” [13:23]

4. Tim Busfield Allegations and the Nature of Fame

[16:50–21:41]

• Detailed reporting on actor Tim Busfield’s recent arrest for alleged child abuse during TV production; Busfield denies the charges.
• The hosts express their personal acquaintance with Busfield and refuse to speculate on guilt/innocence. “He is a lovely and thoughtful guy but I have nothing upon which to base an opinion in either direction because who knows what sexual evil lurks in the hearts of any of us?” – Jack Armstrong [18:18]
• They reflect on Busfield’s lesson to them about the ephemeral, externally bestowed nature of fame:
  “Fame isn't something you have, fame is something they have.” – Jack Armstrong quoting Busfield [21:09]

5. Havana Syndrome Update

[24:24–25:27]

• Joe recaps new developments: U.S. officials are investigating a device that could explain diplomats’ mysterious illnesses (“Havana Syndrome”), with Russian components possibly implicated.
• Jack remains skeptical against past speculation that symptoms were “psychosomatic.”

6. Human Nature, Fairness, and the Wealth Tax Debate

[26:01–33:38]

• In-depth dialogue on the instinctive human sense of fairness, and its distortion in modern wealth and tax debates.
• Deep dive into California’s proposed “one-time” wealth tax on billionaires. Both hosts deem it problematic and likely to chase the wealthy out of state, leaving no net gain.
• They criticize envy-driven politics:
  “It's a nut job way of looking at the world. Do you have enough right now? ...and if you can say yes to that, who gives a crap if there's a billionaire somewhere?” – Joe Getty [30:15]
• Jack reflects on the universal, self-defeating nature of envy:
  “If you'd like to make yourself completely insane, base your happiness on what other people have.” [31:03]
• Both locate these impulses in ancient tribal instincts poorly adapted to modern society.

7. DEI and the U.S. Military Recruitment Crisis

[37:39–44:25]

• Discussion of new book “The Lost Generation” and its findings that DEI policies in media, academia, and the military have led to counterproductive outcomes.
• DEI-driven quotas and perceptions have notably driven down white male (and overall male) military recruitment. “By signaling that white men were less welcome, DEI initiatives pushed thousands of them away from military service.” – Joe Getty [40:04]
• Armstrong denounces DEI, equating equity with “Marxism,” and argues the inclusion only ever brings more leftists to the table, not true diversity.
• Strong condemnation of experimenting with social engineering in the armed forces:
  “We don't do any of these cultural experiments on the military. Military is separate ...you don’t get to touch the military with these various experiments in crafting utopia. Right, because it's too important.” – Joe Getty [42:10]
• Hosts point to declining trust and recruitment among groups DEI claims to benefit, and note recent trends toward self-selection away from affirmative-action admissions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It pains me to make that argument. But I just, I despise the idea of Chinese oligarchs buying up all of these starter homes in an area.” – Jack Armstrong [11:12]
• “There are endless examples of where [your principles] run into the real world and you have to give a little bit on them to make things work.” – Joe Getty [12:45]
• “Fame isn't something you have, fame is something they have.” – Tim Busfield via Jack Armstrong [21:09]
• “It's a nut job way of looking at the world. Do you have enough right now? ...if you can say yes to that, who gives a crap if there's a billionaire somewhere?” – Joe Getty [30:15]
• “If you'd like to make yourself completely insane, base your happiness on what other people have.” – Jack Armstrong [31:03]
• “By signaling that white men were less welcome, DEI initiatives pushed thousands of them away from military service.” – Joe Getty [40:04]
• “We don't do any of these cultural experiments on the military. ... it's too important.” – Joe Getty [42:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:35–05:15: Gen Z Slang explained and ridiculed
• 05:35–12:03: Political proposals on affordability & housing; free market vs. regulation
• 16:50–21:41: Tim Busfield allegations & reflections on the nature of fame
• 24:24–25:27: Havana Syndrome device breakthrough
• 26:01–33:38: Human fairness, wealth tax debate, and envy in politics
• 37:39–44:25: DEI, military recruitment, and the dangers of ideology in the armed forces

Tone & Style

The hosts employ a colloquial, irreverent, occasionally biting tone, blending humor with pointed social commentary. Jack often adopts a skeptical pragmatism while Joe provides a slightly more earnest counterpoint, with both routinely mocking political correctness and the excesses of current political discourse.

For Listeners

This episode is a classic Armstrong & Getty deep-dive on the anxieties and contradictions of modern American life: cultural change, economic dislocation, justice vs. principle, and the pitfalls of envy and ideology. It will particularly resonate with those skeptical of political fads and hungry for forthright, unvarnished commentary.