Armstrong & Getty On Demand: "And Boom Goes The Dynamite!"
Release Date: June 17, 2025
Host: Armstrong & Getty
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts
1. Geopolitical Tensions: Iran and Israel Missile Exchange
In the opening discussion, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. Last night marked a significant, albeit limited, exchange of missile fire. Unlike the severe bombardment Iran had been threatening, the actual attacks were smaller in scale.
Jack Armstrong reflected on the situation, stating, “[04:22] That has got to make the leaders in Iran...” emphasizing the vulnerability of Iranian defenses against Israel's advanced military capabilities.
Joe Getty added, “[08:14] ...let's negotiate, let's negotiate,” highlighting Iran's sudden shift towards seeking negotiations after canceling prior agreements.
2. Missile Defense Systems: Iron Dome and Arrow 3
The hosts provided an in-depth analysis of Israel's missile defense systems. Michael explained the complexities and limitations of these systems:
“[12:00] Once a ballistic missile is fired... the defender has only minutes to identify its precise trajectory and try to shoot it down.”
He detailed how systems like the Iron Dome are effective against short-range rockets but are overwhelmed by a large volley of ballistic missiles, such as those currently being fired by Iran.
Jack Armstrong was amazed by the technology, noting, “[15:03] It's amazing here...”
3. Middle East Dynamics and Regional Politics
The conversation expanded to the broader Middle East, discussing the subdued response from Syria’s new government under President Ahmed Al Shara. Michael observed:
“[10:00] ...Syria's new government... hasn't threatened Israel...”
They also touched upon the stance of other Arab nations and the geopolitical implications of Iran's actions, stressing the intricate balance of power in the region.
4. Comparison with the Ukraine Conflict
In a comparative analysis, Jack Armstrong pointed out the disparity in media coverage between Iran’s missile attacks on Israel and Russia’s similar actions in Ukraine:
“[15:53] Over the weekend, about 15% of the missiles and drones got through.”
He noted the significant difference in the number of missiles fired by Russia towards Kiev versus Iran’s missiles aimed at Tel Aviv, questioning the media’s selective focus.
5. College Majors: Highest and Lowest Paying
Transitioning to domestic issues, Armstrong and Getty discussed the perennial topic of college majors and their corresponding salaries.
Jack Armstrong listed the highest-paying majors, all of which are engineering disciplines:
“[31:50] Highest paying majors... chemical engineer, computer engineer, nuclear engineer... petroleum engineer earning an average of $108,000.”
Conversely, they critiqued the lowest-paying majors, highlighting the challenges faced by graduates in fields like fine arts, music, drama, education, and social sciences. Michael humorously added:
“[34:20] You have a one in a million chance of making a living.”
6. Scams and Cybersecurity Concerns
Addressing cybersecurity, Jack Armstrong warned iPhone users about prevalent scams:
“[23:25] Don’t fall for that one...”
He recounted a personal experience with toll-related scam texts, emphasizing the importance of vigilance against fraudulent communications.
7. Sports Updates: Ohtani and the NBA Finals
The hosts shared updates from the sports world, focusing on Shohei Ohtani's impressive performance for the Dodgers and the ongoing NBA Finals between Indiana and Oklahoma City:
“[29:35] Ohtani kicks and throws... S.H. Otani returned to pitching for the first time as a Dodger, threw a 100.2 MPH pitch.”
They also humorously contrasted baseball’s major teams with the NBA’s smaller market presence, noting the broader national following of teams like the Dodgers, Cubs, and Mets.
8. Tourism and Protests in Europe
A segment was devoted to the burgeoning anti-tourism movement in Europe. The hosts discussed protests in cities like Barcelona and Paris, where locals are actively discouraging mass tourism through unconventional methods such as water gun attacks:
“[48:34] Tourists in Barcelona... were hit with water guns to cool down runaway tourism.”
Michael lamented the transformation of iconic cities into tourist traps, comparing them to Disneyland-like environments that erode local culture and elevate living costs.
9. Financial Innovations: Stablecoins by Big Retailers
Shifting to financial technology, Michael introduced the concept of stablecoins and their potential impact, particularly with major retailers like Walmart and Amazon exploring these digital currencies:
“[50:10] Big merchants are exploring stablecoins... It could really shake up the world of big banks and credit.”
He explained that stablecoins are tied to traditional currencies like the dollar, offering stability akin to physical money while facilitating effortless electronic transactions.
10. Televangelists and Religious Commentary
The discussion turned to the state of televangelism, with a focus on figures like Jimmy Swaggart:
“[41:16] Jimmy Swaggart's about to die any moment now...”
The hosts critiqued the commercialization and performative aspects of modern televangelism, expressing skepticism about the sincerity and financial motivations behind such ministries.
11. Closing Remarks: Statistics and General Observations
In conclusion, Armstrong and Getty shared a pun on the rush towards data-driven decisions:
“[42:36] It would take a long time to break down how useless the statistic is.”
They dismissed the average starting salary statistic for college graduates as irrelevant, stressing that individual outcomes vary widely based on numerous factors beyond the major itself.
Notable Quotes
- Jack Armstrong ([04:22]): “That has got to make the leaders in Iran...”
- Michael ([12:00]): “Once a ballistic missile is fired... the defender has only minutes to identify its precise trajectory and try to shoot it down.”
- Jack Armstrong ([31:50]): “Highest paying majors... chemical engineer, computer engineer, nuclear engineer... petroleum engineer earning an average of $108,000.”
- Michael ([34:20]): “You have a one in a million chance of making a living.”
- Jack Armstrong ([23:25]): “Don’t fall for that one...”
- Michael ([50:10]): “Big merchants are exploring stablecoins... It could really shake up the world of big banks and credit.”
Conclusion
In "And Boom Goes The Dynamite!", Armstrong and Getty navigated a diverse array of topics, from high-stakes geopolitical tensions and advanced missile defense technologies to the practicalities of choosing a college major and the evolving landscape of tourism in Europe. Their candid discussions, punctuated by sharp insights and humor, provided listeners with a comprehensive overview of both global and personal issues, making complex subjects accessible and engaging.