Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: I'm On The Fence & It's Sagging
Date: January 28, 2026
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Main Hosts: Jack Armstrong, Joe Getty
Contributors: Michael, Katie Green

Overview

This episode of Armstrong & Getty is a lively, fast-paced discussion weaving together major news headlines, cultural trends, and the hosts’ trademark irreverent banter. Major topics include a bizarre attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar, California legislative grandstanding, exercise and “friction maxing,” social media lawsuits compared to Big Tobacco, and the ethics of weight loss drug litigation. The hosts also dig into headline news, riff on personal anecdotes, and exchange memorable quips.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ilhan Omar Attacked at Town Hall

Timestamps: 01:14–02:25, 15:37–16:10

• Incident Recap: Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with a “foul smelling substance” during a public event in Minneapolis.
• Reactions:
  • Michael highlights the fear factor: “Which would be scary AF if it happened to you. You’d be immediately wondering, is that bleach? Is it poison?” (01:35)
  • Armstrong & Getty condemn the act as dangerous, regardless of their political disagreements with Omar.
  • Trump’s immediate public skepticism (implying it was a staged attack) is criticized as irresponsible:
    “That’s not helpful. … Come out hours after an attack on an official as skeptical that it wasn’t fake.” (02:31)

2. California Lawmakers’ Anti-ICE Grandstanding

Timestamps: 02:46–04:05

• New Proposal: California lawmakers target companies profiting from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), echoing similar performative measures like travel bans.
• Joe Getty lampoons the political theater:
  “You can probably catch a ride on one of the Learjets of one of the many billionaires who are leaving California. ... It’s so naked. It’s so obvious. Oh, we got to do something that shows we’re against ICE.” (03:13)
• The hosts point out the logistical absurdity of these bans for businesses and college sports teams.

3. Jump Rope, Exercise, and Excuses

Timestamps: 04:05–08:33

• Personal Anecdotes:
  • Michael talks about muscle soreness and buying a top-rated jump rope for $15, emphasizing the accessibility of exercise.
  • The team jokes about tricks, double-unders, and the perils of crisscross moves.
  • Reflection on barriers to exercising: “There’s nothing stopping you or me from getting cardiovascular exercise. The best jump rope you can buy in the world is 15 bucks. And you got a floor.” (05:06)
• Social Satire:
  • The decline of traditional childhood games (“Are they all staring at an app that’s making them depressed and anxious?” 06:08)
  • Joe Getty quips, “Gavin Newsom has banned jump ropes because…” (06:22)

4. Technology & “Friction Maxing”

Timestamps: 08:53–12:10

• TikTok Clip:
  • Friction maxing—“the process of building up our tolerance for inconvenience”—is described in a dizzying, rapid-fire style.
  • The hosts critique high-speed, edited videos, linking them to anxiety and loss of attention span:
    “No wonder kids are anxious and on medication. Everything on TikTok is edited that way. That like, made me anxious.” (09:17)
• Debate on whether adding “friction” (e.g., using a cookbook, shutting off location sharing) is beneficial.
• Comedic skepticism:
  • Armstrong: “Why do I want more friction, Katie?”
  • Getty: “It’s because it’s good for you. I think it slows you down.” (11:01)
• “The most anxiety inducing thing I’ve done so far today was listening to that.” (11:20)

5. Major Lawsuits: Social Media & Weight Loss Drugs

Timestamps: 12:26–29:12

A. Social Media Addiction Lawsuit (Big Tobacco Comparison)

• News Recap: Major trial begins in LA, accusing platforms like Meta and YouTube of addicting kids, leading to mental health issues. TikTok and Snapchat already settled.
• Hosts’ Analysis:
  • Michael: “The only thing I took away from the one law class I took in college is you can settle at any time.”
  • Joe Getty draws a sharp comparison:
    “The Mariana Trench is not as deep as their pockets.” (18:34)
  • Discussion of the core legal challenge—causation: Can platforms truly be blamed for mental health outcomes, or is this a “money geyser” for trial lawyers?
    “It’s extremely difficult to prove that social media ‘caused’ any individual’s problems…” (21:27)
    “The big media company, the social media companies are evil and I hate them… but this case is the wrong way to get to what we want…” (20:45 & 23:13)
  • Potential for public benefit: Internal documents revealed may expose willful disregard by Big Tech.

B. Weight Loss Drug Litigation

• Early Signs of Big Lawsuits: With so many users, even rare side effects equal large numbers of adverse events and law firm interest.
• Michael: “Would you get on one of these weight loss drugs or not?”
  Joe Getty: “Coin flip. I’d want to know more. … I’m on the fence. Probably break the fence as fat as I am, but I’m on the fence.” (29:04)
• Discussion wraps with humor on the uncertainty and legal risks.

6. Headline Review with Katie Green

Timestamps: 12:57–16:28

• Ilhan Omar’s reaction referenced again: “I’ve survived war.” (15:37)
• Wide-ranging news: Trump warning Iran, Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame rejection, Bruce Willis’ dementia, coyote at Alcatraz, neuroscience of shoes, and more.
• Media Satire: The Babylon Bee: “Tragedy as entire studio audience drowns in flood of Jimmy Kimmel’s tears.” (16:10)
• The hosts return repeatedly to dissecting media coverage, political performativity, and hypocrisy.

7. Miscellaneous: Russia-Ukraine Update and Franklin’s Wisdom

Timestamps: 29:22–30:50

• Russia is accused of hitting a passenger train—“about as big a war crime as you can come up with…” (29:22)
• Benjamin Franklin Quotes:
  • “Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.” (30:06)
  • “He that drinks his cider alone, let him catch his horse alone.” (30:19)

8. Listener Mailbag

Timestamps: 31:01–36:29

• Great listener reactions to recent thoughtful pieces and teaching methods.
• Criticism from “Sideshow Bob” regarding tribal thinking among MAGA supporters and intelligent conservatism (33:21).
• Ongoing listener discussion of the overreach of social media and Big Tech—whether lawsuits or social pressure is the answer.
• Satirical predictions about Super Bowl halftime protests and nostalgia for simpler times (“arguing over a nipple”).

Notable Quotes

• On targeted performative politics:
  “It’s so naked. It’s so obvious. Oh, we got to do something that shows we’re against ICE.” – Joe Getty (03:13)
• On exercise excuses:
  “There’s nothing stopping you or me from getting cardiovascular exercise. The best jump rope you can buy in the world is 15 bucks. And you got a floor.” – Michael (05:06)
• On TikTok/Gen Z content style:
  “No wonder kids are anxious and on medication. Everything on TikTok is edited that way. That like, made me anxious.” – Michael (09:17)
• On social media lawsuits:
  “The Mariana Trench is not as deep as their pockets.” – Joe Getty (18:34) “This is a shakedown. … There’s subtlety here because the social media companies are evil and I hate them. But this is the wrong way to get there.” – Joe Getty (20:45)
• On weight loss drugs:
  “I’m on the fence. Probably break the fence as fat as I am, but I’m on the fence.” – Joe Getty (29:04)
• On marriage and compromise (Ben Franklin):
  “Keep your eyes wide open before marriage. Half shut afterwards.” – Joe Getty, quoting Franklin (30:06)

Segment Timestamps

• Ilhan Omar Attack: 01:14–02:25, revisited at 15:37–16:10
• California Lawmakers on ICE: 02:46–04:05
• Jump Rope/Exercise: 04:05–08:33
• Friction Maxing/TikTok: 08:53–12:10
• Major Lawsuits (Social Media/Weight Loss): 12:26–29:12
• Headline Rundown: 12:57–16:28
• Russia-Ukraine & Franklin: 29:22–30:50
• Listener Mailbag: 31:01–36:29

Tone and Language

Conversational, witty, and skeptical, with a balance of pointed satire and sincere concern. The hosts toggle between sarcasm, social criticism, self-deprecation, and genuine analysis—delivering an episode that’s both thought-provoking and entertaining, true to Armstrong & Getty’s distinctive style.