Podcast Summary: Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: Blame The Beatles!
Date: November 18, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Producer/Contributor: Michael
Guest Commentary: Intermittently, possibly Katie Green

Episode Overview

This episode explores the persistence, evolution, and appeal of conspiracy theories in modern culture. The hosts dissect recent controversies, focusing notably on Candace Owens’ recent statements and media antics. They illuminate how conspiracy thinking spreads, the psychological needs it addresses, and draw connections between contemporary and historical patterns of moral panics, scapegoating, and societal decay. The episode closes with musings on political hypocrisy, security theater, and a tongue-in-cheek blame of "The Beatles" for social decline.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Media Personalities and Conspiratorial Turns [01:36–03:25]

• Jack and Joe discuss the evolution of media figures, notably Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens.
  • Jack expresses disappointment in Tucker Carlson’s slide into “groipery anti-Semitism.”
    • Quote [01:59]: “But he's turned toward this groipery anti-Semitism that I find very, very troubling. And it's a shame.” – Jack Armstrong
  • Candace Owens is examined for her confidence, alienating demeanor, and recent bizarre, conspiratorial rhetoric.

2. The “Just Asking Questions” Tactic & Candace Owens’ Claims [03:25–07:00]

• Candace Owens’ use of the “Just Asking Questions” (JAQ-ing off) technique is highlighted: “It’s a way people can say things...will be greeted as horrifying, but they just say ‘I’m just asking the questions.’” – Jack [03:25]
• The hosts play and analyze a segment where Owens floats theories about Charlie Kirk's assassination, claiming Turning Point USA and Kirk’s widow Erica may be covering up involvement.
  • Audio (Candace Owens) [04:42]: “I am looking around and wondering whether Charlie's entire life was the Truman Show. But I'm starting to think that the assassination of Charlie Kirk was something akin to a regicide.”

3. Analysis of Conspiratorial Rhetoric and Content [07:00–11:33]

• The hosts, referencing Rich Lowry and others, catalog Owens’ outlandish, antisemitic, and error-laden conspiracy claims, including Holocaust denial, 9/11 trutherism, and anti-scientific rants about dinosaurs and the moon landing.
• They compare her to figures like Alex Jones—Owens’ intent seems more insidious and ideological than merely for entertainment or profit.
  • Quote [07:00]: “Owens is more alluring and sinister than Alex Jones. She wants followers not just to sell...supplements, but to gain influence and turn Mega in a direction hostile to Israel, Jews and Judaism.” – Jack quoting Rich Lowry

4. The Psychology and Sociology of Conspiracy Theories [11:33–12:23, 14:59–19:59]

• The hosts discuss why conspiracy theories are so seductive, drawing on psychological research and cultural analysis:
  • The need for order: Powerlessness and confusion prompt people to see patterns where none exist.
    • Quote [18:56]: “People who feel powerless, confused, overwhelmed...begin to see patterns that are not there because they really want to bring order to the disorder that they perceive.” – Jack
  • Moral gratification: Citing Jonathan Gottschall, “Conspiracy stories promise heroes and villains, secret clues and moral urgency, and each one invites the listener to join a righteous crusade.” – [17:35]
  • Historical echo: Medieval blood libel, pogroms, and witch trials are cited as templates for modern conspiracism, with “demons becoming globalists, witches becoming elites, and covens becoming cabals.” – Jack [25:49]

5. Conspiracy Thinking, Proportionality Bias, and Historical Patterns [23:26–27:22]

• Proportionality bias: “The belief that great events require great causes. A solitary gunman feels arbitrary and small. A hidden cabal...restores symmetry, purpose, and sense of moral order.” – Jack [24:10]
• Historical examples of conspiratorial moral panics: Medieval blood libel, the Black Death, Reformation antisemitism, and witch trials accelerated by the printing press.
  • Quote [27:16]: “Wow. So the first real use of the printing press was printing crap about witches.” – Jack

6. Distinguishing Conspiracies from Conspiracy Theories [27:22–29:35]

• Jack and Joe debate the line between genuine conspiracies and conspiracy theories, referencing the JFK assassination and Cold War logic.
• The challenge of debunking: “It's very easy to make authoritative sounding claims...And you have to spend the time to dig into them, to debunk them and who has the time.” – Jack [29:21]

7. The Psychology of Crusades and Scapegoating [29:35–30:11]

• Quoting Aldous Huxley:
  • Quote [29:49]: “‘To be able to destroy with good conscience, to be able to behave badly and call your bad behavior righteous indignation...the most delicious of moral treats.’”
• Connection drawn to witch trials, antisemitism, and various ideological crusades.

8. Commentary on Security Theater & Social Decay [30:21–32:10]

• The hosts discuss an incident with Ariana Grande and the perceived inadequacy of celebrity security, linking it to wider societal anxieties.
• Nostalgic reflection on increased security measures, societal trust, and the hosts jokingly “blaming” cultural decline on “Elvis and the Beatles.”
  • Quote [32:10]: “Which I believe blame on Elvis and the Beatles. I think it all fits together. The long hair, what brought it.” – Co-host

9. Political Realities and Hypocrisy: Saudi Relations & Khashoggi [34:27–38:44]

• Trump and Saudi Crown Prince MbS (Mohammed bin Salman) in the Oval Office:
  • Trump rebuffs questions about family business and Khashoggi’s murder, calling ABC News “fake news.”
    • Quote [36:16]: “Fake news. ABC fake news. One of the worst, one of the worst in the business. But I'll answer your question...” – Joe Getty as “Trump”
• Discussion on why realpolitik often trumps moral causes in international relations; critique of American selective outrage.

10. Final Thoughts and Show Wrap-up [40:41–41:30]

• Final insights:
  • Katie: “Candace Owens is nuts or rage-baiting all of us.” [40:59]
  • Jack shares a Churchill quote: “There are no such things as friends. You only have interests. You don't have friends. You have interests between countries.” [41:11]
  • The Armstrong and Getty team sign off with plugs for merchandise and calls to follow their content.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On Candace Owens’ Rhetoric:
  “She's just asking questions. It's, it's just, it's transparent once you become aware of it...” – Jack Armstrong [03:25]
• On the Allure of Conspiracies:
  “Conspiracy stories promise heroes and villains, secret clues and moral urgency, and each one invites the listener to join a righteous crusade.” – Jack quoting Jonathan Gottschall [17:35]
• On Proportionality Bias:
  “A solitary gunman feels arbitrary and small. A hidden cabal, on the other hand, restores symmetry, purpose, and a sense of moral order.” – Jack [24:10]
• On Historical Patterns:
  “The specifics change. Demons become globalists, witches become elites, and covens become cabals. But the psychology remains the same.” – Jack [25:49]
• Aldous Huxley’s Observation on Scapegoating:
  “To be able to destroy with good conscience...this is the height of psychological luxury. The most delicious of moral treats.” – Jack [29:49]
• On Political Interests:
  “There are no such things as friends. You only have interests.” – Jack quoting Churchill [41:11]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:36 — Introduction, host’s views on Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens
• 04:42 — Clip: Candace Owens floats conspiracies about Charlie Kirk
• 07:00 – 11:33 — Debunking Owens, comparing to Alex Jones, reference to antisemitic conspiracy tropes
• 14:59 – 19:59 — Psychological appeal of conspiracy theories, Gnosticism, powerlessness
• 23:26 – 27:22 — Proportionality bias, medieval origins, witch hysteria
• 30:21 – 32:10 — Incident with Ariana Grande and reflections on cultural/security decay
• 34:27 – 40:32 — Trump, MbS, Khashoggi, and political interests
• 40:41 – 41:30 — Final thoughts and wrap-up

Segment Flow and Tone

• Tone: Informal, wry, cyclically serious and sardonic.
• The hosts maintain a conversational, skeptical, and often self-deprecating style.
• They blend personal anecdotes, direct quotations, and cultural analysis, spurting into digressions but always returning to the central concern of why conspiracy thinking persists and its social/cultural implications.

For New Listeners

This episode delves into the anatomy, history, and reasons behind modern conspiracy theories, using current media figures as entry points. It’s rich with analysis, historical parallels, and humor. The conversation is both accessible and thought-provoking, offering context for ongoing debates around media trust, influence, and social cohesion, making it a comprehensive listen—or summary—for anyone curious about these cultural phenomenons.