Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "I Just Bit Into A Cat Toy"

Date: February 19, 2026
Podcast: Armstrong & Getty On Demand (iHeartPodcasts)
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty

Episode Overview

This episode covers a wide range of current events and cultural commentary, including the unprecedented arrest of a British royal, troubling economic trends in the UK and US, shifts in America's food and snack industry, the ongoing societal consequences of social media, and reflections on the impact of technology on youth and society. The tone is irreverent, fast-paced, and characteristically skeptical, with humor interspersed even while addressing serious topics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Prince Andrew’s Arrest and the State of the UK

• Unprecedented Royal Scandal
  • Discussion opens with shock at Prince Andrew’s reported arrest—the first royal arrest in roughly 400 years.

    “A prince, the son, favored son of Queen Elizabeth, much loved Queen Elizabeth, now sitting in a jail cell…” — Jack Armstrong (01:31)

    • The hosts and a British commentator explore how this shatters the perceived insulation of the Monarchy from ordinary consequences.
    • The hosts link the event to a broader sense of British social and economic decline.

      “It really does make you think it feeds into that general mood of collapse, erosion, authority fraying.” — Guest/Expert (02:29)

• Commentary on the Monarchy’s Role
  • Explains what “Republican” means in the UK—those wanting to abolish the monarchy.
  • The monarchy is described as largely ceremonial, mainly tying Britain to its past.

2. Economic Troubles in the UK and the US

• British Economic Policies
  • The UK’s obsession with “net zero” policies is blamed for economic stagnation.

    “You couldn’t do anything… unless you had net zero impact on the climate, which just crushed their economy and their GDP.” — Jack Armstrong (03:09)

• Parallels to the US
  • US is warned it could follow the same path due to similar overspending.
  • CBO projections show US debt exceeding 100% of GDP, compared to living on more debt than one’s income.

3. Food Industry: Cheapening Quality and Cultural Jokes

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  • News item: The grandson of the Reese’s inventor criticizes Hershey for lowering quality by using cheaper ingredients.

    “The grandson of the inventor has lashed out at the Hershey company, accusing the company of hurting the Reese’s brand by shifting to cheaper ingredients…” — Jack Armstrong (07:01)

    • Both hosts agree the product’s quality has noticeably declined.
• Nostalgia for Better Food
  • Compares this to changes in Pizza Hut pizza over time—worse ingredients now.

    “It’s kind of like we were talking about Pizza Hut pizza a week or so ago. How that used to be a really good pizza…just aren’t the same thing anymore.” — Jack Armstrong (08:11)

• Classic Armstrong & Getty Satire & Humor
  • Jokingly attribute changes in food quality to the presence of “cat” ingredients.

    “I just bit into a cat toy.” — Jack Armstrong (08:38) “This sausage pizza tastes hard to describe. Feline.” — Jack Armstrong (08:44)

  • Reiterate that this is parody, not an actual legal accusation.
• Fast Food & Fatigue
  • Observes 40% of fast casual restaurant trips stem from “simple fatigue.”

    “We know there’s a reason Olive Garden’s slogan is: when you’re here, you just can’t today.” — Jack Armstrong (10:54)

4. The Social Media Mental Health Crisis

• Social Media Trial
  • Coverage of a landmark trial in Los Angeles over the harms of social media addiction for youth.
  • Quotes from a parent expressing the pain and loss from a child’s suicide linked to Instagram and YouTube.

    “Their self esteem and what girls face, especially on these platforms is horrifying to have to go through…created such a huge mental health crisis in this country.” — Parent audio (19:25)

• Debating Platform Liability
  • Jack questions holding social media companies legally responsible for societal effects that might be inevitable.

    “I just don’t get how you can blame Facebook Meta and Google for something that is just going to be part of all of our lives going forward…” — Jack Armstrong (19:43)

  • Joe clarifies that holding companies liable is different from considering their business models blameworthy.

    “I don’t think you can find them liable, but I think you can blame them. I think you can say this is evil, this is bad.” — Joe Getty (20:22)

• Zuckerberg’s Testimony
  • The hosts draw attention to Zuckerberg’s claim that Meta doesn’t try to maximize user time—calling it obviously false.

    “That is silly. That is like McDonald’s saying we’re not trying to get people to eat more often here…” — Jack Armstrong (21:36)

  • They relate this to all addictive products—from food to sports to TV—observing that endless engagement is always the goal.
• Analogy: Lay’s Chips & Social Media
  • Draws an analogy: “I bet you can’t eat just one” is essentially the same addiction model as Instagram’s endless scroll.

    “Your honor, this company’s slogan was ‘I’ll bet you can’t eat just one.’ They knew that it was tricking your brain…” — Jack Armstrong (25:03)

• Tech Skepticism & Luddite Reflection
  • Jack openly wonders if society was better before the internet:

    “I really honestly think we’re better off without the Internet. I really do.” — Jack Armstrong (25:36)

  • Joe suggests this is the “novelty era” and people may later adapt wisely:

    “The internet is a vast opportunity. You got to be a better consumer of it.” — Joe Getty (26:21)

5. Youth, Smartphones, and Social Disconnect

• Changed Social Behaviors
  • The hosts reminisce about pre-smartphone days, when social interactions were in person and unscripted.
  • Jack observes how youth now walk in groups but are all fixated on their phones, missing the bonding and communication of earlier generations.

    “Among the biggest changes of human beings ever in evolution history… in a short amount of time.” — Jack Armstrong (29:31)

6. International Events: Russia, Ukraine, and Iran

• Navalny’s Poisoning
  • Reports Russian dissident Alexei Navalny was killed using a synthetic version of a South American frog toxin—a detail revealed by a coalition of European countries.

    “Frog squeezings are tough to come by… but now they can make it synthetically.” — Joe Getty (33:38)

• Ukraine and Russia: No Peace in Sight
  • Grim outlook on a negotiated peace, with Putin characterized as irredeemable and unconcerned about massive military losses.

    “I don’t know if you’ve ever negotiated with a megalomaniac. It’s tough.” — Joe Getty (34:07)

• Impending Iran Conflict and Potential Israeli Actions
  • Speculation on a U.S. strike on Iran, and whether Israel would act in Gaza during the distraction.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the UK’s Decline and Monarchy

• “Prince Andrew is in a jail cell trying to turn his scepter into a shiv, probably to protect himself.” — Jack Armstrong (01:53)

On Cheapening of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

• “I just bit into a cat toy.” — Jack Armstrong (08:38)
• “This sausage pizza tastes hard to describe. Feline.” — Jack Armstrong (08:44)

On Social Media’s Harm

• “Their self esteem and what girls face, especially on these platforms is horrifying…created such a huge mental health crisis in this country.” — Parent audio (19:25)
• “I don’t see like there’s that much difference between these things.” (Re: addictive snacks and social media) — Jack Armstrong (25:32)

On Tech Skepticism

• “We’re living through… the novelty era of the Internet and social media… you gotta be a better consumer of it.” — Joe Getty (26:21)
• “I love potato chips, so I gotta try those.” — Jack Armstrong (16:39)

On Changed Youth Behavior

• “There’s a big difference between looking around with your own thoughts than staring at that phone, almost certainly taking in useless information.” — Jack Armstrong (27:50)
• “What we’re living through… our perception of everything used to be personal, immediate, and physical…It was 100% personal until a blink of an eye ago…” — Joe Getty (30:02)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [01:31–04:59]: Prince Andrew’s arrest and the meaning for the monarchy and the UK
• [06:07–10:07]: US debt, economic parallels, Reese’s scandal, commentary on changing food quality
• [19:25–23:26]: Social media mental health trial, platform liability, Zuckerberg on the stand
• [25:36–30:02]: Tech skepticism, reflections on youth behavior, social consequences of smartphones
• [32:46–34:24]: Navalny poisoning news
• [34:52–37:19]: International tension: Ukraine, Russia, Iran, Israel
• [36:06–37:34]: Final thoughts: website time limits, food choices, youth indoctrination

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

The episode is a whirlwind of sharp, comic, yet deeply skeptical commentary on the state of Western institutions—royalty, government, commerce, food, technology, and the digital world. The hosts use their conversational, humorous style to highlight concerns about economic trajectory, societal change, the food industry’s declining standards, and especially the pervasive—sometimes sinister—influence of social media and technology on culture and individual lives. Despite the gravity of their topics, Armstrong and Getty manage to keep the tone breezy (with occasional faux-disclaimer reminders about satire), leaving listeners pondering whether the world is going to the cats—or if people are just biting into cat toys.

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