Armstrong & Getty On Demand: "A Zoo Of Racism & Misogyny"

Date: March 31, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Producer/Contributor: Michael
Podcast Provider: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode centers on current American political controversies and cultural clashes, with a strong focus on the rhetoric and perceptions surrounding "red states" (conservative areas) and a pointed critique of Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s recent comments about her family’s road trip through the South. The hosts also cover updates on the situation in Iran, the Supreme Court conversion therapy decision, pop culture stories (such as the massive Kit Kat heist), and commentary on newsmakers in sports and entertainment.

The tone is irreverent, skeptical, and sometimes biting, with Armstrong and Getty critiquing mainstream media narratives and what they see as elite coastal condescension towards much of America.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalation in Iran: Troop Movements and Trump’s Rhetoric

Timestamps: 04:06–10:27

• Iran Tensions:
  The hosts discuss the imminent possibility of American troops being deployed on Iranian soil amid escalating military movements.

  • Joe’s wager: “If I had to bet money, I’d certainly bet we’re going to have troops on Iranian soil fighting within a week.” (05:06)
  • Michael on military build-up: “When he sent that kind of armament somewhere, he uses it.” (05:50)

• Trump’s Blunt Message:
  Trump had issued a statement addressing America’s allies:

  “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself. The USA won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been essentially decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil.”
  (Read aloud by Joe – 05:55)

• Host Reactions:
  Michael praises Trump's candor for dispensing with diplomatic euphemisms, urging allies to “get off your ass.” (06:37)

• War & Economy:
  Joe challenges the argument of opposing military action based solely on economic downturn:

  "You can’t decide to take on Iran based on what it’s going to do to people’s 401(k)s briefly...what kind of argument is that?" (07:15)

• Historical Uncertainty:
  They reflect on how history rarely provides contemporaneous clarity:

  “There is hardly a single historical decision of any significance that was easy at the time or clear at the time.” (Michael, 10:27)

2. Supreme Court Overturns Conversion Therapy Ban

Timestamps: 11:13–13:07

• Decision Recap:
  The Supreme Court has overturned Colorado’s ban on so-called conversion therapy, citing First Amendment rights.

  • Michael calls this “a great victory for reasonableness.” (11:33)

• Deep Dive:
  Michael expresses distaste for conflating compassionate gender counseling with “conversion therapy.” He asserts that responsible therapy is being tarred by activists who want only one narrative available to minors questioning their identity:

  “They, the activists, consider that quote ‘conversion therapy’—just the decent, responsible, compassionate counseling of confused children. So yeah, yeah, we’ve got to completely end any of those bans.” (12:45)

3. Kit Kat Heist & Easter Candy Philosophy

Timestamps: 16:36–21:03

• The Candy Caper:
  Nestlé lost a truckload of 414,000 racing car-shaped Kit Kat bars en route to Poland, right before Easter.
  Joe finds the novelty shape hilarious: “They weren’t even the regular Kit Kat bars. They were shaped like race cars.” (17:18)

• Social Media Spirals:
  Michael highlights how Nestlé turned the theft into a viral social moment, being joined by brands like Domino’s Pizza and Ryanair.
  Joe: “They’ve easily surpassed the value of that shipment in free advertising.” (20:02)

• Easter Candy Debate:
  There’s a playful debate over which candies “count” for Easter baskets. Michael jokes about being a “jellybeanitarian,” while Katie (presumably a staff member/producer) opines Kit Kats don’t fit in plastic eggs but might fit in baskets. (18:11–18:39)

  Michael: "Because the egg-laying rabbit loves candy for Jesus." (18:41) Joe: "You can’t make pagans." (18:49) Michael (mockingly): "Put on your goat pants and worship Sat—burn incense in the woods." (18:56)

4. Jaden Ivey, Free Speech & NBA Double Standards

Timestamps: 21:12–24:11

• Jaden Ivey’s Firing:
  The NBA player was reportedly dropped from his team for religious social media posts and expressing anti-trans views.
  Joe notes the contrast: “The anti-American stuff in the NBA is perfectly okay…But anti-mutilating young children is not.” (23:26)

• Steve Kerr’s Comments:
  Michael points out that controversial anti-police rhetoric from figures like Kerr is tolerated, while social conservatism is not.

• Viral Moment:
  Joe finds it odd that Ivey declared “I was a fornicator…and a pornography addict” loudly at an airport, bemusing innocent bystanders. (23:51)

5. Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s “Red State” Road Trip & Elite Prejudice (Main Segment)

Timestamps: 29:45–42:31 (core segment: 30:59–41:21)

Setup:

• Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, was recently interviewed by Jen Psaki. She described taking her children on a tour of Southern “red states” to see “misogyny, sexism, and racism” up close.

Direct Quotes/Clips:

• Jennifer Siebel Newsom:

  “…so they themselves can be the change they wish to see in the world and recognize that, you know, we have work to do and that we have healing to do … to stand up and speak out when they see pain and suffering and bullying and racism and misogyny around them. And you want them to see it so that they know. I do. I’m a truth seeker. They need to know the truth.” (32:21, 39:01)

Hosts’ Reaction:

• Armstrong & Getty’s Take:

  • Jack Armstrong:

    “She took her kids on a tour of the red states so they could see the misogyny, sexism, and racism for themselves.” (32:21)
    “That makes Hillary’s basket of deplorables seem like nothing.” (32:30)
    “The only reason you would ever take your kids to a red state is so they can see with their own eyes misogyny, racism, bigotry, and sexism.” (33:03)

  • Michael (about Newsom's style):

    “To describe her as pretentious would be like calling Shohei Ohtani a good ballplayer…the word doesn’t come close.” (32:53)
    “She is her own biggest fan by far…reeks of people need to hear what I think about this.” (37:21, 37:48)

  • Satirical Bits:

    “Excuse me, can you point me toward the slave market?” (34:39)
    "Keep your windows rolled up, kids." (40:12)

  • Comparing to “deplorables:”

    “That’s like our red states are zoos of awfulness that you should take your kids to to learn how terrible everything is.” (39:47)

• Political Fallout:
  The hosts suggest this attitude is alienating to millions, and a real liability if Newsom should run for president, especially among moderate voters in places like Ohio.

6. Other Notable Topics & Anecdotes

Kid Rock & Apache Helicopters

Timestamps: 27:41–28:48

• U.S. Army is investigating a video of military helicopters flying over Kid Rock’s property. The hosts dismiss criticism as partisan pearl-clutching.

Socialism in Argentina

Timestamps: 28:48–29:46

• Joe and Michael briefly praise Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei for reversing socialism and rescuing his country's economy.

Knitting as Gen-Z Trend

Timestamps: 46:22–47:44

• Hosts joke about young people turning to knitting to spend less time on their phones, then acknowledge its neurological and therapeutic benefits.

Tiger Woods’ Painkiller Troubles

Timestamps: 47:44–49:21

• Commentary on Tiger Woods’ opioid struggles, with both empathy and dark humor:

  “He’s the classic guy who’s in danger of becoming a pill addict...Boy, is he a candidate to not hit 60 years old.” (48:12, 49:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Media & Political Rhetoric:
  • Michael:

    “Trump has just stripped away the vague and flowery diplomatic language…told them, look, you gotta get off your ass. We’re done doing all the work for you.” (06:37)

• On Modern Arguments:
  • Michael:

    “It’s a TikTok world argument…everybody acts as if, if they make one salient point, say, against the war…just sit there as if they proved their case…can we at least spend, I don’t know, 45 seconds weighing the various pros and cons?” (08:14)

• On Jennifer Newsom:
  • Michael:

    “That whole thing, wasn’t that something? I feel like I’m covered in slime after listening to that.” (35:30)

  • Joe:

    “If you lean progressive, would you hear that and just like, oh, fill your soul with happiness, because just, it made my skin crawl on so many different levels.” (37:56)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Iran & Trump/War Commentary: 04:06–10:27
• Supreme Court Conversion Therapy Ruling: 11:13–13:07
• Kit Kat Heist and Easter Candy: 16:36–21:03
• Jaden Ivey/NBA Double Standards: 21:12–24:11
• Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s “Red State” Road Trip: 29:45–42:31

Summary Assessment

This episode delivers the Armstrong and Getty brand of sharp satire and skepticism, especially aimed at progressive elite attitudes, as epitomized by Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s tour for “truth.” War coverage is laced with bleak humor and historical context, and side stories about candy, NBA controversies, and celebrity struggles keep things lively and unpredictable. The conversations are energetic and unapologetically partisan in tone, with moments oscillating between sardonic wit and genuine concern for the state of American culture and polity.