Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "I'm Going To Watch The Squirrels Cavort"
Date: March 11, 2026
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of Armstrong & Getty mixes the duo’s trademark irreverence with serious discussion, taking on topics ranging from a shocking international baseball upset, political and media narratives around a terror incident in New York, deep dives into the impact of AI on workplaces, and broader reflections on cultural change—including a humorous glance at baseball celebrations and pop music trends. The hosts frequently toggle between satire and sincerity, with Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty offering both knee-jerk reactions and attempts at reasoned analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Italy’s Stunning Win Over Team USA in Baseball

Segment: [03:33–05:43, 44:46–46:20]

• The episode opens with disbelief at Italy's upset victory over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
• Jack and Joe discuss the fallout, including Team USA’s arrogance and the tournament’s format.
• There is exaggerated banter about taking military action or jailing “traitors” like Aaron Judge.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Yeah, well, it's a national humiliation and I really think we gotta send the Marines into Italy, take their oil.” – Jack Armstrong [05:43]
    • “Or you're loyal. I hope you enjoy Leavenworth, Aaron.” – Joe Getty [05:55]
• Discussion returns at the end, revealing many on Team Italy have American roots and couldn’t make the US team.
  • “That's kind of a funny home run celebration. But here's something I didn't know…I might have actually possibly been rooting for Italy if I'd have known this at the time. They got 21 players born in the United States on their team.” – Jack Armstrong [44:57]

2. Critique of Media and Political Narratives on Terrorism

Segment: [07:35–13:39]

• The hosts break down coverage of an attempted bombing at a New York protest, blasting the media (esp. CNN, New York Times) for framing the event to suggest the anti-Muslim protesters provoked violence.
• They call out politicians for poorly informed or biased statements.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “This is a level different in terms of lying about the facts of a story than even in recent memory...” – Jack Armstrong [11:07]
    • “Well, right. And they mentioned that the guys who threw bombs designed to kill more people than the Boston Marathon bombers were some of six people arrested after a clash with anti-Muslim protesters.” – Joe Getty [11:57]
    • Referencing satirical headlines:
      • “Islamophobes pounce after Muslim piloted Aircraft collide with symbols of capitalist imperialism.” – Quoting Andrew Stiles in the Free Beacon [12:31]
• The conversation concludes with predictions:
  • “Leftist America's love affair with radical Islam is going to be the biggest story in the next decade.” – Joe Getty [13:31]

3. The Growing Reach and Challenge of AI in Society

Segments: [13:58–24:03, 27:22–41:03]

• Jack introduces a story about an AI chatbot lawsuit, where a company is accused of not reporting a user’s violent intentions—a harbinger of debates on AI responsibility.
  • “Are we going to have mandatory reporter rules for chatbots? …That’d be interesting.” – Jack Armstrong [14:37]
• They discuss a Wall Street Journal piece revealing that AI isn’t reducing workloads but is increasing intensity and the time spent on emails/chats.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “New data show, in fact, AI is increasing the speed, density and complexity of work rather than reducing it.” – Jack Armstrong [20:58]
    • “The time they spent on email, messaging and chat more than doubled…” – Jack Armstrong [21:32]
    • “If it's true, the idea that when AI comes to your workplace…the time spent on emailing and chatting and messaging will double.” – Jack Armstrong [23:17]
    • “Yes, the robots won't kill you, the work will.” – Joe Getty [23:51]
• They reflect on evolving predictions about AI:
  • “I don't know about that part, but you keep your job. But maybe working so hard it makes you insane 'til it kills you.” – Jack Armstrong [23:44]
  • “This can lead to cognitive overload, burnout, poor decision making and declining work quality even if workers appear more effective. Yeah, can lead to wanting to jump off the eight story balcony…” – Jack Armstrong [32:34]
  • On universal income/AI takeover:
    • “When have we ever like come up with something that makes it more efficient? So now you don't work as much?” – Jack Armstrong [33:33]
    • “If I give you a shovel that doesn't have holes in it so you can dig a ditch more quickly, that doesn't mean I'm going to settle for the one, you know, slow ditch that I used to settle for—no, dig two ditches, obviously.” – Joe Getty [33:45]
• Joe considers the perpetual escalation of tasks feeding on greater capacity, wondering if this is ever going to plateau or be mitigated by smarter AI.
• The segment winds down with reflections on generational anxiety and the luck of “hitting the sweet spot” in the AI timeline.

4. Cultural Observations: Music and Work

Segment: [36:38–40:41]

• The hosts lament changes in pop music, claiming that songs are now written more for TikTok/social media syncs rather than to be enjoyed as art.
  • “Pop music is now imitating the background music from TikTok videos, or it's impossible to tell the difference which is which.” – Joe Getty [38:52]
  • “If you like music as art, don't look there anymore. Don't, don't. Don't look for diamonds in a gold mine. You're wasting your time.” – Joe Getty [39:36]
• Jack recommends real artists like Olivia Dean, while Joe plugs David Byrne’s book How Music Works.

5. Social Commentary: Megan Rapinoe & International Women’s Rights

Segment: [27:53–29:13]

• The hosts question why prominent activist and soccer star Megan Rapinoe has been silent on the Iranian women’s team facing persecution.
  • “Man, she's been involved in so many political issues and you're—you're like the biggest voice in women's soccer on planet Earth.” – Jack Armstrong [28:50]

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Yeah, well, it's a national humiliation and I really think we gotta send the Marines into Italy, take their oil.” – Jack Armstrong [05:43]
• “Islamophobes pounce after Muslim piloted Aircraft collide with symbols of capitalist imperialism.” – Quoting Andrew Stiles [12:31]
• “Yes, the robots won't kill you, the work will. Oh my God.” – Joe Getty [23:51]
• “If you like music as art, don't look there anymore…Don't look for diamonds in a gold mine.” – Joe Getty [39:36]
• “My mind is blown. I got no time for this. I'm going to go watch the squirrels cavort.” – Joe Getty [35:23]
• “When have we ever…come up with something that makes it more efficient? So now you don't work as much?” – Jack Armstrong [33:33]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Italy’s upset win and fallout: [03:33–05:43, 44:46–46:20]
• Media & political narrative on NYC terror event: [07:35–13:39]
• AI, chatbots, and workplace impact: [13:58–24:03, 27:22–41:03]
• Musings on music & pop culture: [36:38–40:41]
• Rapinoe, Iran, and activist double standards: [27:53–29:13]
• Final thoughts & show wrap: [46:54–49:13]

Tone & Style

• Signature Armstrong & Getty blend of sarcasm, satire, and frankness, often lampooning both the news and themselves.
• Willingness to switch from facetious hot takes to serious analysis, often within the same segment.
• Engaging, conversational, and self-aware, frequently peppering content with pop culture references and interludes about their own lives.

Memorable Moments

• Satirical outrage over baseball loss: Proposing military action and jailing stars for losing a baseball game.
• Sharp critique of media bias: Blasting the New York Times and CNN for twisting narratives around terror events.
• Workplace AI woes: The hosts’ comic disbelief at "AI that doubles your emails instead of reducing them."
• Generational reflection: Joe resigning to “watch the squirrels cavort” rather than try to process the fast new world.
• Music industry lament: The hosts bemoan the TikTokification of popular music.

Useful for New Listeners

This recap gives the spirit and content of Armstrong & Getty’s March 11, 2026 show: fast-paced, sometimes irreverent, and encompassing everything from international sports to the existential angst of the AI era. It’s clear these are two broadcasters who see the world in perpetual, often sardonic flux—and choose to face it with both critique and a sense of humor.