Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode: An Ass-teroid If You Will
Date: April 2, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty (with Katie Green)
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the nuances of the ongoing Iran war, media coverage, updates on the latest moon mission (with some humorous detours about space toilets), and trending political news. The team wrestles with the implications of recent presidential speeches, polling data, and broader dissatisfaction across the American electorate, sprinkling in signature Armstrong & Getty humor and cultural commentary.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Strategic Race to the Moon and Space Mission Talk
- U.S.-China Moon Competition:
- Armstrong & Getty note the lack of media coverage on the strategic importance of the U.S. lunar mission, focusing instead on identity politics within astronaut selection.
"It was, as usual, the identity politics of the astronauts as opposed to the strategic reason that we're going to the other side of the moon." (Jack, 01:10)
- Armstrong & Getty note the lack of media coverage on the strategic importance of the U.S. lunar mission, focusing instead on identity politics within astronaut selection.
- Space Mission Mishaps:
- The hosts open with the moon mission's less glamorous side: toilet malfunctions and the need for a special fan to handle floating waste in zero gravity.
"If you go number two in space, it just floats off on you, apparently." (Jack, 03:50)
"Floating Deficit is the name of my new freeform dark metal band." (Joe, 04:58)
- The hosts open with the moon mission's less glamorous side: toilet malfunctions and the need for a special fan to handle floating waste in zero gravity.
2. War in Iran: Policy, Media, and Gas Prices
- Media Framing:
- Frustration with media simplification of the Iran war, particularly tying public sentiment to gas prices over actual strategic objectives.
"Somehow we decided we're going to judge the war entirely on gas prices... It's either a good idea or it's not. The price of gas really doesn't have a lot to do with it." (Jack, 01:37)
- Frustration with media simplification of the Iran war, particularly tying public sentiment to gas prices over actual strategic objectives.
- Trump's Strategy and the Uranium Quandary:
- Discussion on the logic of neutralizing Iran's rocket and uranium capabilities:
"The war ends when we've taken out the rocket capability... Wouldn't you need to like secure an incredibly large area for like a month and bring in bulldoze? Yes." (Jack, 06:08)
- Assessment that removing enriched uranium is likely impractical, and perhaps buried under rubble after strikes.
"It would take them ages to get it out and use it. We're gonna keep an eye on it..." (Joe, 07:25)
- Discussion on the logic of neutralizing Iran's rocket and uranium capabilities:
3. Humor, Wordplay & Lighthearted Tangents
- The episode title is revealed as a scatological pun based on a space toilet mishap:
"An asteroid, if you will." (Joe, 04:25)
- Several prolonged riffs about floating waste, band names, and Joe's failed alpaca farm keep the tone irreverent.
"I bought 300 head. I thought, go big or go home." (Joe, 08:30)
4. Katie’s Headlines: News Roundup (10:15–14:28)
- Iran War: Presidential Messaging
- Trump promises to hit Iran "extremely hard" if necessary; mixed media reviews on his address.
- U.S. Embassies and Security Alerts:
- Americans advised to leave Iraq as terror threats rise.
- Oil Prices:
- Immediate market reactions to war talk; surge in prices.
- Birthright Citizenship:
- Supreme Court appears skeptical about restricting it.
- Cuba, Venezuela, and Global Oil:
- Russia exports oil to Cuba; U.S. relaxes sanctions on Venezuela.
- Red Lobster's Endless Shrimp Deal:
- Amusement over the return of a business plan that sparked prior bankruptcy.
- Health & Humor:
- Study shows positive aging mindset is beneficial.
- Political Satire:
- Babylon Bee headline on Kristi Noem, poking fun at political scandals.
5. Political Polling & Party Woes
- Trump’s Declining Approval:
- Detailed breakdown of new polling showing Trump’s approval and economic marks dropping:
"Handling of the economy is down 8 points since January... from 39 to 31. You're almost in the 20s..." (Jack, 20:52)
- Discuss growing perception that Trump’s policies have worsened the economy.
"2/3 of Americans think Trump's policies... have worsened economic conditions." (Jack, 22:13)
- Detailed breakdown of new polling showing Trump’s approval and economic marks dropping:
- Democratic Party Not Capitalizing:
- Noted that 74% of Americans—across all affiliations—think Democrats in Congress have the wrong priorities.
- Independents Are Key:
- Both hosts emphasize that the real political action is among independents, who view both parties as off-topic.
"If one of those parties could break through with a, you know, we're trying to help your lives, you could make some hay." (Jack, 25:21)
- Both hosts emphasize that the real political action is among independents, who view both parties as off-topic.
- Reflections on Midterm Swings:
- Historical context: parties regularly lose big in midterms, often due to public’s rapid swings in enthusiasm.
"2010 midterms... Obama, they lost 63 House seats..." (Jack, 26:19)
- Historical context: parties regularly lose big in midterms, often due to public’s rapid swings in enthusiasm.
6. Media Criticism
- Ongoing Media Distrust:
- Jack and Joe deliver a withering critique of the mainstream media for both bias and lack of curiosity.
"They're incurious, they're biased and don't even know it. They're coddled, they're limp wristed simpletons. They're just despicable in virtually every way you can think of." (Joe, 28:16)
- Jack and Joe deliver a withering critique of the mainstream media for both bias and lack of curiosity.
- Media’s Role in Framing Political Cycles:
- Observation that sensationalist media narratives amplify natural electoral swings for partisan or financial benefit.
"Remember when they get up there on the podium when your party takes it back... and they get up there and talk about how a new era has dawned... send me money, send me money." (Jack, 28:40)
- Observation that sensationalist media narratives amplify natural electoral swings for partisan or financial benefit.
7. Listener Emails & Audience Engagement (29:01–35:31)
- Audience weighs in on Moon Mission:
- Awe at the scale of the Apollo launches compared to current missions.
"Some things never lose their ability to take your breath away..." (Listener email read by Joe, 31:15)
- Awe at the scale of the Apollo launches compared to current missions.
- Trump’s Speech Assessment:
- Mixed listener reactions; some sarcastic about its effectiveness.
- Canadian Left/Intersectional Politics:
- Listener amused by a Canadian party’s “intersectionality point” system, noting hypocrisy in inclusivity rhetoric.
- Space Alien Theories:
- Another listener references the "dark forest" theory on why we shouldn't be broadcasting our presence to the cosmos.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Space Bathroom Malfunction:
“If you go number two in space, it just floats off on you, apparently, which makes sense. Perfect.”
—Jack Armstrong (03:50) -
War’s Media Coverage as Economics:
“We decided we're going to judge the war entirely on gas prices... The price of gas really doesn't have a lot to do with it.”
—Jack Armstrong (01:37) -
Political Humor:
“Floating Deficit is the name of my new freeform dark metal band.”
—Joe Getty (04:58) -
On Party Politics:
“About 3/4 of independents say that... each of the parties have the wrong priorities.”
—Jack Armstrong (24:56) -
Media Critique:
“They're incurious, they're biased and don't even know it. They're coddled, they're limp wristed simpletons.”
—Joe Getty (28:16) -
Classic Churchill Quote:
“We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches... We shall never surrender.”
—Joe Getty quoting Winston Churchill (29:31)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:35 – Show opens; setting and quick banter
- 01:03 – U.S.-China Moon race, media’s focus
- 03:23 – Space bathroom malfunction story
- 06:08 – Uranium removal debate
- 10:15 – Katie’s news headlines
- 17:25 – Trump’s Iran speech audio and discussion
- 19:06 – Iran’s internal power struggle explained
- 20:52 – Trump’s polling slumps and economic perceptions
- 25:23 – The fruit is ripe for political change (independent voters)
- 26:51 – Midterm historical perspective
- 28:16 – Media critique rant
- 29:31 – Freedom loving quote; Churchill
- 31:15 – Mailbag: Apollo launch & moon mission awe
- 33:07 – Trump’s speech effectiveness revisited
- 34:58 – Listener email on Canadian “intersectionality” party
- 35:22 – Dark Forest theory and space aliens
Conclusion
In this brisk, highly conversational episode, Armstrong & Getty dissect pressing headlines—from the war in Iran and moon landings to polling woes and the follies of news media and government with humor, skepticism, and their trademark irreverence. Whether bantering over space toilets or parsing the shifting tides of American opinions, the team keeps things lively for news junkies and casual listeners alike.
(Listeners who missed the episode can catch the full Armstrong & Getty On Demand podcast for deeper dives into each topic discussed.)