Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "I Like to Exploit Family Members for Laughs"

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this episode, Armstrong and Getty—joined by frequent contributor Katie Herzog—dive into the viral phenomenon of sharing anesthesia-recovery videos for laughs and social media clicks. They use this trend as a springboard for a wider discussion on vulnerability, personal boundaries, addiction, and the challenges of recovery. The team shares personal anecdotes, explores new scientific approaches to alcohol use disorder, and reflects on the complexities of addiction and the human brain—all while keeping their signature candid, self-deprecating, and humorous style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tech Talk: E-Readers and Reading Habits

[03:19–05:15]

• Jack recommends the Kindle Paperwhite, marveling at its "paper-like" screen and lack of eye fatigue compared to traditional screens.
  • Quote [03:39]: "The Kindle Paperwhite… it makes it look like paper. I don't know how they did that. It doesn't look like you're looking at a screen. It looks like you're looking at a page in a book. Groovy. And it's just completely different on the eyes."
• Katie Herzog jokes about the pronunciation (“Piper white?”) and admits to preferring the Nook app on her iPad.
• Armstrong is shocked Jack reads whole books on his phone due to distractions and discomfort.
• The crew reflects on the convenience of digital reading and varying preferences.

2. The Ethics and Humor of Anesthesia Videos

[05:29–09:38]

• Discussion about the Internet trend where people film loved ones coming out of anesthesia for comedic effect.
  • Jack [05:39]: "In theory, the people closest to you who care most about you, the first thing on their mind is, how can I exploit this for clicks and laughs on the Internet, right?"
• The group acts out and mocks typical anesthesia-recovery dialogues, highlighting their absurdity and vulnerability.
  • Sample exchange [05:52]:
    • “Are you rich?”
    • “No, I'm a nurse.”
    • “Definitely not rich.”
    • “I need sugar daddy.”
• Jack's Personal Anecdote:
  • Shares a story about possibly saying something inappropriate under anesthesia during cancer treatment; the awkwardness resulted in a markedly changed dynamic with his nurse.
  • Quote [07:43]: "No, I felt guilty about it for 10 years."
• Armstrong: Calls out the nurse’s response as unfair, noting you can't hold people responsible for words under anesthesia.
  • Quote [07:27]: “That’s dumb on her part. If she’s in the medical field and she’s gonna hold something you said under anesthesia against you, that’s dumb.”

3. Favorite Viral Anesthesia Moment

[08:52–09:38]

• Armstrong shares his favorite anesthesia video: a woman, not recognizing her husband, insists she’d never marry someone like him until she realizes he is her husband and starts "happy crying".
  • Quote [09:19]: “He goes, ‘Well, I am your husband.’ And she starts happy crying, she’s like really, like grabs on.”
• Group jokes about what could go wrong in such revealing, vulnerable situations.

4. Addiction, Alcohol, and New Science

[13:08–21:22]

• Katie Herzog introduces an essay by journalist Katie Herzog (not the same person), detailing a 20-year struggle with alcoholism (10–12 drinks a day), failed treatments, and the toll of addiction.
  • Quote [13:27]: “Not a big gal either. Yeah, that’s getting after it, I’d say.”
  • Most treatments worked only temporarily; even in sobriety, the obsession with alcohol persisted.
  • Devastating consequences described—loneliness, health breakdown.
• Introduction to the Sinclair Method:
  • Developed in Finland, involves taking naltrexone (an opioid blocker) before drinking, which supposedly eliminates the pleasurable “buzz” without stopping the physical effects like hangover or slurred speech.
  • Quote [15:42]: "This drug cancels your ability to feel any sort of buzz. Wow."
  • Growing in popularity but not widely known or approved.
• Armstrong, Jack, and Katie discuss the parallels to other treatments (like Antabuse)—which causes violent physical illness if you drink—but note that people can simply choose not to take it if they want to relapse.
• Broader reflections on:
  • The challenge of “fixing your brain with your brain” in recovery.
    • Quote [19:04], Katie Herzog: “…it’s said in the recovery community that you’re trying to fix your brain with your brain. And that’s a very challenging thing to do, obviously.”
  • The limited, often disappointing success rates of rehabs.
    • Quote [18:02], Jack: “I’ll tell you what doesn’t work. Rehabs… all practically useless. But it’s everybody’s first choice to throw money.”
• Neurological & Behavioral Complexity:
  • Jack relates the topic to his own experience losing his sense of sweet taste due to COVID—expecting cravings for sweets to subside, but they haven't.
  • Discussion extends to differences between biological versus psychological cravings.

5. Cautious Optimism

[21:00–21:22]

• Jack: Cites the cautionary tale of an author who advocated drinking in moderation and died in an alcohol-related accident.
  • Quote [21:00]: “There is a famous story of a woman who wrote a book about moderation or something… and she ended up dying in a drunk driving crash when she drank again.”
• Katie Herzog: Even if new treatments help a minority, that’s better than nothing.
  • Quote [21:15]: “And even if it works for, I don’t know, 20% of people, 10%, that’s better than none.”
• General hope that more effective treatments might emerge with better understanding of the brain.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jack [03:39]: "The Kindle Paperwhite… it makes it look like paper. I don't know how they did that."
• Armstrong [07:27]: "That’s dumb on her part. If she’s in the medical field and she’s gonna hold something you said under anesthesia against you, that’s dumb."
• Jack [07:43]: “No, I felt guilty about it for 10 years.”
• Armstrong [09:19]: "He goes, ‘Well, I am your husband.’ And she starts happy crying…"
• Katie Herzog [19:04]: "…it’s said in the recovery community that you're trying to fix your brain with your brain."
• Jack [18:02]: "I’ll tell you what doesn’t work. Rehabs… all practically useless."
• Katie Herzog [21:15]: “Even if it works for, I don’t know, 20% of people, 10%, that’s better than none.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• E-Reader Discussion: 03:19–05:15
• Anesthesia Video Trend & Ethics: 05:29–09:38
• Favorite Anesthesia Video Story: 08:52–09:38
• Katie Herzog’s Alcoholism Story & Sinclair Method: 13:08–17:42
• Addiction Treatment (Antabuse, Brain Fixing): 17:42–21:22

Tone & Takeaways

Armstrong & Getty, with Katie Herzog, deliver a conversation that’s comic, honest, and occasionally vulnerable. They juxtapose the absurd with the sobering, treating Internet trends and medical struggles with equal parts irreverence and empathy. The hosts challenge conventional wisdom (especially about addiction recovery), promote open-mindedness toward new scientific approaches, and never lose their breezy, conversational banter—even when reflecting on their own regrets and past mistakes.

For listeners looking for laughs, relatable struggles, and snappy commentary on culture and science, this episode is a fast, insightful ride—especially recommended for fans of candid personal storytelling and lighthearted debate about serious matters.