Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "A Show Sham Scam!"
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts | Featuring: Jack Armstrong, Joe Getty, Zing Singh

Episode Overview

This episode covers a lively and wide-ranging discussion on the subtle “scams” and social performances found in modern life—ranging from coffee and wine tastings, to government programs, and public debates on socialism. Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty use humor and candid, sometimes caustic, commentary to analyze cultural trends, the rise of socialism among young Americans, waste and grift in government programs, and international developments from U.S. politics to Ukraine. The tone is irreverent, conversational, and opinionated, with a focus on skeptical inquiry and personal anecdote.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "Show Sham Scam": The Performance of Taste and Expertise

[03:57–07:36]

• The episode opens with a comedic analysis of coffee shop culture, poking fun at the barista lingo and the “performance” surrounding coffee and espresso tasting.

• Jack Armstrong: Explains how different Starbucks cup sizes impact espresso flavor, with a mock-serious tone.

• Joe Getty: Offers a skeptical take on people claiming to taste subtle notes in coffee ("I've never gotten any of those things out of coffee ever. So I don't know." [05:12]).

• They liken the performative aspect of coffee tasting to similar trends in wine, chocolate, and scotch—raising the question of how much is genuine discernment versus social signaling.

  "What percentage of it is a show sham scam, and what percentage of it is completely real?" – Joe Getty [06:44]

• Zing Singh and Joe Getty reference their former colleague, Tim Rohr, and his comedic rants about the mathematical perfection of candy ratios, satirizing how humans convince themselves of subtle differences as expressions of taste or expertise.

2. Public Policy: Social Safety Nets vs. Self-Reliance

[07:27–12:37]

• Shifting to political and social commentary, Armstrong & Getty react to a new Gallup poll stating nearly two-thirds of Americans under 30 believe government should be responsible for ensuring individuals’ basic needs.

• The hosts express astonishment at this cultural change and question the feasibility and implications of such a worldview.

  "That is right there. That is the discussion we need to have as a country for the next 10 years." – Zing Singh [09:23]

• They discuss the difficulty of sustaining such programs, referencing the problem of "running out of other people's money" and reflect on their own views as young adults.

• A key divide is posited between conservatives (skeptical of government) and liberals (presume people always do their best):

  "The biggest divide between conservatives and liberals is liberals think everybody's doing their best and will always do their best…and is more or less honest in spite of all evidence." – Joe Getty & Zing Singh [10:54–11:10]

• The hosts examine the naiveté of believing everyone would work hard regardless of personal benefit, lampooning utopian assumptions behind socialism.

  "How could anybody believe that? Trip really, really is." – Joe Getty [12:04]
  "Boy, when you say it out loud, that's looney dudes." – Zing Singh [12:01]

3. Real-World Grift: Government Waste and Human Nature

[12:53–14:02]

• Citing listener stories and government scandals, Armstrong & Getty discuss how even trusted institutions like the Marine Corps or the Postal Service are susceptible to corruption and malingering.

• Listener anecdote: Marine ties baloney to ankle to get bitten by a dog and claim disability; the example is used to illustrate the perennial problem of grift even in respected organizations.

  "If the Marine Corps isn’t immune from this, come on, folks." – Zing Singh [12:53]

4. Socialism’s Enduring Allure and Chronic Problems

[16:21–17:01]

• The hosts critique why socialist ideals continue to regain popularity despite repeated historical failures, comparing it to a chronic condition:

  "It's, you know, socialism is less like an idea that should be defeated. It's more like a chronic health problem, a syndrome…You can't kill it. It will come back like weeds." – Zing Singh [16:21]

5. U.S. Foreign Policy and the Ukraine Peace Proposal

[28:10–36:32]

• Armstrong & Getty break down reported U.S. pressure for Ukraine to accept a peace deal they argue is essentially a Russian wish list—barring NATO membership, ceding contested land, and restoring economic links for Russia.

  "The White House is pushing Ukraine to sign the deal by Thanksgiving or you lose U.S. support, which they really kind of need to have." – Joe Getty [28:10]

• There’s sharp criticism of the proposal as "capitulating to Putin," the hollow victory for Moscow, and the lack of input from Ukraine or Europe.

  "What that Russian spokesman said was no agreement is acceptable unless it eliminates the root causes. The root causes. We want Ukraine to be a defenseless vassal state of the Kremlin." – Zing Singh [30:10]

• They explore how war-time corruption in Ukraine is being leveraged to pressure Zelensky into accepting the terms.

  "It's amazing that you've got so many people in the government that are willing to steal money while you're at war with Russia." – Joe Getty [31:42]

• Europe’s military and political incapacity is repeatedly lamented:

  "They all take like a month off in the summer, don’t they? … Sounds lovely if it doesn’t lead to societal collapse." – Zing Singh [37:04]

  "Every college kid in America…told me this 40 years ago…'why can't we be more like Europe?'…well, that system doesn't flipping work, you moron." – Joe Getty [37:39/38:41]

6. Domestic Corruption: The Minnesota Medicaid Scandal and Terrorist Funding

[42:45–45:11]

• Joe Getty reports that Somali immigrants in Minnesota have exploited Medicaid autism care programs, with taxpayer money fraudulently sent to Somalia and terrorist groups such as Al Shabaab.

  "The single biggest financier of Al Shabaab…is the Minnesota taxpayer." – Zing Singh [45:10]

• They highlight systemic failures and the breadth of state money wasted compared to initial cost projections.

7. Language & Culture

[46:10–47:47]

• Discussion of Cambridge Dictionary's "word of the year": parasocial (inspired by Taylor Swift fandom), which refers to one-sided relationships fans feel with celebrities or personalities.

• The hosts note these are not inherently unhealthy, but warn they're a problem if they replace real relationships.

  "If you have too many parasocial relationships and not enough real relationships, you are way too online... That's a problem." – Zing Singh [46:33]

8. Generational Differences: The "Boomer Stuff Avalanche"

[47:48–49:00]

• Trend: Younger generations do not want to inherit their elders’ antiques, collections, or sentimental knickknacks, leading to emotional and logistical friction.

  "The boomer stuff avalanche is already crushing families…The younger generations are not nearly as stuff-oriented and don’t want it." – Zing Singh [47:48]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Coffee Culture:
  "You get nuttiness, caramel and fruit out of coffee." – Zing Singh [05:26]
  "I've never gotten any of those things out of coffee ever." – Joe Getty [05:14]

• On Socialism:
  "It's more like a chronic health problem, a syndrome…You can't kill it. It will come back like weeds." – Zing Singh [16:21]

• On Government Waste:
  "If the Marine Corps isn’t immune from this, come on, folks." – Zing Singh [12:53]

• On Welfare and Work Ethic:
  "I'm not actually lazy…But if you told me…I’m gonna work all day long, and then we're just gonna spread the money out equally…Probably not gonna leave my house." – Joe Getty [15:30]

• On American vs. European Work Culture:
  "Why can't we be more like Europe? …well, that system doesn't flipping work, you moron." – Joe Getty [37:39/38:41]

• On Foreign Aid and Ukraine:
  "Zelensky says right now Ukraine faces losing its dignity or U. S. Support over this peace plan. Dignity is the least of it. Well, it's your country. Yeah, that's a tough one." – Joe Getty & Zing Singh [34:50–35:00]

• On Generational Handoffs:
  "The boomer stuff avalanche is already crushing families…They really want to pass that down, but the younger generations…don't want it." – Zing Singh [47:48]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:57–07:36 | Coffee, wine, and the “show sham scam” of taste expertise | | 07:27–12:37 | Youth and socialism: who should provide for basic needs? | | 12:53–14:02 | Grift: government waste and human nature stories | | 16:21–17:01 | Socialism as a perennial problem | | 28:10–36:32 | Ukraine peace deal: analysis & international politics | | 42:45–45:11 | Minnesota Medicaid scam funds Al Shabaab | | 46:10–47:47 | Word of the year: "parasocial" and the Taylor Swift effect | | 47:48–49:00 | Boomer Stuff Avalanche |

Final Thoughts

The episode blends humor, skepticism, and real-world policy concerns. Armstrong & Getty dissect the performative aspects of culture (from coffee to politics), question the naiveté of systemic faith in government and the popularity of socialism with younger Americans, expose grift in government programs, and offer sharp critiques of current U.S. policy both domestically and abroad. The conversational style and anecdotal evidence ground the heavier discussions, making the content accessible for both fans and new listeners.