Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: I Could Take Describing Different Types Of Pine Cones Very Seriously
Date: January 12, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode blends comic banter, sharp social commentary, and thoughtful discussions as Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty kick off a new week, reflecting on NFL playoff drama, the escalation of political conflict (their invented term “k-flict or k-on”), culture war rants, international crises, and the impact of phone addiction on our thinking. They also delve into recent headlines, generational slang, and the benefits of mind-wandering—plus a healthy dash of their signature asides and memorable moments.

Main Themes & Key Discussion Points

1. NFL Playoff Excitement & Statistical Oddity

• Opening with light banter on the unpredictable nature of life, Jack and Joe launch into a long comparison of childhood NFL games vs. today’s playoffs.
  • "NFL playoffs, which have just been insanely exciting..." – Joe (01:01)
• Modern games, especially wild card rounds, now have edge-of-seat drama with frequent fourth-quarter lead changes.
  • "Since the league expanded… no wild card round had ever had more than one fourth quarter lead change… As of last night, it was 12." – Joe (02:55)
• Jokes about conspiracy theories, luck, and Justin Herbert’s misfortune lighten the tone.
  • "Why does God hate Justin Herbert? He gets the bejesus beaten out of him..." – Jack (03:47)

2. 'K-flict or K-on'—Conflict & Chaos in Modern Politics

• Joe coins a term for the political era: “K-flict or K-on” (conflict and chaos).
  • "Trump’s comfort zone is conflict and chaos." – Joe (01:30)
• Trump’s latest media feuds, saber-rattling (even joking about “threatening war against Denmark”), and the joy politicians derive from stoking division are discussed.
• Notably, both Jack and Joe see the danger in a political ecosystem that profits from outrage, comparing current events to previous generations’ cultural divides.
  • "Politicians think this is awesome and stoke it on a regular basis on both sides..." – Jack (08:00)

3. Culture Wars in Daily Life — Cybertruck Backlash & Political Rage

• Jack recounts being flipped off three times in his Cybertruck, attributing this to intense leftward political animosity.
  • "Three times… with the angry face too… I’ve known that most people in a Subaru or a Volvo are progressive. It’s never crossed my mind to flip them off." – Jack (05:05)
• Extended debate on whether left or right shows more furious tribalism, concluding that left-leaning culture is more publicly expressive with anger.
  • "I guarantee you that’s true. By the numbers. It's not unknown on the right, but…" – Joe (06:36)
• Comparing current left-wing rage to the way right-wingers once targeted hippies, suggesting pendulum swings of social hostility.

4. ICE Protests and Immigration Policy Tensions

• Jack notes a major anti-ICE protest in his town, musing on the complexities of law enforcement and immigration:
  • "What's the alternative?" – Jack (04:51)
• Joe wishes protestors would clearly “spell out what they want in good adult sentences.”

5. Iran Crisis, Trump Red Lines, and the Reality of Geopolitics

• In the news rundown (with Katie Green), the hosts focus on Trump’s response to deaths in Iran, media interpretations, and the risks of drawn red lines.
  • "Trump said Iran is close to crossing his red line... you start killing protesters and you’ve crossed my red line." – Jack (11:27)
• Skepticism about news accuracy and international reporting is a recurring subtheme.
• Laughter erupts over Trump’s “Greenland's defense” as “two dog sleds.”
  • "Come on… you’ve got at least four dog sleds!" – Jack (13:41)

6. Quickfire Current Events: Venezuela, Battery-Powered Skis, New Gen Z Slang

• Snapshots: Venezuela sanctions (14:00), battery-powered skis (15:02), and the Gen Z term “chop old ganger” — an ugly doppelganger (15:34).
  • "Means you’re an ugly doppelganger… no need for that at all." – Joe (15:57)

7. Phone Addiction, Daydreaming, and The Amazing Brain

• Joe introduces a segment called “Joe Getty’s The Amazing Brain,” diving into the value of daydreaming and the perils of constant phone content.
  • "I could really take describing different types of pine cones very seriously." – Joe (18:08)
• They review science-backed reasons to disconnect and let the mind wander, including creative problem-solving and emotional benefits.
  • "Daydreaming may help you solve problems… free association thinking." – Joe (22:02)
• Both hosts note the impact of screen deprivation on kids — withdrawal gives way quickly to calm and improved temperament.
  • "My kid lost all his screen time and he is clearly calmer..." – Jack (25:09)
• Encounters with mind blanking, the way modern phone use may be seen like smoking in the future, and skepticism about smartphone corporations close out the segment.
  • "It’s like immediately, I can’t read books, right?" – Jack (28:11)

8. Historical Anecdotes and Mailbag

• Discussion of a friend’s new book on the Declaration of Independence and American founders, leading into reflections on the value of historical perspective.
  • "Proclaiming Liberty is the name of the book… really good stuff about John Adams and Thomas Jefferson..." – Jack (17:06)
• Joe’s “freedom-hating quote of the day” from Vladimir Lenin:
  • “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.” – Lenin, quoted by Joe (30:09)
• Listener emails spark further discussion about political protest, insurrection semantics, and the reluctance of modern legislators to act decisively.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the NFL Playoffs:
  "How are you gonna play 60 minutes of football…and it coming down to the last 30 seconds every game?" – Jack (03:47)
• On Outrage Culture:
  "Anger and angst. That’s what sells, baby." – Joe (08:20)
• On Political Division:
  "You’ve bought the worst descriptions of your own side and have become convinced…that there are evildoers amongst us." – Joe (07:35)
• On Mind-Wandering:
  "Daydreaming has been the subject of scientific research for decades…as much as half of our awake time daydreaming or listening to our own thoughts." – Joe (19:27)
• On Screen Addiction:
  "Maybe, you know, 20 years from now, look back, people used to walk around, stare at their phone all day long without any limits, and nobody thought there was anything wrong with it." – Jack (26:50)
• On Children Without Screens:
  "He is clearly calmer…just seems freer, more easily in the world without any screen time." – Jack (25:23)
• On Legislators Avoiding Accountability:
  "We have an entire legislative branch that is afraid to actually do anything and has an incentive not to…" – Ryan in Houston, read by Joe (34:19)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• 00:47-03:25: NFL Playoff Drama & the Statistical Oddity
• 01:21: Introduction of “K-flict or K-on” (conflict & chaos) term
• 05:05-07:03: Cybertruck Story & Discussion of Political Rage
• 11:01-13:09: Iran Crisis and Trump’s “Red Line” Dilemma
• 15:34: “Chop old ganger” – Gen Z slang segment
• 18:08-28:52: Joe Getty’s The Amazing Brain: Daydreaming vs. Phone Addiction
• 30:09: “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.” – Lenin quote
• 34:19: Listener mail on the current political process

Final Notes

The episode weaves together social satire, cultural criticism, sports, psychological science, and political analysis with trademark Armstrong & Getty wit and candor. Listeners who appreciate humorous, deeply human observations on modern society, informed by lived experience and a dash of cranky common sense, will find much to savor. Even pine cones aren’t safe from compelling description.

For more details or to catch missed content, the episode is available on Armstrong & Getty On Demand podcast platforms.